City Council

Mount Vernon City Council Regular Meeting Minutes November 13, 2013 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Boudreau, Councilmembers Fiedler, Lindquist, Hulst, Molenaar, Quam , Ragan and Urban Staff Present: Community and Economic Director Hanson, Building Official Prosser, Public Works Director Bell, Stormwater Manager Chesterfield, City Work Program Supervisor Maikai, Police Officer Gerondale, Police Chief Dodd, Finance Director Huschka, Library Director Soneda, Special Projects Administrator Stendal, City Attorney Rogerson Citizens Present: Twenty-one APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. October 23, 2013 Regular Council Meeting Minutes Councilmember Urban moved to approve the October 9, 2013 Regular City Council Meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Lindquist. Motion carried 7-0. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS AND PAYROLL A. Approval of November 13, 2013 claims numbered 132316 – 132320, 132327, 132329 – 132583 in the amount of $697,589.97. Councilmember Lindquist moved to approve the November 13, 2013 claims as stated above. Motion seconded by Councilmember Ragan. Motion carried 7-0. B. Approval of October 31, 2013 payroll checks numbered 102204 - 102263, direct deposit checks numbered 43517 – 43713, and wire transfers numbered 445 & 446 in the amount of $901,961.58. Councilmember Hulst moved to approve the October 31, 2013 payroll as stated above. Motion seconded by Councilmember Fiedler. Motion carried 7-0. Mount Vernon City Council November 13, 2013 Page 2 of 6 REPORTS A. Committees: 1. Public Works – for details see Committee minutes. B. Community Comments:  Nancy O’Conner, Mount Vernon resident, thanked the Mayor and Councilmember Lindquist for improving the truck situation on South 3rd Street. C. Councilmember Comments:  Councilmember Quam thanked the citizens for re-electing him. He is excited to continue serving the public. D. Mayor’s Report:  Mayor Boudreau gave an overview of her activities and meetings over the last two weeks including the Association of Washington Cities regional meeting and Lodging Tax Advisory meeting.  Mayor Boudreau announced that the waterfront project is moving along and the asphalt was laid today along the revetment.  Mayor Boudreau gave a brief overview of the jail siting process that the city and the county are currently involved in. There is detailed information available on the city website.  Mayor Boudreau announced Saturday coffee will be at 11 am at the Old Town Grainery. E. Committee Agenda Requests:  Councilmember Fiedler requested that there be a TV10 programming discussion at the next Community and Economic Development Committee meeting. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Continuation – Set 2014 Property Taxes: Ms. Huschka explained that the deadline for setting the property tax levy is November 30, 2013. Property tax provides 30% and sales tax 23% of the revenue for governmental operating funds. The proposed budget reflects using $465,000 of the City’s reserves to balance the Current Expense Fund budget. Ms. Huschka reminded Council that as a result of not taking the maximum regular property tax which could be levied in past years, the City has accumulated a banked levy capacity of $552,506 which is also available for consideration. The City has not taken a property tax increase for eight of the last nine years. Councilmember Urban moved to approve Ordinance 3617 setting the 2014 property tax levy at 100 percent of the 2013 revenue amount plus all eligible new construction. The Mount Vernon City Council November 13, 2013 Page 3 of 6 ordinance approved is written as though Council is taking the one percent increase, which is necessary in order for the City to bank the lawfully allowed 1% increase. Motion seconded by Councilmember Lindquist. Motion carried 7-0. NEW BUSINESS A. Mayor’s Award to Outstanding Community Volunteer, Ani Gurnee: Mr. Soneda said that Ani Gurnee has been an outstanding community volunteer for the landscaping renewal project around the library grounds. Mr. Maikai added that she has made a tremendous impact on the community and she continues to make a difference in the community. Officer Gerondale has had the opportunity to work with Ani since 2007. She is a great resource, puts in many hours on projects and lending her knowledge and landscaping skills. Rick Prosser said he met Ani when she presented a plan for the library project. She has brought the spirit of volunteerism to the city. Mr. Prosser also said that she was out there rain or shine and it has been a pleasure to work with Ani. Mayor Boudreau presented Ani with a commemorative picture of the library project. Ani Gurnee stated that she has had fun creating projects within Mount Vernon and that the City of Mount Vernon has so much potential to be beautiful and has so much heart. B. Open Record Public Hearing – CDBG 2014 – 2018 Consolidated Plan and 2014 Action Plan: Mr. Stendal explained that as part of the HUD requirements this is the second open record public hearing for the CDBG consolidated plan and action plan. Mayor Boudreau opened the public hearing.  Karen Parnell, representing Skagit County Community Action Agency, expressed her thanks to the City of Mount Vernon for their funding commitment. Mount Vernon is a great place to live. Her agency helps over 36,000 people and looks forward to continuing to work with people stabilize their lives.  Steve Powers, representing CHS Housing, said they have over 700 residents of which half are school age children. Their agency provides help and support to maintain stabilization in their lives. He said that in 2014 they will need help with funding for the La Casa De Sante improvements.  Nancy Cole, representing Campus Health, thanked the City of Mount Vernon and Council for the funding provided by the CDBG grant. The funding will go toward replacing the roof at LaFollette Place. Their agency helps people stabilize their lives and stay off the streets.  Dave Paulsen, representing Home Trust of Skagit, said that Mount Vernon is fast becoming the major town where their low-income homes are being built. They provide permanent affordable housing and the funding assistance is used for down payment assistance. It has been a pleasure to work with city staff. Mount Vernon City Council November 13, 2013 Page 4 of 6 Hearing no further comments Mayor Boudreau closed the public hearing. Councilmember Quam moved to approve the CDBG 2014 – 2018 Consolidated Plan and 2014 Action Plan. Motion seconded by Councilmember Ragan. Motion carried 7-0. C. Street Closure Request – Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony: Mr. Stendal stated that this request is from the Mount Vernon Downtown Association to close 1st Street from Kincaid to Division Street and Main Street from Kincaid to Montgomery Street and Pine, Myrtle and Montgomery Streets from Main to 2nd Street during the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on December 8th for the annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. There were no objections to these closures. Councilmember Fiedler moved to approve the street closure request as stated above. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hulst. Motion carried 7-0. D. Street Closure Request – Jingle Bell Run and Walk Event: Mr. Stendal said that this request from the Arthritis Foundation is for the Arthritis Foundation Skagit Jingle Bell Run and Walk event. The requested closures coincide with the Christmas Parade closures and effect 2nd Street from Kincaid to Montgomery Street, Myrtle Street from 3rd to 2nd Street and Gates Street from 3rd to 2nd Street during the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on December 8th. There are no objections to these closures. Councilmember Urban moved to approve the street closure as stated above. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion carried 7-0. E. Lease Agreement: Mr. Stendal stated that this lease agreement between the City of Mount Vernon and Skagit Running Company, Inc is for the property located at 724 S 1st Street. The lease is for a five year term beginning November 23, 2013. Councilmember Hulst moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a lease agreement with Skagit Running Company Inc. Motion seconded by Councilmember Lindquist. Motion carried 7-0. F. Public Meeting on the Notice of Intent for Proposed Annexation of Approximately 39 Acres: Ms. Hanson explained that this public meeting is to discuss the potential annexation of approximately 39 acres owned by the Crawford’s. Mr. Crawford explained that the purpose of the annexation request is to allow further expansion of their current facility. If they cannot expand they will be forced to find another facility. Mr. John Semrau, Mount Vernon Mount Vernon City Council November 13, 2013 Page 5 of 6 resident, said that this company has been in business since 1949 and by 1982 they added additional storage space. The primary reason for the annexation is the limited expansion ability with Skagit County because the property is located within the Urban Growth Area. The Crawford’s need their property annexed to further their business and remain competitive in today’s market place. The Crawford’s have been a great company in this community and a community supporter. Ms. Hanson said that this is the beginning step and if council approves the resolution it will go to the Boundary Review Board. The total process will take from six to nine months to complete. Councilmember Molenaar moved to adopt Resolution 864 accepting the proposed annexation. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hulst. Motion carried 7-0. G. Approval of SMART Interlocal Cooperative Agreement: Police Chief Dodd said that this Interlocal Cooperative Agreement is between the cities of Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon and Skagit County and adopts protocols for the function of the Skagit County Multiple Agency Response Team, SMART. This team will investigate complex criminal acts and allows for additional staffing and resources during critical times. Councilmember Lindquist moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a SMART Interlocal Cooperative Agreement with local jurisdictions as stated above. Motion seconded by Councilmember Urban. Motion carried 7-0. H. Approval of Agreement – Washington State Department of Ecology: Mr. Chesterfield stated that this agreement with the Washington State Department of Ecology is for the 2013 – 2015 Municipal Stormwater Capacity Grant which has been awarded to the city for implementation of the city’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit. Councilmember Lindquust moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into a agreement with Washington State Department of Ecology for a Municipal Stormwater Capacity Grant. Motion seconded by Councilmember Quam. Motion carried 7-0 There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: ______________________________________ Lori J. Kimbriel, Recording Secretary Mount Vernon City Council November 13, 2013 Page 6 of 6 ATTEST: ______________________________________ Alicia D. Huschka, Finance Director APPROVE: ______________________________________ Jill Boudreau, Mayor