HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-22 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - November 22, 2021
Call to Order
Mayor Laurie Gere called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of November 22, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton and Matt Miller attended the
meeting in Council Chambers. Councilmembers Jeremy Carter, Anthony Young and Bruce McDougall
participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Gere amended the agenda to add Item 8a,Executive Session regarding Potential Litigation or Litigation
per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), and 3f,Mayor's Award of Merit to Steve Lange.
Announcements and Committee Reports
COVID-19 Update: Mayor Gere shared current case statistics and vaccination progress for Anacortes, Skagit
County and Washington State.
Finance Committee: Mr. Walters reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week. The topics
discussed included the need to update the City Council procedures for 2022,the contract inflation factor
requested by Waste Management, financing for the Access Anacortes Fiber project, the new ladder truck for the
Fire Department, and fire impact fees available for the 2022 budget.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the
Committee meeting held the previous week. The members discussed an upcoming presentation to Council on
the Committee's work and findings.
Parks and Recreation Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the quarterly Committee meeting held the
previous week. The topics discussed included an upcoming resolution to rename N Avenue Park to honor the
Samish Nation,the Causland Park memorial wall, donations for the skate park, Senior Center activities and
utility assistance, Forest Board consideration of motorized bicycles, improvements to the Cap Sante trail,
closing ACFL Trail 132,the Anacortes Waterfront Alliance contract, and recent successful recreation events.
Planning Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the Committee meeting held earlier in the evening.
The topics discussed included the Shoreline Master Program update, integration of the SMP with the Title 19
Development Regulations and the Comprehensive Plan,the New Wilson Hotel loan,redesign of the Planning
Department website pages, and the Housing Action plan grant.
Mayor's Award of Merit: Steve Lange
Mayor Gere awarded the Mayor's Award of Merit to Senior Engineering Technician Steve Lange.
Public Comment
Mayor Gere invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda.
Steve Charvat,2411 27th Street, expressed frustration with the building permit process in Anacortes,
specifically the fire sprinkler requirements in the current building code. He said that the testing requirements are
not transparently presented on the city website. Mr. Charvat's comments were submitted in writing for inclusion
in full in the record.
Anacortes City Council Minutes -November 22, 2021 1
Consent Agenda
Mr. Young moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of November 15, 2021
b. Approval of claims in the amount of$378,395.86
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 101774 through 101810,total$342,179.04
Check numbers: 101811 through 101825, total$36,207.18
Wire transfer numbers: 294137, total$9.64
c. Contract Award: Slope Mower Purchase#21-257-ERR-001
d. Resolution 3062: Authorizing the City of Anacortes to Seek and Accept State Administered, Federally
Sourced Funds from the Washington State Broadband Office
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Continued Public Hearing: Ordinance 3099: 2022-2027 Capital Facilities Plan
Mayor Gere invited the public to comment as part of the continued public hearing which had begun at the
regular City Council meeting on November 8,2021.
John Wilkinson said pages 66-67 indicate that in 2022 $30M of revenue will come from user fees and$4M from
grants,but the$20M Sewer Outfall project is listed as being subject to FEMA grant funding. He asked that the
discrepancy in the documents be resolved. Mayor Gere said that the project would be fully funded by FEMA,
not by user fees, and that the documents would be corrected.
No one else wishing to address the City Council on this agenda item, at 6:32 p.m. the mayor closed the
advertised public hearing.
Continued Public Hearing: Ordinance 4000: 2022 Budget
Mayor Gere invited the public to comment as part of the continued public hearing which had begun at the
regular City Council meeting on November 8,2021.No one present wished to address City Council on this
agenda item. At 6:33 p.m. the mayor closed the advertised public hearing.
OTHER BUSINESS
Ordinance 4001: Authorizing a 1% Regular Property Tax Levy Increase
Mayor Gere explained the rationale for adopting the increase. Finance Director Steve Hoglund explained the
mechanics of the property tax levy, distinguishing between the property tax assessment and the property tax
levy. Mr. Hoglund introduced Ordinance 4001, referring to the packet materials for the meeting.
Mayor Gere invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.No one present wished to address
the Council.
RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by CAROLYN MOULTON,to approve Ordinance 4001 authorizing a 1%
regular property tax levy increase. Vote: Ayes -ANTHONY YOUNG, RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE
CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL.Nays -JEREMY CARTER,
MATT MILLER. Result: Passed
Ordinance 3999: 2022-2027 Capital Facilities Plan and Ordinance 4000: 2022 Budget
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Mr. Hoglund invited Council to identify any outstanding items for the CFP and budget ordinances. Mr. Walters
referenced his list from the November 15 meeting. He suggested bringing revised and conformed documents
back for adoption at the December 6,2021 meeting. Ms. Cleland-McGrath asked about the Guemes Channel
Trail line items for the next few years; she said she would email Mr. Hoglund the rest of her questions. Ms.
Moulton asked about the sewer line from Lovric's. Mr.Miller asked for clarification of CFP revenue sources.
Mr. Carter asked where the CFP grant revenue comes from. Ms. Cleland-McGrath asked for more discussion
about adding an additional police officer as requested by Chief Floyd.
Executive Session: Potential Litigation or Litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) (30 minutes)
Mayor Gere announced that City Council and the City Attorney would convene in Executive Session per RCW
42.30.110 (i)until approximately 8:00 to discuss potential litigation or litigation. The mayor advised that the
regular meeting would then adjourn with no action having been taken. Councilmembers Jeremy Carter, Ryan
Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,Bruce McDougall and Matt Miller attended the
executive session.
Adjournment
There being no further business, at approximately 8:00 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of November
22, 2021 was adjourned.
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