City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes December 9, 2020 (Virtual Meeting) The meeting was called to order by Mayor Boudreau at 6:01 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Hulst and Molenaar Staff Present: City Attorney Rogerson, Finance Director Volesky, Development Services Director Phillips, Project Development Manager Donovan, Fire Chief Brice, Assistant Fire Chief Harris, Battalion Chief Horton, Senior Planner Lowell, Parks and Enrichment Services Director Berner, Capital Programs Manager Bullock. Engineering Services Manager Chesterfield and Wastewater Utility Manager Duranceau Citizens Present: 1 CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of November 24 2020 Regular Council Meeting Minutes B. Approval of December 4, 2020 payroll checks numbered 110401 - 110425, direct deposit checks numbered 79803 - 80024 and wire transfers numbered 914 – 915 and 921 - 923 in the amount of $938,285.29 C. Approval of December 9, 2020 Claims numbered 11557 - 11703 in the amount of $673,597.28 Councilmember Hudson moved to approve the Consent Agenda items A-C. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. 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 Mr. Donovan: • Scott Correa, Mount Vernon resident, expressed concern for homeless shelters. • Jason Griffith, Mount Vernon resident asked Council to consider extending internet fiber to residential neighborhoods. • Holly Bullock, thanked Mayor and Council for the downtown Christmas lighting. B. Department Updates Public Works • TIB Grant Award – Mr. Bell stated that the City has received a grant from the State of Washington, Transportation Improvement Board in the amount of $1.3 million to install a traffic signal at the intersection of Hoag and LaVenture Roads. He provided a timeline for the project. • Consider Selling SR9 Gravel Pit – Mr. Bell recommends selling this property. Skagit Aggregates is currently mining the property and has made an offer to purchase; further discussion will take place in Executive Session. • Councilmember Hudson asked for an update of the Skagit PUD project currently taking place on Fir Street. • Councilmember Brocksmith requested information regarding speed limits on College Way. C. Councilmember Comments Mount Vernon City Council December 9, 2020 Page 2 of 6 • Councilmember Hudson asked Council to review the City of Anacortes Family Center Model for homeless services and affordable housing. D. Council/Committee Agenda Requests • Mayor Boudreau stated that, as mentioned in the Councilmember comments, the College Way speed limits discussion will be placed on a future agenda. • Councilmember Brocksmith requested an update of the City’s energy efficiency plan. • Councilmember Brocksmith requested a discussion of fiber and internet services. • Councilmember Brocksmith requested a discussion of the structure of the Consent Agenda. NEW BUSINESS A. Appointment to Mount Vernon Arts Commission: Ms. Berner requested Council approval of the 2-year appointment of Vanessa Good and the 3-year re-appointments of Daniel Brooks, Rob Zwick and Kevin Hartman to the Mount Vernon Arts Commission Councilmember Hudson moved to approve the appointments to the Mount Vernon Arts Commission as stated above. Seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion carried 6-0. B. Public Hearing – Adoption of Permanent Regulations to Allow Severe Weather Shelters to House the Homeless: Ms. Lowell explained that the ordinance presented for approval is to adopt the temporary regulations to allow severe weather shelters for the homeless, making them permanent. Ms. Lowell briefly reviewed the regulations, findings and recommendations. Mayor Boudreau opened the public hearing. Mr. Donovan read aloud the following comments submitted via email: • Scott Correa, Mount Vernon resident, opposes the ordinance and would like it to be simplified. • Ashiyah Cavan, Mount Vernon resident spoke in support of the ordinance. There being no further comments, Mayor Boudreau closed the Public Hearing. Councilmember Brocksmith asked if staff would like to make any changes to the ordinance and spoke about permanent shelters for the homeless. Councilmember Hulst moved to approve the Ordinance 3820 adopting regulations to allow severe weather shelters for the homeless Seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 6-0. C. Public Hearing – Adoption of Permanent Regulations to Allow Safe Parking Facilities to House the Homeless: Ms. Lowell presented an ordinance for the adoption of permanent regulations to allow safe parking facilities for the homeless and reviewed the regulations, findings and recommendations. Mayor Boudreau opened the public hearing. Mr. Donovan read aloud the following comments submitted via email: Mount Vernon City Council December 9, 2020 Page 3 of 6 • Scott Correa, Mount Vernon resident, opposes the ordinance because it targets faith- based organizations. There being no further comments, Mayor Boudreau closed the Public Hearing. Councilmembers Hulst and Brocksmith addressed the regulations surrounding the faith- based organization requirement. Mayor Boudreau and Mr. Rogerson spoke about the comment regarding parking on private property. Councilmember Molenaar moved to approve Ordinance 3821 adopting regulations to allow safe parking facilities for the homeless. Seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion carried 6-0. D. Public Hearing – Adoption of Permanent Regulations Extending the Timeliness for the Expiration of Permits: Ms. Lowell stated that this public hearing is to allow testimony regarding the adoption of permanent regulation extending the timeliness for the expiration of permits. Mayor Boudreau opened the public hearing. There being no comments, Mayor Boudreau closed the Public Hearing. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve Ordinance 3822 adopting permanent regulations extending the timeliness for the expiration of permits. Seconded by Councilmember Hulst. Motion carried 6-0. E. Public Hearing – 2020 Site Specific Comprehensive Plan Amendments: Ms. Lowell presented two site specific Comprehensive Plan Amendment requests: 1) PLAN20-0028 for McLaughlin Road LLC (Paul Woodmansee) proposed change from Churches (CH) to Medium-High Density Multi-Family (MF-MH); 2) PLAN20-0029 for Optimum Properties (Craig Cammock) proposed change from Healthcare District (HD) to Medium-High Density Multi- Family (MF-MH). Ms. Lowell provided a review of the process required for these amendments and the specifics of each request. Mayor Boudreau opened the public hearing. • Annabelle Koglin, Mount Vernon resident, expressed concern about traffic and displaced wildlife on the McLaughlin request. Mr. Donovan read aloud the following comment submitted via email: • John and Marie Paxon, Mount Vernon residents, expressed concerns regarding wetlands impacts and increased traffic on the McLaughlin request. There being no further comments, Mayor Boudreau closed the Public Hearing. Ms. Lowell reviewed road improvements that staff will address once a development application is submitted for the McLaughlin property. Mr. Phillips discussed the potential wetlands requirements. Councilmember Hulst moved to approve Ordinance 3823 approving the Comprehensive Plan Amendments as stated above. Seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion carried 6-0. Mount Vernon City Council December 9, 2020 Page 4 of 6 F. Bid Award – Kulshan Trail Safety Lighting Project: Mr. Bullock requested Council acceptance of the low bid and authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Oceanside Construction, Inc. for the construction of the Kulshan Trail Safety Lighting Project in the amount of $134,488. Construction will begin January 2021. Councilmember Molenaar moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Oceanside Construction, Inc. for the construction of the Kulshan Trail Safety Lighting Project in the amount of $134,488. Seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 6-0. G. Approval of Agreement with Boulder Park, Inc. and King County: Mr. Bell presented an agreement with Boulder Park, Inc. and King County for the hauling and application of biosolids to agricultural land in Douglas County Washington. The agreement reflects a small cost increase and extends the term through 2024. Mr. Duranceau clarified that this is the most cost effective means of the disposal of biosolids. Councilmember Hudson moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Boulder Park, Inc. and King County for the hauling and application of biosolids. Seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion carried 6-0. H. Acceptance of Donation by Quit Claim Deed: Mayor Boudreau stated that the property owners have withdrawn their offer therefore this item is cancelled. I. Approval of Ambulance Purchase: Chief Brice asked Council to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Braun Northwest, Inc. for the purchase of a 2021 North Star 167-1 Type 1 Braun Ambulance in the amount of $222,135. Skagit County will contribute $103,564 toward the purchase price. Councilmember Hulst moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Braun Northwest, Inc. for the purchase of a 2021 North Star 167-1 Type 1 Braun ambulance in the amount of $222,135. Seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion carried 6-0. J. Interlocal Agreement with Skagit County: Mr. Volesky requested approval of an Interlocal agreement with Skagit County for 2021 Senior Services in the amount of $56,304. This funding was approved in the 2021 City budget. Councilmember Beaton moved to authorize the Mayor to enter into an Interlocal agreement with Skagit County for 2021 Senior Services in the amount of $56,304. Seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion carried 6-0 K. Write-Off Uncollectable Accounts Receivable Accounts: Mr. Volesky presented a resolution to allow the City to write-off uncollectable utility accounts in the amount of $66,398.59. Mount Vernon City Council December 9, 2020 Page 5 of 6 Councilmember Hulst moved to approve Resolution 985 authorizing the write-off of uncollectable City utility accounts in the amount of $66,398.59. Seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion carried 6-0. L. Supplement to the Paths and Trail Fund, Park Impact Fees Fund, Facility Renewal Fund and General Fund 2020 Budgets: Mr. Volesky requested Council approval of an ordinance to supplement the Paths and Trail Fund 2020 budget by $35,000, the Park Impact Fees Fund 2020 budget by $95,000, the Facility Renewal Fund 2020 budget by $35,000, and the General Fund 2020 budget by $250,000. These adjustments are necessary to document carryovers, unbudgeted expenses and pass through funds in the 2020 budget. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve Ordinance 3824 to supplement the 2020 budget as stated above. Seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion carried 6-0. M. For the Good of the Order: • COVID-19 pandemic response and discussion – Mayor Boudreau discussed the state’s updated COVID-19 orders. • Goals – Mayor Boudreau is putting together a calendar of items to discuss with Council in 2021. • Mayor Boudreau discussed staff COVID-19 exposure/quarantine and the affect it has on workload and City services. • Mayor Boudreau and staff have been monitoring the needs of small businesses and residents needing rental assistance. Staff is working with managers of multi- family properties to determine if HUD and CARES funds may utilized to help with those behind in rent. Mr. Donovan shared current funding allocations. N. Executive Session: The meeting was convened into Executive Session at 8:03 p.m. for a discussion with legal counsel regarding qualification of a candidate for the appointment of elective office pursuant to RCW 42.31.10 (1h) and to discuss real estate for sale, purchase or lease if the likelihood of disclosure or release would result in the increase of price pursuant to RCW 42.31.10(1b). The Executive session is estimated to last 30 minutes. The Executive Session was extended for approximately 15 minutes. The meeting was reconvened into regular session at 8:43. Councilmember Hulst moved to authorize the Mayor to invite all applicants of the open City Council position to a candidate forum to take place at the December 16, 2020 City Council Study Session. Seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion carried 6-0. Mount Vernon City Council December 9, 2020 Page 6 of 6 The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. SUBMITTED BY: Becky Jensen, Recording Clerk ATTEST: Doug Volesky, Finance Director APPROVE: Jill Boudreau, Mayor