City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes August 12, 2020 6:00 p.m. (Virtual Meeting) The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 6:00 PM. Present: Councilmembers Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Hulst, Moberg, and Molenaar Staff Present: City Attorney Rogerson, Project Development Manager Donovan, Finance Director Volesky, Fire Chief Brice, Police Chief Cammock, Public Works Director Bell, Capital Programs Manager Bullock, Engineering Manager Chesterfield, and Wastewater Manager Duranceau Citizens Present: 2 CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of July 8, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes B. Approval of July 22, 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes C. Approval of August 5, 2020 payroll checks numbered 110176 - 110207, direct deposit checks numbered 78058 - 78271, and wire transfers numbered 879 – 883 in the amount of $867,757.69 D. Approval of August 12, 2020 Claims numbered 9911 – 10100 in the amount of $1,124,913.50 E. Approval of Agreement #3920 – City of Anacortes Dark Fiber F. Approval of Settlement Agreement #3921 Councilmember Hudson moved to approve the Consent Agenda items A-F. Motion seconded by Councilmember Moberg. Motion carried 7-0. REPORTS A. Review of Emails from the Public  Kathleen Roche-Zujko, Mount Vernon – Voiced her concern with the need of police officer diversity training and encouraged the City to add more social workers and/or mental health care professionals so the police officers aren’t made to attempt to perform duties for which they aren’t properly trained.  Andra Heath, Mount Vernon – Voiced her support to the Mayor for her funding for social workers to work with the police department and the outreach and showing appreciation for our minorities starting with Blacks and Latinos. Ms. Heath also stated the need for a different kind of oversite for our police officers.  Iola Ratcliff, Mount Vernon – Stated she feels most fortunate to live in Mount Vernon, where the police can be considered the friends you need in times of stress and tragedy and that she has heard only good things about our police, and personally have experienced their caring courtesy. She also suggested that specially trained additions could be added to the force. B. Public Works Update  Mr. Bell gave an update on current Public Works projects including that the Maddox Creek Culvert and BNSF Floodwall Fitting have been started and that the College Way/30th Street Signal project has been completed. Mount Vernon City Council August 12, 2020 Page 2 of 5 C. Police Department Update  Chief Cammock gave an update on Outreach Services including the voucher program and student intern project. He also informed the Council on staffing issues including currently they have seven vacant positions. Councilmember Hulst requested the Chief to present the City’s hiring process and City Police Policy in regards to use of force. Councilmember Brocksmith inquired how the City compares to best practices. D. Fire Department Update  Chief Brice informed the Council on the receipt of a new ambulance and gave an update on staffing including the five new hires that just entered the fire academy. E. Councilmember Comments  Councilmember Beaton congratulated the Mayor for being elected to the AWC Board of Directors. She also requested that Council receive an update on the Library Commons Project.  Councilmember Brocksmith expressed his concern of the expansion of the Whatcom County Fair and the economic impact to the City. More information will be requested and the Mayor agreed to a City response. F. Mayor’s Report  The Mayor informed Council that the 2019 City audit has been completed and that the 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report has been published and can be found online on the Finance web page of the City’s website.  Updated Council on newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases and directed them to the Skagit County Health Department web site for more details and information.  The Little Mountain Park parking lot is almost completed and plan to open soon. NEW BUSINESS A. Public Hearing – Solid Waste Service Rate Change: Mr. Bell presented information regarding the public hearing to allow testimony regarding a rate change to the Solid Waste Utility. Effective June 1, 2020 Skagit County increased the disposal fee from $96 to $98 per ton. The County will continue to raise rates by $2.00 annually through May 2024. Being a virtual meeting, citizens where invited to comment on this item by contacting the Mayor’s Office. There were no public comments. Mr. Rogerson stated that there was no need to open and close the public hearing at this meeting. B. Update from Helping Hands Food Bank: Mr. Donovan introduced Rebecca Larsen, Executive Director and Nichole Long, Director of Development of the Helping Hands Food Bank who gave an update to Council on the food bank’s latest efforts. Helping Hands Food Bank is Skagit County’s largest direct emergency food provider. C. Approval to Waive Right-of-Way Fees for Restaurants: Mr. Donovan requested that Council approve Ordinance #3806 that will waive the permit fees for restaurants that apply for a permit expanding their seating into the public right of way. Councilmember Hulst moved to approve ordinance #3806 which will waive the permit fees for restaurants that apply for a permit expanding their seating into the public right of way. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion carried 7-0. Mount Vernon City Council August 12, 2020 Page 3 of 5 D. Renewal of Agreement for CDBG Consultant: Mr. Donovan requested that Council authorize the Mayor to enter into a one-year contract with Paul Schissler & Associates in the amount of $36,000 to assist the City with the CDBG funding. Councilmember Beaton moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Paul Schissler & Associates in the amount of $36,000 to assist the City with the CDBG funding. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 7-0. E. Bid Award – Wastewater Treatment Plant Admin Building Remodel/Addition: Mr. Bell requested that Council award the bid for the Wastewater Treatment Plant admin building remodel/addition to Axthelm Construction Inc. in the amount of $1,223,556.55 and authorized the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the work. Councilmember Beaton moved to award the bid for the Wastewater Treatment Plant admin building remodel/addition to Axthelm Construction Inc. in the amount of $1,223,556.55 and authorized the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the work. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hulst. Motion carried 7-0. F. Approval of Agreement for 2021 Washington Conservation Corp, IAA No. WCC-2023: Mr. Chesterfield requested that Council authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Department of Ecology, Washington Conservation Corp, for vegetation maintenance of drainage facilities. Councilmember Moberg moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Department of Ecology, Washington Conservation Corp, for vegetation maintenance of drainage facilities. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion carried 7-0. G. Approval of Ground Cell Tower Lease Agreement: Mr. Chesterfield requested that Council authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with STC Five LLC, by and through its Attorney in Fact, Global Signal Acquisitions II LLC for a ground cell tower lease agreement. Councilmember Molenaar moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with STC Five LLC, by and through its Attorney in Fact, Global Signal Acquisitions II LLC for a ground cell tower lease agreement. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion carried 7-0. H. Bid Award – North 19th Street Stream Rehabilitation: Mr. Bullock requested that Council award the bid for the North 19th Street Stream Rehabilitation Project to Axthelm Construction and authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the work. Councilmember Brocksmith moved to award the bid for the North 19th Street Stream Rehabilitation Project to Axthelm Construction and authorized the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the work. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 7-0. Mount Vernon City Council August 12, 2020 Page 4 of 5 I. Bid Award – 2020 Street Improvements Project TS-2020-002: Mr. Bullock requested that Council award the bid for the 2020 Street Improvements Project (pavement overlay) to Lakeside Industries, Inc. in the amount of $923,403.06 and authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the work. Councilmember Hulst moved to award the bid for the 2020 Street Improvements Project to Lakeside Industries, Inc. in the amount of $923,403.06 and to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement for the work. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion carried 7-0. J. Approval of Agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE): Mr. Bullock requested that Council authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with PSE for the installation and ongoing maintenance of the lighting fixtures on the Kulshan Trail Safety Lighting Project in the amount of $127,757.67 and a monthly fee of $122.90. Councilmember Molenaar moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with PSE for the installation and ongoing maintenance of the lighting fixtures on the Kulshan Trail Safety Lighting Project in the amount of $127,757.67 and a monthly fee of $122.90. Motion seconded by Councilmember Moberg. Motion carried 7-0. K. For the Good of the Order:  COVID-19 pandemic response and discussion: • The Mayor stated that she is currently working with staff for updated budget and revenue projections for the August 26th meeting.  Councilmember Beaton asked about the City’s mosquito maintenance program. Mr. Bell and Mr. Chesterfield informed Council on the program. L. 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 8:04 p.m. and was estimated to last 15 minutes. Meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. Mount Vernon City Council August 12, 2020 Page 5 of 5 SUBMITTED BY: Chase Kinney, Recording Clerk ATTEST: Doug Volesky, Finance Director APPROVE: Jill Boudreau, Mayor