HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-07 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - March 7, 2022
Call to Order
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of March 7,2022 at 6:00 p.m.
Councilmembers Ryan Walters,Anthony Young, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton,Bruce
McDougall and Amanda Hubik were present. Councilmember Jeremy Carter participated in the meeting
remotely via Zoom.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Mayor Miller reminded that the statewide mask mandate was scheduled to lift at midnight on March 11,2022
and that the change would be observed by all City of Anacortes facilities.
The mayor reminded that daylight savings time would begin on March 13.
Port/City Liaison Committee: Ms. Hubik reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week. The
topics discussed included the wastewater treatment plant outfall project,the 2nd Street agreement, and the
Maritime Strategic Plan.
Public Safety Committee: Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the Committee meeting held the previous week.
The Fire Department topics discussed included filling open staff positions,new volunteers, a SAFER grant
application,promotions to captain,retrofitting an older fire truck for wildland firefighting, and Station 3 studies.
The Police Department topics discussed included legislation currently being considered in Olympia and hiring
progress.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee: Mr. Walters reported from the Committee meeting
held the previous week. The topics discussed included a session with Tina Tate from Friendship House and
Habitat for Humanity.
Public Works Committee: Ms. Moulton reported from the Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The
topics discussed included the outfall project which would be on the agenda later in the evening, stormwater
which would be on the agenda later in the evening, and maintaining the excellent water quality at the water
treatment plant.
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. McDougall moved, seconded by Mr.Young,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
a. Minutes of February 28,2022
b. Approval of claims in the amount of$294,643.86
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 102607 through 102653,total $169,684.99
Anacortes City Council Minutes - March 7, 2022 1
Check numbers: 102654 through 102667,total$67,240.61
Wire transfer numbers: 299617 through 299913,total $8,586.17
c. Amendment#2 to Interlocal C20180481 with Skagit County: Emergency Medical Services System
Delivery Agreement
d. Resolution 3075: Waiving the State Competitive Bidding Requirements for the Purchase of Two Solid
Waste Curotto Cans
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Continued Public Hearing: Ordinance No.4012 Amending Chapter 10.12 regarding Stopping, Standing.,
and Parking
Public Works Director Fred Buckenmeyer introduced Ordinance 4012 for public hearing;this item had been
continued from the February 22,2022 regular City Council meeting. The ordinance would amend Chapter 10.12
regarding stopping, standing, and parking. Mr. Buckenmeyer reviewed the proposed changes,referring to the
packet materials for the meeting.
Mr. Walters requested that parking signs everywhere in town reference the relevant AMC section. Mr.
Buckenmeyer agreed.
Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. He requested speakers to limit
their comments to three minutes.
Boshie Morris, 1618 7th Street, corrected her comments regarding G Avenue parking from the last City Council
meeting. Ms. Morris suggested that the 6th Street map in the packet did not accurately reflect available parking.
She spoke about parking usage patterns of residents in the area. She urged Council to consider data when
deciding on the proposed ordinance.
Jon Stables, 608 J Avenue, explained the need for ADA accessible parking to his home and his ADU. He said
the proposed ordinance would make it safer for wheelchairs which would not have to cross the street mid-block.
Vicki Stables, 608 J Avenue, said she does have off street parking,but was still very much in favor of the
proposed changes. She said residents's guests often have no on-street parking available. Ms. Stables also
supported the proposed change to the Kiwanis Park parking lot time limit.
Warren Tessler, 1613 6th Street, observed that ferry traffic and parking on 6th Street has been an issue for
decades,particularly in the summer. He said guest parking is a problem. Mr. Tessler supported the proposed
changes, except perhaps during the annual ferry haul out.
Barbara Larson relinquished her time to other speakers.
Luke Russell, 1611 6th Street, agreed with the comments already expressed. Mr. Russell referenced his earlier
comments and emailed petition to councilmembers on this topic. He supported the proposed changes.
No one else wishing to comment on this item,Mayor Miller closed the public hearing.
CAROLYN MOULTON moved, seconded by RYAN WALTERS,to adopt Ordinance No. 4012 amending
Chapter 10.12 Stopping, Standing, and Parking. Vote: Ayes-JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG,
RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,
AMANDA HUBIK.Nays -None. Result: Passed
Anacortes City Council Minutes - March 7, 2022 2
OTHER BUSINESS
2022 Stormwater Management Program Plan
Mr. Buckenmeyer introduced Stormwater Program Manager Diane Hennebert to present the 2022 Stormwater
Management Plan. Ms. Hennebert's slide presentation and the draft Plan had been included in the packet
materials for the meeting.
Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item. No one present wished to
address the Council.
Contract Award: Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Relocation-Marine Phase#20-032-SEW-008
Mr. Buckenmeyer requested City Council consent to award the referenced contract. He reported that since the
packet was published the prior week,FEMA had approved the contractor selection process. Mr. Buckenmeyer
introduced Rob Webb from consultant Dalton, Olmsted&Fuglevand to share a slide presentation explaining the
contractor selection process. Mr. Webb's slides were added to the packet materials for the meeting.
CAROLYN MOULTON moved, seconded by ANTHONY YOUNG,to to authorize the mayor to sign contract
#20-032-SEW-0081 with Pacific Pile&Marine,LP in the amount of$7,567,366.40 for the Wastewater
Treatment Plant Outfall Relocation-Marine Phase. Vote: Ayes-JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG,
RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,
AMANDA HUBIK.Nays-None. Result: Passed
Display of the Russian Flag
Mayor Miller reiterated his commitment to the Sister Cities and deplored the naked aggression of the Russian
government against Ukraine. The mayor shared representative emails from constituents, some urging removing
the Russian flag from the city's entrance displays and others urging retaining the flag in support of the Russian
people in opposition to their government.
Mr. Walters invited his colleagues to discuss the range of public opinion on this topic and determine if any
action would be appropriate. He referenced Resolution 1226 which established the Sister City relationship with
Lomonosov,Russia in 1992. Ms. Moulton noted that the preponderance of public comments received asked that
the Russian flag be removed from City displays. She concurred with that sentiment. Councilmembers discussed
the symbolism of displaying or removing the flag from displays in the city, and of continuing or discontinuing
the Sister City relationship with Lomonosov.
Mayor Miller invited members of the audience to comment on this agenda item.
Jack Curtis,4402 Fir Crest Court, supported removing the Russian flag from the Sister City displays,
referencing his email to the City Council which had been added to the packet materials for the meeting. He
supported maintaining the Sister City relationship with Lomonosov.
Tom Kuker, 3809 W 11th Street, agreed with Jack Curtis's analysis of the flag display. Mr. Kuker asked that the
Russian flag be removed from the city entrances. He also asked that Sister City status be severed or suspended
with Lomonosov until cessation of hostilities by Russia.
Doug Thurber,Anacortes,referenced his years working on ships with Ukrainians. Mr. Thurber said a flag is a
symbol of a nation,not of the people who live there, and that Russia is in disgrace. He asked Council to remove
the Russian flag from display because the Russian nation should be shamed for its actions.
John Lovric,4811 Cypress Drive, supported the Ukrainian people and the Russian people who are protesting
Anacortes City Council Minutes - March 7, 2022 3
their government's action. Mr. Lovric said that removing the Russian flag in Anacortes or severing the Sister
Cities relationship would not change the course of the Russian armed forces. Mr. Lovric read a message from
the Sister Cities International organization regarding how to express collective disapproval of Russia's action but
discouraging severing of Sister City relationships.
Duane Clark shared an email chain submitted through the Anacortes Sister Cities objecting to displaying the
Russian flag at the Sister Cities gateway displays. Mr. Clark argued in response that the Russian flag represents
the Russian citizens,who are overwhelmingly opposed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
No other members of the audience wished to address the Council on this topic.
After continued discussion,Mayor Miller observed the unanimous support on Council to cease display of the
Russian flag. He suggested that Mr. Walters to draft a resolution to that effect and bring it back to Council on
the Consent Agenda the following week.
CAROLYN MOULTON moved, seconded by BRUCE MCDOUGALL,to remove the Russian flag from all city
displays without delay.Vote: Ayes-JEREMY CARTER,ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS,
CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,AMANDA
HUBIK.Nays-None. Result: Passed
Adjournment
There being no further business, at approximately 8:15 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of March 7,
2022 was adjourned.
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