City Council

Oak Harbor City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 17, 2024 This was both a physical meeting location and a virtual meeting. Meeting was viewable via YouTube at www,youtube.com/cityofoakharbor, on Facebook, and on Cable Channel 10/HD 1090 following the meeting. CALL TO ORDER Call To Order and Native Lands Acknowledgement - Mayor Wright called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. He included the acknowledgement that the meeting was being held on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people and paid respect to those past and present. Invocation – Pastor Josh Hubbard, Life Church. Pledge of Allegiance – Led by Mayor Wright ROLL CALL City Council Present: Staff Present/Videoconference Mayor Ronnie Wright City Administrator Sabrina Combs Mayor Pro Tem Tara Hizon Deputy City Administrator David Goldman Councilmember Jim Woessner Development Services Director David Kuhl Councilmember Bryan Stucky Public Works Director Steve Schuller Councilmember Shane Hoffmire Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith Councilmember Eric Marshall Human Resources Director Emma House Councilmember Christopher Wiegenstein Police Chief Tony Slowik Councilmember Barbara Armes Police Captain Kevin Barton Fire Chief Travis Anderson Grants Administrator Wendy Horn Communications Officer Magi Aguilar Executive Services Coordinator Macalle Finkle City Clerk Julie Nester Also in attendance: City Attorney Hillary Evans of Kenyon Disend, PLLC EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCILMEMBERS Mayor Wright greeted all in attendance. He acknowledged all members of the Council were present, with Councilmember Woessner participating remotely. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Wright requested changes to the agenda. Hearing none, the agenda was approved as presented. 2. PRESENTATIONS Proclamations – None. Regular Meeting Minutes September 17, 2024 Page 1 of 6 Honors & Recognitions – None. 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 or from a non-verifiable address will be shared with the Mayor and Council but will not be displayed. The City received several new public comments since the last regular meeting, which were displayed. Comments were received from: 1. Logan Weiler, Greenbank, WA, regarding Tiffany Scribner’s Letter to the Editor. 2. Ashley Fikse, Oak Harbor, appreciating the Parks and Recreation Activity Guide. 3. Mrs. Jack Newman, Jr., Oak Harbor, complimenting the drivers of the dumpster delivery and pick up. 4. Donna DeBonis, Oak Harbor, regarding the Mayor’s salary issue needing investigation. Mayor Wright asked if there were any members of the public present who wished to speak to any other items not listed on the agenda or on the consent agenda? He noted the Clerk would on speakers in the order in which they signed in to speak. Mayor Wright asked speakers to please step forward to the microphone and state their name and address, and to please limit comments to three minutes. 1. Christina Kroll, Island County, criticizing the Mayor's full-time salary and procedure. 2. Nicole Tesch, Oak Harbor, regarding concern for derelict vehicles near public schools, which she noted were in violation of City Code. Mrs. Tesch, a former Oak Harbor City Clerk, provided a copy of her proposed revisions to the code for clarity. 3. Rachel Oswalt, NASWI Oak Harbor residential area, regarding Salary Commission Chair Tiffany Scribner's Letter to the Editor 4. Lucas Smith, Oak Harbor, a Senior student at Oak Harbor High School, spoke on behalf of the Mr. Oak Harbor Royalty, and presented the Council with a check, resulting from three fundraising activities, towards a future Oak Harbor Recreation Facility. Hearing no one with a desire to address the Council, the public comment period was closed. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Consent Items a. Approval of Minutes: City Council Workshop of August 28, 2024 and City Council Meeting of September 3, 2024 b. Approval of Payroll and Accounts Payable Vouchers c. Approval of Appointment: Joanna Hennessey – LTAC, Collector #2 Position Mayor Wright called for any changes to the consent agenda. Hearing none the consent agenda was approved as presented. 5. MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMENTS Regular Meeting Minutes September 17, 2024 Page 2 of 6  a. Mayor’s Comments Mayor Wright provided the following comments: • Special Council Workshop Last Week: Last week our City Council held a special workshop meeting, the purpose of which was to tour the Oak Harbor Marina, followed by lunch and a discussion of the needs of the Marina, including necessary infrastructure maintenance and improvements to the docks, fuel dock and breakwater, electrical needs, and dredging of both the Marina and the channel leading into Oak Bay. Staff reviewed these needs and potential options, all of which will be included in infor- mation for a Marina Open House. • Marina Public Open House: The City will hold a public open house for presenting options for the future of the Oak Harbor Marina on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Staff and consultants will give a presentation and provide information about the Marina, operational needs and funding challenges. • Oak Harbor Marina 50th Anniversary: The Oak Harbor Marina celebrates 50 years of operation! Please join us at the Marina on Saturday, September 21st from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 -p.m. for food, games, en- tertainment, a scavenger hunt, and Marina Tours. 1401 SE Catalina Drive. • Say “ferry-well” to Summer with the Washington State Ferries: The state ferry system begins their next round of virtual public meetings, Tuesday, September 24th at 12:00 noon, and Wednesday, September 25th at 6:00 p.m. Prior registration is required for these virtual Zoom meetings. Each meeting will cover the same material. Meeting participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments ahead of time. Video recordings will be available online on WSF’s community participation page after the meeting. • City Comprehensive Plan Survey Continues: Your survey responses will allow our team to plan for the next 10 years by learning what's important to you and what you value in our community. The community vision and input are very important to shaping a resilient, sustainable future for Oak Harbor. You may scan the QR code to take the short survey or log onto the City website. • Advisory Boards and Commissions: The City has openings on several advisory boards and commis- sions, shown here on screen. Please see our website to apply. The City appreciates your service. • Still Hiring: The City has openings for employment in several areas. See the City’s website for a complete listing. • Local Events: There are several special events happening in our area, many of which were displayed on the screen. b. Councilmembers Councilmember Hoffmire left the dais to provide comments from the lectern. Councilmembers Woessner, Armes, Mayor Pro Tem Hizon, and Councilmembers Stucky, Wiegenstein, and Marshall provided their respective comments. All comments can be viewed on the meeting video. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS & MEETINGS - None 7. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS - None 8. CONTRACT & AGREEMENTS a. Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) Licensing Agreement Regular Meeting Minutes September 17, 2024 Page 3 of 6 Public Works Director Schuller presented the Licensing Agreement, joined by Mark Buford, Executive Director of the Northwest Clean Air Agency for Island, Skagit and Whatcom Counties. The Northwest Clean Air Agency desires to use a portion of the City’s property at the Municipal Shops as a premises to locate and operate a mobile air quality monitoring station. The area the Agency requires is approximately 250 square feet (i.e. less than the size of two parking stalls). The Agency has been the primary government agency responsible for protecting the air in Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties since passage of the Washington State Clean Air Act in 1967. They are gov- erned by a Board of Directors, which consists of representatives from the three member counties and from each county’s most populous city, plus an at-large member. For Island County, the most populous city is the City of Oak Harbor. Mayor Pro Tempore Tara Hizon is currently servicing as the Oak Harbor representative and is also the Board’s Vice Chair. A License Agreement was prepared through the City Attorney’s office using a similar agreement signed between the Agency and the City of Bellingham in 2018. A few of the key provisions are summarized below: • Term: One year, subject to auto renewal. • Annual Fee: The Agency shall pay the City $1,200 per year. The annual fee shall increase at the rate of 15% at five-year intervals. • Utilities: City shall pay the monthly electrical bill without additional charge and included in the annual fee. The City shall not be liable to Agency for any loss of power for any reason. • Initial Costs to Install Power: Approximately $5,100 for an electrician to activate the previous electrical service to the license area from the street power transformer. Costs will be paid for by the City with “all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the City” reimbursed by the Agency. Director Schuller reviewed the fiscal impacts. Key Expenses: • About $5,100 for Electrical Service Activation (to be reimbursed) • Monthly Electrical Bill Key Revenue: • $1,200 per year Mayor Wright confirmed no public comments had been received and called on those present for com- ments. Mr. Dinty Joe Musk, Jr., of Oak Harbor, identifying himself as a chemist by trade, noted his interest in more information about the differences between the older style of monitoring station and the newer one. Mr. Buford responded to the question, noting improved data collection and sensitivity as well as fore- casting for wildfire smoke. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon provided her respective questions and comments. Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Hizon moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a License Agreement with the Northwest Clean Air Agency for location and operation of a mobile air quality monitoring station trailer at the City's Municipal Shops property, 1400 NE 16th Avenue. Councilmember Hoffmire seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Regular Meeting Minutes September 17, 2024 Page 4 of 6 9. OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION a. Department of Commerce Secure, Store, Track, and Return Relinquished Firearms Grant Appli- cation Police Chief Tony Slowik presented the item, assisted by Grants Administrator Horn. Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 7.105, RCW 9.41, and RCW 10.99 have been enacted by the legislature and result in firearm relinquishment either ordered by the courts or pursuant to a lawful arrest. The result is an increase in the number of firearms and amount of ammunition being relinquished, stored, & tracked at the Oak Harbor Police Department (OHPD). In 2019 OHPD improved firearms storage, bringing the locker into compliance with best practices and accreditation standards. The improved design created a location for the safe and secure storage and tracking for 75 rifles and 60 handguns. Currently, the department has over 300 firearms in firearms storage, exceeding the capacity of the existing infrastructure. Additional space is needed as firearms are being relinquished at an increasing rate due, in part, to State laws and voluntary surrender. The WA Department of Commerce was awarded federal funding from the US Department of Justice Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) to support efforts to improve implementation of state laws that result in the relinquishment of firearms. The grant is meant to assist agencies in addressing the increase in the total number of firearms relinquished and require storage in the short and long term. The grant due date was amended to September 22, 2024. If approved, the City will request a grant of $100,000. The OHPD is proposing to purchase an eight-by-eight (8’x8’) foot secure, climate-controlled, and insu- lated evidence storage unit with pass-through evidence lockers, capable of storing up to 500 rifles and guns with shelving and racks for easy organization and cataloging, meeting law enforcement evidence best practices and accreditation standards. Mayor Wright confirmed no public comments were received on this item. Mayor Wright provided his questions and comments. There were no comments or questions from the Council. Motion: Councilmember Hoffmire moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the application for the Wash- ington State Department of Commerce Se-cure, Store, Track, and Return Relinquished Firearms Grant. Councilmember Wiegenstein seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 10. REPORTS & DISCUSSION ITEMS - None 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION a. Per RCW 42.30.110 (1) (i) – To discuss with legal counsel litigation or potential litigation. Antici- pated duration – 15 minutes. Mayor Wright announced the Council would now move into executive session to discuss with legal coun- sel litigation or potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110 (1) (i). He stated the anticipated duration was fifteen (15) minutes. Mayor Wright noted action might or might not be take upon return to the open session. Executive sessions are not open to the public. The Council entered into executive session at 6:24 p.m. for a fifteen-minute period. Regular Meeting Minutes September 17, 2024 Page 5 of 6 At 6:39 p.m. the Council announced an extension of the executive session by fifteen minutes to 6:54 p.m. At 6:54 p.m. the Council announced a further extension of the executive session by five minutes to 6:59 p.m. At 6:59 p.m. the Council announced an additional extension of the executive session by ten minutes to 7:09 p.m. At 7:09 p.m. the Council announced one last extension of the executive session by five minutes to 7:14 p.m. At 7:14 p.m. the Council came out of executive session and resumed the open session of the regular meeting. Mayor Wright noted no action would be taken at this time regarding the item discussed. ADJOURN There being no further business, Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilmember Hoffmire. The vote on the motion was unanimous, therefore the meeting was ad- journed at 7:14 p.m. Certified by Julie Nester, City Clerk Regular Meeting Minutes September 17, 2024 Page 6 of 6