City Council - Regular Meeting

I will call this city council meeting of June 16th, 2026 to order. We recognize that this meeting is being held on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish people. We pay our respect to those past and present. Tonight's invocation will be led by Chaplain Jeff Humphrey of the Island County Sheriff's Department. If you could please stand for the invocation and the remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Stuckey.

Thank you. Good evening and thank you Mayor Wright, Mayor Pro Tem. He's on. City Council Members Wagonstein, Marshall, Arms, Merrill, Peterson, and Stuckey, thank you for your willingness to serve our community. I believe one of the highest callings in life is to serve others. While many seek positions of influence, few choose the responsibility that comes with serving their neighbors and their community. Each of you has accepted that responsibility and for that we are grateful. People matter. Family matters. Our community matters. The decisions made in this chamber affect the lives of thousands of people, and your commitment to the public service helps shape the future of Oak Harbor. One of my favorite presidents, Abraham Lincoln, once said, I'm a success today because I had a friend who believed in me, and I didn't want to let him down. This community believes in you. We place our trust in you to lead with integrity, wisdom, and compassion. I believe you have the heart and the honor... and that trust. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your dedication to the people of our city. Would you join me in the prayer of invocation? Heavenly Father, creator of heaven and earth, we come before you with gratitude for the many blessings that you've bestowed upon our community. We thank you for the men and the women who faithfully serve each day, our elected officials, our city employees, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and the many volunteers who work quietly behind the scenes to make our city a better place. we ask for your protection over each of them and their families watch over those who stand in harm's way those who respond to emergencies and those who carry the weight of leadership and public service tonight we especially pray for mayor and city council Grant them wisdom beyond their own understanding, discernment in every decision, and the courage to do what is right, even when it is difficult. Help them to seek the welfare of all citizens, to lead with integrity, and to work together with mutual respect for the good of the community. May their decisions promote peace, safety, opportunity, and prosperity for all who call Oak Harbor home. Guide us to be a community marked with kindness, unity, and care for one another. Help us remember that while we may differ in opinions, we are neighbors and we share the responsibility of building a stronger future together. We ask these things with humble heart and with gratitude in the holy name.

Amen.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right, this is a reminder that tonight's meeting is both a physical and a virtual meeting. It may be viewed on YouTube and following the meeting on Facebook. Before we continue this evening, I would ask you all to join me in a moment of silence, observing the passing of former Mayor Bob Severance. Thank you. Bob served on the Oak Harbor City Council from January 2008 through December of 2015 when he was elected mayor and served two consecutive terms from 2016 through 2024. Bob loved Oak Harbor and devoted countless hours to making our city a better place. Throughout his years of public service, Mayor Severance was known for his collaborative approach, strong advocacy for local businesses, and dedication to ensuring that Oak Harbor remained a vibrant and welcoming community. The city of Oak Harbor extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Rhonda, his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him. His contributions to Oak Harbor will not be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to be felt throughout the community he loved and served. All right, there is no need for roll call, as all are present and accounted for. So we will move forward to approval of the agenda. Are there any suggested changes to the regular agenda as presented? If not, I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda as presented. So moved. We have a motion to approve the agenda as presented by Council Member Erwigenstein, seconded by Council Member Peterson. Is there any further discussion before I call for a vote? Hearing, seeing none, all in favor, raise your right hand. All right, that passes unanimously. Thanks, Mayor Pro Tem. All right, we have a few presentations this evening. The first is a Mayor's We See You Award recognition. Today I am delighted to recognize eight-year-old Emma Hamilton. Emma is a wrestler. She has won the three state titles. She has won three state titles and was the second at nationals. This year she won four state titles. Overall, she has a total of 111 wins, 79 pins, 17 technicals, and three majors. I don't even know what all that means, but good golly. In her short career, she has wrestled over 180 matches. Her success has led her to create friends and fans among Olympic wrestlers who attend matches and cheer her on. Her supporters include the local Oak Harbor Girls Swimming Wrestling Team, which added her as a teammate and mascot. Emma, you are an inspiration. We wish you well in all of your goals and endeavors. And we are here to present you tonight with the We See You Award.

We wanted to give you this lovely gift for all of your achievements.

We're so proud of you. The future police chief right there.

All right, next we have a proclamation. And here to introduce this is Lissa Wayne, Regent of the Whidbey Island Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and John Krapp, President of the George Washington Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. And thank you for providing the proclamation. I request that they please introduce those with them to read the proclamation aloud. If you guys could all introduce one another. And then I think you've been provided the proclamation. So you'll have to stand at the podium to read it for me. The podium, yes.

Okay, lecture.

Sure.

My name is Lissa Wayne. I am the regent of the Whidbey Island Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

I'm Jeff Spencer. I'm the chaplain of the American Revolution for Washington. Ken Carlson of Bellingham. I'm John Kraft. I'm the president of George Washington Chapter. I'm Heidi Wyatt, member of the Whitby Island Chapter, the DAR.

I'm Scobie, a member of George Washington Chapter, SAR, and he's on the Whitby Island Chapter. I'm Trina Demme, from Washington, the DAR.

I'm John Hartman, from George Washington Chapter. Rodney Jennings, George Washington Chapter, current vice president. And Tom Wayne from George Washington Chapter.

Darlene Carlson, was the chief Washington Chapter in Bellingham. And I'm the honorary chapter regent. And we just did an event at the City of Northwest Tennessee. And I've just met your entire portion today. So I'm going to donate a cupcake stone. So enjoy.

I'm Marshall Anderson. I'm the Secretary-Treasurer of the George Washington Chapter SAO.

I'll now read the proclamation. Whereas, on July 4th, 2026, the United States of America will commemorate the semi-quincentennial the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and whereas this milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on our nation's history, honor the contributions of all Americans, and reaffirm the democratic ideals that define the United States, and Whereas the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, following the Treaty of Paris in 1783, established a framework for territorial governance and the creation of new states, including what would become the state of Washington in 1889. And whereas the city of Oak Harbor, Washington, incorporated on May 14, 1915, has developed into a thriving community that reflects the spirit of American innovation and resilience, contributing to the rich tapestry of our nation's history. And whereas the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, founded in 1890, is a non-political women's service organization whose members are lineal descendants of the patriots of the American Revolution, with the local Whidbey Island chapter organized in 1994. Whereas the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, founded in 1889, is a non-political men's service organization whose members are lineal descendants of patriots of the American Revolution, with the local George Washington chapter organized in 2012. And Whereas the Whidbey Island chapter and the George Washington chapter in partnership with the city of Oak Harbor honor those who achieved American independence and all who have shaped and preserved our nation over the past 250 years. Now, therefore we, Mayor Ronnie Wright and the city council members of the city of Oak Harbor do hereby proclaim July 2026 as America 250 month. In the city of Oak Harbor, we encourage all residents to commemorate America 250 by learning more about the history of the American Revolution and the enduring legacy of service that has shaped our nation.

Thank you.

Can we hire her to read all of our proclamations? You can turn one around. Yeah, I could. Ready?

Three, two, one.

Perfect. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

All right, we are going to move on to public comments. Comments on consent agenda items are subjects of interest not listed on the agenda at this time. Opportunity to comment on the remaining agenda items during the meeting as appropriate will happen during the meeting at that time. Please note comments regarding public hearing items will be heard during that portion of the agenda. We have no public hearing items for today's meeting. Visit our website for methods to submit public comments. Public comments sent anonymously or from a nonverifiable address will be shared with the mayor and council, but will not be displayed. At this time, we will accept public comments on items not listed on the agenda or on the consent agenda. The clerk will call your name and the order in which you signed in to speak. Please step forward to the microphone, state your name and address, and limit your comments to three minutes.

Mayor, we had no one sign in in advance to speak this evening.

Great. And is there anyone here with us this evening that would like to step forward and make public comment? Hearing, seeing no one, did we receive any public comments since our last meeting?

Yes, Mayor, we did, and we will display those now.

Okay. Is that what you were asking? Is that what you were asking? Is that it?

I believe we have one more. Oh, I see. Yes, I'm sorry. The second comment that we received, Mayor, is in regards to the master fee schedule.

Okay. All right.

And I see that we are displaying it now. No, we're not.

Okay. Okay. No worries. All right. Well, then I will close public comment. We will move on to consent agenda. Are there any objections or other changes to the consent agenda as presented? And if there are none, I would entertain a motion. Council Member Peterson.

Move we accept the consent agenda as presented. Second.

We have a motion to approve the consent agenda as presented by Council Member Peterson, seconded by Council Member Romero. Is there any further discussion before I call for a vote? No. Hearing, seeing none, all in favor, raise your right hand. Passes unanimously, all right, thank you very much. All right, we're gonna move on now to Mayor's comments. Pancake Breakfast. We had a great turnout at the Pancake Breakfast on June 6th at the Fire Station 81. It was great to see so many community members with their families. Thank you to Eric Marshall with the Chamber, Council Members Peterson, Marrow, Stuckey, and Wittgenstein for working at the event. I also want to thank Representative Dave Paul and the Base Commanding Officer Captain Gamache for being there and supporting city events. Also on June 6th, it was also great to see the community come out and support Pride Month. The Oak Harbor Pride Group hosted the second annual Pride Walk and Resource event. It was a great day of speakers, resource tables, and a walk downtown in Oak Harbor. Oak Harbor High School graduation, congratulations to all the graduates from our community. We wish you all the best in your next adventures. I'd also like to recognize the top 10 students from Oak Harbor High School seen here on the screen. A special congratulations to our Public Works Director, Steven Shuler's son, Henry. Henry is one of four Oak Harbor High School Valid Victorians. What an accomplishment. I want to wish him well at Whitworth University this fall. Juneteenth holiday. Reminder that all city offices will be closed Friday, June 19th in honor of Juneteenth. Friday's garbage and recycling collection will be this Thursday instead of Friday. See the city's website for more information. And if you are looking for something to do on Juneteenth, there will be a Juneteenth celebration at Windjammer Park. Activities start at noon and the program starts at 1 p.m. Association of Washington Cities Conference, there will be no council workshop on June 23rd. Most council members and myself will be attending the annual conference of the Association of Washington Cities. I'm proud that there are many council members attending. I believe that continued learning and collaboration are important parts of effective local leadership, and I'm committed to bringing back new ideas, resources, and partnerships that will support us here in Oak Harbor. New website feature, I want to share a new tool we've added to help keep our community informed. We received a steady stream of notices regarding road closures, construction projects, utility work, and other activities that may affect travel or daily routines. To make this information easier to find, our communications officer has created a new blog-style feature on the city website where residents can find timely updates and closure notices in one convenient location. We will continue sharing these updates through our social media channels, but we know posts can sometimes get buried or missed. That's why this new feature will serve as a reliable centralized source of information. Residents can always find the latest updates on the city homepage and the spotlight section. I encourage everyone to check it out and to use it as a resource for staying informed about what's happening in our community. don't feed the seagulls initiative i'd also like to highlight a new public awareness initiative aimed at keeping or helping keep oak harbor clean safe and enjoyable for everyone i hear many concerns from residents about issues related to feeding seagulls in public areas in response we've been working on ways to better educate the public about the unintended consequences feeding the seagulls. As a city we are taking practical steps that protect both our residents and our local wildlife. This effort is one example of how we can address community concerns through awareness and prevention. So I encourage everyone to do their part by avoiding feeding seagulls and helping us keep Oak Harbor clean. Visit the city website for more information. Get involved. There are several openings for our advisory boards. Please visit the city's website to apply. Stay connected. Come to a meeting. Send us a question via email. Give us a call or follow us on social media. And with that, I will turn it over to council for their comments. Council Member Peterson.

Thank you, Mayor. Because you said about feeding the seagulls, my husband goes to dinner to a roving restaurant every Wednesday night, and they were at Wendy's the other night, and he said, we were sitting there eating, and this guy pulled in and was waiting for his food, pulled something out of his car, and threw it for this seagull to eat. And then he said, and that dang bird landed on the top of my truck. And he said, I wanted to go tell that guy he wasn't supposed to be feeding the seagulls, and did he not know about our program? anyway Arts Commission met last week we are settling into the process being put in place which will help us have a better idea about maintenance and our placement streamlined and having good meetings with a very fun group so thank you councilmember Stuckey mm-hmm

So speaking of boards and commissions, just want to thank all those. We've had kind of an influx of people applying. The Planning Commission, we actually have five applicants for three spots, which is great. I know there's some people that have reached out to me about other boards that they've applied for. Had the opportunity last Wednesday to go to the... I want to say going away party. Last day party for Liz Lang. Just want to give a shout out to her for all she's done for this city, for Parks and Rec, and for our senior community. I was wondering if there wasn't perhaps an objection by the family. Is there a chance of maybe getting flags at half staff for Bob? Or is that not something that would be possible?

That is something that the mayor has the authority to do. We've been working with talking to Hillary about that just because it's the first time we would be doing that under the new rule that we created. And there's been some recent federal and state items that were conflicting and we didn't want to make it confusing for the public. So we wanted to make sure it was a particular day that we specified.

I mean, I figured there was a lot of half-staff days, and so it would be nice if that's something we could do if there's no objections from the family or anything. So that's all I have. Thank you.

Anybody else? Yes, Council Member Wiggins.

Yeah, I wanted to just kind of. Acknowledge out for the police advisory community meeting will be July, first Wednesday in July. I'm looking at police chief. We need people on that board too as well, so absolutely fill out. We meet every other month, I think, presently. Gearing up for national night out. Speaking of kind of gearing up and awareness, June is not only Pride Month, as we acknowledged last month, but it's also PTSD Awareness Month as well as Men's Mental Health Awareness Month as well. So I just want to kind of throw those out.

Thank you. Anybody else for the good of the order? All right, we are going to move on to ordinances and resolutions then. Resolution 2605, Master Fee Schedule Update, Parks and Recreation Department and Marina Division. Here to introduce this is our Deputy City Administrator and Finance Director, David Goldman.

Okay, good afternoon, City Council, Mayor. This is the Resolution 2605 for the Master Fee Schedule Amendment. So we made some changes from the last time we communicated with city council based on the input that we received. We went ahead and we We removed the items related to the leagues, as we're still going to be needing time to work on those and to meet with the leagues and to iron out some of the issues that were raised at the last meeting. So this particular item that we're presenting to you tonight has just the following items that you'll see on the screen. So for Schedule G, we have the Parks and Recreation Department fees. We are keeping in the renaming of the football practice and game fields to multipurpose A and B. There is no change with the rates. We're adding in an overall sports tournament rate in the non-league section that was in the previous proposal as well we're updating the parks staff billable rates for labor inflation we're updating the membership fees to properly reflect the 20 senior discount we're adding fees for the commercial use of the center's kitchen and the sports league changes that I talked about on those those will be studied further In addition, we added schedule D, Marina. So we're not changing the rates for Marina, but we're trying to clarify that beyond a reasonable doubt. that the marina rates do not expire in September, 2026. We don't wanna, we don't want anybody to think that like, you know, there's gonna be no marina after September, 2026, because when they put these rates in three years ago, they put these time periods because they were increasing the rates between the time periods. Well, this is the last time period. So we just wanna be abundantly clear that the rates that are in place now will continue. We are currently studying the rates. We're going to be rolling in a proposal for rates for the marina along with the rest of the main master fee schedule process, which will be occurring, which will be brought to city council later this year along with the biennial budget. So in doing this, we also removed the previous expired rates from year one and year two. That wasn't needed in the master fee schedule any longer. And as far as the off-season rates, those will revert back to the last effective off-season rates. And the off-season starts in October. And with that, there's a suggested motion up on the screen.

All right, council. Questions, comments?

Mayor, we received no comments on this item.

Oh, thanks. I forgot about that. Oh, I'm sorry.

We received one comment on this item. And I'll ask Tim to pull that back up. My apologies.

This is the one about the commissary kitchen? OK. All right, so that concludes all the comments that we received ahead of time. Is there anyone here with us this evening that would like to step forward and make comment at this time? Hearing, seeing none, I will close public comment. Now, council, your questions and comments at this time. Council Member Marshall.

Thank you, Mayor. Just in regard to that gentleman's public comment, I just want to be clear that the Commissary Kitchen is not currently closed because of the master fee schedule. From my understanding, it is because we don't have somebody licensed to operate it. Is that correct?

There's two issues related to the commissary kitchen. Sorry, Craig. Um, so one we do, we are working on the certifications that are required to operate and we did a temporary pause in operations while we're addressing that. And then two, um, we did upon realizing the current process, wanted to make sure that these master fee schedule items were set and in the system before we brought that back up and in operation.

I posed a question earlier, Sabrina, about the hourly fee for practice versus games. Is the master fee scheduled per game time or per practice time?

It's based on the game times played.

What happens in the event that a league were to go find an alternative place to play because they can play cheaper than they can at our master fee schedule rate?

Yeah, that was part of the problem that we do need to make sure that we are addressing and make sure that that is solidified. Our biggest issue before was that there was that. We tried to address that, bring it to council. We do need to go back and we do need to make sure that we're doing this process right. So it may take a little more time, but that is part of what we are addressing.

So just to be clear and on record that if an organization were to go and rent the stadium, they will not be charged for field usage fees, then...

So council member, the plan is to, as I stated in the email to you is to take the time, go double check the contract that was already signed this year. Craig and I are going to sit down and look at that. And then we're also going to confirm that in relation to the current master fee schedule, because that is not one of the items that is changing in the current plan right now. We will be bringing that back later when we do the next master fee schedule.

Okay. And then the last question I had is, is David, I understand correctly that the off season rates for the Marina that are not going up in 2026.

Yeah. The off season rate will just revert back to the previous off season rate.

How soon do we anticipate having a proposed rate schedule?

It'll be part of the overall master fee schedule proposals. So you'll see something later this year, along with the budget process. So in the fall, early winter. So, okay.

Thank you.

Council Member Stuckey.

I don't think in my mind that there's been any meeting since the last time. If there was, did we get any feedback from the MAC or Parks Board? Were they in the loop? I don't think I asked that last time. Was this put by the Marine Advisory Committee at all?

Well, the Marine Advisory Committee didn't have a quorum, so we weren't able to meet with them. But we're not raising any rates. We're just keeping the same rates. And we will bring, when we do our study, we will be bringing the rates in front of them first before it comes to council.

Okay.

Thank you.

And I would say the same is true for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. When we go through this process of meeting with each of the individual leagues, looking at the contracts, and looking at these rates again, we will bring that back to them before we bring it to you as part of that process.

council member arms um answering your question brian uh the yes we didn't have it but also um the harbormaster was out of town so that um put a hold on whatever's going on council member peterson

Sabrina, do we know when we will have a person who can run the kitchen? You and I were having a conversation in part about July 4th.

So I would say refer those questions to myself or Craig in regards to that if somebody has questions. We're currently in conversations with Island County Public Health. They had a class offered that was addressing that and unfortunately it got canceled this week due to low attendance. So we're currently working with Island and Skagit County to address that in a different way. So I would say refer those questions to us on staff, and then we will follow up with those individuals. I'm currently in conversations with the gumbo guy, the gentleman who wrote in for that.

So if we don't get the necessary certification, it doesn't matter? They can't do that? That's not part of this.

So I don't have an answer for that yet because I'm currently in conversations. We got a notice that like for something the day before the class. And so today at the board of health meeting that mayor and I were at, I spoke to the director of public health, Sean Morris, and we have been in an email with Craig where we're working on next steps.

Thank you.

Anything else? with respect to this matter. If not, there's a motion on the board if someone is inclined to make it.

I motion to adopt Resolution 26-05, amending the Oak Harbor Master Fee Schedule.

Second. We have a motion as presented by Councilmember Wittgenstein, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem. Is there any further discussion before I call for a vote? Hearing, seeing none, all in favor, raise your right hand. Okay, that passes unanimously, thank you very much. All right, we are moving on to approval of accounts payable vouchers, Chamber of Commerce. This voucher list contains a payment or payments to the greater Oak Harbor chamber of commerce of which council member Marshall is the executive director in order to avoid a conflict of interest. Council member Marshall has stated he will recuse himself from a vote on such payments, which are now a separate agenda item. Have I received any public comments on this issue?

No mayor, no public comments were received.

Thank you. And is there anyone here with us this evening that would like to step forward and make public comment at this time? Hearing, seeing none, I will close public comment and call upon council for their comments. And if there are no comments, you can make a motion. Yes, Council Member Wittgenstein.

I move that we approve the accounts payable vouchers for the Chamber of Commerce.

Second. We have a motion as presented by Council Member Wittgenstein, seconded by Council Member Romero. Is there any further discussion before I call for a vote? Hearing, seeing none, all in favor, raise your hand. So we have six four and one abstention, so that passes. All right, there being no further business, is there a motion to adjourn? Second? Someone? Okay, all in favor raise your hand. We are adjourned at 6.05.