City Council

Oak Harbor City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026 This was both a physical meeting location and a virtual meeting. Meeting was viewable via YouTube at www.youtube.com/cityofoakharbor, and on Facebook, following the meeting. CALL TO ORDER Call To Order and Native Lands Acknowledgement - Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. She 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 – The Pastor scheduled was unable to attend and no invocation was given. . Pledge of Allegiance – Led by Mayor Pro Tem Hizon. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Staff Present/Videoconference Mayor Ronnie Wright - absent City Administrator Sabrina Combs - absent Mayor Pro Tem Tara Hizon Deputy City Administrator David Goldman Councilmember Bryan Stucky Community Development Director Stacie Pratschner Councilmember Eric Marshall Public Works Director Steve Schuller Councilmember Christopher Wiegenstein Police Chief Tony Slowik Councilmember Barbara Armes Police Captain Kevin Barton Councilmember James P. Marrow Fire Chief Travis Anderson Councilmember Sandi Peterson City Engineer Alex Warner Principal Planner Rajesh “Cac” Kamak Public Works Administration Manager Sandra Place 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 Pro Tem Hizon greeted all in attendance and noted she was presiding at the request of Mayor Wright who was attending the Association of Washington Cities City Action Days in Olympia, along with City Administrator Combs and Grants Administrator Horn. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon noted all members of the Council were present. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Pro Tem Hizon requested any changes to the regular agenda. Hearing none, she requested a motion for approval. Regular Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026 Page 1 of 7 Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to approve the regular agenda as presented. Coun- cilmember Marrow seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 2. PRRESENTATIONS a. Proclamation – City Wide Blue and Green Friday Mayor Pro Tem Hizon introduced the proclamation, submitted by Mayor Wright in support and celebra- tion of the National Football Conference Seattle Seahawks, and proclaiming Friday, January 23, 2026 as City Wide Blue and Green Friday. Councilmember Marshall read the proclamation. 3. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Mayor Pro Tem Hizon noted members of the public could comment on Consent Agenda items or sub- jects of interest not listed on the agenda at this time and there would be an opportunity to comment on the remaining Agenda items during the meeting as appropriate. The public may also visit the City’s website prior to meetings for methods to submit public comments, 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. Comments on public hearing items will be taken during the public hearings portion of the meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon 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. She noted the Clerk would call 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. Joshua Treadway of Oak Harbor noted he had watched the live stream of the January 6, 2026 City Council meeting and heard the Oath of Office taken by the re-elected and the newly elected Councilmembers. He noted that the Oath includes, “I will support the constitution and laws of the United States”. He asked that all members of the Council do so and that they look to protect themselves and others from those who did not. Mr. Treadway noted there were hundreds if not thousands of citizens who were legal United States residents that were being harmed, detained or taken by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He stated that Island County would not escape this unless leaders uphold their oaths. 2. Kerri Totten of Oak Harbor addressed the Council regarding a residence in her neighborhood that was recently the scene of a kidnapping at gun point. She explained the residence is known as a “sober house” and questioned why this was allowed in an area zoned for single-family homes, near the high school and a grade school. Ms. Totten stated those living at that residence have serious records and that the eight or more cars belonging to the occupants or those having family visitations impeded the flow of traffic, which she understood was a zoning violation. She noted such facilities should be located elsewhere and adhere to zoning. Hearing no one else with a desire to address the Council, the public comment period was closed. The City received four new public comments since the last regular meeting. Comments were received from: 1. Lisa Susan of Oak Harbor, regarding services to the homeless population.. Regular Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026 Page 2 of 7  2. Kerri Totten of Oak Harbor, in concern over a home occupation in her neighborhood not being held to code per Oak Harbor Municipal Code 19.34. 020. 3. Robert Sweeton of Oak Harbor regarding the Council’s 2026 legislative priorities that included the listing of long-term planning for the Deception and Canoe Pass bridges. As Ms. Totten had already provided her comment in person, her written comment was not displayed. The fourth comment received was in regard to an agenda item and shown during that portion of the meeting. 4. CONSENT AGENDA Consent Items a. Approval of Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting of January 6, 2026 b. Approval of Payroll and Accounts Payable Vouchers c. Adopting a Revised City Council Calendar for 2026 d. Purchasing Policy and Procedures Updates – 2026 e. Professional Services Agreement – Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc. for an Environmental Impact Statement f. 2026 Advisory Board, Commission, and Committee Re-Appointments Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called for any changes to the consent agenda. Councilmember Stucky requested to remove items a. Approval of Minutes: City Council Regular Meet- ing of January 6, 2026, and f. 2026 Advisory Board, Commission, and Committee Re-Appointments for discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon requested a motion for approval of the remaining consent agenda items. Motion: Councilmember Marrow moved to approve the remaining consent agenda items b., c., d., and e. as presented. Councilmember Marshall seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called for discussion of the removed items a. and f. Item a. Approval of Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting of January 6, 2026 – Councilmember Stucky stated the need for a correction to page five (5) of the January 6, 2026 meeting minutes, regarding the motion to table the 2026 Advisory Board, Commission, and Committee re-ap- pointments. He noted that he had voted as being in favor and not opposed, therefore the vote had been unanimous. Councilmember Peterson likewise requested a correction to the same item in the January 6, 2026 meeting minutes. She noted her request for clarification was incorrectly detailed in the minutes and should have read as a clarification of whether discussion would continue at the Council retreat. The City Clerk will make both corrections to the January 6, 2026 meeting minutes. Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to approve the January 6, 2026 minutes as corrected. Councilmember Marrow seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Item f. 2026 Advisory Board Commission, and Committee Re-Appointments – Councilmember Stucky thanked all who requested and were up for re-appointments. He noted the Council had postponed the re-appointments for a discussion of nepotism, which meant that those ad- visory meetings affected had to be cancelled for the month of January. He cited concern for the morale of those volunteers and apologized to any who were disrupted. Councilmember Stucky noted that his Regular Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026 Page 3 of 7 spouse, Carrie Stucky, was among those requesting re-appointment and stated he would abstain from voting on the re-appointments and had no objections to any of them. Motion: Councilmember Marrow requested a point of order and moved to table action on the reap- pointments to the January 27, 2026 Council workshop. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon noted a motion to table is not debatable and called for a second. Councilmember Marshall seconded the motion. The vote on the motion failed with Councilmembers Marrow and Mar- shall in favor and Councilmembers Armes, Stucky, Peterson, Wiegenstein and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon opposed. As the motion had failed, Mayor Pro Tem re-opened discussion on the re-appointments. Councilmembers Armes, Marshall, Peterson, Wiegenstein and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon provided their respective questions and comments. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called on City Attorney Evans who provided options for proceeding. Attorney Evans explained that the Council could choose to review and appoint people one at a time today or could wait to do so at a later date. She further explained that if the Council were to adopt any additional requirements, they could determine whether those would apply to those people who were currently appointed or if those requirements would only be placed in effect on new appointments going forward. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon continued discussion. She noted under the current system, people apply to serve, the Mayor reviews and approves appointments and presents them for confirmation by the Coun- cil. The Council votes on confirming the Mayor’s appointments and the majority rules. She stated she was comfortable with the re-appointments and with continuing discussion next week regarding nepo- tism. Councilmember Stucky inquired of Attorney Evans whether nepotism clauses were commonplace in other cities. City Attorney Evans noted such clauses were seen in Employee Policy Manuals that applied to paid employees, but seldom for advisory boards. Councilmembers Stucky, Peterson, Marrow, Marshall, Armes, and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon provided their additional questions and comments. Motion: Councilmember Armes moved to approve consent agenda item f. Councilmember Wiegenstein seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called for any further discussion. Councilmembers Marshall, Marrow, and Stucky provided their additional questions and comments. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called for a vote on the motion to approve consent agenda item f. 2026 Re- Appointments to Advisory Boards, Commissions, and Committees. The result of the vote was a tie with Councilmembers Armes, Wiegenstein, and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon in favor and Councilmembers Peter- son, Marshall, and Marrow opposed, with Councilmember Stucky abstaining. Councilmember Wiegenstein requested and received clarification on the tie vote from City Attorney Evans who referenced Roberts Rules of Order. Councilmember Peterson noted if a motion does not pass, it fails. Discussion on how to proceed continued with Mayor Pro Tem Hizon and Councilmember Stucky pro- vided their respective questions and comments. Regular Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026 Page 4 of 7 Motion: Councilmember Peterson moved to move consent agenda item f. to the January 27, 2026 Council workshop. Councilmember Marrow seconded the motion. Discussion continued with Councilmember Stucky reviewing with City Attorney Evans whether an ad- ditional discussion of nepotism would be included for the January 27, 2026 Council workshop. City Attorney Evans affirmed she had drafted options for a potential ordinance for Council discussion at the workshop and depending on that outcome, an ordinance could be considered for action by the Council in February. Attorney Evans will work with the City Clerk on any notifications. With discussion concluded, Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called for a vote on the motion to move consent agenda item f. to the January 27, 2026 Council workshop. The motion passed with Councilmembers Peterson, Wiegenstein, Armes, and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon in favor and Councilmembers Marrow and Marshall opposed, with Councilmember Stucky abstaining. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called for a five (5) minute recess at 6:37 p.m. At 6:42 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called the regular meeting back to order. 5. MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMENTS a. Mayor’s Comments Mayor Pro Tem Hizon provided the following comments on behalf of Mayor Wright: • Association of Washington Cities (AWC) City Action Days: Mayor Wright, City Administrator Combs, and Grants Administrator Horn are attending the AWC City Action Days and meeting with our legislators in Olympia. • Washington State Ferries (WSF) Community Meetings: WSF will hold community meetings online tomorrow to discuss ferry service and updates. To register, visit wsdot.wa.gov • PBY-A5 Aircraft Move: The Pacific Northwest Naval Air Museum PBY plane move did not hap- pen as planned today. Crews will regroup and try the move again tomorrow. Thank you to the Oak Harbor Police Department, the Museum staff and all of the volunteers for their efforts. Lots of people were onsite to watch the lift off with the U.S. Army Chinook helicopter. • Wright Blend – Coffee and Conversation with the Mayor: Our next Wright Blend will be held at the City of Oak Harbor’s Clean Water Facility Interpretive Center on Friday, January 30, 2026 from 10-11:30 a.m. Come and share your ideas and questions. • Oak Harbor Main Street Association (OHMSA): Join OHMSA downtown this weekend for a Winter Stroll on January 24th from 2-5 p.m.. Enjoy free cider, cocoa, or tea, and tasty treats from our downtown merchants. • Stay Connected: Stay connected to City information and activities at any time by visiting our website and our Facebook page. b. Councilmembers Councilmember Armes, Mayor Pro Tem Hizon, and Councilmember Stucky provided their respective comments. Regular Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026 Page 5 of 7 Councilmember Armes reported that the Oak Harbor Marina will once again participate in the Wash- ington State Department of Fish and Wildlife’s salmon rearing program. The Marina will receive a de- livery of fingerling salmon tomorrow, February 21, 2026 at approximately 11:00 a.m. from the hatchery in Marblemount, WA. Councilmember Armes also thanked Mayor Pro Tem Hizon and Councilmember Peterson for attending the recent Marina Tenants meeting. She noted Harbormaster Alyce Henry gave an informative presentation. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon noted Harbormaster Henry had explained the Marina will be feeding the salmon three times per week and that this became more interesting to watch as the salmon grew. Councilmember Stucky reported on positive news about the Boys and Girls Club and that he received a call from Ron Wallin who was very complimentary to City staff and to public works for their assistance. 6. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS a. Ordinance No. 2036: Amending Oak Harbor Municipal Code Section 10.08.010 relating to speed limits on Washington State Route 20 City Engineer Warner reviewed the proposed changes to the speed limits on State Route 20 (SR20) within the Oak Harbor City limits. He noted these revisions were discussed at the Council’s November 25, 2025 workshop. The speed analysis at the south end of SR20 is now complete and includes Washington State Depart- ment of Transportation (WSDOT) recommended speed limit changes. Staff recommends moving for- ward with this speed limit revision. At a later date, staff will bring to City Council any recommended speed limit changes on SR20 at Fakkema Road once that separate WSDOT speed analysis is com- plete. WSDOT constructed a roundabout on SR20 at the intersection with Fakkema Road. As part of their project design documentation, they performed a speed analysis of SR20 in this area. The City re- quested WSDOT also analyze the speed limits at the south end of SR20 within City limits in the vicinity of Swantown Avenue. This ordinance proposes to reduce the speed limit on SR20 from the south City limits to vicinity of the Swantown Avenue intersection from 50 mph and 40 mph to a consistent 35 mph, along with reducing the speed limit from that point to the vinicty of the Barlow Street intersection from 40 mph to 30 mph. These changes are supported by WSDOT's speed analysis and are consistent with goals in the City's Active Transportation Plan and Comprehensive Safety Action Plan to make streets safer and more walkable. Other speed limits on SR20 are unchanged. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon thanked City Engineer Warner for his presentation. She opened the floor for any members of the public to provide comments. Hearing none, the comment received in advance of the meeting via the online public comment form was displayed as follows: 1. Tabitha Bailar, residing outside the Oak Harbor city limits, wrote in opposition to changing the speed limit on State Route 20, believing this would contribute to congestion and would not deter those choosing to speed. Hearing no others, Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called on the Council for their questions and comments. Councilmembers Wiegenstein provided his respective questions and comments. Regular Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026 Page 6 of 7 Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2036: Amending Oak Harbor Municipal Code Section 10.08.010 relating to speed limits on Washington State Route 20. Councilmem- ber Marrow seconded the motion. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon called for any further discussion. Councilmember Marrow and Mayor Pro Tem Hizon provided their additional questions and comments. With discussion concluded, the vote on the motion passed unanimously. 7. OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION a. Approval of Accounts Payable Vouchers – Chamber of Commerce Mayor Pro Tem Hizon explained this voucher list contained a payment or payments to the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce, of which Councilmember Marshall is the Executive Director. In order to avoid a conflict of interest, Councilmember Marshall has stated he will recuse himself from a vote on such payments, which are now a separate agenda item. Mayor Pro Tem Hizon confirmed no public comments on this item had been received. he called on the members of the public in attendance for any comments. Hearing none, she called on the Council for any questions or comments. Motion: Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to approve agenda item 7. a. Accounts Payable Check #202082 totaling $2,333.40 (Voucher List 13a-COC) to the Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Peterson seconded the motion, which passed by a vote of 6-0 with Councilmember Marshall abstaining. ADJOURN There being no further business, Councilmember Wiegenstein moved to adjourn the meeting, se- conded by Councilmember Peterson. The vote on the motion was unanimous; therefore the meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m. Certified by Julie Nester, City Clerk Regular Meeting Minutes January 20, 2026 Page 7 of 7