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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-26 City Council Minutes Approved Anacortes City Council Minutes - June 26, 2023 Call to Order Mayor Matt Miller called to order the Anacortes City Council meeting of June 26,2023 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 Ms.Hubik,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 an update on the Skate Park renovation groundbreaking on Tuesday June 27th,the Fourth of July parade and Oyster Run.Mr.Young shared that an ad hoc meeting was held by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)to consider an application for LTAC funds by Oyster Run organizers.He shared that the LTAC was supportive of a grant to the Oyster Run event to a resounding round of applause. July 3,2023 City Council Meeting is Cancelled Mayor Miller announced that the regular council meeting for July 3rd was cancelled, and reminded the public of the order of events for the July 4th holiday. Personnel Committee Ms. Cleland-McGrath reported from the Personnel Committee meeting held the previous Friday,the 23rd of June. The topics discussed included an additional Human Resources staff member to meet the demands of growing workload against available resources. Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee Ms.Moulton reported from the Housing Affordability and Community Services Committee meeting held on June 21st. The topics discussed included a presentation by 22 North Housing Project in Whatcom County regarding their efforts and associated challenges of providing services to the community. Community Action also provided an update on their activities in the City of Anacortes. Planning Committee Mr. Walters reported from the Planning Committee meeting held earlier in the evening. The topics discussed included city code around signage,permit processing for type 5 permits, and housing bills around accessory dwelling units. Public Comment Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on any item not on the agenda. Public comment was given as follows: • Pat Gardner of Anacortes expressed her thanks for the City getting behind the Oyster Run. Consent Agenda Mr.Young moved,seconded by Ms.Hubik,to approve the following Consent Agenda items. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. a.Minutes of June 20,2023 b.Approval of claims in the amount of$983,125.91 Anacortes City Council Minutes-June 26,2023 1 The following vouchers/checks were approved for payment: EFT numbers: 106617 through 106651,total $831,268.57 Check numbers: 106652 through 106660,total $36,184.96 Wire transfer numbers: 326585 through 326821,total $115,672.38 c. Contract Award: Casino Slough Deep Anode Well Installation#23-185-WTR 001 d. Contract Award: 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Purchase #23-175-ERR-001 Other Business Ordinance 4054: AMC Chapter 10.12 Parkine Code Update Councilmember Ryan Walters introduced Ordinance 4054: AMC Chapter 10.12 Parking Code Update.He provided some background information on the City's Code, and identified some existing weaknesses the ordinance is intended to address.He went through the slide deck included with the Council Packet that addressed each of the limitations and weaknesses of the current code,and the ordinance section that addresses each.He also addressed items that have come out of state legislation related to parking, and the responses that would address those new items. Mayor Miller invited Chief Floyd to the podium who commented on various sections of the current draft ordinance. Mayor Miller invited the public to comment on the agenda item. Public comment was given as follows: • Mary Jo McArdle of Anacortes spoke about cars parked along sidewalks and various places in town that do not actually have sidewalks but have an easement in place,as well as vehicles parked in the landscaping strip. She also expressed concerns about school pickup and parking near Mount Erie Elementary School that creates backups and related driving and pedestrian hazards. The Council discussed the proposed ordinance. Discussion topics included: • Appropriate level of civil infraction for each violation. • Washington Park offenses and associated warnings. • Code language to simplify enforcement of street parking by adjacent property owners. • Clarifying language in various sections of the proposed ordinance. Resolution 3122: Recognizine the Month of July as America Proud Month in the City of Anacortes Mayor Miller introduced Resolution 3122: Recognizing the Month of July as America Proud Month in the City of Anacortes. Mayor Miller made some background comments about how the resolution came to be on the agenda versus making a mayoral proclamation,and instead chose to have a resolution put in place so the Council could weigh in on the issue.Mayor Miller read the resolution, and then invited the public to comment. Public comment was given as follows: • Linnea McCord supported the resolution as a reminder of what unites the community during times of crisis. Anacortes City Council Minutes -June 26, 2023 2 • Pam McCunn of Anacortes supported the resolution,citing the need to educate children on United States history and thanking all public servants in Anacortes. • Patrick Gallagher of Anacortes opposed the resolution,commenting that the title sounded like a political slogan and might be harmful to some members of the community. • Marie Gallagher of Anacortes opposed the resolution,remarking that everyone is proud to be an American,but that this resolution says something else. • Dick Bowen of Anacortes and former Bainbridge Island City Councilmember supported the resolution, commenting that the intent was to highlight what this country means, suggesting perhaps amending the title and resolution to better express its all-inclusive scope. • Kelly Schactler of Anacortes opposed the resolution, asking why there should be a resolution honoring people and events which are celebrated on federally recognized holidays,when the Council did not propose a resolution proclaiming support for another cause, such as LGBTQ Pride month. • Emiko Cook of Anacortes supported the resolution,recounting her experiences with fellow students from other countries and how their stories helped her gain appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. • Richard Crabill of Anacortes expressed that people on both sides of a political issue are patriotic and proud to be American,pointing out that we must acknowledge mistakes made in the past, stand up for others who have been persecuted and express pride in our country. • Suzanne Rohner of Anacortes supported the resolution,pointing out that the title should read 'American Proud',making it more inclusive. She asserted the resolution is inclusive of all citizens,not hateful or racist, and described the United States of America as a constitutional republic rather than a democracy, appealing to the Council to act virtuously in passing the proposed resolution. • Connie Miller of Anacortes supported the resolution,commenting that it has a unifying message and is not exclusionary. • Teresa Carroll-Gillis, a 45-year Military Veteran,opposed the resolution,wondering why there should be a month set aside to express American pride when there are federal holidays that do that and there was no resolution honoring the community's diversity. • Kalynn Carroll-Gillis did not come to the podium but agreed with the points made by Teresa Carroll- Gillis. • Mary Gray of Anacortes opposed the resolution in its current form,relating her research on the origins of the title of the resolution that revealed the Proud Boys hate group using that same term,while expressing support for the ideas contained within the resolution. • Kim Waters of Anacortes opposed the resolution,pointing out that we can take pride in being American every single day and citing concerns about how LGBTQ Pride Month was handled by the city. • Imuya McDaniel of Anacortes,read a prepared statement on behalf of her husband opposing the resolution. She then expressed her own thoughts, assuming that the resolution was brought forth with good intent,while pointing out that a community that does not celebrate all of its members cannot be proud,concluding that it is important to continue to fight for equality. • Cid Blase of Anacortes,and board member of Anacortes Pride,opposed the resolution, asserting that it was politically motivated and an effort of the far right to appropriate the community's progressive values and to belittle Pride Month and the LGBTQIA community. • Barbara Smart of Anacortes supported the resolution,remarking that it is important to express pride in being American,regardless of political affiliation or sexual orientation,referring to comparatively restrictive liberties in other countries and urging others to share these sentiments with their children and neighbors. • Maggie Collins did not speak,but opposed the resolution. • Brenda Young opposed the resolution,pointing out that even though the ideas in the resolution are good,it should not be adopted if it makes others feel bad. • Carol Lee of Anacortes supported the resolution,commenting that American Proud was an opportunity Anacortes City Council Minutes-June 26, 2023 3 to bring the community together and celebrate that pride for longer than just a single day.Her daughter, Katie Lee,also supported the resolution, asserting that it is not a political issue. • Maureen Brennan of Anacortes opposed the resolution,remarking that the resolution defies logic,citing holidays that honor our nation's providers and casting doubt on previous claims that we celebrate diversity by referencing fear that minorities feel in the face of discriminatory hatred. • Anastasia Brencick of Anacortes expressed appreciation for the conversation and sharing of viewpoints, suggesting that the resolution be amended to accommodate the lived experience of all cultures and clarify what'American Proud'month would represent. • Ed Capasso of Anacortes,a Navy Vietnam Veteran, supported the resolution,expressing that he and other veterans fought for everyone regardless of race,national origin or religion and that Anacortes, as an'All-American City", should honor all veterans for the month of July. • Sally Balmer of Anacortes agreed with much of what had already been said,but expressed discomfort with the title of the resolution,mentioning that elements of the mission statement on the American Pride Month website were vague and this resolution would further divide rather than unite. The Council discussed the resolution. Discussion topics included: Diversity,unity,inclusion,honoring veterans,the character and spirit of the citizens of Anacortes,a national movement to limit the definition of who is a true American,American Exceptionalism,defining the brand of American freedom,cultural ecosystems,patriotism,national holidays,citizenship,the title and substance of the resolution,celebrating American progress versus American history,hate groups,right wing political organizations,LGBTQ Pride Month,grammatical errors,public service,racism in the Anacortes community, freedom of speech,honoring public servants, and timing of the resolution. The resolution did not receive a motion. Interlocal Agreement#23-189-DEF-001 with Skagit County for Public Defender Rightings Rotation Administrative Services Director,Emily Schuh,introduced the Interlocal Agreement 923-189-DEF-001 with Skagit County for Public Defender Rightings Rotation. She explained this would relieve the City Public Defender from having to go to the County Jail every day of the week, and would instead institute a rotation of personnel that would enable a more efficient use of time and resources. Ms. Schuh answered questions from the Council.Topics included: An interlocal agreement with a private party,staff review process and timing,insurance and indemnification considerations, and further efficiencies. RYAN WALTERS moved, seconded by ANTHONY YOUNG,to Approve Interlocal Agreement 423-189- DEF-001 with Skagit County.Vote: Ayes-ANTHONY YOUNG,RYAN WALTERS,CHRISTINE CLELAND-MCGRATH, CAROLYN MOULTON,BRUCE MCDOUGALL,Amanda Hubik.Nays-None. Result: Passed Adiournment There being no further business, at approximately 8:09 p.m.the Anacortes City Council meeting of June 26, 2023 was adjourned. Anacortes City Council Minutes -June 26, 2023 4