City Council

Mount Vernon City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 12, 2015 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Boudreau, Councilmembers Fiedler, Hulst, Molenaar, Quam Ragan and Urban Absent: Councilmember Lindquist, excused Staff Present: Engineering Manager Chesterfield, Street Department Manager Brickley, Police Chief Dodd, Fire Chief Hari, Finance Director Huschka, City Attorney Rogerson, Special Projects Administrator Stendal, Park Operations Supervisor Weppler, Parks & Recreation Supervisor Brookings, Community Development Director Hyde, Engineering Supervisor Chesterfield, Senior Planner Lowell, Solid Waste Supervisor Sutherland, Waste Water Supervisor Duranceau, Library Director Soneda, Information Services Director Kleppe, Public Works Director Bell, and Assistant Public Works Director Love Citizens Present: 17 Approval of Minutes A. Approval of July 22, 2015 Regular Council Meeting Minutes. Councilmember Quam moved to approve the July 22, 2015 Regular Council meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Ragan. Motion carried 6-0. B. Approval of July 29, 2015 Committee of the Whole Minutes. Councilmember Fiedler moved to approve the July 29, 2015 Committee of the Whole meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion carried 6-0. Approval of Claims and Payroll A. Approval of August 12, 2015 claims numbered 140833 - 140836, 140842, 140851 – 140854, 140856 - 141069 in the amount of $722,209.92. Councilmember Hulst approve the August 12, 2015 claims numbered 140833 - 140836, 140842, 140851 – 140854, 140856 - 141069 in the amount of $722,209.92. Motion seconded by Councilmember Fiedler. Motion carried 6-0. B. Approval of July 31, 2015 payroll checks numbered 104464 - 104528, direct deposit checks numbered 51942 - 55147, and wire transfers numbered 529 & 530 in the amount of $952,436.56. Councilmember Urban moved to approve the July 31, 2015 payroll checks numbered 104464 - 104528, direct deposit checks numbered 51942 - 55147, and wire transfers numbered 529 & 530 in the amount of $952,436.56. Motion seconded by Councilmember Quam. Motion carried 6-0. REPORTS A. Committee Reports: • Public Works – for details see Committee minutes. Mount Vernon City Council August 12, 2015 Page 2 of 4 B. Community Comments: • Mark Collins, a Sedro Woolley resident and Principal of Foothills Christian School, would like to respond to noise complaints filed by Donna Klein. He presented a brief history of the property. He would like the current noise ordinance modified to more reasonable levels. Attached as part of the permanent record is the statement by Mark Collins. C. Councilmember Comments: • Councilmember Fiedler stated that there has been a lot of noise early in the morning coming from the logging at the Hidden Lakes Property. After some research he discovered that the logging had to occur early in the day because of the Hoot Owl. He would encourage approaching AWC to partner with their agency regarding urban logging and the effect it has on local communities. He added that he would like to see a resolution regarding future urban logging. D. Mayor’s Report • Mayor Boudreau announced that the Riverwalk Concert Series continues to be successful. She thanked the Chamber of Commerce for partnering in these events. • Mayor Boudreau welcomes the Elks Club members in attendance for the library presentation. • Mayor Boudreau announced that this week’s Mayor’s coffee this Saturday at 10am will be a walk starting on the Riverwalk Plaza by the Farmers Market. The next Mayor’s coffee is Saturday August 29th at 10am at the Skagit Valley Food Co-op. • Police Chief Dodd gave an update regarding the recent drive by shootings. He explained that it is a complex investigation with multiple agencies involved. They have spent endless hours investigating and collecting evidence. There have also been three neighboorhood meetings that have been well attended and very productive. There are more meetings planned. He thanked the public for their patience during the investigation process and encouraged anyone with information to call the anonyomous tip line. E. Committee Agenda request: • Councilmember Fiedler requested a discussion on future projects similar to the Hidden Lakes project NEW BUSINESS A. Open Record Public Hearing – Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for 2016 to 2021: Mr. Stendal gave a brief overview of the Capital Improvement Plan 6 Year Update. Fire Chief Hari, Finance Director Huschka, Information Services Director Kleppe, Library Director Soneda, Parks Manager Weppler, Police Chief Dodd, Public Works Director Bell, Stormwater Manager Chesterfield and Wastewater Supervisor Duranceau explained their two top priority projects in the various sections of the plan. Mayor Boudreau opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments Mayor Boudreau closed the public hearing. Councilmember Hulst asked that the reference to general obligation bonds in the Library & Fire budgets as a funding source be changed to other. Councilmember Urban moved to adopt Ordinance 3657 approving the 2016 to 2021 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as modified to change the reference to general obiligation bonds to other. Motion seconded by Councilmember Fiedler. Motion carried 6-0. B. Open Record Public Hearing – Amendment to Chapter 14.15 (Fees) of the Mount Vernon Municipal Code: Ms. Lowell state that this amendment includes fees that were left out of the fee schedule in error when the previous ordinance was passed. Mayor Boudreau opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments Mayor Boudreau closed the public hearing. Mount Vernon City Council August 12, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Hulst moved to adopt Ordinance 3658 amending Chapter 14.15 (Fees) as stated above. Motion seconded by Councilmember Quam. Motion carried 6-0. C. Condemnation Ordinance: Mr. Rogerson explained this condemnation ordinance is for the st property located at 1201 S 1 Street. This property is needed as part of the Downtown Flood Protection Project Phase 3. The City’s representative is currently in negotiations with the property owner and an offer has been made. A lengthy discussion occurred about the ramifications of not passing the ordinance including the potential of delaying the project. Councilmember Ragan moved to table this item for two weeks. Motion seconded by Councilmember Fiedler. Motion carried 5-1. Councilmember Urban opposed. D. Resolution – Set Public Hearing Date for Proposed Street Vacation: Ms. Chesterfield stated that Skagit Valley Real Estate Partnership has requested a street vacation in order to create additional space for a parking lot expansion. A street vacation requires a public hearing and the th recommended date for this is September 9 . Councilmember Urban moved to approve Resolution 891 setting the public hearing date for the proposed street vacation as September 9th. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion carried 6-0. E. Approval of Agreement – Skagit Soils: Mr. Sutherland said that this is the final one year extension to the current agreement with Skagit Soils for yard waste disposal. Councilmember Fiedler moved to extend the yard waste disposal agreement with Skagit Soils for the final one year extension to the current agreement. Motion seconded by Councilmember Quam. Motion carried 6-0. F. Removal of a Covenant at 401 East College Way: Mr. Hyde explained that when NW Capital Investments purchased this property a convenant requiring the building to be retail was included. NWC Investments has been unsuccessful in finding a retail business; however, there is a business interested in leasing 1,000 of the 2,000 available space. Mr. Hyde said that if the convenant was removed NWC could develop the site. In addition, a payment of $2,500 would be made to the City for signage on city land adjacent to this property. Councilmember Urban moved to remove the covenant at 401 East College Way. Motion seconded by Councilmember Quam. Motion carried 6-0. G. Adoption of Financial Management Policies: Ms. Huschka stated that the City has established fiscal policies; however, developing and adopting a financial management policy document is an important step for the City to take. The Finance Director, City Council and Mayor have been developing and refining these policies over the last three months. Once adopted these fiscal policies will become part of the annual budget document, and will be reviewed as part of the annual budget processes. Councilmember Molenaar moved to approve Resolution 892 formally adopting Financial Management Policies for the City of Mount Vernon. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hulst. Motion carried 6-0. Mount Vernon City Council August 12, 2015 Page 4 of 4 H. Interlocal Agreement – Skagit County: Mr. Rogerson explained that this interlocal agreement between the City of Mount Vernon and Skagit County will allow for the sharing of parks facilities. Skagit County will have 21 days of use allowed at Sherman Anderson Field and the City will gain 4.5 months of storage use at the fairgrounds for equipment not used during winter months. Councilmember Fiedler moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with Skagit County to share Park Facilities. Motion seconded by Councilmember Ragan. Motion carried 6-0. I. Library Update Presentation to Council: Mr. Soneda stated that there are a lot of library supporters in the audience tonight. The Elks Lodge has been a generous supportor of library programs. Mr. Soneda introduced Jim Brisbin from the Elks Lodge who thanked the Mayor and Council for the invitation tonight. Mr. Brisbin explained that they receive their grant funds through the Elks National Foundation. They have received two $2000 grants and a promissory grant for toys and books for the library. In addition to monetary awards they like to help and have fun at the library. Mayor Boudreau presented a memento photo of the library to the Elks. Long time library user, Trixie Apolista stated that the library is an important part of a City. It helps the development of youth and is essential. She added that even in the digital age a library is essential. The Summer Reading Program is important and aids in the advancement of education. As a long time library user it has helped her by giving her access to books she might not have had normally. The meeting was convened into executive session at 9:06 p.m. and was estimated to last 60 minutes. J. Executive Session: The meeting was reconvened at 10:06 p.m. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: ______________________________________________ Lori J. K. Smith, Recording Secretary ATTEST: ______________________________________________ Alicia D. Huschka, Finance Director APPROVE: ______________________________________________ Jill Boudreau, Mayor