City Council

Mount Vernon City Council Study Session Minutes November 5, 2014 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Boudreau, Councilmembers Fiedler, Hulst, Lindquist, Molenaar, Quam, Ragan and Urban Staff Present: Police Chief Dodd, Community and Economic Development Department Director Hanson, Finance Director Huschka, City Attorney Rogerson, Human Resources Director Bartlett, General Facilities Manager Rick Prosser Citizens Present: 3 NEW BUSINESS A. Committee Report – Public Safety: for details please see Committee Report minutes. B. Community Comments: None C. Mayor’s Report:  Mayor Boudreau said the Veterans Day Recognition Service will be on Saturday, November 8th at 10:00 am in the Cascade Commons at Mount Baker Middle School. D. Open Record Public Hearing – Set 2015 Property Taxes and Review Revenue Estimates: Ms. Huschka presented 2015 revenue estimates and historical revenue information for the City’s major revenues, and provided Council with comparable property tax levy rates for other taxing jurisdictions in the County. The timeline for setting the 2015 property taxes was explained and Council was informed that a decision needs to be made prior to the end of November. Ms. Huschka presented Council with a proposed 2015 property tax ordinance. Mayor Boudreau opened the public hearing.  Mike Newman from Mount Vernon, a realtor, discussed home payment differences between surrounding cities. People are looking to move to Sedro-Woolley because they can get more home for the money. He urged Council to think seriously about the property tax issue.  Jim Carter from Mount Vernon is retired and on a fixed income. He said expenses are going up and expressed concern about raising property taxes.  Ellen Christilaw from Mount Vernon supports the tax increase and said it is reasonable to take an increase to help insure services that the city provides. There being no further comment Mayor Boudreau closed the public hearing. Mount Vernon City Council November 5, 2014 Page 2 of 2 Councilmember Hulst moved to postpone taking action on setting the property taxes for 2015. Motion seconded by Councilmember Urban. Motion carried 7-0. E. Overview of General Facilities Condition Assessment: Rick Prosser provided an overview of facilities owned by the City. He discussed general facilities, the age of the buildings, and the nominal life expectancy of components inside those buildings. The General Facilities department is in the process of compiling data to form a database to formulate a facility maintenance program for all city owned buildings. This will include age, useful life and a cost basis for future improvements. Future considerations include setting aside funds for unexpected events and maintenance management software. The meeting was adjourned into executive session at 7:53pm and estimated to last 15 minutes F. Executive Session: Real estate acquisition Being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:08pm. SUBMITTED BY: ______________________________________________ Morgan Morrison, Recording Secretary ATTEST: ______________________________________________ Alicia D. Huschka, Finance Director APPROVE: ______________________________________________ Jill Boudreau, Mayor