ROLL CALL
All members of the City Council were present.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented.
PRESENTATIONS
Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society (OHGOS)
OHGOS Member Kyle Renninger gave a presentation on the new Garry Oak tree mapping system available at soundoaks.org.
CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD
The Council received public comments both electronically and in person. Comments covered a variety of topics, including a request for a skilled K9 team for the police department, a request for specific street paving, a request by the OHGOS to enforce the City code, Ordinance No. 1839, that protects Garry Oak trees, and improve the process for tree protection during construction, and a thank you to Oak Harbor Police Department and Councilmember Woessner by a resident for assisting his daughter after an accident with a request for more traffic cameras at Whidbey Avenue near SAAR’S.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approved as presented:
- Approval of September 6, 2022 Council Meeting Minutes
- Approval of Payroll and Accounts Payable Vouchers
- Annual Review of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee and Appointment of New Members
- Council Calendar Update
- Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO) NE 7th Avenue Grant Request
- Marina Host Agreement
- Resolution 22-21: Authorizing the Auction of Vessels and Storage Shed Contents for non-payment of Marina charges
- State of Washington Opioid Settlement Participation Form and Allocation Agreement
- US Navy Request for Right of Entry – City of Oak Harbor Marina
MAYOR COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon read the Mayor’s comments on behalf of Mayor Bob Severns. See a video of the comments and announcement of upcoming events on the City’s Facebook page.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
- Councilmember Hoffmire attended the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Open House and appreciated the event. (Mayor and Mrs. Severns and Councilmember Woessner also attended) He responded to the public comment requesting cameras and asked drivers to please slow down.
- Mayor Pro Tem Hizon agreed with Councilmember Hoffmire regarding cameras and asked about the potential to work with the school district on a camera project.
- Councilmember Woessner commented on the attendance at Council and was glad to hear the young woman in the accident was doing better. He also voiced appreciation for the OHGOS group.
- Councilmember Munns thanked City Engineer Alex Warner for visiting the home of a citizen with speeding issues on the roadway in front of their home. Public Works put out speed limit signs and this seems to have decreased people speeding on the roadway. She thanked the Public Works staff as well.
PUBLIC HEARINGS & MEETINGS
Amending Ordinance No. 1958: Amending Oak Harbor Municipal Code (OHMC) 19.28 – Height Limit Text Amendment presented by Principal Planner Cac Kamak. The text amendment proposed a Conditional Use Permit process to consider structures, that have been determined as artistic or cultural, to extend beyond the height limit restrictions of underlying Public Facilities zoning districts. The Planning Commission held a hearing on the amendment on July 26, 2022 and recommends approval of the text amendment.
No public comments were received.
Motion
Move to approve Ordinance No. 1958 approving the text amendment to OHMC 19.28 Limitation of Uses by Councilmember Woessner. Motion seconded by Councilmember Munns.
Vote
Passed unanimously.
Ordinance No. 1961: 2023-2025 Utilities Rates - Finance Director David Goldman introduced consultant Chris Gonzalez from FCS Group, Inc. who reviewed the proposed ordinance and utility bill rates based on a 35-gallon roll cart with recycling and yard waste in comparison to other cities. He provided an overview of a chart showing the City can decrease sewer rates by 3%. Keep water/storm drain rates at existing levels and implement modest increases to solid waste rates. Director Goldman and Public Works Director Steve Schuller responded to questions from the Council. The proposed rates would take effect on January 1, 2023. Customers will see the new rates listed on the December 20, 2022, bills. FCS recommends the City monitor the utilities' financial status regularly and revisit the rate plans in 2025 or sooner if needed. FCS also recommends the City establish storm drain System Development Charges (SDC) to recover an equitable share of costs from growth.
No public comments were received.
Motion
Motion to adopt ordinance No. 1961 Establishing Water, Wastewater, Solid Waste, and Storm Drain Utility Rates for 2023-2025 by Councilmember Hoffmire, seconded by Councilmember Stucky.
Vote
Passed unanimously.
ADJOURN
Motion to adjourn by Councilmember Stucky, seconded by Councilmember Munns. Unanimously passed by City Council. The meeting adjourned at 7:37 pm.
The City’s YouTube channel includes a video of the meeting. The videos are also available on Cable Channel 10/HD 1090.
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About the City of Oak Harbor
The City of Oak Harbor is located on Whidbey Island in Washington State. It is a part of Island County. The City was incorporated in 1915 and operates under the Mayor-Council form of government. Learn more at www.oakharbor.org or follow www.Facebook.com/OakHarbor.
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