City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Councilmembers: Beaton, Brocksmith, Hudson, Molenaar, Tercero, Vander Stoep Absent: Carías (excused) Staff: Special Projects Manager Sexton, Finance Director Volesky, City Attorney Rogerson, Parks and Recreation Director Berner, Human Resources Director Keator, IT Director Thomas, Fire Chief Harris, Library Director Huffman, City Clerk Jensen, Public Works Director Phillips, Police Chief Christman, Principal Planner Lowell, Senior Planner Clauson, Capital Programs Manager Reinart Citizens: 10 APROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. COMMUNITY COMMENTS  Ed Johnson, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about the President’s building, bounties, downtown parking, and fishing.  Ingrid Hannan, Skagit Valley Bike Coalition, spoke about bicycle and pedestrian safety.  Andrea, Skagit Valley Bike Coalition, spoke about bicycle and pedestrian safety  Lance, Skagit Valley Bike Coalition and Mount Vernon Parks Foundation, spoke about bicycle and pedestrian safety and parks access. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of August 27, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes Mount Vernon City Council September 10, 2025 Page 2 of 4 B. Approval of September 5, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 113127 - 113147, direct deposit checks numbered 108623 - 108896, and wire transfers numbered 1489 - 1493 in the amount of $1,264,525.75 C. Approval of September 10, 2025, Claims numbered 31225 - 31329, in the amount of $1,218,160.97 Councilmember Brocksmith moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A – C. Motion seconded by Councilmember Vander Stoep. 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’s Coffee Hour: September 19th, 10 a.m. at Skagit PUD Agua Room. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation – North Star: Monica Negrila, Skagit County Director of Strategic Initiatives and George Kosovich, Manager of Community Services Division of Skagit County Public Health provided background information about the lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors that resulted in the settlements, and the funds paid to city and county governments. The funds may be used for opioid abatement and recovery efforts. North Star proposes using 80% of the funds for joint projects and the remaining 20% for city specific use. North Star identified priorities as Skagit STAR Center, recovery housing/bridge housing, and recover support services. Proposed funding allocations for those priorities were reviewed. Discussion topics included: project sites, funding/distribution of funds and the formula used for funding distribution, North Star’s comprehensive assessment, identified priorities, bridge housing, Upcoming joint meetings are scheduled for September 30th and November 6th; STAR ribbon cutting ceremony will take place December 16th. B. Public Hearing and Approval of Ordinance – Renewal of Interim Mount Vernon City Council September 10, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Regulations on Accessor Dwelling Units (ADU): Ms. Lowell stated that this is a public hearing and request to renew ADU interim regulations that were approved with the adoption of Ordinance 3909. Mayor Donovan opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments, Mayor Donovan closed the public hearing. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to renew the interim ADU regulations with the adoption of Ordinance 3918. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. C. Approval of Ordinance – Off-Street Parking: Ms. Lowell explained that this is a request to adopt Ordinance 3919, re-establishing interim off- street parking regulations previously approved with Ordinance 3894. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to re-establish previously approved off-street parking regulations with the adoption of Ordinance 3919. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion passed 6-0. D. Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement – Police Command Guild: Ms. Keator requested approval of the 2025-2027 Police Command Guild Collective Bargaining Agreement. Councilmember Beaton moved to approve the 2025- 2027 Police Command Guild Collective Bargaining Agreement. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 6-0. E. Approval of Agreement Amendment – David Evans & Associates, Inc.: Mr. Reinart requested approval of Amendment No. 4 to agreement 4525 with David Evans & Associates, Inc. for the Carpenter Creek/Hickox Road Fish Passage Improvement Project, to provide additional design services. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve Amendment No. 4 to Agreement 4525 with David Evans & Associates, Inc. in the amount of $119,675. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 6-0. F. Approval of Agreement Amendment – Wilson Engineering LLC: Mr. Reinart requested approval of Amendment No. 3 to agreement 4460 Mount Vernon City Council September 10, 2025 Page 4 of 4 with Wilson Engineering, LLC. for additional services for the Combined Sewer Separation Feasibility Study. Councilmember Vander Stoep moved to approve Amendment No. 3 to agreement 4460 with Wilson Engineering LLC for the Combined Sewer Separation Feasibility Study in the amount of $14,942. Motion seconded by Councilmember Hudson. Motion passed 6-0. G. Approval of Agreement – Scott Wall Construction: Ms. Berner requested approval of an agreement with Scott Wall Construction for the Bakerview Park Restroom Building Restoration Project. Councilmember Hudson moved to an agreement with Scott Wall Construction for the Bakerview Park Restroom Building Restoration Project in the amount of $74,233.70. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 6-0. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: September 24, 2025