City Council

CITY OF BURLINGTON, WA July 22, 2021 MEETING HELD TELEPHONICALLY DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Mayor Steve Sexton called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Council members present: Bill Aslett, Keith Chaplin, Joe DeGloria, Rick DeGloria, Scott Green, Chris Loving, and James Stavig. Staff present: Janice Burwash, Don Erickson, Leif Johnson, Mike Luvera, Katie Olafson, Marv Pulst, Rob Toth, Travis Schwetz, and Greg Young. Mayor Sexton requested a moment of silence to honor the passing of Colonel George Edmundson. MINUTES: A motion was made by Councilors Aslett/R. DeGloria to approve the minutes of the July 08, 2021, City Council meeting. All in favor; motion carried. AUDIT OF BILLS: A motion was made by Councilors Loving/Chaplin to approve Accounts Payable invoices to be paid as of July 22, 2021, in the amount of $341,677.42 and Payroll Expenses for Pay Period ending June 15, 2021, in the amount of $716,698.97. All in favor; motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENTS: City Attorney Leif Johnson stated that members of the public may submit comments or questions by mail to City Hall at 833 S. Spruce Street, ATTN: Greg Young, or by email to badministration@burlingtonwa.gov. Contact information for all the City Departments is available at www.burlingtonwa.gov. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Councilor Keith Chaplin attended a Skagit Housing Consortium meeting hosted by EDASC where they discussed opportunities to offer more housing by converting underutilized commercial spaces into residential mixed-use buildings. Councilor Bill Aslett thanked Streets Supervisor Travis Schwetz for setting up safety barriers on Gardner Road. Alsett also updated Council about a large RC tournament that took place over the weekend and expressed his excitement in seeing the many diverse ways in which the parks are being used. MAYOR’S UPDATE: Mayor Sexton explained discussions of the one-tenth of one percent tax partnership with the County are still ongoing and would like to bring this as a discussion item as well as a possible public hearing in an upcoming Council meeting. Mayor Sexton presented Sewer Supervisor Don Erickson with an outstanding performance award marking the department's seventh consecutive year. Erickson thanked Mayor Sexton, staff, and his crew for support and shared this was a big win for everyone. Mayor Sexton offered his thanks and gratitude for a job well done. Councilor Keith Chaplin also shared congratulations to the sewer department. 1  CITY OF BURLINGTON, WA July 22, 2021 SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Police Chief Mike Luvera gave a presentation to Council explaining the new 2021 Legislative Police Reform Laws. A lengthy discussion was held including the specifics of many changes being implemented. Luvera shared concerns about how the new laws being implanted may affect the way officers respond to calls. Key discussion topics included lethal force data, systemic policing, vehicle pursuits, use of force house bill, drug laws, and implementing mental health professionals. Luvera shared the department is committed to protecting the rights of individuals. Representative Ramel spoke in greater length about the legislative background of the new laws being presented. Ramel shared the intent behind these changes is to offer safety for the community. A discussion was held amongst the Council about concerns that may come from the new laws. PROCLAMATION: No Proclamation. COMMITTEE & BOARD REPORTS: Councilor Keith Chaplin shared a discussion from Parks and Recreation Board meeting, about conducting the majority of the work for the future dog park in-house which would offer substantial cost savings to the city. An additional discussion was held regarding the Skagit River Park PUD meter and new ways of watering the fields. Chaplin also shared an update from the Public Works meeting including a discussion regarding the new infrastructure plan as well as offering more fiber opportunities throughout the city. OFFICERS REPORTS: Human Resources and Administrative Manager Kristin Morrisen shared an informational session regarding the new Washington State Long Term Care fund that will be taking place to offer Council and staff with information about the upcoming changes. City Administrator Greg Young offered a brief update of the city’s second-quarter finances. Young stated the city is seeing a healthy general fund despite the pandemic. The main source of revenue continues to be sales tax-driven with a current positive trend in sales. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: No Unfinished Business. CONSENT AGENDA Ordinance Revising the Composition of the Preservation Commission City Administrator Greg Young explained Council previously approved revisions to the Burlington Historic Preservation Commission. These changes will be incorporated into our City Code by a firm called Code Publishing. A motion was made by Councilors Chris Loving/Joe DeGloria to approve the Consent Agenda. All in favor; motion carried. 2  CITY OF BURLINGTON, WA July 22, 2021 NEW BUSINESS: Agreement with Gray and Osborne, Inc. to Provide Engineering Services for the Design and Services for Rehabilitation of Approximately 1450 feet of 12-inch Sewer Line on Rio Vista Ave. Serwer Supervisor Don Erickson explained the city has used the MRSC Roster to solicit interest from engineering firms to provide professional engineering services, for the design and limited construction services for the rehabilitation of approximately 1450 feet of 12-inch sewer line on Rio Vista Ave. Three firms responded and Gray and Osborne, Inc. were selected. Councilor Joe DeGloria and asked if Gray and Osborne, Inc. came in as the lowest bid and asked for all bid offers to be provided in the future. Councilor James Stavig spoke in agreement with J. DeGloria sharing he would like to see all the bids that were received. Erickson explained Gary and Osborne, Inc. has established and excellent customer base with the city over the years. Public Works Director Marv Pulst shared the selection process is extremely thorough and fair. The selection committee does substantial research on all bids and ultimately selects the best quality. A motion was made by Councilors Scott Green/Bill Aslett to approve the Agreement with Gray and Osborne, Inc. and authorize the Mayor’s signature. All in favor; motion carried. EXECUTIVE SESSION: No Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Sexton adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Joe Stewart Steve Sexton Finance Director Mayor 3