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Home My WebLink About2023-05-22 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - May 22, 2023 Call to Order Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of May 22, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Ryan Walters, Christine Cleland-McGrath, Carolyn Moulton, and Amanda Hubik were present. Councilmembers Bruce McDougall and Jeremy Carter(joined at approximately 6:49 pm)participated in the meeting remotely via Zoom. Councilmember Anthony Young was absent. Ms. Hubik moved, seconded by Ms. Cleland-McGrath,to excuse the absence of Mr. Young. 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 an update on a recent graduation ceremony for the local volunteer firefighter academy, the re-opening of the new children's section at the Anacortes Public Library, a recap of the Council and Department Head retreat held on May 16, 2023,recently passed state legislation regarding drug laws associated with the Blake decision,the public works open house to be held on June 1st,the Washington State Ferries spring virtual meeting, and a reminder of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend with the next City Council meeting scheduled for June 5th. Planning Committee Ms. Moulton reported from the Planning Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included the moratorium on short-term rentals, a subarea plan for Sharpe's Corner, and housing in the Comprehensive Plan Parks and Recreation Committee Ms. Hubik reported from the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting held on May 17, 2023. The topics discussed included the Ben Root Skate Park project, Washington Park restroom restoration project,the Friends of the Forest Ambassador program, staffing updates,Anacortes hosting the state tournament for Little League baseball, hanging baskets in downtown,volunteer opportunities,use of the Senior Activity Center as a cooling station, and upcoming summer events. 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 Ms. Moulton moved, seconded by Ms. Hubik,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a. Minutes of May 15, 2023 b. Approval of claims in the amount of$614,234.76 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 106330 through 106365,total $348,682.04 Check numbers: 106366 through 106385, total $249,883 Wire transfer numbers: 324486 through 324806, total $15,669.72 c. Street Fair Application: Class of 2023 Senior Car Parade 6/13/2023 Anacortes City Council Minutes-May 22, 2023 1 Public Hearings Public Hearing on interim Ordinance 4046 regarding a moratorium on short term rental of residential dwelling units in certain mixed-use zones. Planning Manager, Libby Grage introduced the public hearing on interim Ordinance 4046 regarding the moratorium on short term rental of residential dwelling units in certain mixed-use zones,referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mayor Miller opened the public hearing and asked for public comment on the interim ordinance. No one present or online commented on the agenda item. At approximately 6:20 pm, Mayor Miller closed the public hearing. Public Hearing on proposed interim Ordinance 4052 extending the moratorium adopted by Ordinance 4046 and adopting a work plan. Planning Manager, Libby Grage, introduced the proposed Ordinance 4052, referring to a slide presentation that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. Mayor Miller opened the public hearing and invited members of the public to comment on the agenda item. Jason Goold of Mount Vernon,representing ReLuTy Real Estate,pointed out that this measure should not be extended because there are only 20 Airbnbs in the commercial zones and roughly 70 Airbnb's in all of Anacortes. He asserted that the measure is detrimental to homeowners buying and selling and individuals who require temporary housing, such as refinery workers and travel nurses, adding that it is important to have a heathy housing mix in Anacortes. He then cited from his research that there are more vacant homes than Airbnb's in Anacortes. He recommended that the Council find a way to lower the vacancy rate or impose a tax on owners of vacant properties. He asserted that an emergency ordinance is not appropriate and unnecessary in this case, as it is not a health and safety issue, and referred the Council to his letter that was added to the packet materials for the meeting. He asked that the moratorium be lifted immediately to help builders. He then mentioned a recently completed housing project that has nine units that have not been sold under current market conditions and that his firm is helping to find temporary residents to prevent the builder from sustaining a significant financial loss. He averred that the moratorium is acting to restrict builders from offering temporary housing on the market in order to avoid significant financial loss, and that we need to support builders and keep them building homes so that the housing shortage can be alleviated, and that restricting what builders can do with properties will only make the problem worse. He concluded that this moratorium was not called for and offered to assist in planning efforts, adding that there are fewer available short-term rentals in 2023 than there were in 2022, and that the moratorium should not be passed. At approximately 6:28, Mayor Miller closed the public hearing. The Council discussed the draft ordinance and work plan. Discussion topics included timing of public comment periods, the work plan, reasons for the moratorium, and coordination with the Housing Action Plan and upcoming Comprehensive Plan update. RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by AMANDA HUBIK, to approve Ordinance 4052 as presented. Vote: Ayes -RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL, AMANDA HUBIK.Nays -None. Result: Passed Closed Record Decision Hearing Closed Record Decision Hearing for Conditional Use Permit CUP-2023-0001 /5th Street Retreat Bed and Breakfast Senior Planner, Grace Pollard,presented the application for Conditional Use Permit CUP-2023-0001 for the 5th Street Retreat Bed and Breakfast, referring to a slide presentation that was included in the packet materials for Anacortes City Council Minutes-May 22,2023 2 the meeting. Discussion topics included off-street parking,traffic calming, and conditions of approval. RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by AMANDA HUBIK, to approve findings of fact and conclusions of law with amended Condition 2. for CUP-2023-0001. Vote:Ayes -RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND- MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL, AMANDA HUBIK.Nays -None. Result: Passed Other Business Contract Award: 2023 Fidalgo Avenue Waterline Replacement#23-035-WTR-001 Public Works Director, Henry Hash, introduced the proposed contract for 2023 Fidalgo Avenue Waterline Replacement#23-035-WTR-001, detailing the bid process with the lowest bid coming from Raw Land Construction LLC and being within the engineering estimate. AMANDA HUBIK moved, seconded by CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH,to approve contract 23-035- WTR-001 with Raw Land Construction LLC. Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON, BRUCE MCDOUGALL, AMANDA HUBIK. Nays-None. Result: Passed Contract Award: 2023 Chip Seal Project#23-140-TRN-001 Public Works Director, Henry Hash, introduced the proposed contract for the 2023 Chip Seal Project#23-140- TRN-001. He detailed the bid process with one responsive bid. Discussion topics included pedestrian and bicycle safety and improvements, continuity of Q Avenue, street leveling, area priority considerations in the pavement management program, how the project fits with surrounding development, and the engineering estimate for leveling work related to this project. RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by AMANDA HUBIK, to authorize the mayor to sign contract 23-140- TRN-001 with Doolittle Construction. Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,AMANDA HUBIK.Nays - None. Result: Passed Contract Award: Ben Root Skatepark Construction#22-043-PRK-002 Parks and Recreation Director, Jonn Lunsford, introduced Assistant Parks and Recreation Director,Bob Vaux, who presented the proposed contract for Ben Root Skatepark Construction#22-043-PRK-002 with Janicki Construction, referring to a slide presentation that was in the packet materials for the meeting. Discussion topics included the adjacent youth center,parking lot location,park name, safety considerations,the planning process,vandalism prevention, restrooms, and optional contract provisions. CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH moved, seconded by RYAN WALTERS,to authorize the mayor to sign contract 22-043-PRK-002 with Janicki General Contracting LLC. Vote: Ayes-JEREMY CARTER,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL, AMANDA HUBIK. Nays-None. Result: Passed Ordinance 4050: Accepting Donations for the Ben Root Skate Park Parks and Recreation Director, Jonn Lunsford, introduced Ordinance 4050: Accepting Donations for the Ben Root Skate Park. Discussion topics included fundraising efforts and where to view project details: Anacortes Skate Park Anacortes City Council Minutes-May 22,2023 3 Improvement Project website. CAROLYN MOULTON moved, seconded by BRUCE MCDOUGALL,to approve Ordinance 4050 accepting donations. Vote: Ayes -JEREMY CARTER,RYAN WALTERS, CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL, AMANDA HUBIK. Nays-None. Result: Adjournment There being no further business, at approximately 7:26 p.m. the Anacortes City Council meeting of May 22, 2023 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes -May 22, 2023 4