City Council

Oak Harbor City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 2, 2024 This was both a physical meeting location and a virtual meeting. Meeting was viewable live via YouTube at www,youtube.com/cityofoakharbor, on Facebook, and on Cable Channel 10/HD 1090 following the meeting OATHS OF OFFICE Judge William Hawkins administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Ronnie Wright. Judge Christon Skinner administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember Tara Hizon, Position 1. Judge William Hawkins also administered the Oath of Office to Councilmember Christopher Wiegenstein, Position 2, and Coun- cilmember Eric Marshall, Position 3. PASSING OF THE GAVEL Former Mayor Bob Severns noted it had been his distinct honor and pleasure to serve as Mayor. He presented Mayor Wright with a personalized gavel. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m. He thanked all in attendance and noted it was his honor to serve, and to look forward to a great year for the City of Oak Harbor. Invocation – Chaplain David Lura, Navy League Pledge of Allegiance – Led by Councilmember Jim Woessner ROLL CALL City Council Present: Staff Present/Videoconference Mayor Ronnie Wright City Administrator Blaine Oborn Mayor Pro Tem Tara Hizon Deputy City Admin. & Finance Director David Goldman Councilmember Jim Woessner Public Works Director Steve Schuller Councilmember Bryan Stucky Development Services Director David Kuhl Councilmember Shane Hoffmire Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith Councilmember Eric Marshall City Engineer Alex Warner Councilmember Christopher Wiegenstein Fire Chief Ray Merrill Councilmember Barbara Armes Police Chief Tony Slowik Det. Sargeant Jen Gravel Economic Development Coordinator Steve McCaslin Building Official Ginger Pennington Police Senior Administrative Assistant Meg Massey WWTP Supervisor Jack Robinson Project Manager Brett Arvidson Central Services Manager Sandra Place Finance Manager Chas Webster Recreation Manager Liz Lange Grants Administrator Wendy Horn Executive Services Administrator Sabrina Combs Executive Assistant Macalle Finkle City Clerk Julie Nester Regular Meeting Minutes January 2, 2024 Page 1 of 5  Also present were members of the Oak Harbor Police Department and many citizens Also in attendance: City Attorney Hillary Evans of Kenyon Disend, PLLC EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBERS Mayor Wright welcomed all in attendance. He noted all members of Council were present. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Wright requested any changes to the agenda. Hearing none, the agenda was approved as pre- sented. 2. PRESENTATIONS a. Proclamations – i. Proclaiming January 2024 as National Blood Donor Month. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon read the proclamation on behalf of Mayor Wright and the Council. b. Honors & Recognitions i. Police Chief Oath – Anthony Slowik Mayor Wright noted Chief Slowik was unanimously approved as Police Chief at the December 19, 2023 Council meeting while he was away on vacation, and that it was his pleasure to administer his Oath. Chief Slowik thanked Mayor Wright, former Mayor Severns for their trust and the City Council for their support. He thanked his wife and daughters, and his mentors, namely Chief Kevin Dresker and Chief John Dyer. Chief Slowik noted the Oak Harbor Police Department is both passionate and professional with a love for and pride in the community they do their best to serve. c. Community Presentations - None 3. CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Wright noted citizens may comment on Consent Agenda items or subjects of interest not listed on the agenda at this time and that citizens would have the opportunity to comment on the remaining Agenda items during the meeting as appropriate. Citizens can also visit the City’s website prior to meetings for methods to submit public comment, or contact the City Clerk, Julie Nester by phone or email. When submitting comments, please include your name and address. Public comments sent anonymously will be shared with the Mayor and Council but will not be displayed. The City received one new public comment since the last regular meeting. Regular Meeting Minutes January 2, 2024 Page 2 of 5 Former Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vicki Graham, wrote congratulating Mayor Wright. The comment was displayed on screen. Mayor Wright opened the floor for public comment on items not on the agenda or items on the consent agenda. 1. Mary Elizabeth Hinds recited a poem titled “This Moment” and wished Mayor Wright and the Council well. Hearing no one else with a desire to address the Council, the public comment period was closed. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Consent Items a. Approval of Minutes: Council Meeting of December 19, 2023 b. Approval of Payroll and Accounts Payable Vouchers c. Purchase Authorization: Godwin Pump Replacement d. Resolution 24-01: Purchase Authorization – Sole Source Washer Compactor for the Clean Water Facility e. Resolution 24-03: Amending the Effective Date for Resolution 23-15: Master Fee Schedule Mayor Wright called for any changes to the consent agenda. Hearing none, the consent agenda was approved as presented. 5. MAYOR, COUNCIL & STAFF COMMENTS a. Mayor i. Councilmember Service to Boards, Committees, and Commissions Mayor Wright presented his appointments for City Councilmembers to internal and external Boards, Committees and Commissions. Councilmember Stucky and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon provided their respective questions and comments. Mayor Wright confirmed no comments had been received from the public. Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to approve the appointments of City Councilmembers ser- vice to boards, committee, and commissions for 2024 as presented. The motion was seconded by Coun- cilmember Hoffmire and passed unanimously. Mayor Wright also provided the following comments: • Service by the Public on Advisory Boards and Commissions: With the Council‘s recent expansion of the Parks and Recreation and Marina Advisory Commissions, there are several new positions to fill starting in January. There are also vacancies on the Historic Preservation, Civil Service and Salary Commissions. Please visit the City’s website for details. • Welcome to our newest Police Officer: Detective Sergeant Gravel and Sergeant Andreano attended the recent graduation of our newest officer, Officer Rafferty from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Watch for him after the holidays as he starts field training. • Marina Dredging Open House: The City will hold an open house at City Hall on January 11th from 5- 7 p.m. to provide information on dredging at the Marina. Regular Meeting Minutes January 2, 2024 Page 3 of 5 • January 16, 2024 Council Meeting: At the next Council meeting we will swear in Police Sergeant Scott Johnson. • WSF Public Meeting: A reminder – The Washington State Ferries are hosting two upcoming virtual community meetings designed to provide updates about the ferry system. The meetings will be held Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 12:30 p.m., and Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. Advance registration is required to attend. See the links provided on screen. b. Councilmembers i. Selection of Mayor Pro Tempore Mayor Wright noted traditionally, the City Council has selected a Mayor Pro Tempore at the first meeting of even numbered years. Councilmember Tara Hizon has served as Mayor Pro Tempore since August 5, 2022. He turned to the Council for any nominations of themselves or others. Motion: Councilmember Woessner nominated Councilmember Hizon, seconded by Councilmember Hoffmire. The vote on the motion passed unanimously. ii. Additional Council Comments: Councilmember Hoffmire congratulated Mayor Wright on his election as Mayor. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS & MEETINGS None. 7. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS a. Resolution 24-02 Authorization to Submit DNR Community Forestry Assistance Grant Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith reviewed the grant program which focuses on: • Improvements, enhancements & increases to urban forests and tree canopy, • To increase & improve public engagement with urban forests • To address social & environmental disparities in disadvantaged neighborhoods The Parks and Recreation Department is proposing three distinct projects utilizing the $1.68 million grant the City has already received. The projects are: • Harbor Heights • Freund Marsh • Hal Ramaley Food Forest Director Smith also noted City partnerships, including Whidbey Island Conservation District, Imagine A Permaculture World. Oak Harbor Garden Club, Oak Harbor School District, and the Oak Harbor Garry Oak Society. The grant request is for $93,500 for the three projects, plus 10% indirect for administrative costs of $9,350, for a total request of $102,850. No matching funds are required. The grant application is due January 8, 2024. Mayor Wright confirmed no comments had been received from the public. Regular Meeting Minutes January 2, 2024 Page 4 of 5 Councilmembers Armes, Woessner, Stucky, and Wiegenstein provided their respective questions and comments. Motion: Councilmember Woessner moved to approve Resolution 24-02, authorizing the Mayor to sign the Washington State DNR grant application for the Community Forestry Assistance Program. Se- conded by Councilmember Marshall. The vote on the motion carried unanimously. 8. CONTRACTS & AGREEMENTS a. Rural County Economic Development Interlocal Agreement 2023 - Oak Harbor Marina Project Grant Award City Administrator Oborn reviewed the Interlocal Agreement. The Rural County Economic Development Infrastructure Investment fund is administered by Island County. The funds are used to improve the economy of Island County by creating and retaining ongoing private sector jobs. To achieve this, the program offers grants to local governments with qualifying proposals to assist in financing the cost of public facilities that will assist businesses in creating and retaining jobs. The City applied for a grant from the RCED fund to offset the cost of dredging the Marina. The County awarded the project $1,000,000. The agreement outlines the purpose of the grant, the timeline for use and other requirements under the program. Mayor Wright confirmed no comments had been received from the public. There were no questions or comments from the Council. Motion: Councilmember Hoffmire moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the Island County Rural County Economic Development Infrastructure Investment Interlocal Agreement for the City’s Marina Dredging Project. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Woessner and passed unanimously. 9. OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION None. 10. REPORTS & DISCUSSION ITEMS None. 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. Adjourn Motion: There being no further business, Mayor Wright called for a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Woessner moved to adjourn, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hizon. The motion was approved by a unan- imous vote, therefore the meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m. Certified by Julie Nester, City Clerk Regular Meeting Minutes January 2, 2024 Page 5 of 5