MAYOR
Mayor Severns asked the City Council members present and the City Clerk to introduce themselves to the public.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Active Transportation Plan (ATP) by Principal Planner Cac Kamak
Presented the ATP as included in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The ATP is funded through a federal grant from the Island Regional Transportation Planning Organization (IRTPO). Currently, staff has issued a Request For Qualifications for consultants. The deadline for responses is June 6.
Cac shared the project timeline and requested Councilmember participation in the selection process. He utilized YouTube videos to explain what the ATP is and how it benefits the community. Council packets included six YouTube videos, with these two videos being presented during the meeting:
•2011 Rob Voight ATP 101 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmzNa648_P0&t=1s
•2018 ATP Economics - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lql_S8Ut7oo
The plan is to create a system of routes to safely connect homes through active transportation to employment centers, schools, commercial centers, parks, and recreation facilities. The project includes a study of existing plans, and identification of improvements, goals, and policies for integration into the current system.
Councilmember Woessner thanked Cac and staff for reaching out for federal dollars. He mentioned concerns about bandwidth in terms of staff availability to complete projects. He noted some items addressed in a previous plan for sidewalks are still incomplete on NE 7th Avenue. Councilmember Woessner expressed a need for plans to first focus on the items we have scheduled and [Council and staff] having the same expectation within the current workload.
Mayor Severns followed up with a request for City Council to let him know if they were interested in participating in the selection process for a consultant.
Parking of Recreational Vehicles Text Amendment by Development Services Director David Kuhl
Director Kuhl presented the amendment with Code Compliance Officer Ray Heltsley. Director Kuhl reviewed materials in the packet, including, a draft ordinance reviewed by the Legal Department, sample codes from around the region, and a vehicle size chart to compare a Chevy Silverado and a Class A Recreational Vehicle Motorhome for reference.
The proposed text amendments include allowing individuals to park on city streets by their home for up to 72 hours before or after a trip for loading/unloading items. The code change would allow for moving the recreational vehicle to a temporary location around the corner or to another street while waiting to take it to a more permanent location if more than 72 hours is needed. RV’s, boats, etc., would still be allowed on a resident’s own property, so long as no portion of it encroached on sidewalks, streets, or other property. The purpose for the amendment is to increase safety for cars, bicycles, and pedestrians.
The presentation continued to address commercial vehicles by limiting parking for commercial vehicles on city streets to the period of time that work is being performed. This includes, tow trucks, dump trucks, truck tractors, concrete mixing, trucks, stake bed trucks, buses, or similar vehicles regardless of weight. This language change to the code is also to provide increased safety for cars, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Councilmember Evans clarified the definition of a recreational trailer with Code Compliance Officer Ray Heltsley and how this impacts the Police Departments enforcement of complaints for RVs parked on the side of the road. Chief Dresker provided a response about how Police Officers enforce complaints based on Oak Harbor Municipal Codes and RCWs. The clarification is this would impact people abusing the current rules.
Councilmember Woessner questioned this topic being a priority and Ray explained it is an issue that has been on-going for years with increasing complaints as the community grows. He further explained the City was lenient in the past to provide a welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
Council and staff continued to discuss the difference of code versus permitting options and which process is more efficient and reduces impacts to staff. The selected process would include staff management of the process, staff time to monitor/address applications or complaints, a process for handling towing, education, and a potential fee structure. Councilmember Stucky shared appreciation to see the item but shared his experience understanding the particulars of the code change and how this impacts individuals that are homeless living in RVs.
Councilmember Hoffmire stated that he was not ready to move forward and wanted to see more options from staff. He noted he had reached out to City of Anacortes and learned that they have a 24-hour parking limitation. He also expressed concern for staff bandwidth to carry out this process or any current ordinances to address this that already exist in City code.
Chief Dresker suggested adding this topic to the monthly Public Safety Meeting and Councilmember Stucky asked to participate.
FINANCE
Oak Harbor Financial Primer Part 1-B by Finance Director David Goldman
This was the next in a continuing series of presentations regarding City finances. This session’s topics included revenues from other taxes, intergovernmental revenue, other revenues, and resources.
•Utility Tax is the City’s third-largest source of revenue at 5.7 million in 2021-2022
•Business and Occupation (B&O) Tax
•Real Estate Excise Tax is $1.8 million in 2021 and 2022
•Lodging Tax is $498,000 for 2021 and 2022
•Other Taxes Includes gambling taxes with a revenue of $13,325 in 2021 and 2022
•Intergovernmental Revenue is $8,376.535
•Other Revenues is $73,513,603 in 2021 and 2022
•Building and Planning Permits
•Franchise Fees
•Business License
•Impact Fees
•System Development Fees
•Marina
•Senior Services
•Public Safety
•Utilities
•Transfers and Interfund Charges
•Misc. Revenues
The Council discussion included Councilmember Stucky complimenting Finance Director Goldman for his presentation and asking for clarification of how interfund transfers work. Mayor Severns asked for a comparison of transfers and interfund charges to those of other cities. Finance Director agreed to provide it. Councilmembers Hoffmire and Woessner discussed the lower gambling tax in comparison to other cities with input from Finance Director Goldman and City Administrator Oborn.
ENGINEERING
2022 Transportation Benefit District (TBD) Overlay Status by City Engineer Alex Warner
The City Engineer explained the grind and overlay for this year will include 3.6 lane miles of the city streets on the east side of the City. The overlay projects will take place on streets around the Fire Department, North Whidbey Middle School and down to Oak Harbor Elementary. Paving will occur during the summer after school is out and before it is back in session. Public Works will work to keep the Fire Department accessible. Downtown will be paved after Labor Day and the summer event season. The 3.6 lane miles of overlay project is funded by $720,000 out of TBD budget and $500,000 out of overlay program budget.
City Engineer Warner provided an update on East Whidbey Avenue and the opportunity to deliver on the 2016 Oak Harbor Transportation Element because the existing width of East Whidbey Ave allows for the addition of bike lanes with no added pavement. Councilmember Hoffmire asked about the work to complete the project on East Whidbey Avenue.
Additionally, City Engineer Warner presented the 2022 Chip Seals plan to provide 3/8” Rock chip seal on 6 lane miles with $221,000 coming from the TBD budget. Island County will manage the work for this project between July 5 and the end of August. This will double the work done in previous years.
Councilmember Evans asked about chip seal impacts on sewer work and the delay of Ely Street as an overlay project. City Engineer explained Ely was delayed due to a need to avoid streets with water main repairs/replacements. Public Works is working on streets where the utilities are good, and work can move forward. Ely will be scheduled when the water main issue is addressed through the annual sewer replacement fund over the next several years.
Councilmember Hoffmire suggested listening sessions to share the information with the community and Councilmember Stucky asked for an update on W. Whidbey Avenue to Heller. City Engineer Warner explained W. Whidbey Avenue has an AC water main beneath it and Public Works recently met with the consultants for the AC water main projects. The first priority is the Campbell Lake Road and Fish Culvert for WSDOT and then W. Whidbey Avenue between Oak Harbor and Fairhaven. It will not extend to Heller at this time due to additional work that is required on the road in future phases. Councilmember Stucky requested this information be shared with the public. Mayor Severns asked staff to place signs noting “Your tax dollars at work” in project areas.
Well Water Supply by City Engineer Alex Warner and Engineering Technician Jonathan Pollock
Informational report in response to interest after the March 15, 2022 City Council Meeting regarding water supply and potable water.
The report reviewed the path of how the City of Oak Harbor residents receive drinking water from City of Anacortes facility along the Skagit River and across the Deception Pass Bridge. The report shared consumption data, emergency wells site and locations, design considerations, and process to address emergency supply demands (basically it takes wells four days to produce the amount of water consumed by our city on an average day or five days to match consumption on a peak day), what the city does in the event of an emergency. Mr. Pollock also provided information about emergency events and how the City prepares considering the age of material, amount of emergency water, extent of damage, availability to repair based on materials/equipment, and work conditions.
Staff recommendations are to repair and restore well #9 to provide a 50% increase in production and to continue to authorize and replace aged and obsolete water mains in the City. This includes prioritizing improvements identified in the Water System Plan for inclusion in the Capital Budget and explore feasibility of ground water wells.
Councilmember Evans thanked staff for returning with the presentation and Councilmember Hoffmire thanked staff and commented on the Navy being a good neighbor in terms of water usage.
Councilmember Stucky asked how frequently the wells are used. Staff shared examples of times for repairs, roadwork, or power outages that required use of the wells.
Public Works Director Steve Schuller stated that he and City Engineer Warner had met with officials at the Navy base and are seeking Defense Grants from the Navy to support water usage and needs in housing on the eastside of the City and Seaplane base through a joint grant application. The plan is to create a proposal this year for submitting next year.
Ordinance No. 1945: 2019 Department of Ecology (DOE) Stormwater Manual Adoption Discussion by City Engineer Alex Warner
Amending 12.30.310, 20.02.020, 21.10.070 and adopting 12.30.311 for the 2019 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington. Since the City owns and operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4), we are required to receive a permit from the WA DOE to operate it. Staff reviewed the code and plans to present the code revisions at a future City Council Public Hearing for adoption.
After review of the information Councilmember Woessner expressed concern about the language revision creating a potential for the City to adopt future plans without review. After additional discussion of ideas and options by Councilmembers Woessner, Evans, and Hoffmire with the Mayor and City Engineer Warner, it was decided that staff would revisit the language with the City Attorney and return to City Council with revisions.
ADMINISTRATION
City Administrator’s Report by Blaine Oborn
Administrator Oborn highlighted some of the items from the report.
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Stucky wanted to remind everyone about the Memorial Remembrance Event at Maple Leaf Cemetery Monday at 10 am. Councilmember Hoffmire stated that none of us are deaf or immune to the situation in Texas and the loss in unfathomable. He asked anyone struggling with mental health issues to reach out. Councilmember Hizon shared that she had a brief discussion with Mr. Oborn about a potential opportunity to relocate City Hall near the Clean Water Facility as the People’s Bank facility is available lease. She believed we are one bad earthquake and windstorm away from City Hall being unavailable. She requested that staff contact the property owner and see if relocating is feasible, noting leasing the space would be more financially tolerable than building. Councilmember Stucky stated that he had no strong opinion [about the request] and stated there was no harm in asking. Mayor Severns noted it was something to consider.
Mayor Severns announced an invitation from Mayor Jill Boudreau of the City of Mount Vernon for the Creating a Recovery Based Mental Health System of Care, with Dr. Mark Ragins on June 17, 2022, between 9 am and 1 pm at McIntyre Hall. He invited City Council and Chief Dresker to join the event.
ADJOURN
Mayor Severns thanked Council and staff and adjourned the meeting at 4:33 pm.
WATCH THE MEETING ONLINE
The City’s YouTube channel includes a video for community viewing. The videos are also available on Cable Channel 10/HD 1090.
SUBMIT PUBLIC COMMENT
Options for submitting a public comment to City Council are available at https://www.oakharbor.org/.../public-comment-form-council....
Original source can be found here.
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