City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes August 13, 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, Tercero, and Vander Stoep Absent: Molenaar (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, 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  Bill Johnson, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about bombs and nuclear weapons.  Lynette Gerhard, Mount Vernon resident, spoke in support of the pallet house project MOU. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of July 23, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes B. Approval of August 5, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 113089 - 113107, direct deposit checks numbered 108075 - 108350, and wire transfers numbered 1479 - 1483 in the amount of $1,295,207.34 C. Approval of August 13, 2025, Claims numbered 30910 - 31080, in the amount of $1,219,511.04 D. Approval of Agreement – Skagit County EMS E. Approval of Agreement – Washington Conservation Corp Mount Vernon City Council August 13, 2025 Page 2 of 5 Councilmember Beaton moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A – E. Motion seconded by Councilmember Brocksmith. Motion passed 6-0. REPORTS A. Committees 1. Public Works and Library – see committee minutes for details 2. Public Safety – see committee minutes for details B. Councilmember Comments  none C. Mayor’s Report  Mayor Donovan provided updates on two community projects: the Warren Street Trail Connector Project and the Hoag Road underpass mural project. NEW BUSINESS A. Approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Ms. Pratschner requested approval of an MOU with the First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon to authorize a temporary homeless encampment with the placement of pallet homes. Councilmember Vander Stoep announced that he will abstain from voting on this item due to his involvement with the project. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve an MOU with the First United Methodist Church of Mount Vernon authorizing a temporary homeless encampment and the placement of pallet homes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 5-0. B. Approval of Agreement – Mt. Baker Roofing: Ms. Berner requested approval of an agreement with Mt. Baker Roofing to replace the roof and gutters/downspouts on the house at Little Mountain Park. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve an agreement with Mt. Baker Roofing in the amount of $25,230.99. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion passed 6-0. Mount Vernon City Council August 13, 2025 Page 3 of 5 C. Approval of Agreement Amendment – Coffman Engineers, Inc.: Ms. Berner requested approval of Amendment No. 1 to agreement 4710 with Coffman Engineers, Inc. to provide construction administration for the Bakerview Restroom Renovation Project. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve Amendment No. 1 to agreement 4710 with Coffman Engineers, to provide construction management of the Bakerview Restroom Renovation Project in the amount of $7,500. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. D. Approval of Street Closure Request – Leanne Street Neighborhood Block Party: Ms. Berner requested approval of the closure of a portion of Leanne Street on September 6th for a neighborhood block party. Councilmember Tercero moved to approve the street closure request. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion passed 6-0. E. Approval of Agreement – Applied Pavement Technology, Inc.: Mr. Reinart requested approval of an agreement with Applied Pavement Technology, Inc. for the 2025 Pavement Preservation Plan Update Project. Councilmember Tercero moved to approve an agreement with Applied Technology, Inc. for the 2025 Pavement Preservation Plan Update Project in the amount of $134,018. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. F. Approval of Agreement – Perteet Engineering, Inc.: Mr. Reinart requested approval of an agreement with Perteet Engineering, Inc. for the 2025 Street Overlay Project. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve an agreement with Perteet Engineering, Inc. for the Street Overly Project in the amount of $267,789. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion passed 6-0. Councilmember Beaton was excused from the meeting at 7:56 p.m. G. Approval of Agreement – HDR Engineering, Inc.: Mr. Chesterfield Mount Vernon City Council August 13, 2025 Page 4 of 5 requested approval an agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. to provide final design services for the Park Street Pump Station Project. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve an agreement with HDR Engineering Inc. to provide final design services for the Park Street Pump Station Project in the amount of $566,355. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vander Stoep. Motion passed 5-0. H. Approval of Agreement Amendment – Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. Mr. Chesterfield requested approval Amendment No. 2 to agreement 4293 with Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. for additional work at the Skagit Highlands Pond. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to Amendment No. 2 to agreement 4293 with Associated Earth Sciences, Inc. for additional work at the Skagit Highlands Pond in the amount of $101,900. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 5-0. I. Ordinance First Read – Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Franchise. Mr. Rogerson reviewed a proposed ordinance for a franchise agreement with PSE for the installation and operation of electrical energy in the City’s right-of-way. The ordinance will be presented for adoption on August 27, 2025. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The meeting was adjourned into Executive Session 8:09 p.m. for a period of fifteen 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 to the agency. The regular meeting will reconvene at 8:24 p.m. There will be no action following the session. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting reconvened and adjourned at: 8:24 p.m. Mount Vernon City Council August 13, 2025 Page 5 of 5 Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: August 27, 2025