City Council
Regular MeetingMount Vernon, WA · February 17, 2021
Minutes
City of Mount Vernon
City Council Study Session Minutes
February 17, 2021 6:00 p.m.
(Virtual Meeting)
Mayor Boudreau called the meeting order 6:01 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Hulst,
Molenaar and Morales
Staff Present: City Attorney Rogerson, Finance Director Volesky, Development Services
Director Phillips, Public Works Director Bell, Project Development Manager
Donovan, Senior Planner Lowell, GIS Manager Milner, Capital Programs
Manager Bullock
Citizens Present: 1
A. Proposed Uses of CDBG-CV3 Funds (COVID Relief): Mr. Donovan provided an
overview of all CDBG funds. Proposed uses of $262,227 CDBG-CV3 CARES Act
Funds provided through the Department of Housing and Urban Development are
motel vouchers $130,000 and purchase of pallet shelters $130,000.
B. Development Services Committee Update
• International Code Commission (ICC) Update: Ms. Lowell reviewed various
Municipal Code Amendments including Chapters 15.04, 15.08, 14.05, 15.36,
Title 16 and fees.
• GIS Map Tools Demo: Ms. Lowell and Mr. Milner demonstrated and
discussed the Mount Vernon Plat Finder application available on the City’s
website. Additional applications are being developed and will be available in
the near future.
C. For the Good of the Order
• Consent Agenda Discussion: Councilmember Brocksmith suggested placing
items such as annual service contracts on the consent agenda. There was a
discussion whether or not to move certain contract items from New Business
section of the agenda and/or allow the Mayor to execute some contracts
without bringing them before Council for approval. Mr. Volesky will prepare
potential changes/updates to the purchasing policy and bring back to Council
for further discussion.
Mount Vernon City Council
February 17, 2021
Page 2 of 2
• Railroad Quiet Zones: Mr. Bell reviewed the train routes, activity, horn
protocols and Quiet Zone requirements within the City.
• Equity Workshops: Yadira Rosales, Skagit Valley College spoke about
inclusiveness, access and opportunity for the community. Skagit Valley
College is proposing a partnership with the City to provide a series of a
minimum of six workshops to discuss diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
The participants would be comprised of community organizations such as
EDASC, Community Action of Skagit County, Skagit County, Tribes, Hospital
Districts, area Cities, etc. The estimated cost to provide the workshops is
$2500 per session.
• Mayor Boudreau stated that Skagit County is currently in Phase 2 of
COVID198 Pandemic restrictions. This means Council could meet in person
with precautions and restrictions. Staff will prepare a work plan to submit to
L&I and Public Health approval, then discuss dates to resume in-person
meetings with Council.
• Councilmember Hulst requested a discussion regarding the Council Code.
D. The meeting was adjourned into Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. for a period of twenty
minutes to discuss with legal counsel matters relating to the selection of a site or
acquisition of real estate for lease or purchase when public knowledge of the
discussion is likely to result in increased price, and to discuss 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 either adverse legal or financial
consequence to the City.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 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
February 17, 2021 – 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. Proposed Uses of CDBG-CV3 Funds (COVID Relief)
(Staff will lead a discussion: The City of Mount Vernon has been allocated CDBG-CV3 funds in the
amount of $262,227. The purpose of these Federal CARES Act Funds – Made available through the
Department of Housing and Urban Development – is to provide relief for impacts experienced by the
COVID-19 Pandemic.)
(required action – none)
(staff contact – Peter Donovan)
B. Development Services Committee Update
• International Code Commission (ICC) Update
• GIS Map Tools Demo
C. For the Good of the Order
• Consent Agenda Discussion
• Railroad Quiet Zones
• Equity Workshops
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Development Services cancelled
AGENDA ITEM: A
DATE: February 17, 2021
TO: Mayor Boudreau and City Council
FROM: Peter Donovan, Project Development Manager
SUBJECT: CDBG-CV3 FUNDING USES
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
None
INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:
The City of Mount Vernon is a HUD CDBG grantee. The Federal CARES Act of March 2020 made available
$5 billion in CDBG Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds. Of this amount, the Department immediately allocated
$2 billion for the first round of funding. Mount Vernon’s share of that $2 billion was approximately
$225,000; of which the City provided half for small business assistance, and half for eviction prevention
(rental support). The second round of federal CARES Act funding (CDBG-CV2), totaling $1 billion, was
allocated to states, not municipalities. And of the remaining $2 billion (CDBG-CV3), the City of Mount
Vernon has been allocated $262,227. This discussion will focus on the City’s proposed plan to utilize this
most recent allocation for the purpose of partnering cooperatively with other government and
community agencies, for the benefit and support of low to moderate income residents.
FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS:
Community Action of Skagit County (CASC) is providing motel vouchers to homeless individuals who
would otherwise be unable to utilize congregate shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, CASC
is assisting over 30 families in this motel shelter program. Of those families, CASC estimates that 70% are
individuals/households who would typically recognize Mount Vernon as their primary city of residence.
The expense of sheltering all of these Skagit families for the remainder of the winter months will be
approximately $185,000. 70% (the proportionate amount of Mount Vernon residents assisted) equates
to approximately $130,000.
The City of Burlington is currently planning a shelter project that could provide 40 additional beds for
the County’s homeless population. A number of those who would be served by this shelter are residents
of Mount Vernon who are experiencing homelessness. The shelter provides individual living spaces that
give residents protection from the threat of the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These living spaces, called
pallet shelters, or tiny homes; cost approximately $5,000-$7,000 each.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that Council approve a plan for CDBG-CV3 funding in the amount of $262,227; to be
allocated to the following organizations:
Community Action of Skagit County: $130,000
--$117,000 for motel vouchers;
--$ 13,000 for administrative costs.
This allocation would assist residents experiencing homelessness through the remaining winter months,
when the City of Burlington will be closer to operating new shelter services.
City of Mount Vernon: $132,227
--$120,000 for pallet shelters, to be loaned to the City of Burlington;
--$ 12,227 for administrative expenses.
ATTACHED:
None
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