HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-28 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - February 28, 2022
Call to Order
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of February 28,2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Jeremy Carter,Ryan Walters,Anthony Young,Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,
Bruce McDougall and Amanda Hubik were present.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Mayor Miller reported that the Governor had announced that the Washington State mask mandate would end on
March 12, 2022 and that the city would not impose any requirements more strict than the state guidelines.
The Mayor announced that starting March 1, citizens in Skagit County could text to 911 if calling 911 by phone
was not possible.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the
Committee meeting held February 24. She described the presentation by Taylor Webb from Sustainable
Connections in Bellingham.
Museum Committee: Mr. McDougall reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week. The topics
discussed included a new video presenting museum services, expanded hours for museum facilities, an online
map for the Bill Mitchell murals,the addition of Adam Farnsworth to the staff, and ongoing hiring.
Fiber Committee: Mr. Walters reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week. The topics
discussed included financing options for the completion of the project, contracting procedures, and attempts to
expedite the EDA grant funded service area.
Planning Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics
discussed included a sidewalk comprehensive plan,the Anacortes Cinema lease, an Anacortes events center,
upcoming Council discussions of self-storage in the Commercial Zone and floodplain management,the Housing
Action Plan, and the future of the Commercial Avenue parklets.
Public Comment
Mayor Miller advised that some citizens had objected to the display of the Russian flag at the Sister Cities
displays at the entrances to the city. The mayor explained his commitment to the Sister Cities organization and
its mission.
John Lovric,president of Anacortes Sister Cities,read from the Sister Cities International statement regarding
the importance of the principles of citizen diplomacy in the face of international tensions. Mr. Lovric spoke
against removing the Russian flag from the Sister Cities displays.
Duane Clark,past president of Anacortes Sister Cities,expressed support for Ukrainians around the world. He
shared popular press reports about opposition by Russian citizens to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Clark
spoke against removing the Russian flag from the Sister Cities displays.
Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda.
Boshie Morris, 1618 7th Street, spoke about legal notices in the Anacortes American. She said the legal notice
Anacortes City Council Minutes -February 28, 2022 1
for the February 22, 2022 public hearing had not included a link to the materials on which public comment was
being sought. Ms. Morris asked that the public hearing scheduled for March 7,2022 be renoticed for a future
date with a link to the relevant materials. Ms. Morris also spoke in opposition to parking revisions proposed by
draft Ordinance 4012. She urged a comprehensive look at parking in this area before making any changes. Ms.
Morris's comments were submitted in writing and were added to the packet materials for the meeting.
Consent Agenda
Mr. McDougall moved, seconded by Mr. Carter,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of February 22, 2022
b. Approval of claims in the amount of$511,627.51
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 102563 through 102595,total$203,824.90
Check numbers: 102596 through 102606, total$16,928.05
Wire transfer numbers: 299359 through 299583,total $127,454.01
c. Street Fair Application: Shipwreck Fest July 16, 2022
OTHER BUSINESS
Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Annual Appointments 2022
Planning Director Don Measamer requested City Council confirmation of Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
appointments for 2022. Mr. Measamer reviewed the proposed reappointment and appointments, referring to the
packet materials for this agenda item.
Mr. Young and Ms. Moulton spoke in favor of more active solicitation of volunteers for city boards and
commissions, including the LTAC.
Mr. Walters asked which LTAC committee members represented hoteliers and which represented potential grant
recipients. He objected to a Chamber of Commerce member serving on the committee, given the large share of
the Lodging Tax that is distributed to the Chamber. He urged postponing action pending further information,
possibly codifying the membership of the committee, and possibly re-advertising the positions.
Mr. Measamer clarified that the proposed appointments complied with the Tourism Promotion Strategic Plan
and the RCW.
Mr. Walters volunteered to draft an ordinance and bring it back to full Council for discussion in a couple of
weeks.
Adjournment
There being no further business, at approximately 7:05 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of February 28,
2022 was adjourned.
Anacortes City Council Minutes -February 28, 2022 2