City Council

City of Mount Vernon City Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present Councilmembers: Beaton, Brocksmith (via Zoom), Carías, Hudson, Molenaar, Tercero, Vander Stoep (via Zoom) 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, Police Lieutenant Moore, Capital Programs Manager Reinart, Principal Planner Lowell, City Clerk Jensen Citizens: 8 APROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was amended by adding Ordinance 3920 to New Business Item B and updating the ordinance number for New Business Item C to Ordinance 3921 and approved. COMMUNITY COMMENTS  Ed Johnson, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about voting and downtown safety.  Gerry Douglas, Mount Vernon resident, spoke about the need for a Mount Vernon Senior Center.  Mr. Sexton read aloud an email submitted by Scott Corea, Mount Vernon resident, about the Mayor’s Coffee Hour and proposed updates to Chapter 2.12 of the Municipal Code. CONSENT AGENDA A. Approval of September 24, 2025, Regular Council Meeting minutes B. Approval of October 3, 2025, Payroll checks numbered 113161 - 113179, direct deposit checks numbered 109163 - 109426, and Mount Vernon City Council October 8, 2025 Page 2 of 4 wire transfers numbered 1499 - 1503 in the amount of $1,433,983.73 C. Approval of October 8, 2025, Claims numbered 31483 - 31603, in the amount of $965,729.89 D. Project Acceptance – Valdez Construction, Inc. E. Project Acceptance – Siemens Industry, Inc. F. Approval of Agreement Councilmember Tercero moved to approve Consent Agenda Items A – F. Motion seconded by Councilmember Molenaar. Motion passed 7-0. REPORTS A. Councilmember Comments  none B. Mayor’s Report  Mayor’s Coffee Hour October 21st , 10 am at First Lutheran Church  Mayor Donovan presented the 2024 Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance Award from the State Department of Ecology to Chad Tesarik on behalf of the Wastewater Utility staff. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation – Community Action of Skagit County (CASC): CASC Director of Community Engagement Liz Jennings, shared the organization’s vision and mission statement, then shared their countywide needs assessment. She reviewed the services provided by the agency: basic energy/utility assistance, outreach and homeless services, housing food, financial education, veteran assistance, and volunteer & job opportunities. Ms. Jennings thanked Council for providing funds for the Kulshan View project. B. Public Hearing and Approval of 2026 – 2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP): Mr. Sexton presented an overview of the 2026-2031 CIP and requested approval with Ordinance 3920. He provided background and process information, as well as proposed projects and their funding. Mayor Donovan opened the public hearing. Hearing no comments, Mayor Donovan closed the public hearing. Councilmember Hudson moved to approve the 2026-2031 CIP with Ordinance 3920. Motion seconded by Councilmember Beaton. Motion passed 7-0. Mount Vernon City Council October 8, 2025 Page 3 of 4 C. Approval of Ordinance – Municipal Code Chapter 2.12, City Council: Mr. Rogerson requested approval of updates to Municipal Code Chapter 2.12, City Council with Ordinance 3921. Updates include procedural and legal changes, as well as updates to match current practices. Councilmember Molenaar moved to adopt Ordinance 3921, updating Municipal Code Chapter 2.12, City Council. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion passed 7-0. D. Resolution and Approval of Agreement – Surplus and Donation of Fire Equipment: Chief Harris requested approval of Resolution 1084 declaring Fire Department hoses, nozzles, and foam tubes surplus and an agreement to donate the items to Skagit Valley College. Councilmember Tercero moved to approve Resolution 1084 declaring certain Fire Department equipment surplus and to approve an agreement to donate the equipment to Skagit Valley College. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carías. Motion passed 7-0. E. Approval of Agreement – ROMTEC, Inc.: Ms. Berner requested approval of an agreement with ROMTEC, Inc. to install a vault toilet at Little Mountain Park in the amount of $88,792.21. Staff will perform site prep and finish work for a total project cost maximum of $110,000. Councilmember Carías moved to approve an agreement with ROMTEC, Inc. for installation of a vault toilet at Little Mountain Park in the amount of $88,792.21. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 7-0. F. Approval of Agreement – Department of Commerce: Ms. Lowell requested approval of a Climate Planning Grant agreement with Washington State Department of Commerce. This is a reallocation of funds that were unexpended from a prior grant. Councilmember Hudson moved approve an agreement with Washington State Department of Commerce for Climate Planning in the amount of $183,000. Motion seconded by Councilmember Tercero. Motion passed 7-0. Mount Vernon City Council October 8, 2025 Page 4 of 4 EXECUTIVE SESSION: ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk Approved: October 22, 2025