Two docks too expensive for Ancich Park, council decides; will stick with float

The Gig Harbor City Council heard last week from fishermen and kayakers who want a “two-dock” solution for moorage at Ancich Park, but in the end decided it was too expensive.

Instead, the council left on the 2020 budget a line item that allocates $400,000 toward construction of a temporary floating dock for human-powered craft that would be attached to the existing pier.

Both canoe and commercial fisherman spoke during the Nov. 25 council meeting, expressing their desire for a two-dock system that would serve both groups of boaters.

“It will take real courage to get these two docks built,” said Aaron Huston, head coach of the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Team. “If we want to insist that Gig Harbor is the maritime city, we have to do more than lip service to that. We have to take bold steps to get both docks done. And at the end of the day, that’s what both groups want.”

The original proposal for the park envisioned two sets of floats, one attached to the Ancich pier for commercial fishing boats, and another on the southeast side of the park for kayaks and other human-powered craft. For convenience, that’s called the Jerkovich side, after the adjoining property owner.

So far, the council has agreed to fund only the temporary float. The idea is that it could be moved to the Jerkovich side if a commercial float is later built.

A feasibility study for the larger plan is in the early stages.

Council Member Spencer Hutchins proposed to create a reserve fund “for the exclusive purpose of funding, designing, permitting, and constructing a new float system for the use of human-powered craft from the Jerkovich pier side of the park.”

“The human-powered craft float will be on the one side, the fisherman’s home port will not be undermined but go forward as it should on the Ancich pier side, and we can move forward on those grounds,” Hutchins said.

This proposal failed by a 4-3 vote.

Part of the reason for the failure was cost. Council Member Bob Himes worked out that the two docks combined would cost around $2.6 million to fund. The current plan would cost roughly $1.4 million plus a few thousand, he said.

“That may be a problem with some people. In fact, I think it will be a problem.”

Both Hutchins and Council Member Perrow argued the city would go out and search for grants to make up the difference.

Perrow added the Recreation Conservation Office Grants with the state of Washington are shortly arriving, saying the application period begins in February. The kayak pier would be a “perfect fit” for a state grant, he said.

Hutchins said in 20 years’ time the cost will not be a concern, the money will work itself out. What will matter, Hutchins said, is what the Ancich project will look like and what services it will serve for the community.

Council Member Spencer Albersold added the majority of people who have spoken during public hearings have all pushed for a two-dock system.

But Council Member Jim Franich countered that, if the concern is mixing commercial fishing and human-powered craft, the Jerkovich pier side would see the same problem, as there is already a commercial fishing dock there.

“The shared-use facility is the most financially responsible approach to this,” Franich said.

Council Member Jeni Woock agreed, saying the original plan would get people on the water much quicker and much cheaper. She said the main step needed to be taken is a feasibility study.

“A feasibility study will allow us to know how much it will cost, how it will work with the kayak team, and the proposal on the table does not limit us to having two docks if that’s what the feasibility shows,” Woock said.

Perrow said under the budgeted plan, the city would only be adding a “flimsy, small float” on the pier.

He added the city will make it work, but it will not be optimal, and the city may be stuck with it for generations.

The council approved an amendment mandating that the floating pier project not be undertaken until the feasibility study is completed.

The Gig Harbor 2020 budget was ultimately passed with a 6-1 vote. Council Member Hutchins chose to vote “no” because of the decisions made regarding the Ancich pier.

It was Hutchin’s last vote on the council, as he chose not to run for election. His successor, Traci Markley, was sworn in Tuesday.

Each council member spoke highly of Hutchins and his contribution to the city. Council member Franich was close to tears, describing Hutchins as a great friend and one who he will sorely miss.

In other actions, the city council:

▪ Chose to carry forward a lot-size ordinance to second reading.

▪ Adopted a resolution repealing a section of the city code that allows development agreements. A development agreement is a voluntary contract between the city and a landowner or developer. Development agreements are typically used to extract concessions from developers, such as sidewalks or landscaping, in return for considerations such as greater density. Development agreements are still allowed by state law.

▪ Held a public hearing regarding an amendment that would transfer $220,000 from the 2019 ending fund balance into the Administration Department budget. This is due to legal services which are expected to exceed the 2019 budgeted amount for the Administration Department. This item will be put on the consent agenda for next meeting.

▪ Heard the mayor speak briefly about new City Administrator Bob Larson, who will begin work Jan. 6, 2020.

For more on the Ancich dock issue, see Sports, B-1

This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 2:36 PM.