City Council

Mount Vernon City Council July 24, 2019 Page 1 of 5 Mount Vernon City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 24, 2019 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 7:00 PM. Present: Councilmembers Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hulst, Hudson, Moberg, Molenaar, and Mayor Boudreau Staff Present: Interim Police Chief Cammock, Project Development Manager Donovan, Public Works Director Bell, Parks & Enrichment Director King, Finance Director Volesky, Assistant Finance Director Robbins, IS Director Kleppe, City Shop Manager Owens, Library Director Huffman, City Attorney Rogerson, Development Services Director Phillips, Engineering Manager Danforth Citizens Present: 2 AGENDA AMENDMENT A. Request to add an agenda item for the Approval to Purchase a Bucket Truck: Councilmember Hulst requested an agenda amendment to add an additional item under New Business for the Approval to Purchase a Bucket Truck. Councilmember Hulst moved to approve the Agenda Amendment to add an additional item under New Business for the Approval to Purchase a Bucket Truck. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 7-0. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of July 10, 2019 Regular Council Meeting Minutes B. Approval of July 19, 2019 payroll checks numbered 109397 - 109442 direct deposit checks numbered 72207 - 72443, and wire transfers numbered 754 – 758 in the amount of $1,228,351.01 C. Approval of July 24, 2019 Claims numbered 4679 – 4680 and 4689 - 4887 in the amount of $1,579,456.17 Councilmember Beaton moved to approve the consent Agenda items A-C. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 7-0. REPORTS A. Committees • Finance and Parks & Enrichment Services - see Committee minutes for details • Development Services - see Committee minutes for details B. Community Comments • None Mount Vernon City Council July 24, 2019 Page 2 of 5 C. Council Member Comments • Councilmember Hudson invited the community to attend a few upcoming events: 1. Riverwalk Summer Concert Series hosts the band Pacific Twang on Thursday, July 25th 2019 2. Mount Vernon Downtown Association Sidewalk Sale from Friday, July 26th 2019, to Saturday, July 27th 2019. D. Mayor’s Report: • Introduced Interim Police Chief Cammock who was sworn in Tuesday, July 23rd 2019. Thanked the Chief for his years of service to the City of Mount Vernon and congratulated him on the new position. • Reminded everyone about the start of the budget season and provided an overview of the 2020 budget schedule. The Mayor reiterated how each Department prepares their budget with an emphasis toward achieving the City’s goals. To ensure the budget process is a transparent and collaborative effort the city’s budget schedule, goals, and other budget materials can be found on the City’s website. • Mayor Coffee hours August 10th 2019, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, Mount Vernon Library E. Committee Agenda Requests • None UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Public Hearing – Solid Waste Service Rate Change: Public Works director Esco Bell requested Council open a public hearing regarding a rate change in the Solid Waste Utility. Effective June, 3 2019, Skagit County increased the disposal fee from $88 per ton to $96 per ton. • Public Hearing opened • Scott Correa – Mount Vernon 1. Mr. Correa had sent an email to the city and appreciated the prompt response he received especially considering the complex nature of the email. His main concern was that the city was focused on disposal costs only and not including transportation costs when calculating the rate increase. Ultimately, his numbers show there is a price per pound bias toward residential customers over commercial customers. He had a few primary concerns. I. Mr. Correa was able to find the volume of the garbage cans the city offers but would like to see the estimated poundage each type of container can hold. II. The rate study the City used to calculate the revised rates was based on a weight study done in Portland but Mr. Correa recalled the City weighing his garbage cans some years ago and asked why we didn’t use the data collected with that weight study in the City’s rate study calculations. III. Mr. Correa provided and extensive overview of his calculations and how he shows the city is increasing their rates too much and it is disproportionately affecting residential customer more than commercial customers. Mount Vernon City Council July 24, 2019 Page 3 of 5 2. Ultimately, Mr. Correa agreed that a rate change should occur but implored the council to consider all the facts before making decisions like this in the future. • There being no further comments the Public hearing was closed. Councilmember Hulst moved to approve Ordinance 3788 and authorize the Mayor to implement the proposed Solid Waste Service Rate increase. Motion seconded by Councilmember Moberg. Motion carried 7-0. NEW BUSINESS A. Closed Record Public Hearing – Approval of Transportation Concurrency Permit: Mr. Phillips presented a closed record public hearing for Council to consider the Hearing Examiner’s recommendations and decide whether or not to approve the Hearing Examiner’s recommendations. • There was a brief discussion about the parking estimates and traffic impact study with the council. Mr. Phillips is very confident they have considered the necessary variables and the traffic and parking estimates are accurate at this time. Mr. Danforth stated the parking estimates could be revised as the project develops further and this is something they will be monitoring Councilmember Beaton moved to a p p r o v e R e s o l u t i o n 9 6 8 a n d authorize the Mayor to approve the Hearing Examiner’s recommendations. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion carried 7-0. B. Approval of Interlocal Agreement with Mount Vernon School District: Mr. Rogerson requested the Council authorize the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Mount Vernon School District to allow City access to a section of storm water pipe on school easement property. Councilmember Hudson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Mount Vernon School District to allow City access to a section of storm water pipe on school easement property. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion carried 7-0. C. Approval to Purchase a Bucket Truck: Mr. Kleppe and Mr. Owens presented a request to council to authorize the mayor to approve the purchase of a Bucket Truck from the City of Marysville for $27,713.00. • Mr. Kleppe outlined the necessity of the smaller bucket truck as well as the reserves built up to fund the purchase. Mr. Owens confirmed the vehicle was in good working order, would last 5-7 years, and was a good value at this price point. Councilmember Hulst moved to authorize the mayor to approve the purchase of a Bucket Truck from the City of Marysville for $27,713.00. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 7-0. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:47 PM. Mount Vernon City Council July 24, 2019 Page 4 of 5 SUBMITTED BY: Chase Kinney, Recording Clerk ATTEST: Doug Volesky, Finance Director APPROVE: Jill Boudreau, Mayor