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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-26 City Council Minutes ApprovedAnacortes City Council Minutes - May 26, 2026 1 Anacortes City Council Minutes - May 26, 2026 Call to Order Councilmembers Marcia Hunt, Luke Currier, Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, Pledge of Allegiance Announcements and Committee Reports for the 4th of July parade on May 29th and a recurring Veterans Hang Out event on the last Friday of every month, and upcoming Parks and Recreation events including Kids Fishing Day on May 30th at Heart Lake, and Bark in the Park at Storvik recruiting and hiring update for May, upcoming employee wellness events, police and fire promotional testing, included the Clearidge pickleball court, a report from the Skagit Council on Aging that will continue the Meals on Wheels program through 2026, the e-bike policy that is in the Forest Plan, an update on grant applications for the Volunteer Field resurfacing and Ship Harbor restoration projects, and the Skate Park restroom contract that would be coming before the full council in the near term. Ms. Hunt ad review of elements of the proposed e-bike regulation with the goal of increasing community safety, including a unanimous recommendation for a helmet requirement for individuals under 18 years old. The regulations will be brought before the full council for consideration in the near term. Economic Development Committee Mr. Young reported from the Economic Development Committee meeting held earlier in the day. The topics in cooperation with the Skagit Tourism Bureau, Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Anacortes, and the Anacortes Arts Festival, and possible supplemental Skagit Transit support during the summer tourism season to better connect the Washington State ferry terminal with downtown. North Star Symposium Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the North Star Symposium that was held on May 21st at the Swinomish Casino. The event featured discussion of how to strategically plan and implement a continuum of care for those in need throughout the community, keynote speakers who spoke about health systems and conditions for sessions on topics such as community-based care, behavioral health strategies, North Star public-private Anacortes City Council Minutes - May 26, 2026 2 Appointments Resolution 3218: Confirmation of Planning Commission Appointment Mayor Walters introduced his appointment of Chad Sage to the Planning Commission, who, subject to council confirmation by approval of Resolution 3218, would assume Position 3 that was vacated by Paul Ryan, and serve through the remainder of the term that expires January 31, 2028. Marcia Hunt moved, seconded by Anthony Young, to approve Resolution 3218 confirming the appointment of Public Comment Gina Peterson of Anacortes encouraged the city to install rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the roundabout at 32nd Street and D Avenue within two years, especially the crosswalks on the north, south, and east approaches to the roundabout, which she said would support pedestrian safety and the city's Comprehensive Plan goal of zero deaths and serious injury in its transportation system. Mayor Walters responded that he had sent the Public Works Department a message asking them to investigate Consent Agenda carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of May 18, 2026 b. Approval of claims in the amount of $1,111,530.57 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 115658 through 115701, total $900,828.18 Check numbers: 115656 through 11718, total $192,150.23 Wire transfer numbers: 389107 through 389404, total $18,552.16 c. Special Event: Anacortes High School Graduation Parade d. Special Event: Whale of a Sale e. Special Event: Fourth of July Parade & Road Closure f. Special Event: Free Movie Night on Kingsway Other Business Resolution 3217: Adopting an Updated Public Participation Plan for the Periodic Update to the Shoreline Master Program the periodic update to the Shoreline Master Program, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included: • Appreciation for the staff, Planning Commission, and public involvement in the process. • Planning Department coordination with the Department of Ecology. • The next update will be 2030. • Next step is local adoption and then submission to the Department of Ecology. Anacortes City Council Minutes - May 26, 2026 3 Mayor Walters invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. Brian Wetcher of Anacortes asked if the timeline for adoption and implementation is realistic, citing the lack of public hearings and public comment periods noted in the plan, and asked how much public comment there would be and if the Planning Department would provide documentation of associated staff responses. Luke Currier moved, seconded by Anthony Young, to adopt Resolution 3217 adopting an updated public participation plan for the periodic update of the Shoreline Master Program as presented. The motion carried Clearidge Pickleball Court Discussion Clearidge Park, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Council discussion topics included: • The cost of converting two courts near Anacortes Middle School is approximately $65,000–$70,000. • Constraints on the basement floor in City Hall for pickleball use. • Possibly using the outdoor space at Whitney Elementary School for pickleball. • Having a location within city limits and centrally located for residents to use. • Next steps for the council following tonight's conversation. • Feasibility of measuring sound levels without hiring professionals. • Enforcement of regulations regarding individuals playing pickleball after hours. • Penalties or fines related to rule violations, including trespassing. • Cost to the city of installation, maintenance and equipping the Clearidge pickleball courts. Mayor Walters invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. Frank McCoy of Glasgow Way in Clearidge, Anacortes spoke about the mission of the Parks and Recreation Department related to the proposed restriction of hours of the courts, expressing opposition to any restrictions on access to the courts, and how to have the sound readings taken by a volunteer member of the community. He advocated ensuring that the effectiveness of the installed sound barriers is fully evaluated before limiting access. John Pope of Peters Lane in Anacortes, and a member of the Anacortes Parks Foundation, spoke about the effectiveness of the sound dampening barriers that are installed on the court, pointing out that it significantly reduces noise by 11 decibels and reduces the effects of wind on those playing pickleball or tennis. Paula Plumer of M Avenue in Anacortes mentioned a written comment she submitted and expressed outrage at the proposal to limit the use of public land by changing available hours. She also asserted that it was the responsibility of those opposed to the current situation to fund any efforts to determine noise levels. She questioned the legality of limiting hours to the park and cast doubt upon the validity of the British Columbia noise assessment that was included in the packet materials for the meeting. Mike VanQuickenborne of Hillcrest Drive in Anacortes supported the use of the City Hall basement and suggested that two courts could fit in the space. He also spoke against closing or limiting the use of a public park due to the complaints of a few residents. Justin Kirby of Rockridge Parkway in Anacortes wondered how many individuals are complaining and how the Anacortes City Council Minutes - May 26, 2026 4 without first acquiring accurate data. Junko Gross of Anacortes decided not to speak. Dave Geyer of Glasgow Way in Clearidge, Anacortes spoke about the difficult parking situation and the debris left behind by park users in the neighborhood near the Clearidge Park courts, pointing out that the park had been transformed from a neighborhood park to one that attracts many people from throughout the region. He suggested that there should be fewer open hours and better enforcement of existing regulations. Susan Yip of Clearidge, Anacortes, who lives three blocks from the park, suggested that it was a few people who ignored the regulations that were causing a problem for the wider community who abide by the rules, and expressed support for pickleball and the community using the facility. Len Kluft of Glasgow Way in Clearidge, Anacortes advocated for community efforts to police the noise, and spoke against limiting the hours or closing the park, pointing out the positive intergenerational and social nature of the sport, and advocating for maintaining local access to the sport. Brad Adams of 30th Street in Ward 2, Anacortes, and a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, advocated on his own behalf for a balanced approach to the issue and creating a solution that respects the neighborhood and park users, suggesting that the council reduce the hours of play, that the park be closed three days per week, and to find a more suitable site that would support the sport's growth. John Beale of Tartan Place in Skyline, Anacortes spoke about the positive social aspect of pickleball, and suggested that the council consider the needs of the community for future growth, and advocated against limiting the time the public can use the courts. Delores Sentinella of Clearidge, Anacortes and a close neighbor of the park spoke about her efforts over the past several years with the Parks and Recreation Department to solve the issue of noise and disruption by pickleball players in the neighborhood, mentioning the negative reactions that many community members have exhibited toward her after she mentioned these issues at a public meeting on May 12th. She suggested that if city staffing is inadequate to enforce the existing rules and hours of play, then the park should be closed or decommissioned. Laurie Skoroda of Anaco Beach Place in Ward 3, Anacortes advocated that players follow the rules, that the city enforce the existing regulations and find out what the real noise levels are in Clearidge. She also mentioned the potential negative economic impact of not having pickleball available locally. expressed a willingness to help enforce the rules as well as a desire to raise funding to find a new pickleball facility location to keep the sport available locally. He also mentioned the potential negative economic impact of not having pickleball available locally. Stephanie Quah of Bay Lane, Skagit County expressed empathy for the neighbors near the court and mentioned the community's efforts to maintain and improve the park. She opposed closing or limiting the hours of the court without clear data regarding sound levels around the park. She also mentioned the potential negative economic impact of not having pickleball available locally. Keith Howard of Skyline Way in Skyline, Anacortes mentioned an interaction he had with an angry local neighbor, and suggested that a constructive solution be found instead of approaching the issue in a Anacortes City Council Minutes - May 26, 2026 5 Merlene Stiles of Heather Drive in Anacortes mentioned an interaction with an angry neighbor at Clearidge Park, recounting that she and her fellow players had felt threatened while playing pickleball. Linda Martin of Ward 3 in Anacortes mentioned that her church is still interested in partnering with the city to build a pickleball court in a large, mostly empty parking lot adjacent to the church. Debbie Amos of Turners Bay Place, Skagit County, commented that getting noise levels at Clearidge Park below 60 decibels, which she said is the level of normal conversation, is unrealistic, that some close-by residents of the park are not against pickleball, and that the days and hours that the courts are used are limited by daylight and weather conditions most of the year. Betty Anne McCoy of Glasgow Way in Clearidge, Anacortes expressed support for the sport of pickleball and hoped that there would still be local access to the sport long into the future. Brian Wetcher of Forest Park Lane in Anacortes mentioned that the park space was part of the original agreement with the developer of the Clearidge neighborhood and was built to the minimum size, pointing out that there is an overall lack of capacity in Anacortes for recreation of all kinds. He suggested that an indoor / outdoor facility could be found in the warehouse district and that a recreation center for Anacortes should be pursued, positing that the lack of adequate facilities in the city is pushing many of those who grew up here to live elsewhere. Mayor Walters mentioned that there is a note in the Capital Facilities Plan to decommission the Clearidge courts once a new court location is found. City Attorney Darcy Swetnam spoke about the legality of limiting park use as being within the city's police powers. Council discussion topics included: • Public process when Clearidge Park was commissioned. • Public complaints regarding activities before pickleball. • Public process around creating an alternate site. • Enforcing the existing regulations is important. • Possibly limiting the hours of use. • Sympathy for the homeowners who struggle with the courts. • Doing as much as possible for the community's youth. • Acknowledging the amount of work that 'seasoned' citizens do for the community. • Finding additional locations for pickleball courts. • Keeping economic activity in Anacortes. • The park is designed for a single neighborhood, not regional use. • Encouraging the use of noise reducing pickleball equipment. • Partner with local organizations to raise funds for new facility(ies). • Plan with a timeline for finding alternate locations. • Having a facility that encompasses other recreational activities to enable wider community participation. • Going larger than four courts and having it located in the economic core of the city. • Study session for sports and recreation. Anacortes City Council Minutes - May 26, 2026 6 the likelihood of higher priority incidents requiring the attention of law enforcement personnel. Closed Session Collective Bargaining topics per RCW 42.30.140(4)(b) (15 minutes) At approximately 8:21 pm, Mayor Walters announced that the council would move into closed session for approximately 15 minutes to discuss collective bargaining topics per RCW 42.30.140(4)(b). Ms. Swetnam, Human Resources Director Kendall Moyle, and Finance Manager Rhonda Peck also attended the closed Adjournment