HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-27 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - June 27, 2022
Call to Order
Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of June 27,2022 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 was absent.Mr.Young moved,
seconded by Mr. McDougall,to excuse the absence of Mr. Carter. The motion carried unanimously by voice
vote.
Pledge of Allegiance
The assembly joined in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements and Committee Reports
Mayor Miller shared current COVID-19 case statistics for Anacortes,with Island Hospital reporting zero
hospitalizations as of today. He continued with a construction project update and detailed the 4th of July
schedule of events. He concluded with a reminder that fireworks are prohibited within city limits.
Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee
Ms. Moulton reported from the Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee meeting held the
previous week at the Senior Center. The topics discussed included Mr.Walters presentation of a report given to
Council in January with verbal updates.
Planning Committee
Ms. Moulton reported from the Planning Committee meeting held earlier in the evening attended by Ms.
Cleland-McGrath and Mr.Walters. The topics discussed included a possible addition to Fire Station 1 for an
antique fire truck exhibit,the Anacortes Arts Festival potential purchase of the Anacortes Cinema and proposed
uses for the space. She then talked about the Critical Areas Ordinance and staff efforts to become compliant
with best available science in accordance with the recent order from the Growth Management Hearings Board
that would change stream buffers to riparian management zones. She then detailed the legislative agenda for the
update. Ms. Moulton continued relating a brief discussion about temporary commercial signs, including the
number allowed per business and the associated time limits for display. She then mentioned R4 zone bonus
height issue to be addressed on tonight's agenda and the Housing Action Plan survey. Ms. Moulton concluded
the update by previewing coming discussions before Council on July 1 lth, including floodplain management
and daycare 2 interim regulations.
Fiber Committee
Administrative Services Director,Emily Schuh,reported on the award of a$500,000 grant from Skagit County
funded through their distressed rural counties sales and use tax,which will offset approximately 13%of the
$3.8 million project cost for Guemes View expansion. The project grant award will be coming before Council
as an interlocal agreement on the consent agenda next week.
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.
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Consent Agenda
Mr. Young moved, seconded by Ms. Moulton,to approve the following Consent Agenda items.
a. Minutes of June 21,2022
b.Approval of claims in the amount of$304,183.74
The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment:
EFT numbers: 103534 through 103560,total $108,142.85
Check numbers: 103532 through 103567,total $180,802.77
Wire transfer numbers: 305720 through 306002,total $15,238.12
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
Anacortes Chamber of Commerce Update
Planning, Community and Economic Development Director, Don Measamer, introduced Ms. Jessica Kiser,
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Kiser introduced her co-presenter
Tourism Director,Ms. Christy Lyman. The report slide deck had been included in the packet materials for the
meeting. Ms. Kiser and Ms. Lyman responded to councilmember questions.
Mayor Miller invited the public to comment.
Ms.Andrea Dahl from 1319 8th Street wondered if they survey visitors to ask if they want something more out
of their visit to Anacortes.Ms. Lyman responded that they only have the ability to survey tourists who come to
the Visitors Center or events, so it is difficult to capture data from all visitors.
Rochelle Kealoha asked what DEI meant to the Chamber of Commerce.Ms. Kiser said it is defined as
Diversity,Equity and Inclusion and that the committee is being formed with 3-4 members so far with objectives
and mission in draft.
Mary Ellen West of 301 Sterling Drive commented that the Anacortes Farmers Market was not included in the
presentation and wondered if the Chamber of Commerce actively promotes this event.Ms. Lyman responded
that promotional information is on the website, social media pages and times and participants are on the
Chamber's events calendar.
Contract Award: Pump Station#8 Emergency Relocation: Construction Management#22-154-ENG-002
Acting Public Works Director, Brian McDaniel,detailed the proposed contract for construction management for
the emergency relocation of Pump Station#8 (Contract#22-154-ENG-002)in the amount of$108,156.60 to
Widener and Associates.
Ms. Moulton thanked Mr.McDaniel and asked him to differentiate between this contract and the construction
contract. Mr. McDaniel responded that this contract is for consulting services related to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency funded portion of the project.
Mr. Walters mentioned that the City has many contracts with Widener and Associates and wondered if the work
could be spread to other vendors in the future.
ANTHONY YOUNG moved, seconded by Amanda Hubik,to authorize the Mayor to sign contract 22-154-
ENG-002 with Widener and Associates in the amount of$108,156.60 to perform the Pump Station#8
Emergency Relocation Construction Management.Vote: Ayes -ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS,
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CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,Amanda Hubik.
Nays -None. Result: Passed
Resolution 3092-Lodging Tax award to Anacortes Music Project
Planning, Community and Economic Development Director, Don Measamer, introduced Resolution 3092
which would award lodging tax to Anacortes Music Project(AMP). The original request for$36,520,which
was reduced by postponing the website upgrade until next year at the request of the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee. "Show Chime"was also reduced to explore a better distribution package. Last year LTAC and City
Council authorized a$10,000 allocation that was not used, and this year LTAC unanimously recommended the
amount of$25,520 for approval. Mr.Measamer responded to councilmember questions.
RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,to Approve Resolution 3092
Lodging Tax Award to the Anacortes Music Project.Vote: Ayes -ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS,
CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,Amanda Hubik.
Nays -None. Result: Passed
Resolution 3091 Amending Resolution 3070 to include an Economic Development Committee and
appointing City Council members to the Council Committees and appointing Council Representatives for
2022-2023.
Planning, Community and Economic Development Director, Don Measamer, introduced Resolution 3 09 1,
which would amend Resolution 3070 to establish an Economic Development Committee in accordance with the
Comprehensive Plan policy ED 1.12 and appoint City Councilmembers Young,Hubik and Cleland-McGrath to
the committee for 2022-2023. The committee will meet monthly on the 2nd Tuesday from 11:00am- 12:OOpm.
Mr. Young presented the reasons for the establishment of the Economic Development Committee including
addressing development holes while considering housing and jobs,citing the MJB property development and
the Port of Anacortes North basin project as examples of areas where the committee could work with all
stakeholders to achieve a symbiotic process that focuses on Anacortes'best interests. He concluded that this is
an initial step in determining the best way forward for future development in Anacortes.
Mayor Miller invited the public to comment.
Joe Arellano of Anacortes commented that the City needs a vision of where to park vehicles coming into
Anacortes for commerce and tourism. He advocated for creative solutions to transform the City into an area
with less vehicle traffic. He mentioned the example of a trolley that would bring people from designated public
parking areas or peripheral neighborhoods into the City's commercial center.
CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH moved, seconded by BRUCE MCDOUGALL,to Approve Resolution
3091 as presented.Vote: Ayes-ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-
MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,Amanda Hubik.Nays-None. Result: Passed
R4 Bonus Height Concepts
Planning, Community and Economic Development Director,Don Measamer,opened the discussion regarding
bonus heights in the R4 zone. The supporting slide deck had been included in the packet materials for the
meeting. Mr. Measamer asked if Council could narrow down the list of code revision concepts a.-k.related to
bonus height regulations to assist City Staff and the Planning Commission in their work.
Mr. Young desired clarification on what Mr. Measamer is attempting to achieve. Mayor Miller clarified that
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there will be ample opportunity for public comment on all of these concepts through October.Mr.Measamer
confirmed that the concepts would come before the Planning Commission on multiple occasions where public
comment is welcome.Mr.Walters suggested that Mr. Measamer run through the concepts quickly and then
have Mayor Miller solicit public comment. He further recommended striking the 'rent control'provision in
concept e., as it is not in accordance with state law.Mr. Measamer agreed to alter the language accordingly.
Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on bonus height considerations in the R4 zone.No one present
wished to address the Council.
Ms. Moulton wondered if Mr.Measamer could address the concepts individually with Council asking questions
or offering comments on the concepts in list fashion.Mayor Miller concurred and directed that unanimous
Council support was required for removal of a development concept from further consideration. After further
discussion,Mayor Miller confirmed concepts e.,j. and k. were removed from continued consideration.
Adjournment
There being no further business, at approximately 8:10 p.m.the Anacortes City Council meeting of June 27,
2022 was adjourned.
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