City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present Councilmembers: Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Molenaar, Tercero, and Vander Stoep Staff Present: Special Projects Manager Sexton, Finance Director Volesky, Fire Chief Harris, Development Services Director Pratschner, City Clerk Jensen, Parks and Enrichment Services Director Berner, IT Director Thomas, Public Works Director Phillips, Library Director Huffman, HR Director Keator Citizens: 7 APROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented COMMUNITY COMMENTS  none CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of April 9, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes B. Approval of April 18, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 112915 - 112925 direct deposit checks numbered 106229 – 106487, and wire transfers numbered 1444 - 1448 in the amount of $1,576,944.45 C. Approval of April 23, 2025, Claims numbered 29724 – 29867, in the amount of $3,543,684.48 D. Approval of Environmental Covenant Councilmember Brocksmith moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A - D. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 7-0. Mount Vernon City Council April 23, 2025 Page 2 of 3 REPORTS A. Committees 1. Finance & Parks and Enrichment Services – see committee minutes for details. 2. Development Services - see committee minutes for details. B. Councilmember Comments  Councilmember Vander Stoep stated that Cascade Natural Gas is offering a program for insulation installation at a discount.  Councilmember Brocksmith invited the public to the Kiwanis Salmon BBQ at Hillcrest Park Friday – Sunday through May 4th from 11 am to 7 pm.  Councilmember Beaton provided information about a new Behavioral Health Center being constructed at the corner of Division and 18th Streets. She also spoke about 2026 budget concerns. C. Mayor’s Report  Fire Chief Brice will retire on April 30th  Next Mayor’s Coffee Hour is scheduled at 9:30 a.m., April 25th at Perry + Carlson Gallery  City Earth Day Celebration at Edgewater Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 26th.  Downtown Cinco de Mayo parade is May 4th, beginning at 5 p.m. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation – Skagit Transit (SKAT): Sam Zimbabwe presented SKAT’s Long-Range Transit Plan. B. Approval of Agreement – Sean Gillespie: Mr. Sexton requested approval of an agreement with Sean Gillespie to provide indigent defense appellate conflict counsel services. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve an agreement with Sean Gillespie to provide indigent defense appellate conflict counsel services. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion passed 7-0. C. Street Closure Request - YMCA: Ms. Berner requested approval of the closure of city streets on July 17, 2025, for the grand opening of the new YMCA Oasis Teen Center. Mount Vernon City Council April 23, 2025 Page 3 of 3 Councilmember Molenaar moved to approve the street closure request for the Oasis Teen Shelter grand opening. Motion seconded by Councilmember Brocksmith. Motion passed 7-0. D. Project Acceptance – Granite Construction: Mr. Phillips requested acceptance of the work performed by Granite Construction for the 2024 Street Improvements Project. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve accept the work performed by Granite Construction for the 2024 Street Improvements Project in the amount of $904,307.52. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 7-0. E. Approval of Resolution – Citizen Advisory Committee, Land Use: Ms. Pratschner requested approval of the appointment of members of the Citizen Advisory Committee, Land Use, with Resolution 1070. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve Resolution 1070 appointing the members of the Citizen Advisory Committee, Land Use with an amendment to expand the number of members to fourteen. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vander Stoep. Motion passed 7-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION ADJOURNMENT The meeting reconvened and adjourned at 7:51 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: May 14, 2025