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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-22 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - February 22, 2022 Call to Order Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of February 22,2022 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton and Amanda Hubik were present. Councilmembers Jeremy Carter and Ryan Walters participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom. Councilmember Bruce McDougall was absent. Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Mr. Young,to excuse the absence of Mr. McDougall. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Pledge of Allegiance The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance. Announcements and Committee Reports Mayor Miller noted the decrease in COVID cases in Skagit County. He observed that the Governor intended to lift the mask mandate in March. Mayor Miller noted that utility bills had increased the past month due to the annual CPI inflator. Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the Committee meeting held on February 17. The meeting was a working session with Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported on the schedule for upcoming guest speakers. Traffic Safety Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting held the previous Friday. The topics discussed included the two ordinances on the public hearing agenda later in the meeting and also parking issues near the high school, a request for traffic calming at Q Avenue and 25th Street, grant availability, and the proposed roundabout at R Avenue and 30th Street. Parks and Recreation Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week. The topics discussed included the cemetery expansion project and upcoming rate revisions, ebikes in the ACFL which is being discussed at the Forest Advisory Board,the Conservation Easement Program,the Rotary project for the Cap Sante trail, summer recreation events,and a new outdoor common use area at the Senior Center. Public Works Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included potential public shower facilities and the Water System Plan update which would be discussed later on the agenda. Public Comment Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. No one present wished to address the Council on any topic not already on the agenda. Consent Agenda Mr. Young moved, seconded by Mr. Carter, to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of February 14, 2022 b. Approval of claims in the amount of$1,012,108.85 Anacortes City Council Minutes -February 22, 2022 1 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 102502 through 102546,total$976,997.79 Check numbers: 102547 through 102562, total $177,935.61 Wire transfer numbers: 299020 through 299247,total $20,545.43 PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance No.4012 Amending Chapter 10.12 regarding Stopping,Standing, and Parking Mayor Miller announced that staff would come back with a revised presentation on this item and solicit public comment at a future meeting. Mayor Miller opened the advertised public comment on this ordinance. No one present wished to address the Council. The mayor continued the public hearing to the regular City Council meeting on March 7,2022. Ordinance No.4013 Amending Chapter 10.18 regarding One-way Only Traffic Public Works Director Buckenmeyer introduced Ordinance 4013 which would amend AMC Chapter 10.18 regarding One-Way Only Traffic(10.18.030 Traffic flow on "H" Avenue and 10.18.040 Traffic flow on 6th Street). He outlined the pedestrian and bike safety concerns prompting the proposed change and the traditional use of this traffic pattern during the annual Guemes Ferry haul out. Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. Barbara Larson, 1720 8th Street, commented on normal traffic in the affected area and noted that a nearly empty SKAT bus No. 409 also runs regularly along that street. Ms. Larson said that bus route is a safety hazard and asked if Engineering had studied that question. Mr.Young clarified with Ms. Larson that she was speaking in opposition to the proposed change. Suzana Clements, 1807 7th Street,recounted the history of her interactions with City staff regarding the need for sidewalks in this area. Ms. Clements said that the proposed plan did not address the root safety problem for pedestrians including children. She urged a comprehensive sidewalk plan for the area. Ms. Clements said she had 13 letters from residents of the affected block who all oppose it the proposed change and said she would be happy to provide those. Carmen Separovich Hardy, 920 G Avenue, owner of 1807 7th Street, distributed to councilmembers photographs of H Avenue between 6th and 7th showing encroachment on the city street. She said there would be room for a real sidewalk if the rocks and vehicles were not encroaching on the city right of way. Ms. Separovich Hardy opposed the proposal. Steve Mansfield, 1719 6th Street, said the problem with this street is its width. He reported that cars sometimes go too fast and there are lots of pedestrians. Mr. Mansfield said he had written to suggest a one-way street because he didn't see other affordable alternatives that would fit in the space. He said he would accept any solution that would make it safer. Boshie Morris, 1618 7th Street, said the flyer that was distributed to neighbors was confusing. Ms. Morris displayed one of the safety attenuators that were proposed to delineate the travel lane and said the attenuators are not an attractive option. Ms. Morris expressed concern about resident access to their garages and driveways under the proposed plan. She said there was no comprehensive plan for sidewalks in this area and that one was needed. Ms. Morris opposed the proposal. She said proposed 6th Street parking changes needed to be consistent Anacortes City Council Minutes -February 22, 2022 2 with any proposal for traffic revisions in the area. Jill Davenport, 1708 7th Street, said she was surprised by the proposed dedicated bike lane. She said the proposed route did not make sense for the predominant traffic flow and urged better signage for cyclists. Ms. Davenport said the proposed signage and barriers would be unsightly and confusing to drivers, and that the plan would require moving the bus stop. She urged reconsideration to better address all the issues in the area including parking issues. No one else wished to comment on this agenda item. Mr. Walters agreed with several speakers that a comprehensive sidewalk plan was warranted,prioritizing those blocks where safety concerns warrant sidewalks and other improvements. He urged dismissing the proposal until such an analysis had been performed. RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by ANTHONY YOUNG, to Postpone Indefinitely. Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON, AMANDA HUBIK. Nays -None. Result: Passed Mayor Miller closed the public hearing. OTHER BUSINESS Contract Award: Water System Plan Update#21-173-WTR-001 Mr. Buckenmeyer introduced Water System Manager Brian McDaniel to provide an overview of the project,the scope of the contract and the procurement process. Mr.McDaniel requested City Council consent to award a contract in the amount of$497,660.00 to Carollo Engineers, Inc. to perform the Water System Plan Update. Mr. McDaniel's slide presentation was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mr. Walters noted that the Public Works Committee had suggested amendments to the scope of work to address climate change, which Mr. McDaniel had done and circulated to councilmembers earlier in the day. RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by ANTHONY YOUNG,to authorize the Mayor to sign contract 21-173- WTR-001 with Carollo Engineers,Inc. in the amount of$497,660.00 to perform the Water System Plan Update, with the revised Scope of Work provided by Mr. McDaniel on February 22, 2022. Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER, ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON, AMANDA HUBIK. Nays -None. Result: Passed City of Anacortes &Anacortes Family Center Social Services Contract Update Police Chief Dave Floyd and Anacortes Family Center Executive Director Dustin Johnson provided an update on the coordinated Community Outreach efforts, successes, and challenges in regard to the Social Services Contract with the Anacortes Family Center for the calendar year 2021. The speakers' slide presentation was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 7:35 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of February 22, 2022 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes -February 22, 2022 3