City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes April 9, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present Councilmembers: Beaton, Carías, Hudson, Molenaar, Tercero, and Vander Stoep Absent: Councilmember Brocksmith (excused) Staff Present: Special Projects Manager Sexton, Finance Director Volesky, Fire Chief Harris, Development Services Director Pratschner, City Clerk Jensen, Capital Programs Manager Reinart, Parks and Enrichment Services Director Berner, IT Director Thomas, Police Chief Christman, Library Director Huffman, HR Director Keator, and Assistant Fire Chief Sanders, Citizens: 16 APROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented COMMUNITY COMMENTS  Kathy Smith, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about the Senior Center.  Debbie Benjamin, LaConner resident, spoke about the proposed tenant protections ordinance.  Gerry Douglas, Mount Vernon resident, thanked the Parks Department for their downtown preparations for the Tulip Festival. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of March 26, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes B. Approval of April 4, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 112896 - 112913, direct deposit checks numbered 105965 - 106228, and wire transfers numbered 1439 - 1443 in the amount of $1,441,525.72 Mount Vernon City Council April 9, 2025 Page 2 of 4 C. Approval of April 9, 2025, Claims numbered 29567 - 29716, in the amount of $1,154,169.21 D. Approval of Agreement – Dylan Powers E. Approval of Agreement - Skagit County District Court, Community Court F. Approval of Agreement - Skagit County District Court, Probation Services G. Approval of Agreement Change Order - Lydig Construction Councilmember Beaton moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A - G. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 6-0. REPORTS A. Committees 1. Public Works and Library – see committee minutes for details. 2. Public Safety - see committee details. B. Councilmember Comments  Councilmember Beaton spoke about the Ward 3 meeting hosted by her and Councilmember Hudson on April 8th.  Councilmember Beaton addressed a downtown traffic light concern and asked residents to submit comments via the city’s website. She noted that the traffic lights are the responsibility of Washington State Department of Transportation. C. Mayor’s Report  Mayor Donovan said that comments about the State owned westside bridge may also be submitted via the city website.  Representative Rick Larsen is hosting the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for high school aged students who live in Washington’s 2nd Congressional District; submission deadline is April 14th.  Westside Clean-Up is April 13th starting at noon at Katt’s Westiside Stories. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation – Fire Station 1: Mr. Harris and Rachel Hedlof from Mackenzie, Inc. presented the Fire Station #1 Concept Design including site plans, floor plans and interior/exterior designs. Materials, floodproofing, and cost estimates were reviewed. Mr. Harris provided information about potential bond costs and voting requirements for bond to passage. Mount Vernon City Council April 9, 2025 Page 3 of 4 B. Approval of Agreement – Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT): Mr. Reinart requested approval of an agreement with WSDOT for the engineering design of the Kulshan Trail Safety Lighting 3 Project. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve an agreement with WSDOT for the funding for the engineering design of the Kulshan Trail Safety Lighting 3 Project in the amount of $55,000. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 6-0. C. Street Closure Request - Mount Vernon School District No. 320: Ms. Berner requested approval of the closure of downtown streets on May 4, 2025, for the Mount Vernon High School Cinco de Mayo parade. Councilmember Carías moved to approve the street closure request for the Cinco de Mayo parade. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 6-0. D. Approval of Agreement – Otak: Ms. Pratschner requested approval of an agreement with Otak to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Planned Action Ordinance for the Downtown Waterfront Master Planned Area. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve an agreement with Otak to develop an EIS and Planned Action Ordinance for the Downtown Waterfront Master Planned Area in the amount of $300,000. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carias. Motion passed 6-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION The meeting adjourned into Executive Session at 7:57, for a period of forty minutes to discuss matters related to collective bargaining sessions which are exempt under RCW 42.30.140(4)(a), Collective bargaining sessions with employee organizations, including contract negotiations, grievance meetings, and discussions relating to the interpretation or application of a labor agreement; or (b) that portion of a meeting during which the governing body is planning or adopting the strategy or position to be taken by the governing body during the course of any collective bargaining, professional negotiations, or Mount Vernon City Council April 9, 2025 Page 4 of 4 grievance or mediation proceedings, or reviewing the proposals made in the negotiations or proceedings while in progress. ADJOURNMENT The meeting reconvened and adjourned at 8:37 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: April 23, 2025