City Council

Mount Vernon City Council Regular Meeting Minutes May 25, 2016 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Fiedler, Hudson, Hulst, Lindquist, Molenaar, Quam and Ragan Staff Present: Public Works Director Bell, Recreation Manager Brookings, Police Chief Dodd, Fire Chief Hari, Community Development Director Hyde, Finance Director Huschka, Parks and Enrichment Services Director King, Assistant Public Works Director Love, Senior Planner Lowell, Library Director Soneda, Parks Manager Weppler Citizens Present: 18 Approval of Minutes A. Approval of May 11, 2016 Regular Council Meeting Minutes. Councilmember Quam moved to approve the May 11, 2016 Regular Council Meeting minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Fiedler. Motion carried 7-0. Approval of Claims and Payroll A. Approval of May 25, 2016 claims numbered 144896 - 145113 in the amount of $765,383.75. Councilmember Lindquist moved to approve the May 25, 2016 claims numbered 144896 - 145113 in the amount of $765,383.75. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion carried 7-0. B. Approval of May 15, 2016 payroll checks numbered 105484 - 105532, direct deposit checks numbered 55820 - 56021, and wire transfers numbered 567 & 568 in the amount of $741,953.02. Councilmember Hulst moved to approve the May 15, 2016 payroll checks numbered 105484 - 105532, direct deposit checks numbered 55820 - 56021, and wire transfers numbered 567 & 568 in the amount of $741,953.02. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 7-0. REPORTS A. Committee Reports: • Finance – for details see Committee minutes. • Public Works – for details see Committee minutes. B. Community Comments: • Kit Larson came forward to promote a bicycle safety class that will be taught June 23 and 25, 2016. • Donna Klein, Mount Vernon resident, came forward to discuss an ongoing noise problem in her neighborhood. A “quiet wall” is going to be tested there, but Ms. Klein does not believe this will provide adequate noise control. Mount Vernon City Council May 25, 2016 Page 2 of 4 C. Councilmember Comments: • Councilmember Hudson recognized the Mount Vernon High School FFA beginner’s team th that went to state and placed 7 out of 70 teams. th • Councilmember Hulst reported that on May 30 there will be a Memorial Day Service at Hawthorne Funeral Home. D. Mayor’s Report: • Reported that May 26, 2016 Friendship House will hold a 30 year celebration of offering services for homeless people. • Updated Council on several transit projects that will be occurring in Skagit County. • Seattle Magazine recognized Mount Vernon as a destination for a “perfect small town get away”, and had specific businesses linked to the article. • Updates on Mayor’s coffee hours. E. Committee Agenda Requests: Councilmember Fiedler asked for a meeting in conjunction with the Citizens Advisory Committee and other housing partners to review some of the housing elements under review in the Comprehensive Plan. UNFINISHED BUSINESS This item was moved to the end of the agenda A. Comprehensive Plan – Housing Element NEW BUSINESS A. Establishing a Transportation Benefit District: Public Works Director Bell presented an update on the City’s transportation system going in depth into the level of investment that is needed to maintain our infrastructure. The lack of regular maintenance on roadways has an exponential degradation factor. This degradation will require more extensive reconstruction as opposed to maintenance. The minimum maintenance requirement for the City’s streets is $600,000 per year. Ms. Huschka presented Council with background regarding the potential establishment of a Transportation Benefit District (TBD). TBD’s are a quasi-municipal corporation created for the sole purpose of constructing, improving and funding transportation improvements in a district. The City Council would serve as the TBD’s governing body. TBD’s are primarily funded through vehicle license fees and/or sales tax. There are 87 cities and towns that have formed TBD’s in Washington State, with more being created every year. Fifty-one cities have imposed a vehicle license fee and 25 have imposed a sales tax. Ms. Huschka indicated that the presented ordinance states that the TBD would be in the public’s interest to form this district, it establishes the boundaries and establishes general authority and powers of operations. Mayor Boudreau opened the public record hearing. • Liz McNett-Crowel came forward to speak in favor of the TBD. She believes that a sales tax mechanism would be an equitable way to gather revenue. There being no further comment Mayor Boudreau closed the public record hearing. Councilmember discussion focused on their support of establishing this TBD. Councilmember Fiedler moved to approve Ordinance 3679 establishing a Transportation Benefit District. Motion seconded by Councilmember Lindquist. Motion carried 7-0. B. Appointment of Library Board of Trustees: Mr. Soneda presented a request for Council to approve the appointment of Katy Armagost to the Library Board of Trustees. Ms. Armagost will fill the remainder of the term that was opened following the resignation of a current board member. Mount Vernon City Council May 25, 2016 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Lindquist moved to approve the appointment of Katy Armagost to the Mount Vernon Library Board of Trustees. Motion seconded by Councilmember Quam. Motion carried 7-0. C. Fireworks Emergency Ordinance: Mr. Rogerson presented Council with a request for a temporary emergency ban on fireworks that prohibits the sale, possession and use of consumer fireworks that would become effective in May 2017. Violations would be a civil infraction of $500 per offense. Councilmember Molenaar moved to approve Ordinance 3680 issuing a ban on the sale, possession and use of consumer fireworks. Motion seconded by Councilmember Lindquist. Motion carried 7-0. D. Parks and Recreation Update: Mr. King presented and update on recent Parks and Recreation Department activities. E. Ratification of Teamsters Collective Bargaining Agreement: Ms. Bartlett presented Council with a request for authorization for the Mayor to enter into a collective bargaining agreement between the City and Teamsters Union Local No. 231 for 2016. The membership approved this contract in April 2016. This is a one year contract and contains cost of living adjustments and has language addressing health insurance, sick leave usage and cash outs. Councilmember Lindquist moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Teamsters Union, Local No. 231, for 2016. Motion seconded by Councilmember Fiedler. Motion carried 7-0. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Comprehensive Plan – Housing Element: Ms. Lowell continued her presentation to Council outlining the five goals of this element of the Comprehensive Plan along with their objectives and the policies that will guide the implementation of those goals. In the previous meeting Council had heard most of the first four goals. The conclusion of the fourth goal included the presentation of policies supporting the incentives that promote plans that encourage in-fill residential projects, construction of new and innovative or affordable housing styles and ownership opportunities. One of the stated objectives is to ensure that the high density housing units are spread through-out the City as opposed to a concentration of high density housing in one area; this is to a be achieved while preserving and enhancing existing housing and residential neighborhoods. The fifth and final goal addresses “Provision of Housing for Vulnerable Populations” and contains provisions for those with special needs. The objectives that support this goal are attained through the encouragement of opportunities for assisted housing for people with special needs. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: ______________________________________________ Rebecca J. Wade, Recording Secretary ATTEST: ______________________________________________ Alicia D. Huschka, Finance Director Mount Vernon City Council May 25, 2016 Page 4 of 4 APPROVE: ______________________________________________ Jill Boudreau, Mayor