City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes July 22, 2020 (Virtual Meeting) The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 6:00 PM. Present: Councilmembers Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Hulst, Moberg, and Molenaar Excused: Councilmembers Beaton Staff Present: Police Chief Cammock, Fire Chief Brice, Finance Director Volesky, Development Services Director Phillips, Public Works Director Bell, and City Attorney Rogerson Citizens Present: CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of July 20, 2020 payroll checks numbered 110152 - 110175 direct deposit checks numbered 77852 - 78057, and wire transfers numbered 874 – 878 in the amount of $1,111,768.56 B. Approval of July 22, 2020 Claims numbered 9744 – 9899 in the amount of $1,202,073.95 Councilmember Hudson moved to approve the Consent Agenda items A-C. Motion seconded by Councilmember Moberg. Motion carried 6-0. REPORTS A. Review of Emails from the Public: • Public comments sent via email to council@mountvernonwa.gov were read aloud by Mayor Boudreau. o Amy Jury – Does not support the fireworks ban. o Daniel Valdez – Mount Vernon - Supports the fireworks ban. o Louise Hitcomb – Does not support the fireworks ban. o Larry Hilliard – Mount Vernon - Supports the fireworks ban. o Debra Schwultz – Skagit County - Does not support the fireworks ban. o Andrea Bradford – Does not support the fireworks ban. o Shawn Fitzpatrick – Supports the fireworks ban. o Zindra Nelson – Mount Vernon - Does not support the fireworks ban. o Sherry Senit – Supports the fireworks ban. o Raymond Padget – Mount Vernon - Supports the fireworks ban. o Phoebe Bernard – Mount Vernon - Supports the fireworks ban. o Kathrine Garbut – Mount Vernon - Supports the fireworks ban. o Phyllis Resavage – Mount Vernon - Supports the fireworks ban. o Pam Patterson – Mount Vernon - Supports the fireworks ban. o Lori Topp – Does not support the fireworks ban. B. Councilmember Comments • Hudson – Distressed to see the number of positive COVID test results and supports wearing masks out of respect for your neighbors and local businesses. If we have to go backwards our local businesses may be at risk. Mount Vernon City Council July 22, 2020 Page 2 of 4 C. Mayors Report. • City Staff Professional Accomplishments o Congratulated Jason Brickley, our Public Works Transportation Division manager for completing his Public Works Management Certification thru the American Public Works Association. o Congratulated Brien Reed, one of our Mount Vernon Police Officers for completing his Master’s Degree. • Skagit County Testing Site at Skagit Valley College (Open M-F 9AM-4PM) o Took a tour of the cite and was very impressed by the 35 volunteers who volunteer half and full day shifts. Expressed her gratitude for all of the volunteers. o The Testing Site is open Monday thru Friday 9AM to 4 PM and will see accept insurance and will see un-ensured people as well. You do not need a doctor’s note to receive testing. D. Committee Agenda Requests • There will be no Committee of the Whole on 7/29/2020 NEW BUSINESS A. Solid Waste Service Rate Change for Transfer Station Tipping Fee Increase: Esco Bell opened discussion with the Mayor and the City Council regarding the Skagit County solid waste disposal services rate increase pass through. B. For the Good of the Order: • COVID 19 Pandemic Response and Discussion o Mayor Boudreau shared her concerns for City staff with children who may need care and the staffing challenges that may present if schools remain closed. o Councilmember Hulst expressed his gratitude to the City’s employees and supports looking into solutions for parents who need childcare assistance. o Councilmember Hudson expressed her support for looking into solutions for parents who need childcare assistance as well. • Director Volesky presented a Finance Update o Revenue Review • Sales Tax Revenues - The City posted its highest month on record for sales tax revenues with a total of $771,510 which brings us to about 3% below what we recorded at this time in 2019. Of this revenue about $125,000 is back taxes that were extended due to COVID-19. We also receive $85,000 in LIFT revenue this month as well. • Property Tax Revenue – There was a correction to our June taxes which we received in July. Our actual property tax revenue for 2020 is a little less than 1% lower than we were at this time in 2019. • TBD Revenues – We received nearly $180,000 in the month of July and our actual tax revenues for 2020 are about 1.3% lower than we were at this time in 2019. • REET I & II – Overall our actual 2020 REET revenues are about $7,000 over what we collected at this time in 2020. Mount Vernon City Council July 22, 2020 Page 3 of 4 o Hotel/Motel Tax • Estimated the City will finish 2020 with an ending fund balance of $78,551 instead of the initially budgeted ending fund balance of $100,256, however this all depends on the revenue collection for the rest of the year. o Cash and Investment Activity • Provided an update on the City’s cash and investments; including our projected interest yields, bond maturity distribution, unrealized gains/losses, and an overview of our financial management partners Time Value Investments. o 2021 Budget Update • Reviewed the initial 2021 budget calendar • Fireworks Discussion was opened by Mayor Boudreau o City Attorney Rogerson provided an update on the local fireworks regulations and legislative history. o Councilmember Hulst expressed a desire to see a more severe penalty for possessing illegal or banned fireworks. He would like to setup a committee, made up of council members, the City attorney, Chiefs, and members of the public, and hold a Public Study Session to reach a resolution regarding enforcement of the City’s fireworks laws. o Chief Cammock provided an updated on Police Department’s activity for the week of the 4th of July. o Chief Brice provided and update on the Fire Department’s activity for the 4th of July. • Esco Bell informed the council that the signal light at 30th and College Way should be energized by the middle of the last week of July 2020. C. Executive Session: A discussion with legal counsel on matters relating to enforcement actions, litigation or potential litigation to which the City, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency. The meeting was convened into executive session at 7:49 p.m. and was estimated to last 30 minutes. Meeting was adjourned at 8:19. Mount Vernon City Council July 22, 2020 Page 4 of 4 SUBMITTED BY: Chase Kinney, Recording Clerk ATTEST: Doug Volesky, Finance Director APPROVE: Jill Boudreau, Mayor