CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wright called the meeting to order.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Approved as presented.
PRESENTATIONS
Honors and Recognitions
Oak Harbor Police Department Employee of the Year
Chief Slowik presented the OHPD Employee of the Year award to Officer Shantel Ricci, noting her supervisory, coordination, mentorship, and service achievements. Chief Slowik additionally highlighted the accomplishments of two other employees that were nominated, Patrol Officer Jones and Police Support Officer Kuebler as well as the professionalism of the Oak Harbor Police Department.
Police Sergeant Oath for Officer Scott W. Johnson
Chief Slowik conducted the oath of office for Sergeant Johnson. Mayor Wright paused the meeting for five minutes to provide time for photographs.
Community Presentations
Mr. Oak Harbor Royalty Committee Project Presentation
The royalty court presented the opportunities and needs for a community recreation center in Oak Harbor. The royalty court received feedback and questions from City Council.
CITIZEN COMMENT PERIOD
The City received two comments prior to the meeting regarding a community recreation center. Additional comments of support came from Oak Harbor High School Principal Nate Salisbury, the Tiffany Scribner, Executive Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Oak Harbor, as well as community members that live in Oak Harbor and volunteer for Ryan’s House, and Jay Cochran and Brit Kriner with North Whidbey Pool, Park, and Recreation District. Brit Kriner also commended Councilmember Marshall for his work on recreation sports and mentorship to this group.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were approved as presented:
- Approval of Minutes: City Council Meeting of January 2, 2024
- Approval of Payroll and Accounts Payable Vouchers
- Interlocal Agreement with Island County, WA for Law Enforcement Co-Responder Behavioral Health Program
- Interlocal Agreement: Whatcom County Northwest Minichain Agreement
- Whidbey Animals' Improvement Foundation (WAIF) Contract
MAYOR COMMENTS
Mayor Wright shared comments about the Washington State Ferries community meetings, Island Transit rebrand and new logo, winter weather information, response to incident on NE Barron, City advisory boards seeking applicants to serve, City is hiring for positions, City staff donated over 600 items of food to Help House through a coordinated effort managed by the Wellness Committee, highlights from his first two weeks in office, the upcoming Council Retreat, Marina Dredging Open House. Mayor Wright requested an update from Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith regarding storm damage to E and F docks, followed by questions/comments from Council.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
- Councilmember Wiegenstein wanted to thank the Oak Harbor High School Robotics Team for their invitation to attend the Open House event.
- Councilmember Marshall commended Chief Slowik and the Oak Harbor Police Department for their support of each other during commendations and swearing in ceremonies, noting you can see the positive morale of that department.
- Councilmember Stucky attended the Island County Board of Commissioners meeting and noted Principal Planner Kamak would present information discussed later in the meeting. He requested that Council have a meeting with the Island County Commissioners once or twice a year to go over key items in a similar format to the Council’s Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission.
- Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon seconded Councilmember Stucky’s suggestion to hold a joint meeting once a year. In her 13 years on City Council, she recalled two times when with the Council and Island County Commissioners held a joint meeting.
CONTRACTS & AGREEMENTS
Purchase Authorization – Water Distribution System for Windjammer Park Splash Park
Parks and Recreation Director Brian Smith presented background and challenges of the current Splash Park at Windjammer Park and improvements needed to the water distribution system. It took staff time to identify a vendor to meet the City’s requirements. The Splash Park is a heavily used City amenity.
The purchase authorization would install a new Maestropro Controller that provides more functionality and ease of use, while providing regional tech support. This will allow the City to reduce water usage and operate the Park more efficiently. New features include pedestals in seven areas and new flood activated features, rain sensor to turn on/off automatically and a tie in with the local network to make changes remotely. The cost is $54,499.90 to be taken out of Windjammer Park Improvement Funds of $696,400.00. No comments from the public were received. Council provided comments and questions to staff.
Councilmember Stucky made the motion to authorize staff to purchase one (1) Water Distribution System for $55,000.00 utilizing NPPGOV Contract PS21115 from Vortex Aquatic Structures International, seconded by Councilmember Woessner. The motion passed unanimously.
Change of Hearing Examiner and Approval of corresponding Professional Services Agreement
Development Services Director David Kuhl presented the background and recommendation to change Hearing Examiners. After Council discussion, Councilmember Woessner made the motion to move to approve the Professional Services Agreement with Olbrechts & Associates, PLLC for hearing examiner services, seconded by Councilmember Hoffmire. The motion passed unanimously.
Teamsters Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the Oak Harbor Marina, Parks, and Public Works
Human Resources Director Emma House presented the agreement for two years from 2023 to 2025. Main items in the contract were to combine the Marina and Public Works contract with the Parks and Recreation Department staff, Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 3% for 2024 and 2.5% for 2025 and market adjustment of 2% for 2024 across all positions. Other items in the Agreement included adjustment to healthcare insurance premium cost share from 80%/20% to 90%/10% and adjusted standby duty for 24/7 services changes from $32.00 per weekday and $48.00 per weekend day to $3.25 per hour, as well as added reimbursement for prescription safety eyewear, steel toed boots and workwear, and multiple minor adjustments for members. Director House reviewed the cost summary comparing the base and proposal cost differences. No comments from the public received. Followed by Council comments/questions.
Councilmember Wiegenstein made the motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the labor agreement by and between the City of Oak Harbor and the Teamsters Union, Local No. 231 for Marina, Parks, and Public Works, seconded by Councilmember Hoffmire. The motion passed unanimously.
OTHER ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
2024 Legislative Session Member Requested Local Community Projects
City Administrator Blaine Oborn reviewed the projects including a Sports Complex/Recreation Center Feasibility Study, Electric Vehicle (EV) Pilot Project, and Marina Dredging. No comments were received for this item. The Council provided comments/questions to staff.
Councilmember Hoffmire made the motion to approve the submission of the 2024 Local Community Projects to the Legislature for consideration, seconded by Councilmember Marshall. The motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS AND DISCUSSION ITEMS
County Wide Planning Policies Update
Principal Planner Cac Kamak presented background information and amendments with the current and future housing allocations. The presentation was followed by Council discussion. No action was taken for this item.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Council took a five-minute break and then moved into Executive Session per RCW 42.30.110 (1) (i) to discuss with legal counsel litigation or potential litigation. Following the return to open session, Mayor Wright announced no action would be taken at this time.
ADJOURN
Councilmember Wiegenstein made the motion to adjourn, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Hizon. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 8:44 pm.
MEETING MINUTES
The official meeting minutes will be available after approval by City Council in the Agenda Center online at https://oakharbor.gov/AgendaCenter