City Council Committee Agendas

City of Mount Vernon Economic Development Committee Minutes from August 20, 2014 Council member Joe Lindquist called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Dale Ragan, Ken Quam, Gary Molenaar, Mike Urban, Bob Fielder and Mark Hulst. Mayor Jill Boudreau and staff members Jana Hanson, Kevin Rogerson, Ken Lee, Jerry Dodd and Roy Hari were also in attendance. Vendor Ordinance – Draft: Mrs. Hanson provided a draft ordinance for review. Among the items discussed included the number of mobile vendors, fees, locations and seasonal operations. A limit of three vendors per season; a season could be April 1st to September 30th. More than three vendors would require Council review. Fees would be charged per vehicle. The locations considered are First and Gates Streets, Pine Street Square and the Riverfront Park. Mr. Urban recommends not allowing tables and chairs. A discussion on insurance requirements ensued. Mr. Rogerson recommends using general commercial liability as with sidewalk cafes. Council directed staff to bring draft ordinance back for further discussion after the Downtown Association has an opportunity to review and comment on the draft. Discussion on Regulation pertaining to Number of Vehicles Allowed at a Residence: Mr. Lee provided information regarding the existing code which allows for six vehicles to be parked on an approved (paved) surface at a residence. Discussion ensued regarding how stringent the code should be; and would Code Enforcement better equipped with tighter regulations. Mr. Lee described the process once a violation has been issued, and it can take a few weeks before a vehicle is moved. Most people respond immediately when contacted. He feels he can operate effectively within the current code. Update on Food Services Annexation Application: Mrs. Hanson provided a chronology of Food Services annexation. Skagit County has requested a formal review from the Boundary Review Board. The County wants a uniform boundary and for the City to include the residential area to the east of Food Services. Annexing residential districts is in conflict with the City’s plan. A brief discussion ensued regarding the City’s position. Fire and police services would be provided if annexed. Mr. Rogerson stated the City has the ability to deny the annexation. A hearing date is set before the Boundary Review Board for September 25th. Update on the Integrated Planning Grant Application with DOE: Mrs. Hanson reported a grant application went out today for $200,000.00 to study the toxic cleanup at the Alf Christianson Seed site. Several analyses at the site will begin this year and completed by July 2015. A stakeholders group is currently being formed. Department of Transportation will be supportive during clean up and re-development. Mount Vernon Marketing Campaign: Mrs. Hanson provided a briefing on the City’s marketing campaign including upcoming events such as the ribbon cutting for the Phase II riverfront re-development, Geek Wire promotion of the Connect with the World tech event to be held October 9th, and photos of the downtown waterfront that will be published in the Western Investor, first quarter of 2015. A discussion regarding the measure of effectiveness of the marketing campaign ensued. Although there has been positive feedback on the radio ads there are no firm figures. Page 1 of 2 Miscellaneous (Consultant contracts for the City Comprehensive Plan): Additional funds are needed for the planning consultant to complete the land use applications assigned earlier this year. Five thousand dollars is requested to complete the 2014 comprehensive plan amendments and annexation request. The City is required to update its’ Comprehensive Plan by June 2016. Transportation and housing elements need to be updated and this will require consultants to assist with those elements of the Comprehensive Plan. Re-roof for Kincaid Building: Only one bid came in at $140,000.00. A budget amendment will be needed to cover the difference between the $70,000.00 budgeted and the bid amount. Building Official Rick Prosser will be present at the next Council meeting to address the bid process and repair in detail. The Downtown Design Review committee is available to present recommendations to Council next month. A date for this presentation will be determined in the near future. There being no further business the committee meeting adjourned. Page 2 of 2