HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-04 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - October 4, 2021
Call to Order
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of October 4,2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Jeremy Carter,Ryan Walters,Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,
and Bruce McDougall participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom. Councilmember Matt Miller attended the
meeting in City Council Chambers.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Mayor Gere swore in recently hired Firefighter-Paramedic Christopher Horne,Firefighter-EMT Garrett Hutsell
and Firefighter-EMT William Colwell
Proclamation: Indigenous Peoples'Day: Mayor Gere read a statement proclaiming the second Monday of
October to be Indigenous Peoples'Day in the City of Anacortes, encouraging everyone to recognize the day, and
reaffirming the City's commitment to the well-being of our indigenous communities.
COVID-19 Update: Mayor Gere shared current case statistics and vaccination progress for Anacortes, Skagit
County and Washington State.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting
held the previous week. The topics discussed included potential grant opportunities,the Human Services
Strategic Plan, distribution channels for state funding for behavioral health issues,the committee's upcoming
presentation to full City Council, and utility billing low income discounts. Mr.Walters commented on Skagit
County funding that may be made more available to Anacortes residents.
Public Works Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The
topics discussed included decommissioning of the former water treatment plant,the water system plan,the
Craley sensing hardware and software package, and the wastewater treatment plant outfall project.
Mayor's Budget Message: Mayor Gere read her 2022 Budget Message into the record, in compliance with RCW
RCW 35A.33. The full text of the message is included at the end of the minutes of this meeting.
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 27,2021
b. Approval of claims in the amount of$512,586.66
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 101325 through 101361,total $252,169.26
Check numbers: 101362 through 101373,total$147,977.62
Wire transfer numbers: 290210 through 291179,total $4,078.59
Anacortes City Council Minutes- October 4,2021 1
OTHER BUSINESS
Resolution 3052: Establishing the City's use of American Rescue Plan Act Funds
Finance Director Steve Hoglund presented a revised version of Resolution 3052,which had first been presented
to City Council at its regular meeting on September 20,2021. Mr. Hoglund referred to his slide presentation
which had been included in the packet materials for the meeting. Councilmembers discussed whether ARPA
funding might be directly or indirectly allocated to the Anacortes Family Center's planned 21-unit apartment
building and early learning center,to help cover the $500K shortfall predicted following rapidly increasing
construction costs due to the pandemic. Councilmembers expressed support for directing the largest portion of
the ARPA funding to the fiber project.
Dustin Johnson,Anacortes Family Center Executive Director, called the 21-unit apartment complex
"transformative". He confirmed that the project had lost access to some anticipated CDBG funding, and that
construction costs had escalated significantly due to COVID. Mr. Johnson explained that the AFC was not in
immediate need of cash but that a promissory note would be beneficial as the Center finalized its loan.
Mr. Miller suggested that staff revise the resolution and bring it back the following week for action,removing
the fourth bullet and replacing it with a reference to the Anacortes Family Center. Mr. Walters suggested that the
revision could also simply refer to revenue replacement,which would free up other general funds for the AFC.
2022-2027 Capital Facilities Plan,Part 1 of 2: Public Works Departments
Mr. Hoglund presented the draft 2022-2027 Capital Facilities Plan. His presentation focused on the Public
Works Department. Mr. Hoglund advised that the rest of the CFP, covering all other departments,would be
reviewed at the regular City Council meeting on October 11, 2021. Mr. Hoglund and Public Works Director
Fred Buckenmeyer responded to councilmember questions on specific projects and noted revisions suggested by
individual councilmembers.
Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.
John Wilkinson referenced his comment submitted regarding the outfall project. Mr. Wilkinson's email was
added to the packet materials for the meeting. He also inquired about a pocket park that had been promised as
part of the outfall project. Mr. Buckenmeyer explained that the city was committed to the U Avenue pocket park
but that it was a small portion of the$19.5M outfall project so didn't have a separate line item in the CFP. Mr.
Walters reported that the Public Works Committee recommended mentioning the park as a component of the
outfall project in the description of the larger CFP item.
Adjournment
There being no further business, at approximately 8:00 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of October 4,
2021 was adjourned.
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Mayor Gere's 2022 Budget Message
Introduction
Honorable City Council and Members of our Community:
I am proud to present the City's 2022 proposed annual budget. Looking forward, we continue our
commitment to balance fiscal responsibility while meeting the City Council priorities of public safety,
essential services, sound infrastructure, and enriching community programs.
City leadership has worked thoughtfully and cooperatively to create a budget reflecting our community
values. The City will continue to provide efficient, quality services while being conscientious of our
financial position and in compliance with RCW 35A.33.
In every code city a budget message prepared by or under the direction of the city's
chief administrative officer shall be submitted as a part of the preliminary budget to the
city's legislative body at east sixty days before the beginning of the city's next fiscal
year and shall contain the following:
(1) An explanation of the budget document;
(2) An outline of the recommended financial policies and programs of the city for the
ensuing fiscal year;
(3) A statement of the relation of the recommended appropriation to such policies and
programs;
(4)A statement of the reason for salient changes from the previous year in appropriation
and revenue items;
(5) An explanation for any recommended major changes in financial policy.
Prior to the final hearing on the budget, the legislative body, or a committee thereof, shall schedule
hearings on the budget or parts thereof, and may require the presence of department heads to give
information regarding estimates and programs.
Throughout my administration, I have been steadfast in my policy to maintain a rainy-day fund cash
reserve in the General Fund. That reserve fund increases or decreases as the City Budget grows or
shrinks. For Fiscal Year 2021, that reserve stands at over 5.6 million dollars ($5,673,733.00) and is
available to support general operations. Other operating funds have their own reserves as well; each of
the Utility Funds have rainy-day reserves that represent 10 percent of that Fund's annual expenditures
and currently exceed 2.3 million dollars ($2,316,406.00). Additionally, the Equipment Rental Fund
has over 9 million dollars set aside for future equipment replacement($9,033,099.67).
In our continued efforts to encourage open communication with our community, the Finance
Department has evaluated several programs to share city finance data format in the coming year.
The module currently being considered is OpenGov, which would meet Council expectations of easier
citizen access and more transparency of city financial data,provided in a user friendly, searchable, and
graphical format. OpenGov also provides a budgeting platform staff would use in the budget
development process, incorporating capital budgeting, and providing long term forecasting options,
Anacortes City Council Minutes - October 4, 2021 3
into the budget process. We will continue our exploration of the best platform to provide this service
and look forward to sharing this service with our public.
Public Safety
Anacortes Police Department
Our Police officers are on the front lines. I am grateful for their professionalism and adaptability in the
face of new legislative changes. In 2022, the Police Department's funding will focus on technology,
training, social services, and supporting our homeless population.
Recent legislation has prompted the need to electronically record custodial interviews with adults for
felony offenses and juveniles for any offense starting January 1, 2022. We are acquiring body cameras
and data storage to comply with this law and will evaluate the need for an additional Records staff to
meet the anticipated increase in public disclosure requests, redaction, and editing of these new records.
Staff will be receiving Patrol Tactics training, De-escalation training as well as Officer Wellness
training. Additionally, as we support and care for the most vulnerable in our community, we will
continue to fund a social services coordinator and outreach partnerships to help connect people with
the services they need.
Anacortes Fire Department
Our Firefighters, EMS, and Paramedics support our community by responding to emergency situations
with integrity every day. They have cultivated partnerships with other agencies and strengthened our
community's readiness and reliance. The City is focused on providing staff the tools and resources to
keep our Anacortes safe.
The priorities for this upcoming year include various equipment upgrades and replacements. Structural
and Wildland Firefighting PPE will be procured for new hires and updated for current staff.
Additionally, we are pursuing grant funding for a SAFER grant to fund additional positions.
This year, a partnership with Island Hospital brought about a Community Paramedic Program in
Anacortes and the surrounding community. The City will pay 50% of an FTE, approximately $65,000
in 2022.
We will also replace our ladder truck. This 25-year-old truck is beyond the recommended replacement
schedule, and we are taking advantage of the LOCAL program through the State Treasurer's Office,
giving us a 10-year fixed rate loan that has a comparatively low interest rate. Additionally, we will
work with the museum foundation and the community to fundraise to develop an antique engine
display at Fire Station 1 and plan an opening in 2024 to coincide with the centennial of the 1924
engine.
Infrastructure
Access Anacortes Fiber Internet
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The 2022 budget reflects a continued investment in the City's fiber optic network expansion which
provides high speed internet options for Anacortes businesses and residents. With close to 900
business and residential customers in service and over 1500 orders in queue, the network is generating
over$690k annually. In 2021, the network is expanding to pass an additional 2300 premises on the
west end of the city and soon customers will be placed into service. We anticipate 2022 revenues to
exceed the cost of operating the network. The cost of building the network is separate from the
operations and the City is exploring both debt service options and grant funding opportunities to pay
for this community infrastructure investment.
The City has secured a $2.25M grant from the Economic Development Administration to partially
fund expansion of the network east of A Avenue,backfilling gaps in our current service area and
passing 1,815 premises. These federal funds come with complex conditions to meet the granting
agency's requirements. The timing of the construction project is dependent upon satisfying these
requirements.
The area between Anacopper Mine Road and A Avenue will be constructed during 2022, passing an
additional 875 homes and businesses. This is projected to cost $2.58M. The City is actively pursuing
grant opportunities to offset the costs.
When I was elected Mayor, I heard from many concerned businesses and residents about the need for
better internet options. Anacortes became the first city in the State of Washington to operate as an
internet service provider. This was a courageous venture and I appreciate our City Councilmembers'
continued commitment to this endeavor. I am excited to see the network expand to pass every home
and business within the City of Anacortes. I truly believe that this is an important investment in our
community's future.
Public Works
Public Works is the City's largest department and is responsible for managing critical services such as
our streets, water, sewer, and stormwater lines. They ensure the safe production and distribution of
water to the region; along with maintaining the City's vehicle fleet; and providing the necessary
support of City-owned buildings. This department provides uninterrupted, high-quality, customer
service all while prioritizing resource conservation.
As Anacortes continues to see new construction and growth,we will study the impact on utility-based
infrastructure and will implement appropriate models for water and storm utilities.
My ongoing priority as always remains taking care of our streets. We have made consistent progress
on improving our Pavement Condition Index for our street system. Presently, we are concentrating on
our high-volume arterial street system.
Design work will continue the grant funded South Commercial Avenue Corridor and the R Avenue
improvement projects. These projects build on our ongoing efforts to improve the safety of State Route
20 as it enters Anacortes and runs through our central business district,to our deep-water port, and
extending to the Washington State Ferry terminal serving the San Juan Islands and Sydney B.C.
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The City also continues work on a new Sewer Outfall. The current schedule anticipates completion of
this project in 2022 with a budget of$19.5 million.
In the Water Utility, $2 million has been budgeted for critical work on water line infrastructure in the
Pass Lake area. We have also dedicated $500,000 for telemetry expansion in the South Fidalgo service
area.
Essential Services
Planning, Community, and Economic Development
The Planning, Community, and Economic Development department is tasked with supporting the
community's vision for our future as outlined in the Anacortes Comprehensive Plan. The values
defining our work include sustainability and preservation, economic vitality, and providing a supported
and connected community.
With those values in mind, we continue our focus on the implementation of our Shoreline Master
Program and the work we have begun with the Watershed Company and critical areas updates with
Geoengineers. Critical Areas are identified as environmentally sensitive areas protected through
regulations. We have implemented an online interactive map where the public may access information
about their property and/or the surrounding areas. The City Planning Department can then provide
support, information, and permitting guidance for critical areas.
We also continue our efforts to provide seamless service from City Hall by eliminating what was once
an entirely paper-based system to a digital permitting process. We are excited to continue finding new
ways to improve efficiencies and best serve our constituents.
In our ongoing support of maritime industry, we will install Travel Lift pier floats at the City owned
dock. In our CFP we include the Creosote Pile and Treated Wood replacement, which is a requirement
per the City's lease requirements and supports our goals of environmental stewardship.
In accordance with the Anacortes Comprehensive Plan, Council has adopted new development
regulations to support housing affordability and diversity policies. These include new standards for
smaller housing types and new affordable housing provisions and incentives. These changes aim to
increase opportunities for our citizens to secure housing that is safe and affordable. These are living
documents, and they will be updated as needed.
Municipal Court and Public Defense
The City employs a court administrator and two court clerks while contracting with Skagit County
District Court for Judicial Services. The Municipal Court is responsible for processing infractions and
citations in violation of city ordinances and state statutes issued by the Anacortes Police Department.
The Municipal Court has a duty to set cases for arraignments, hearings, probation revocations, and
trial. The Municipal Court also provides a Community Court,which is a non- traditional system that
works to address the root cause giving rise to criminal behavior. In 2022, the City will contribute
$7800 toward the cost of the Community Court.
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The City employs a full-time public defender and legal assistant to meet the state-mandated standards
for delivery of public defense services. This budget maintains the commitment to continue to serve this
community to the highest standards.
Both the Anacortes Municipal Court and the Public Defender's Office are evaluating the impacts of the
Washington State Supreme Court decision in State v. Blake. The Blake decision invalidated
Washington's strict liability making drug possession cases much more difficult to prosecute. As a
result, the Municipal Court will hear cases previously heard by the County Superior Court.
City Business
City Attorney's Office
The role of the City Attorney's Office is to provide in-house counsel to City leaders and staff, ensuring
the City meets the highest legal standards. As the work in the City Attorney's Office continues to
grow, the department has added an additional Legal Assistant to support the City Attorney and
Contract Specialist.
In 2022, the City Attorney's Office will build on City processes for responding to public records
requests to promote transparency and ensure compliance with information requests.
Human Resources
The Human Resources department is now staffed with a Human Resources Manager and a Human
Resources Generalist in addition to continued departmental support from the Administrative Services
Director.
This year a compensation study is being completed to evaluate the wages of elected and non-union
employees in relation to comparable sized agencies. Action may be necessary in 2022 and beyond to
address wages for specific classifications to better align with the market.
Collective bargaining is underway with the International Association of Firefighters Local 1537 and
the Anacortes Police Guild units. Later this year, the Teamster Local 231 bargaining agreement will
be reopened to address 2022 wage adjustments. The City is utilizing an outside attorney to assist with
the collective bargaining process.
Civil Service responsibilities in the Human Resources department will increase in 2022 with the
requirement to plan and host promotional testing processes in both the police and fire departments.
Information Systems and Technology
The Information Systems and Technology division supports computing and networking requirements
playing a vital role in keeping the City's business moving forward. The work of this division is crucial
to every department's success and essential to ensure stability and security of city networks. Each year
there is an increase in the number of systems the IS/T division is responsible for with new hardware
and software requirements.
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The division is funded through departmental interfund charges. Each department's funding allocation
is based on the number of"nodes"that each depailinent utilizes. The interfund charges support the
department's operating costs and equipment replacements costs. In 2021 hardware replacements were
deferred apart from police equipment. The 2022 budget includes the hardware replacements that were
previously deferred.
The 2022 budget includes funding to prioritize our server infrastructure and storage, network stability,
and cybersecurity preparedness. The division will implement system enhancements to detect
sophisticated threats and streamline privacy compliance, employ increased protection of sensitive data,
and focus on system improvements including 2 factor authentication, implementing an email retention
policy, and a robust VPN solution to better accommodate remote workers and IT training.
Enrichment
Parks and Recreation
The Parks and Recreation department is industrious and innovative in their approach to maintaining
and caring for our parks and forest lands. One of the hallmarks of our community is outdoor
recreation, and the 2022 budget continues a commitment to quality of life through these enrichment
opportunities.
In 2022, we are rebuilding staff to pre-pandemic levels. The parks and local trails are an important
destination for people seeking exercise and solace during the pandemic, full staffing will help us care
for and maintain our recreation facilities.
In addition to taking care of what we have, the department is building new amenities. The expansion
of Grand View Cemetery is approaching completion with final touches to be added in 2022. New
restrooms are planned for next year near the playground at Washington Park. We are also working
with our partners at the Samish Nation on improving the health of Fidalgo Bay through research grants
to remove creosote pilings on the Thompson Trail Trestle.
Our recreation programs are back in full swing with over 500 youths in our city soccer leagues. In
2022, we will continue to offer our pee wee sports camps for ages 4-6 to learn and enjoy soccer,
basketball, and baseball. Our youth basketball and volleyball leagues and events like the Egg Dash,
Kids R Best Fest and Bark in the Park will provide fun and community engagement in the year ahead.
Senior Activity Center
The Senior Activity Center reopened on July 6, 2021. We are currently operating at approximately
50% capacity, welcoming an average of 60 visitors each day. We also offer several well attended
virtual programs. In partnership with Skagit County, Meals on Wheels are provided from the Center's
kitchen. Under the guidance of our new Administrator, Karl Wolfswinkel, the Center continues to
provide outreach, enrichment, and support for our Seniors.
Library
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Our library staff are knowledgeable and creative and have been welcoming the public once again into
this vital community space. In 2022 we look forward to cultivating physical and electronic collections
and continuing to provide both onsite and virtual programming to our citizens.
Library managers will be participating in the Public Library Association(PLA) conference, giving our
team the opportunity to learn together and bring current and emerging best practices back to our staff.
Providing a safe and supportive learning community for children and teens is a priority for our library.
We will continue to provide relevant and collaborative programming supporting our youth.
The library will partner in fundraising efforts with the Library Foundation and Friends while
continuing to explore grant opportunities to enrich and enhance our offerings.
Museum
The Anacortes Museum will continue its efforts to expand engagement on their increasingly in-
demand digital platforms. The museum website now hosts more than 70,000 archived photographs,
rare historical footage, and new documentary projects.
Committed to equity and inclusion, the museum is reinforcing its efforts to research and record the
histories of citizens from diverse ethnic backgrounds to ensure all stories are represented in our shared
history.
This department will also build on their collaboration with the Anacortes Museum Foundation to fund
restoration work on the Anacortes Mural Project. Repairs to the deck of the W.T. Preston will also take
place in 2022. The Anacortes Museum continues to focus on the high level of customer service and
being dedicated stewards of our community's history.
Conclusion
The global pandemic of COVID-19 has forever changed our way of life and our way of doing
business. As a City, we have led with resilience, steadfast in our commitment to fiscal responsibility
and transparency to our citizens.
This budget was built with an eye to the future --we see the long-term benefit of our fiber program to
provide critical and equitable access for all residents, infrastructure that supports the changing housing
landscape, and the importance of enrichment opportunities that enhance the quality of life and make
our home such a special place. I am exceedingly proud of our leadership team that created a budget
that meets the priorities of our Council while being mindful of fiscal responsibility and the trust given
us by our citizens.
My perennial focus is to envision the needs of the City long term, making decisions that will benefit
our community's future. The 2022 budget reflects this unwavering pledge to provide the highest
caliber services to each resident.
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