News Flash

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Wright presided over the meeting. He noted that Councilmember Woessner would be a little late and that Mayor Pro Tem Hizon would attend remotely.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

There were no changes to the meeting agenda. It was approved as presented.

COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS

Proclamations: Arbor Day Proclamation 

Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith provided information on the City’s plans for Arbor Day this year, including activities with Oak Harbor Elementary School. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon read the proclamation citing April 26^thas Arbor Day in the City of Oak Harbor.

Honors and Recognitions: Tree City U.S.A.

Director Smith introduced Parks Supervisor Brandon Cable to announce that the City of Oak Harbor has once again been designated a Tree City U.S.A. and explained the criteria for that designation. Oak Harbor has received the designation for 21 years. A plaque was created from the Garry Oak tree that once stood at the Post Office by Parks I employee Bill Leuthe, with assemble assistance from Humphrey’s Signs. The plaque will hang in City Hall.

CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD 

The City has not received new public comments since the last regular meeting, and no members of the public provided comments during the meeting.

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were approved as presented:

1. Approval of Minutes: City Council Meeting of April 2, 2024 and City Council Special Workshop of April 10, 2024
2. Approval of Payroll and Accounts Payable Vouchers 
3. Johnson and Johnson Opioid Settlement Agreement
4. LEMHWA Grant Application Approval
5. Washington State Criminal Justice Training

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Wright shared comments regarding:

• National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: Also known as 9-1-1 Dispatcher Week is April 
• 14th– April 20th. Our ICOM 911 Dispatchers are some of the best first, first responders!  ICOM has several things planned to celebrate this year – a themed week of “Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter” and focusing on health and wellness initiatives for the team.
• Island County Public Health Community Health Survey: Island County Public Health is collecting survey responses through April 30th to include in the Community Health Assessment Report. The anonymous survey takes ten to twelve minutes and will help Island County Public Health better understand how all islanders are doing. The results of the survey will identify areas of improvement and set a path towards creating a healthier community for all. See the survey at  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z3Q2SSZ
• Whidbey Island Marathon–Deception Pass Bridge Closure: It’s time once again for the Whidbey Island Marathon. The Deception Pass Bridge will be closed from 6:45 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. this coming Sunday, April 21st. Marathon information can be found on our website. 
• Boards & Commissions: The City still has volunteer positions to fill. Please view the website to apply.
• Now Hiring: The City has openings for employment in several areas. See the website for a listing.
• Special Meeting – In addition to the regular Council workshop on April 24th, the City Council will be holding a special joint meeting with the Island County Board of Commissioners on April 23rd at 1:00 p.m. The purpose of the special meeting is to review and discuss land use policies and regulations of mutual interest. That special meeting will be held at the Whidbey Campus of Skagit Valley College, Room A306. The meeting is open to the public, but public comment will not be taken.
• Mayor’s First 100 Days in Office Report:  Mayor Wright reported his 100th day in office was April 11th. He stated he was continually impressed by the professionalism and knowledge of City staff and how much they care and how hard they work to make the City better. Mayor Wright also greatly appreciated the perspective and input of the City Council as we work together to make positive progress for the City of Oak Harbor.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilmember Wiegenstein thanked Mayor Wright for attending the Kiwanis Club celebration of a 50-Year member earlier this week.  Councilmember Hoffmire noted his appreciation for Mayor Wright’s 100 days updates and suggested he continue to provide them for the next 100 days.

PUBLIC HEARINGS & MEETINGS

Resolution 24-06: Adopting the Active Transportation Plan (ATP)

Principal Planner Cac Kamak reviewed the resolution background and information. The process was initiated in January of 2023, with public input opportunities provided. An initial draft of the ATP was released in November 2023 along with the SEPA analysis. The document received comments from WSDOT, Island County, and others. The plan reviews existing conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists, identifies areas of stress, as well as gaps in infrastructure, and identifies catalyst projects to pursue. Six of these catalyst projects have conceptual designs along with cost estimates included. The plan includes policy and program recommendations. The Planning Commission recommended Council approval at their March 26^th meeting, and the City Council discussed the Plan at their March 27^th workshop. 

Mayor Wright opened the public hearing and confirmed no comments had been received. He requested any comments from those present and hearing none, closed the public hearing.   There were no questions or comments from the Council.

Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to adopt Resolution 24-06: Approving the Active Transportation Plan (ATP). Councilmember Hoffmire seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 

Mayor Wright noted that to provide the Council with more opportunities to discuss the Capital Improvements Plan and the Comprehensive Plan, staff had requested that we open this public hearing, take any citizen comments, and then continue the public hearing to the May 7th Council meeting. Staff will provide a review of the information that was included in tonight’s meeting packet at the April 24th Council Workshop. Mayor Wright opened the public hearing and confirmed no public comments had been received. He called for any public comments from those gathered. Hearing no comments, Mayor Wright announced the public hearing would be continued to May 7, 2024.

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS

Principal Planner Cac Kamak reviewed the resolution and a short recap of the item, which was discussed during the joint meeting with the Planning Commission in October of 2023 and at the March 27^th Council workshop. The CPP is required by the state for all counties and cities that are subject to the Growth Management Act (GMA). This document lays out the procedures and the methodologies for population projections, buildable land analysis, and other city/county functions that are necessary to plan for growth. The Island County Board of Commissioners adopted the CPP at their March 26^th meeting. Mayor Wright confirmed no public comments had been received regarding this item. Councilmembers Stucky, Armes, Marshall, Hoffmire, Woessner, Wiegenstein, and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon provided their respective questions and comments.

Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to approve Resolution 24-13, ratifying Island County’s Countywide Planning Policies. Councilmember Marshall seconded the motion, which passed 5-2 with Mayor Pro Tem Hizon and Councilmembers Hoffmire, Marshall, Wiegenstein, and Woessner in favor, and Councilmembers Stucky and Armes opposed.

OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

Naloxone purchase utilizing Opioid Settlement Funds

Police Chief Tony Slowik provided a summary of the distribution of Opioid Settlement Funds to purchase Naloxone for city fleet first aid kits and for police officers. He noted that on February 29, 2024, the Island County Health Department provided Opioid Safety and Naloxone Training to city staff from Public Works, Parks, and Marina staff. The training covered proper use of personal protective equipment and safety around suspected opioid material, and the application of Naloxone as a first aid tool to counter opioid exposure or overdoses.  City Staff identified the need to outfit city fleet first aid kits with Naloxone. Chief Slowik reported there is no inventory of Naloxone owned by the City and Naloxone cannot be provided by Island County services. Mayor Wright confirmed no public comments had been received on this item. Councilmembers Hoffmire, Woessner, and Wiegenstein provided their respective questions and comments.

Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to approve the allocation to $5,500.00 from the Opioid Future Allocation Fund for the purchase of Naloxone for city first aid kits. Councilmember Marshall seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

ADJOURN

Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilmember Marshall. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m. 

MEETING MINUTES

The official meeting minutes will be available after approval by the City Council in the online Agenda Center.