City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes July 23, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Councilmembers: Beaton, Carías, Hudson, Molenaar, Tercero, and Vander Stoep Absent: Brocksmith (excused) Staff Present: Special Projects Manager Sexton, Finance Director Volesky, City Attorney Rogerson, Public Works Director Phillips, Parks and Enrichment Services Director Berner, Police Chief Christman, Fire Chief Harris, Development Services Director Pratschner, Engineering Manager Chesterfield, Human Resources Director Keator, IT Director Thomas Citizens: 13 APROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. COMMUNITY COMMENTS none  CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of July 9, 2025, Special Meeting minutes B. Approval of July 18, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 113073 - 113088, direct deposit checks numbered 107804 - 108074, and wire transfers numbered 1474 - 1478 in the amount of $1,534,901.55 C. Approval of July 9, 2025, Claims numbered 30506 - 30658, in the amount of $1,613,622.53 Councilmember Hudson moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A – C. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. REPORTS Mount Vernon City Council July 23, 2025 Page 2 of 4 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 Beaton commented on the flower baskets on the Riverwalk. C. Mayor’s Report  Mayor Donovan spoke about the Comprehensive Plan update. Residents are encouraged to participate in a community survey accessible on the City’s website. Dates and times where public outreach and comments will occur were announced. NEW BUSINESS A. Public Hearing and Approval of Ordinance – Batter Energy Storage Systems (BESS) Permit Moratorium: Ms. Pratschner stated that this is a public hearing to hear comments on the previously approved BESS permit moratorium and Council consideration of renewing the moratorium with Ordinance 3915 Mayor Donovan opened the public hearing.  A written comment received from Puget Sound Energy opposing the moratorium, was read aloud.  Alicia Lewis, Mount Vernon resident, spoke in favor of the moratorium  Kevin Maas, Mount Vernon resident, spoke in opposition of the moratorium. Hearing no additional comments Mayor Donovan closed the public hearing. Councilmember Hudson moved to adopt Ordinance 3915 continuing the permit moratorium for BESS. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 5-1. B. Approval of Street Closure Requests: Ms. Berner requested approval of street closures requested by Temperate Habits, Hoop for the Valley, and residents of North 7th Street. Mount Vernon City Council July 23, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Beaton moved to approve the street closure requests. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 6-0. C. Approval of Resolution – General Election Proposition: Ms. Berner requested approval of Resolution 1078, allowing a General Election Proposition to increase the property tax levy for support of Parks and Public Safety. The resolution amends the proposition title of Resolution 1077 approved on July 9, 2025, to Levy for Basic Public Safety, Essential Services and Improvements. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve Resolution 1078 placing a property tax levy lid lift proposition on the November 4, 2025, general election ballot, setting a maximum aggregate property tax levy rate of $2.2537 per $1,000 of assessed value, with an amended proposition title. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 6-0. D. Approval of Resolution – Levy Lid Lift Pro and Con Committees: Ms. Berner requested approval of the appointment of members of the Levy Lid Lift Pro Committee with Resolution 1079. There were no applications received for the Con Committee. The committee will prepare a statement in favor of the levy lid lift for the voters’ pamphlet. Councilmember Molenaar moved to approve Resolution 1079 appointing Danny Pickering, Mark Hulst, and Mike Luvera to the Levy Lid Lift Pro Committee. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. E. Approval of Agreement – Island County Emergency Services (I-COM 911): Mr. Chesterfield requested approval of an agreement with I-COM for a cell tower lease option. The option allows the installation of a 30- foot extension on the existing tower at Little Mountain. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve cell tower lease option with ICOM 911. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carias. Motion passed 6-0. F. Approval of Agreement – Highline Construction, Inc.: Mr. Phillips Mount Vernon City Council July 23, 2025 Page 4 of 4 requested approval an agreement with Highline Construction, Inc. for the remodel of 315 Snoqualmie Street. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve an agreement with Highline Construction, Inc. for the remodel of 315 Snoqualmie Street in the amount of $246,594.11. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 5-1. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The meeting was adjourned into Executive Session 8:21 p.m. for a period of twenty minutes to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters 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 grievance or mediation proceedings, or reviewing the proposals made in the negotiations or proceedings while in progress. The regular meeting will reconvene at 8:41 p.m. There will be no action following the session. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting reconvened and adjourned at: 8:41 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: August 13, 2025