City Council
Regular MeetingMount Vernon, WA · November 4, 2020
Minutes
City of Mount Vernon
City Council Study Session Minutes
November 4 2020 6:00 p.m.
(Virtual Meeting)
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 6:12 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Hulst and Molenaar
Staff Present: City Attorney Rogerson, Finance Director Volesky, Police Chief Cammock, Fire
Chief Brice, Project Development Manager Donovan, Parks and Enrichment Director
Berner, Development Services Director Phillips, Information Systems Director
Kleppe, Human Resources Director Keator, Public Works Director Bell and Library
Director Huffman
Citizens Present: 1
A. Public Safety Update:
• Fire: Chief Brice discussed the FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
(BRIC) Grant. A pre-application has been submitted to the State of Washington and the
Grant application has been prepared but has not yet been submitted.
• Police: Chief Cammock provided a staffing/operations update.
B. City Councilmember Vacancy Process Discussion: Mayor Boudreau presented a draft
process and application packet for filling of a City Council vacancy. A discussion regarding
timelines and the interview process took place.
Councilmember Hulst moved to approve the process for filling a
City Council vacancy as presented. Motion seconded by
Councilmember Beaton. Motion carried 6-0.
C. Water and Sewer Revenue Refunding Bond, 2020: Mr. Volesky requested approval of an
ordinance allowing for the issuance of Water and Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds in an
amount not to exceed $9,100,000 for the purpose of refunding outstanding bond obligations of
the Wastewater Utility. The City could realize approximately $600,000 savings over the
remaining term of the loan. The City’s Bond Counsel Cynthia Weed of K&L Gates, LLP was
present to discuss the specifics of the bond ordinance.
Councilmember Hudson moved to approve Ordinance 3815
allowing the issuance of Water and Sewer Revenue Refunding
Bonds in an amount not to exceed $9,100,000. Motion seconded
by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion carried 6-0.
Mount Vernon City Council
November 4, 2020
Page 2 of 2
D. 2021 Preliminary Budge Discussion: Mr. Volesky presented minor adjustments to the 2021
budget. Ordinances for adopting the 2021 budget and setting the property tax levy will be
presented at the November 12, 2020 City Council Meeting.
E. For the Good of the Order:
• Mayor Boudreau stated that Bakerview Park gates will be opened beginning next week.
• Mayor Boudreau discussed the schedule for Council meetings for the remainder of the
year.
• Mayor Boudreau reviewed information presented by Skagit County Public Health.
The meeting was convened into Executive Session at 7:14 p.m. for 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 duration of the Executive Session is estimated to be thirty
minutes.
The City Council meeting reconvened at 7:44 p.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY:
Becky Jensen, Recording Clerk
ATTEST:
Doug Volesky, Finance Director
APPROVE:
Jill Boudreau, Mayor
Agenda
CITY OF MOUNT VERNON
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
Agenda
November 4, 2020 – 6:00 p.m.
(Virtual Meeting)
The Mount Vernon City Councilmembers will be participating
in this meeting via video/teleconference technology.
To virtually attend the meeting, the public may:
1. Call the conference line: 1-888-924-9240; Access Code: 3366211 (please
‘mute’ your phone, if possible, to minimize distractions)
2. Watch the meeting live on TV10: Comcast/Xfinity Channel 10
3. Watch the meeting live, online:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUob_hcQUmd4S93YkletdrA
A. Public Safety Update
Fire: FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)
Police: Staffing/Operations Update
B. City Councilmember Vacancy Process Discussion
(Staff is requesting that Council approve a process for the Mayor and staff to follow to assist City
Council in appointing a City Councilmember when a vacancy occurs.)
(required action – motion)
(staff contact – Mayor Boudreau)
C. Water and Sewer Revenue Refunding Bond, 2020
(Staff is requesting that Council adopt a bond ordinance allowing for the issuance of Water and Sewer
Revenue Refunding Bonds of the City in the principal amount of not to exceed $9,100,000 for the
purpose of refunding outstanding bond obligations of the Wastewater Utility.)
(required action – ordinance)
(staff contact – Doug Volesky)
D. 2021 Preliminary Budget Discussion
(Staff will lead a discussion and take question from “Councilmember regarding the 2021 Preliminary
Budget.)
(required action – none)
(staff contact – Doug Volesky)
E. For the Good of the Order
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Public Safety cancelled
Next Ordinance 3815
Next Resolution 985
ITEM: B
DATE: November 4, 2020
TO: City Council
FROM: Mayor Boudreau
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL VACANCY
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Approve a process for the Mayor and staff to follow to assist City Council in appointing a City
Councilmember when a vacancy occurs.
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:
On October 7, 2020 Ms. Erin Moberg resigned her position as Councilmember for Ward 1. The process
for filling the City Council Ward 1 position must be completed prior to January 5, 2021 (90 days from the
effective date of her resignation).
Councilmember Moberg’s term was effective January 1, 2020, and would have expired on December 31,
2023. The newly appointed council member will serve from his or her time of appointment, until the
certified election of a qualified candidate from the November 2021 general election. The council
member elected for this position in November 2021 will serve a “short term;” from the time of the
certification of the November 2021 general election results, through the remaining unexpired dates of
Councilmember Moberg’s term (December 31, 2023).
All candidates considered for this position must meet all eligibility requirements stated in RCW
35A.12.030.
On October 28, 2020 City Council discussed the process, application, and time line for an appointment.
FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS:
There is currently no formal process for filling a vacated City Council position. The Mayor and staff
recommend a simple process format for clarity, transparency, and consistency for this Council action.
RECOMMENDATION:
Motion to adopt process for filling a vacated City Council position after reviewed by the City Council.
ATTACHED:
City Council vacancy application and information packet
Process outline and suggested dates for action
ITEM: C
DATE: November 4, 2020
TO: Mayor Boudreau and City Council
FROM: Doug Volesky, Finance Director
SUBJECT: WATER AND SEWER REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS, 2020
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached ordinance allowing for the issuance of Water and
Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds of the City in the principal amount of not to exceed $9,100,000 for the
purpose of refunding outstanding bond obligations of the Wastewater Utility.
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:
The City of Mount Vernon currently has a principal amount outstanding of $8,859,080.48 on our
Department of Ecology State Revolving Loan Fund issued for the upgrade of the City’s Wastewater
Treatment Plant Upgrade.
The original principal amount of the loan was $16,963,790.82 with an interest rate of 2.60% and allows
for a prepayment option on any date upon prior notice.
FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS:
Due to the current economic market, it is estimated that the City could realize about $600,000 of net
savings over the remaining term of the loan thru 2029 if we refunded this loan with current lower rates.
The City has been working with bond counsel, Cynthia Weed with K&L Gates LLP and financial advisor,
Dave Trageser, Managing Director of Local Government Finance with D.A. Davidson & Co. on the
presentation of this refinancing.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached ordinance allowing for the issuance of Water and
Sewer Revenue Refunding Bonds of the City in the principal amount of not to exceed $9,100,000 for the
purpose of refunding outstanding bond obligations of the Wastewater Utility.
ATTACHED:
Ordinance prepared by K&L Gates LLP
ITEM: D
DATE: November 4, 2020
TO: Mayor Boudreau and City Council
FROM: Doug Volesky, Finance Director
SUBJECT: 2021 PRELIMINARY BUDGET DISCUSSION - CONTINUED
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
No action is required.
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:
City staff will be leading a discussion and taking questions from Councilmembers regarding the City of
Mount Vernon’s 2021 Preliminary Budget.
FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS:
None.
RECOMMENDATION:
None.
ATTACHED:
None.
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