City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes April 17, 2024 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Councilmembers Present: Beaton, Brocksmith, Hudson, Molenaar, and Vander Stoep (via Zoom) Absent: Carías and Tercero Staff Present: City Attorney Rogerson, Parks and Enrichment Services Director Berner, Special Projects Manager Sexton, Project Administrator Boudreau, and City Clerk Jensen Citizens: 4 1. Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as presented. 2. MVLC Funding Update: Ms. Boudreau provided a Library Commons construction update; substantial completion is expected June 28, 2024 with a grand opening celebration scheduled for August 10 2024. The Buy America waiver was received March 28, 2028 allowing closure of the TIFIA loan. April 30th is the loan closing date. Reviewed the process and the loan terms of the loan. Draft ordinance, term sheet and loan agreement provided to Council. Charging & Fueling Infrastructure Grant was reviewed. Back date to Sept of 2022. Reviewing federal, state and city funding current and at completion. Provided details of the forecasted costs overages. Accepted alternates and not accepted alternates were reviewed. Reviewed other alternates to consider. 2024 workplan presented. EV chargers, Level 2 vs fast chargers and potential for revenue generation. Parking policies, security, electric shuttle service/ bookmobile, parking enforcement, communication, signage, 2025 downtown parking strategy, and required annual reviews. Policies and procedures for the rental spaces, use of study rooms, and staff training. Mount Vernon City Council April 17, 2024 Page 2 of 3 3. 1590 Affordable Housing Grant Applications: Mr. Sexton reviewed the draft RFP document, project pre-app meeting, review and selection process, loan versus grant. Eligibility requirements, flexibility, evaluation criteria, affordable housing committee will score and make recommendations, Andrew- scoring is too subjective and remove AMI. future funding options, housing finance presentation or info from other jurisdiction, funding model, councilmatic bond, designate a percentage for discretionary funds – maybe 10 percent. Annual application process or bi-annual or allocate future funds – remain flexible at this time. andrew wants Council to review all applications prior to pre-app meeting- will add to timeline. Term related/sync/align with housing trust fund loan requirements. Section 8 – discretion to accept applications outside of the prescribed timeline similar to the contingency reserve of $. – cause for accepting applications, such as funding or property opportunities. Richard wants to be open but remove from policy – final document before council next week. 4. Casa Granda Apartments Update: Mr. Sexton recommends tabling this item until next week or another meeting. Richard suggested sending via email. 5. Salem Lutheran/Welcome Home Skagit Connection Fees: Mayor Donovan discussed the renovation of salem luthern church to allow welcome home Skagit to used the space/facility. Code does not allow for waiving connection fees. Andrew is a welcome home board member, salem partners with WHS for facility use, does not advocate waiving fees, but supports using 1590 funds. Mayor consider precedent, is this too soon in the rfp process? Melissa agrees don’t waive impact fees and agrees with use of 1590 funds, mary agrees, kevin says the property owner would have to contractually agree to use for the statutory purposes. Andrew can provide more information at a later date. Sarah ? provided additional information about WHS, this project is for the day shelter, provided stats, the overnight shelter is closed so this will provide bathrooms and showers. Create an abbreviated application for the contingency funds? Eligibility discussion/info needed. This project is time sensitive. 6. Future Committee Requests: none 7. Miscellaneous: kevin wants to discuss the drainage issue with Marian, engineer confirms. Peter, send update summarization or email providing Mr. Ravnik’s opinion. Bonus density, incentives for developer – related to impact fees, permitting fees – compare with other cities. Is this a committee request? Richard senate bill 6015 – parking – Stacie will provide additional information, off street parking, etc. . Mary suggests Mount Vernon City Council April 17, 2024 Page 3 of 3 staff does not take vacation on their committee week. Richard ADU will be brought back for review to discuss parking issues within the code. Melissa – judge howson present on community court at council meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved April 24, 2024