Here is the recap of the October 17, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting:
Mayor Severns presided over the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon made the motion to excuse Councilmember Munns from the meeting, seconded by Councilmember Hoffmire. The motion passed unanimously.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented.
CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD
The Council received two public comments in advance of the meeting regarding Marina Rate Increase and the West Whidbey Avenue manhole covers. Public Works Engineering addressed the manhole covers. A comment was received from a member of the public regarding North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation (NWPPR) District discussion item and the process to bring it forward to Council.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were presented:
- Approval of Minutes: October 3, 2023 Council Meeting
- Approval of Payroll and Accounts Payable Vouchers
- Amendment No. 4 to BHC Professional Services Agreement for Building Official Services
- Amendment No. 2 to Professional Services Agreement: Hemstad Consulting for the Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program
- Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with Skagit County Interlocal Drug Enforcement Unit (SCIDEU)
Councilmember Marshall requested that Council pull items b and d. Councilmember Hoffmire recused himself from voting on item b due to a remote interest. Councilmember Marshall mentioned page 6 of item b for a voucher for $37,600 for NWPPR District slide and request to pull the one item for consideration at another date. For item d, he requested to hear the Planning Commissions thoughts on the item as it applies to City code during the upcoming City Council Special Workshop next week that is a joint meeting with the Planning Commission.
For Item B
Attorney Bob Zeinemann provided options and Council discussed the options for how to proceed. Councilmember Wiegenstein made a motion to pull voucher 194667, second by Councilmember Marshall. Councilmembers Marshall, Stucky, Wiegenstein, and Woessner voted in favor and Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon opposed the motion. Councilmember Hoffmire abstained from the vote.
Councilmember Marshall moved to approve the rest of the vouchers as presented, seconded by Councilmember Wiegenstein. The motion passed with Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon and Councilmembers Stucky, Wiegenstein, and Woessner voting in favor. Councilmember Hoffmire abstained from the vote.
City Administrator Oborn and Attorney Bob Zeinemann provided options for voting on the item. City Administrator Oborn suggested the November 8, 2023 Council Meeting as a future meeting date for discussion and consideration of action. Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to place the voucher 194667 payment on the November 8, 2023 Council Meeting, seconded by Councilmember Marshall. The motion passed with Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon and Councilmembers Stucky, Wiegenstein, and Woessner voting in favor. Councilmember Hoffmire abstained from the vote.
For Item D
Amendment No. 2 to Professional Services Agreement: Hemstad Consulting for the Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program.
Development Services Director David Kuhl explained the current contract is expiring at the end of October. Staff wants to extend the contract through the end of the year. The amount left on the contract is $4,000. Staff is not seeking additional funds, but an extension to continue working on the project as more information becomes available. If more money is required staff will return to ask for more money. Council discussion followed by a motion from Councilmember Marshall to make this an action item at the October 25 Council Workshop, seconded by Councilmember Woessner. The motion passed unanimously.
MAYOR COMMENTS
- Appreciation letter from the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce for our support and assistance with this year’s event.
- Association of Washington Cities – Elected Officials Essential Workshop on Saturday, December 9 training between 8:30 am and 2:30 pm.
- Rotary Club of Oak Harbor Windmill Lego Contest
- Public Safety Reminders for the Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill, Live Fire Training on Saturday, October 28 between 8 am and 4 pm (weather permitting), and DEA National Take Back Day at Oak Harbor Police Department.
- Upcoming Events for Halloween.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
- Councilmember Hoffmire thanked individuals in attendance at the meeting.
- Councilmember Stucky attended his first joint Island County Tourism meeting. Notified the Council that Sherrye Wyatt is retiring.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 23-21: Amending Schedule D (Marina) of the Master Fee Schedule
Harbormaster Chris Sublet presented the history, rate study process, BST & Associates Rate increase recommendation, and potential resolution for Council. Mayor Severns asked for public comment and received several comments from people in the audience regarding Marina Advisory Committee recommendation to use the Bradley plan and that the rates do not feel equitable with bigger boats having to pay more. Additionally, other commentors mentioned positive experiences with Marina and City staff but expressed their concerns about how it is not comparable to other Marinas in the area due to safety concerns, the disadvantage of its isolated locations, and time it takes (three to four hours) to go anywhere. Concerns that tenants need to see gains from increased expenses and increased rates, and increasing rates may make it difficult for the working-class community members to continue to be boaters.
Council discussion about rates. Harbormaster Sublet at the request of Council reviewed the comparison of BST and Associates rates to the Bradley rates. Paul Sorenson of BST & Associates explained the current rate structure is not sustainable and shifting rates to focus on smaller boats may lead to them leaving the Marina. Additionally, as the Marina ages the annual maintenance costs will increase. There are improvements for dredging and breakwater repairs and these Capital projects require additional funding.
Councilmember Stucky moved to approve Resolution 23-21 amending schedule D (Marina) of the Master Fee Schedule increasing Marina rates to the BST & Associates Oak Harbor Marina rate recommendations, seconded by Councilmember Wiegenstein. Additional Council discussion and comments from Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith.
Mayor Severns Mayor Severns noted the motion and the second before the Council and mentioned that there was a change in the start date. Harbormaster Sublet confirmed the rate increase will take effect on November 1 of this year and October 1 of next year and the year after.
The vote was Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon, Councilmember Stucky and Wiegenstein voted in favor and Councilmembers Marshall, Hoffmire, and Woessner voting against the motion. Mayor Severns broke the tie by voting in favor of the BST & Associates rates.
Resolution 23-22 Accepting the Recommendation of the City LTAC Committee for funding Lodging Tax/Tourism Promotion Grants
Grants Administrator Wendy Horn presented the background, use of revenues, recommended awards, and Council guidance per Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC). No input was received from the public on this item. Councilmember Hoffmire made the motion to adopt Resolution 23-22 approving the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) recommended awards for the 2% grant single year applications for grant year 2024, seconded by Councilmember Wiegenstein. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 23-23: Authorization to Apply for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Multipurpose Grant
Grants Administrator Wendy Horn presented the item and provided background information on the two parcels of land at 1081 and 1091 SE Pioneer Way which the Council recently approved for purchase. Since the purchase, the City has completed Phase I and Phase II environmental testing. As suspected due to the prior uses of the properties, there are environmental contaminants. Staff in turn notified the Washington Department of Ecology (WA DOE) and the site is now listed on the WA DOE voluntary cleanup page as a Brownfields site. Additionally, staff applied for a 2024 Ecology Integrated Planning Grant and has been notified the City will receive an award of $200,000 for cleanup. No public comments were received. Councilmember Woessner moved to approve Resolution 23-23 authorizing the Mayor to sign, seconded by Councilmember Wiegenstein. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolution 23-24: Sole Source Provider for Oak Harbor Police Department (OHPD) Rescue Vehicle
Chief Dresker introduced the need to replace the current surplus military vehicle through a sole source purchase. Captain Slowik presented the background, image of the vehicle, situation with the MRAP and needs to replace it due to damage to the wheel hub and drive gear, additional repairs, and repair costs of $30,000 to $35,000. Options are to repair, return, or replace. OHPD would like to replace it with a civilian purpose-built Armored Rescue Vehicle. Highlighted the advantages of the vehicle. Reviewed price options and timeline. Staff recommendation is to purchase a Ford F-550 Armored Group BATT from a sole source provider for $139,850, taxes of $12,587, and $7,875 for freight, with a $160,312 total. Funding the purchase from the current OHPD budget. Due to staffing vacancies and other factors, we are under budget and the funds can be used to pay for the vehicle. Council discussion followed by the motion. Councilmembers Hoffmire, Stucky, Wiegenstein, Marshall and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon provided their respective questions and comments. Councilmember Marshall moved to approve Resolution 23-24: Declaring the Armored Group a Sole Source Supplier for the purposes of purchasing a Pre-Owned 2014 BATT Armored Rescue Vehicle, seconded by Councilmember Hoffmire. The motion passed by a vote of 4-2 with Councilmembers Hoffmire, Marshall, Woessner, and Wiegenstein supporting the motion and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon and Councilmember Stucky opposed.
Took a break and returned at 8:41 pm.
CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
Professional Services Agreement with Economic Development Council of Island County (EDCIC) for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Project
Economic Development Coordinator Steve McCaslin presented the background of CEDS, scope of work, deliverables, terms and fees for the agreement, and deliverables are tentatively scheduled to be completed and delivered in July 2024. Sharon Sappington and Jennifer Noveck of the EDCIC provided additional details and options to apply for and use funds for City infrastructure projects. The money is available until spent. Council discussion of options for use.
Councilmember Stucky, moved to authorize the Mayor to approve a Professional Services Agreement with the Economic Development Council of Island County to provide the City and Island County with a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), seconded by Councilmember Wiegenstein. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion
Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon moved to suspend all rules and extend the meeting to 9:30 pm, seconded by Councilmember Marshall. Motion approved unanimously.
Employment Reclassification Agreement – David Goldman from Finance Director to Deputy City Administrator
City Administrator Blaine Oborn presented the Mayor’s recommendation, and provided background information on the proposal, fiscal impact, and process. The item before Council was to approve an updated Employment Agreement for Mr. Goldman, which would be included in the year-end budget amendment package. Mayor Severns added additional comments about the City’s approximately 170 employees and the complexities of services we offer in comparison to other municipalities. Additionally, Mr. Goldman’s skillset and experience provides more support to our organization and has been recognized by national organizations. Council discussion followed by the motion.
Councilmember Woessner, moved to confirm the Mayor’s reclassification of David Goldman from Finance Director to Deputy City Administrator and authorize the Mayor to sign the updated Employment Agreement between Mr. Goldman and the City of Oak Harbor, seconded by Councilmember Stucky. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion
Due to the hour, Mayor Pro Tem Hizon moved to suspend Council rules and further extend the meeting to 9:45 p.m. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Wiegenstein and carried unanimously.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor Severns stated no decisions were made or actions taken during Executive Session. Councilmember Woessner moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilmember Wiegenstein. The motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 9:44 pm.
MEETING MINUTES
The official meeting minutes will be available after approval by City Council in the Agenda Center.