HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-13 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - September 13, 2021
Call to Order
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of September 13,2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Jeremy Carter,Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,Bruce
McDougall and Matt Miller participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom. Councilmember Ryan Walters was
absent.
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. She summarized the latest state masking requirements.
Skagit County Law&Justice Council: Mr. Miller reported that the next LJC meeting had been moved to
October 12, 2021.
Finance Committee: Mr. McDougall reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week. The topics
discussed included the cemetery expansion project and funding for same,the automated meter reading software
that would be discussed later on the agenda, a demo of another financial transparency software product, and the
special City Council procedures for COVID which expire on September 30,2021.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting
held September 9, 2021. The agenda included a presentation from Habitat for Humanity about a potential lease
of City-owned land to Habitat for affordable housing.
Personnel Committee: Mayor Gere announced that this meeting had been cancelled so there was no report.
Planning Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the Committee meeting held earlier in the evening.
The topics discussed included citizen concerns about self-storage in the Commercial zone,the R4 bonus height
provision moratorium, and questions from the public about sitework at the MJB property.
Public Comment
No one present wished to address the Council on any topic not already on the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Miller moved, seconded by Mr. Carter, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of September 7,2021
b. Approval of claims in the amount of$520,829.96
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 101125 through 101172,total$184,180.09
Check numbers: 101173 through 101187,total $157,524.99
Wire transfer numbers: 2886182 through 81722021,total $128,350.01
c. Street Fair Application: Hot September Nights
d. Contract Award: Anacortes Police Department Body Cameras#21-168-APD-001
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OTHER BUSINESS
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. She reported on customers in
service,pending orders and revenue received, including 863 customers in service. She noted the take rate by
district,which was exceeding a 30%take rate in the currently active zones. Ms. Schuh also reported on
continual investigation of additional funding opportunities, the status of construction by zone, and special
projects with Rock Island Communications,the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community,WWU Shannon Point
Marine Center and Island Hospital.
Mr. McDougall left the meeting at this point.
Anacortes Community Forest Lands Management Plan Update
Assistant Parks&Recreation Director Bob Vaux and Parks &Recreation Director Jonn Lunsford updated
Council on the status of the ACFL Management Plan,which had been updated but not adopted in 2014. Staffs
slide presentation was added to the packet materials for the meeting. They requested direction from Council on
the next steps to attain City Council approval of the plan.
Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.
Brian Wetcher called the plan the most vetted comprehensive land use plan the City has ever seen. He urged
Council to adopt the plan as presented as soon as possible.
Sara Holahan, 1511 38th Street, expressed concern about whether the plan would be updated every five years
going forward. She also said Transition Fidalgo had been engaging in citizen science under Parks Department
auspices and should be mentioned in the plan. Ms. Holahan urged making more wheelchair accessible trails in
the ACFL.
Brian Wetcher added that e-bikes are considered motorcycles in ACFL and are restricted to trails that are open
to motorcycles.
Mr. Miller asked if the plan had been reviewed by the Planning Commission like other comprehensive plans.
Mr. Lunsford said that it had, in 2019. Ms. Moulton suggested that the plan be presented to Council as is for
action. Mr. Young agreed but expressed concern about allowing sufficient e-bike access in the ACFL. Ms.
Cleland-McGrath wondered if more timely public comment was appropriate but supported acting on the plan in
its current form. Mr. Miller asked that the plan be presented to Council with the Planning Commission's
recommendation. Mayor Gere concluded that the management plan would be presented to Council for action at
a meeting in the near future.
Contract Award: Sensus Water Meter Software#21-136-WTR-001
Water System Manager Brian McDaniel requested City Council consent to award a contract in the amount of
$195,712.16 to Ferguson Waterworks for the Sensus Water Meter Software. The agreement provides for the
setup, installation, configuration, integration,training, and support of the Sensus water meter software in the
City's water system. Mr. McDaniel's slide presentation was added to the packet materials for the meeting.He
responded to extensive councilmember questions about the proposed meter reading system and its costs and
benefits.
MATT MILLER moved, seconded by CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,to authorize the Mayor to sign
contract 21-136-WTR-001 with Ferguson Waterworks in the amount of$195,712.16 for the Sensus Water Meter
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Software. Vote: Ayes-JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,
CAROLYN MOULTON,MATT MILLER.Nays -None. Result: Passed
Contract Award: Grand View Cemetery Expansion -Phase 2#19-092-PRK-004
Parks Operations Manager Nicole Johnston requested City Council consent to award a contract in the amount of
$605,972.48 to Trinity Contractors Inc.to perform the Grand View Cemetery Expansion-Phase 2. Ms.
Johnston reviewed the work included in Phase 2. Her slide presentation was added to the packet materials for
the meeting.
ANTHONY YOUNG moved, seconded by JEREMY CARTER,to authorize the Mayor to sign contract 19-092-
PRK-004 with Trinity Contractors Inc. in the amount of$605,972.48 to perform the Grand View Cemetery
Expansion-Phase 2. Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG, CHRISTINE CLELAND-
MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,MATT MILLER.Nays -None. Result: Passed
Adjournment
There being no further business, at approximately 8:00 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of
September 13,2021 was adjourned.
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