City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes January 8, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Councilmembers: Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Molenaar, Tercero, and Vander Stoep Absent: Councilmember Hudson Staff Present: Special Projects Manager Sexton, City Attorney Rogerson, Library Director Huffman, Parks and Enrichment Services Director Berner, Capital Projects Manager Reinart, Development Services Director Pratschner, Public Works Director Phillips, Police Chief Christman, Assistant Fire Chief Harris, City Clerk Jensen Citizens: 3 APROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. COMMUNITY COMMENTS  Jim Satcher, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about tree removal on Landmark Drive. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of December 2, 2024, Special Council Meeting minutes B. Approval of December 11, 2024, Regular Council Meeting minutes C. Approval of December 18, 2024, Study Session minutes D. Approval of December 20, 2024, Payroll checks numbered 112787 – 112802, direct deposit checks numbered 104099 - 104364, and wire transfers numbered 1404 - 1408 in the amount of $1,796,730.26 Mount Vernon City Council January 8, 2025 Page 2 of 4 E. Approval of January 3, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 112803 – 112819, direct deposit checks numbered 104365 - 104636, and wire transfers numbered 1409 - 1413 in the amount of $1,438,105.13 F. Approval of December 25, 2024, Claims numbered 28327 – 28523, in the amount of $2,321,3112.95 G. Approval of January 8, 2025, Claims numbered 28530 - 28642 in the amount of $3,006,953.22 H. Approval of Agreement – Welcome Home Skagit I. Approval of Agreement – Skagit County Councilmember Brocksmith moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A – I. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 6-0. REPORTS A. Committees 1. Public Works and Library – see committee minutes for details B. Councilmember Comments  Councilmember Beaton expressed excitement for the new year and the forthcoming work for Council. C. Mayor’s Report  The public is invited to attend the Mayor’s Coffee Hour 10 am on January 22nd at Skagit YMCA D. Committee Agenda Requests – none NEW BUSINESS A. Planning Commission Member Appointment: Ms. Pratschner requested approval of the re-appointment of Christian Carlson to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve the re- appointment of Christian Carlson to the Planning Commission. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion passed 6-0. Mayor Donovan performed the swearing in of Mr. Carlson. B. Library Board Member Appointment: Mr. Huffman requested approval of the re-appointment of Jessica Byland to the Library Board. Mount Vernon City Council January 8, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve the re-appointment of Jessica Byland to the Library Board. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 6-0. C. Public Hearing and Approval of Resolution – 2025-2030 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP): Mr. Reinart reviewed the changes and requested approval of the amendments to the 2025-2035 Six-Year TIP 2025 with Resolution 1067. Mayor Donovan opened the hearing.  Liam Diephus, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about the Kulshan trail lighting and Blackburn road extension projects. Hearing no additional comments, Mayor Donovan closed the public hearing. Councilmember Brocksmith requested additional discussions about the federal funding component of the Blackburn Road Extension project at a future meeting. Councilmember Tercero moved to approve the amended 2025-2035 Six-Year TIP with Resolution 1067. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 5-1. D. Approval of Agreement Amendment – Otak: Ms. Pratschner requested approval of an amendment to agreement 4577 with Otak for additional services for the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve an amendment to agreement 4577 with Otak for additional services for the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update in the amount of $359,200. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 6-0. E. Approval of Agreement – Washington Trail Association: Ms. Berner requested approval of an agreement with Washington Trail Association for Little Mountain Park trail maintenance. Councilmember Carías moved to an approve an agreement with Washington Trail Association for Little Mountain Park trail maintenance in the amount Mount Vernon City Council January 8, 2025 Page 4 of 4 of $13,500. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. F. Approval of Agreement Amendment – New Cingular Wireless PCS, LLC: Mr. Phillips requested approval of an amendment to agreement 4565 with New Cingular Wireless to replace and modify the generator at the Little Mountain Park site. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to an approve an amendment to agreement 4565 with New Cingular Wireless. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 6-0. G. Election of Mayor Pro-Tempore: Mr. Rogerson requested the nomination and election of Mayor Pro-Tempore as required by the Mount Vernon Municipal Code. Councilmember Tercero nominated Councilmember Beaton. Councilmember Tercero moved to approve the appointment of Councilmember Beaton as Mayor Pro Tempore for the year 2025. Motion carried 6-0. ADJOURNMENT The meeting reconvened and adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: January 22, 2025