City Council Committee Agendas

Mount Vernon City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes May 28, 2014 Present: Councilmembers Fiedler, Molenaar, Quam, Hulst, Lindquist, Ragan, Urban and Mayor Boudreau Staff present: Finance Director Alicia Huschka, Community Economic Development Director Jana Hanson FINANCE 1. April 23, 2014 committee minutes were approved. 2. Financial Update  Property tax collection for May 2014 was 39% of the budgeted revenue; the largest collection for one month on record.  Sales tax collection for May 2014 was 1.7% above May 2013. January through May collections for 2014 are up 8.1% compared to the same period in 2013.  Criminal Justice Sales Tax revenue for January through April 2014 is up 0.8% compared to the same period in 2013.  The new Public Safety Sales Tax collected for the first time in March and April, which has average $80,804 per month, is then forwarded to Skagit County. Alicia will present a budget amendment to Council to cover the revenue and expenditure related to this new tax collection. Additionally, the city will no longer pay jail booking fees effective 4/9/14 as was determined by the Jail Finance Committee.  Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax collections for first quarter 2014 is up 4.8% compared to first quarter 2013.  Building permit activity for the first quarter of 2014 is 27% lower than first quarter 2013, but is in-line with the budget estimate of $505,000.  Real Estate Excise Tax for January through May 2014 is 8.2% lower than the same period in 2013. 3. Impact Fee Revenue and Expenditure Report  Alicia reviewed fire, parks and transportation impact fee revenues. 4. Investment Activity Update  Alicia reviewed the City’s investment portfolio and discussed the City’s balances of funds in cash, the Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) and investments. The update included 1) cash and investment balances including a historical review, 2) investment yields including the portfolio, LGIP and historical trends, 3) and the breakdown of investments by maturity, by instruction and institution. Total cash and investments for the city at April 30, 2014 were $25,124,842. City of Mount Vernon Finance Committee May 28, 2014 Page 2  The Office of the State Treasurer is requiring updated resolutions from all agencies that participate in the LGIP. Alicia will be bringing this item forward in June for formal consideration and action by Council. 5. Transportation Benefit Districts  This is a quasi-municipal corporation created for the sole purpose of funding transportation improvements. Transportation Benefit Districts and the revenue options available were reviewed and discussed with the committee. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 6. February 19, 2013 committee minutes were approved. 7. Proposed Code Amendment – Food Vendors  Jana discussed the concept of a street vendor ordinance for food vending in downtown areas. She reviewed other city’s ordinances and the requirements they have in place such as obtaining business license, background checks and limiting the number of vendors. A discussion ensued regarding where vendors should be allowed, the number of vendors to license and the hours of operation. Councilmember Lindquist suggested a ‘trial’ ordinance. Jana will prepare a draft trial ordinance. 8. SEPA Rule Changes  Jana reviewed regulations and the recent change to SEPA rules that require a protocol for finding potential cultural resources. This will require a code amendment. 9. CED Director Authority  Information was provided; this will be discussed at a future committee meeting. 10. Building Permit/Development Activity  Residential permit activity is down; however there are new projects in process.  Commercial activity is up and there are several potential projects being considered. 11. Miscellaneous  A letter has been sent to property owners near the Food Services property regarding zoning and annexation. Drainage, noise and truck traffic are the main concerns with the possible annexation. Adjourned at 6:55 p.m. Submitted by Becky Jensen