City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Councilmembers: Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Molenaar, Tercero, and Vander Stoep (via Zoom) Staff Present: Special Projects Manager Sexton, City Attorney Rogerson, Finance Director Volesky, Capital Projects Manager Reinart, Senior Planner Manville-Ailles, Public Works Director Phillips, Police Chief Christman, Assistant Fire Chief Harris, IT Director Thomas, Human Resources Director Keator, City Clerk Jensen Citizens: 5 EXECUTIVE SESSION The meeting convened into Executive Session at 7:02 p.m. for a period of ten minutes to discuss with legal counsel matters relating to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to discuss matters related to collective bargaining sessions which are exempt under RCW 42.30.140(4)(a). The meeting will reconvene at 7:12 pm. At 7:12 pm, the session was extended for a period of three minutes. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:15 pm. APROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Hudson moved to remove item F from the agenda and approve the agenda as amended. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 7-0. COMMUNITY COMMENTS Mount Vernon City Council January 22, 2025 Page 2 of 4  none CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of January 8, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes B. Approval of January 17, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 112820 - 112831, direct deposit checks numbered 104637 - 104901, and wire transfers numbered 1414 - 1418 in the amount of $1,688,971.86 C. Approval of January 22, 2025, Claims numbered 28648 - 28833, in the amount of $2,994,781.14 D. Approval of Agreement Amendment 4503 – Alexander Ransom E. Approval of Agreement Amendment 4586 – Cara Lorenzo F. Approval of Agreement Amendment 4487 – Greg Dixon G. Approval of Agreement Amendment 4482 – Beschen Law, PLLC H. Approval of Agreement – Skagit County Councilmember Brocksmith moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A – H. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 7-0. REPORTS A. Committees 1. Finance – see committee minutes for details 2. Parks and Enrichment Services - see committee details B. Councilmember Comments  Councilmember Tercero spoke in opposition to Mount Vernon Municipal Code Chapter 6.10.040 and 050, Cat Colonies. C. Mayor’s Report  11th Annual Illuminight Winter Walk is on January 31st at Riverwalk Park. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation – North Star: Mr. Sexton introduced Monica Negrila, Skagit County’s Director of Strategic Initiatives who presented an update of the North Star Project, including the group’s vision, strategic pillars, accomplishments, and 2025 workplan highlights. The North Star Project is a joint effort between Skagit County and the cities of Burlington, Mount Vernon, Anacortes, and Sedro-Woolley to better align resources and services to address the complex behavioral health and homelessness challenges in our community. Mount Vernon City Council January 22, 2025 Page 3 of 4 B. Approval of Agreement Amendment – Valdez Construction: Mr. Phillips requested approval of an amendment to agreement 4662 with Valdez Construction for the Mount Vernon ”Old” Library Building and Hillcrest Park Tenant Improvements Project 2024-ITB-014. The amendment will remove the Library portion of the project and reduce the contract in the amount of $180,365.17. Councilmember Molenaar moved to approve an amendment to agreement 4662 with Valdez Construction removing the Library portion and authorizing an amended contract amount of $159,323.38. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 7-0. C. Approval of Agreement – Skagit County: Mr. Phillips requested approval of an agreement with Skagit County for digital imagery services. Councilmember Hudson moved to an approve an agreement with Skagit County to provide digital imagery services in the amount of $20,000. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 7-0. D. Approval of Agreement Amendment – King Technologies, PLLC: Mr. Reinart requested approval of the second amendment to agreement 4452 with King Technologies, PLLC for the Americans With Disabilities Act Transition Plan update. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve amendment No. 2 to agreement 4452 for the Americans With Disabilities Act Transition Plan update in the amount of $9,700. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 7-0. E. Approval of Agreement – Mountain Law, PLLC: Mr. Sexton requested approval of an agreement with Mountain Law, PLLC to provide indigent defense services. Councilmember Carías moved to an approve an agreement that terminates agreement 4395 and provides an interim period for the provision of indigent defense services with Mountain Law, PLLC. Motion seconded by Councilmember Brocksmith. Motion passed 6-1. Mount Vernon City Council January 22, 2025 Page 4 of 4 ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: February 12, 2025