City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present Councilmembers: Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Molenaar, Tercero, and Vander Stoep Absent: Councilmember Hudson (excused) Staff Present: Special Projects Manager Sexton, City Attorney Rogerson, Finance Director Volesky, Assistant Fire Chief Harris, Human Resources Director Keator, Development Services Director Pratschner, City Clerk Jensen, Capital Programs Manager Reinart, Public Works Director Phillips (via Zoom), IT Director Thomas, Parks and Enrichment Services Berner, Police Chief Christman, Library Director Huffman, Engineering Manager Chesterfield Citizens: 17 APROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented COMMUNITY COMMENTS  Ed Johnson, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about housing costs, downtown cameras, MVLC, and downtown parking.  Christine Konert, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about comments made by a councilmember on January 22, 2025, and the reaction of fellow councilmembers.  Geri Douglas, Senior Center board member, spoke about the need for a new senior center and asked for support from Mount Vernon.  Joan Cross, LaConner resident, spoke about westside bridge improvements.  Joseph Shea, representing the Skagit County Parks and Recreation Department spoke about the pending Boundary Line Adjustment and.  Agreement for Sherman Anderson Park CONSENT AGENDA Mount Vernon City Council March 12, 2025 Page 2 of 5 A. Approval of February 26, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes B. Approval of March 5, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 112866 - 112880, direct deposit checks numbered 105434 - 15701, and wire transfers numbered 1429 - 1433 in the amount of $1,325,965.91 C. Approval of March 12, 2025, Claims numbered 29261 - 29412, in the amount of $757,462.38 D. Approval of Agreement – Transpo Group E. Approval of Resolution 1069 Councilmember Tercero moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A-E Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion passed 6-0. REPORTS A. Committees 1. Public Works and Library Committee – see committee minutes for details. 2. Public Safety - see committee details. B. Councilmember Comments  Councilmember Brocksmith invited the public to attend the following events: Skagit Housing Consortium Teams meeting, Tuesday March 18th at 1 pm; Host Homes Town Hall at the Library Commons, March 18th at 6 pm; MV HOPE at YMCA March 19th at 12 pm.  Councilmember Vander Stoep expressed support for a partnership with Skagit County for the Senior Center. C. Mayor’s Report  Mayor Donovan, spoke about a resolution presented by a member of the public at the February 16, 2025, City Council meeting supporting Keep Washington Working, the Police Department’s recent statement regarding the topic, and the City’s efforts to engage with residents.  Representatives from the 40th Legislative District will host a Town Hall meeting on March 15, 2025 at the Mount Vernon Library Commons Community Room from 11 am to 12 pm. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation - Skagit Valley Clean Energy Alliance: Mary Wohleb from Skagit Valley Clean Energy Alliance provided an overview of their Solarize Skagit program, as well as goals and plans. B. Public Hearing and Adoption of Ordinance – Mount Vernon Municipal (MVMC) Chapter 17.73, 17.06, and 17.102 Accessory Dwelling Units: Mount Vernon City Council March 12, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Pratschner stated that this is public hearing to accept comments regarding the renewal of modifications to MVMC Chapter 7.73. 17.06, and 17.102, Accessory Dwelling Units and a request to approve the regulations with the adoption of Ordinance 3909. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve the renewal of modifications to MVMC Chapter 17.73, 17.06, and 17.102, Accessory Dwelling Units, with Ordinance 3909. Motion seconded by Councilmember Brocksmith. Motion passed 6-0. C. Approval of Appointment to Skagit County Emergency Management Advisory Board (EMAB): Mr. Harris requested approval of his appointment to the Skagit County EMAB, by Mayor Donovan. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve the appointment of Bryan Harris to the EMAB. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carias. Motion passed 6-0. D. Reclassification of Position of GIS Specialist to GIS and Asset Management Specialist: Mr. Phillips requested approval of the reclassification of the position of GIS Specialist to GIS and Asset Management Specialist. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve the reclassification of the GIS Specialist position to GIS and Asset Management Specialist. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. E. Approval of Agreement - City of Anacortes: Mr. Phillips requested approval of an agreement with the City of Anacortes to provide mutual assistance of public works services. Councilmember Tercero moved to approve an agreement with City of Anacortes to provide mutual assistance of public works services. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 6-0. F. Approval of Martin Marietta Quarry Road Relocation: Ms. Berner requested approval of the relocation of the Martin Marietta Quarry road to provide access for maintenance and additional space on the ground floor for future park development. Mount Vernon City Council March 12, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Councilmember Carías moved to approve relocation of the Martin Marietta Quarry road. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 6-0. G. Approval of Charter for the Land Use Citizen Advisory Committee: Ms. Pratschner requested approval of a Work Plan and Charter for the Land Use Citizen Advisory Committee. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve the Work Plan and Charter for the Land Use Citizen Advisory Committee. Motion seconded by Councilmember Brocksmith. Motion passed 6-0. H. Approval of Charter for the Climate Planning Citizen Advisory Committee: Ms. Pratschner requested approval of a Work Plan and Charter for the Climate Planning Citizen Advisory Committee. Councilmember Brocksmith moved to approve the Work Plan and Charter for the Climate Planning Citizen Advisory Committee. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vander Stoep. Motion passed 6-0. I. Adoption of Ordinance - Mount Vernon Municipal (MVMC) Chapter 10.20 Parking Zones: Mr. Rogerson requested approval of Ordinance 3910 extending the term of parking mitigation for the Mount Vernon Library Commons Project, MVMC Chapter 10.0 Parking Zones. Councilmember Molenaar moved to approve extending the term of parking mitigation with the adoption of Ordinance 3910. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. J. Public Hearing and Adoption of Ordinance - Mount Vernon Municipal Code (MVMC) Chapter 14.05, Procedures: Ms. Pratschner stated that this is a continuation of the public hearing to accept comments regarding modifications to MCMV Chapter 14.05, Procedures, and a request to approve the regulations with the adoption of Ordinance 3911. The amendments ensure the City’s compliance with requirements of HB5290. Mayor Donovan opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments, Mayor Donovan closed the public hearing. Councilmember Brocksmith moved to approve the modifications to MVMC Chapter 14.05, Procedures, Mount Vernon City Council March 12, 2025 Page 5 of 5 with Ordinance 3911. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 6-0. K. Approval of Agreement - Skagit County: Ms. Berner requested approval of an agreement with Skagit County and a Boundary Line Adjustment (BLA) at Sherman Anderson Park. Each entity is conveying property to the other with the BLA. Councilmember Brocksmith moved to approve an agreement with Skagit County and the Boundary Line Adjustment at Sherman Anderson Park. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. L. Approval of Agreement - Cities of Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro- Woolley, and Anacortes: Mr. Sexton requested approval of an interlocal agreement with the Cities of Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, and Anacortes for the provision of indigent defense services. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve an agreement with the Cities of Burlington, Sedro- Wooley, and Sero-Woolley. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion passed 6-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council adjourned into Executive Session at 8:20 p.m. for a period of ten minutes to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, 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 adverse legal or financial consequence matter, pursuant to RCW 42.30.110.1(i). The regular meeting will reconvene at 8:29; there will be no action following the session. ADJOURNMENT The meeting reconvened and adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: March 26, 2025