City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes August 27, 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: Special Projects Manager Sexton, Finance Director Volesky, City Attorney Rogerson, Parks and Recreation Director Berner, Development Services Director Pratschner, Human Resources Director Keator, IT Director Thomas, Fire Chief Harris, Library Director Huffman, City Clerk Jensen Citizens: 29 APROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Hudson moved to move New Business Item A to the end of New Business. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vander Stoep. Motion passed 7-0. COMMUNITY COMMENTS  Robert Knoll, representing Puget Sound Energy encouraged Council to approve the franchise agreement on tonight’s agenda. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of August 13, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes B. Approval of August 20, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 113108 - 113124, direct deposit checks numbered 108351 - 108622, and wire transfers numbered 1484 - 1488 in the amount of $1, 587,501.22 C. Approval of August 27 2025, Claims numbered 30910 - 31080, in the amount of $1,862,567.49 D. Approval of Ordinance 3916 – Police Lieutenant Compensation and Benefits E. Approval of Agreement – Nash Consulting F. Approval of Agreement Amendment – TAMJAC, LLC G. Approval of Resolution 1080 and Agreement – HKP Architects, PLLC Mount Vernon City Council August 27, 2025 Page 2 of 4 H. Approval of Agreement – Opioid Settlement I. Street Closure Request – Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce J. Project Acceptance – TRICO Companies, LLC Councilmember Beaton moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A – J. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion passed 7-0. REPORTS A. Committees 1. Finance & Parks and Recreation – see committee minutes for details 2. Development Services – see committee minutes for details. B. Councilmember Comments  none C. Mayor’s Report  Mayor Donovan invited residents to the Mayor’s Coffee Hour beginning at 10 am, August 28th at Bakerview Park. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation – Affordable Housing and Related Services Applicants: This item was moved to the end of New Business. Mr. Sexton introduced the representatives from organizations that have applied for funding through HB1590. Each provided an overview of their organization’s project.  Greg Grinaker, Salem Lutheran Church  Jim VanderMay, Mount Vernon Manor Annex  Audrea Woll, Family Promise of Skagit Valley  Alan Muia, New Earth Recovery  Chuck Messenger and Celeste Mergens, United Way of Skagit County  Bill Henkel and Philippa Nye, Community Action of Skagit County  Sara Vogt, Welcome Home Skagit  Flora Lucatero, Children of the Valley  Kat Lohman, Skagit YMCA B. Approval of Ordinance – Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Franchise Agreement: Mr. Rogerson presented for adoption, the second reading of Ordinance 3917. This is a franchise agreement with PSE for the installation and operation of electrical energy in the city rights-of-way. Mount Vernon City Council August 27, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Councilmember Molenaar moved to approve the franchise agreement with PSE with the adoption of Ordinance 3917. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 7-0. C. Approval of Resolution – Sale or Surplus of Vehicles and Equipment: Mr. Harris requested approval of Resolution 1081 authorizing the sale or surplus of a 2011 Ford F450 ambulance. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve Resolution 1081 authorizing the sale or surplus of a 2011 Ford F450 ambulance. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carias. Motion passed 7-0. D. Approval of Agreement – Mary Iverson: Ms. Berner requested approval of an agreement with Mary Iverson to create mural art Tromp-l’-oeil on the building located at 608 S. 1st Street. The mural must remain on the building for a minimum of ten years. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve an agreement with Mary Iverson to create mural art on the building located at 608 S. 1st Street, in the amount of $20,000. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion passed 7-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION: The meeting was adjourned into Executive Session at 8:36 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, pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i). And 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 8:51 p.m. There will be no action following the session. Mount Vernon City Council August 27, 2025 Page 4 of 4 ADJOURNMENT: The meeting reconvened and adjourned at: 8:51 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: September 10, 2025