HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-19 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - July 19, 2021
Call to Order
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of July 19, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,Bruce McDougall and Matt
Miller were present. Councilmembers Jeremy Carter and Anthony Young were absent.
Mr. Carter had been excused in advance at the May 24,2021 regular City Council meeting.
Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall,to excuse the absence of Mr. Young. The motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
COVID-19 Update: Mayor Gere shared current case statistics and vaccination progress for Anacortes, Skagit
County and Washington State.
Skagit County Law&Justice Council: Mr. Miller advised that the July committee meeting had been
rescheduled for August 10, 2021.
Public Works Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The
topics discussed included grants being pursued for storm water projects and Commercial Avenue improvements,
an update to the Water System Plan, staffing in the Public Works Department,the potential acquisition of the
South Fidalgo Water System by the City of Anacortes, and the status of design for the CSO project.
Proclamation of Dinosaur Week: Parks and Recreation Director Jonn Lunsford introduced the new Dinosaur
Week of activities being coordinated between the Parks, Museum and Library Departments to encourage
reading and learning among young people in Anacortes. Mayor Gere read a statement proclaiming the week of
July 26, 2021 as the celebration of Dinosaur Week in Anacortes and encouraging citizens to enjoy summer
reading and the study of dinosaurs, history, and science.
Public Comment
No one present wished to address the Council on any topic not already on the agenda. Public comment
submitted in writing by Ian Munce prior to the meeting was added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of July 12, 2021
b. Approval of claims in the amount of$658,127.51
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 100621 through 100669,total$361,462.15
Check numbers: 100670 through 100687,total $16,938.63
Wire transfer numbers: 286978 through 287319,total $279,726.73
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OTHER BUSINESS
Resolution 3044: Disposition of Tommy Thompson Train
City Attorney Darcy Swetnam introduced Resolution 3044 declaring the Thomas G. Thompson, Jr. Train and
related equipment to be surplus to the needs of the City of Anacortes and directing the return of the Train and
equipment to the Thompson family. The resolution had been prepared pursuant to Council direction to staff at
the July 12,2021 regular City Council meeting.
Mr. Walters identified a typo in the second recital. Ms. Swetnam indicated an "and"would be corrected to a
"that"before the resolution was routed for signature.
CAROLYN MOULTON moved, seconded by RYAN WALTERS,to approve Resolution 3044 with the one
correction noted by Mr. Walters. Vote: Ayes -RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,
CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,MATT MILLER.Nays -None. Result: Passed
Access Anacortes Fiber Internet Update
Administrative Services Director Emily Schuh provided the regular monthly update on Access Anacortes Fiber
Internet. Ms. Schuh's slides were added to the packet materials for the meeting. Ms. Schuh responded to
councilmember questions about increased staffing in the fiber department and installation methodology in the
west end of Anacortes.
Wim Houppermans asked why his home at 3402 K Avenue right in the middle of town did not yet have Access
Anacortes Fiber service. Ms. Schuh explained that service installation in that area would be pursued as soon as
the EDA grant processing was complete and that installation was expected in 2022.
Ordinance 3064: Critical Area Update Draft 3 Discussion
Planning Director Don Measamer introduced Senior Planner Tess Cooper to present Draft 3 of the 2016 critical
areas regulations update with comments on final changes. Mr. Measamer explained that the final ordinance
would come back to Council for action on July 26,2021. Ms. Cooper's slide presentation was added to the
packet materials for the meeting. Individual councilmembers expressed their preferences to Ms. Cooper on the
final proposed changes.
At councilmember request,Marlene Finley,representing Evergreen Islands, defined"essential public services".
Mr. Measamer asked if any councilmembers had any other aspects of the critical areas regulations update that
they wished to discuss. Mr. Miller mentioned page 12 and page 21 regarding ADUs vs. garages. Mr. Walters
asked that the chapter be titled "Critical Areas".
Andrea Doll expressed concern about clearly defining trails vs.roads.
Marlene Finley, representing Evergreen Islands, said the CAO needs to first and foremost avoid impacts to
existing critical areas. Ms. Finley spoke against allowing stream relocations and emphasized the importance of
stream buffers.
Brian Wetcher thanked the staff and elected officials who had worked so hard for the past several years on the
critical areas regulations. He noted the extended duration of the process and said something needed to change to
allow updating to best available science in a more timely fashion.
Kathleen Flanagan said Section 19.70.045 appeared to give a green light to a trail going through the buffer at
Ship Harbor which is a critical area. Ms. Flanagan added that a multi-modal corridor did not seem to her to be in
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the same category as public services such as gas, sewer and storm water so it should not be a permitted
alteration.
Adiournment
There being no further business, at approximately 7:15 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of July 19,
2021 was adjourned.
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