City Council Committee Agendas

City of Mount Vernon Economic Development Committee 1805 Continental Place Minutes from September 17, 2014 Council member Joe Lindquist called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Mark Hulst, Ken Quam, Dale Ragan, Mike Urban, Gary Molenaar and Bob Fiedler. Mayor Jill Boudreau and staff members Jana Hanson, Kevin Rogerson and Jerry Dodd were also in attendance. Minutes: Mr. Quam moved, second by Mr. Fiedler, to approve the minutes from August 20, 2014. Motion carried. Draft Regulations on Oversized Vehicles: Mr. Rogerson provided a follow up on information provided to Council regarding parking of oversized vehicles. Definitions and regulations vary community to community; some using gross vehicle weight, length and width. Chief Dodd recommends using height and length versus gross vehicle weight. The latter proves burdensome for enforcement purposes. Mr. Rogerson recommends a more comprehensive ordinance. Discussion regarding an alternative location for parking ensued. Staff recommends outreach and public hearings. Miscellaneous: Mrs. Hanson informed the Council that Skagit County has been parking county fleet vehicles at the former Salvation Army lot while a construction project at their administrative building is being completed. City municipal code prohibits the parking of vehicles on a permanent basis in a C-2 zone unless there is a permitted primary use. Currently, there is no business operating at that location. City staff has acknowledged the need for temporary parking during construction but may not be allowed on a permanent basis. Council members Mr. Fiedler and Mr. Urban concurred that this is required to be consistent with the code. Mr. Fiedler inquired would parking be permitted if the property were zoned Public (P). Mrs. Hanson will confirm the permitted uses in that zone. A pre-application meeting was held earlier this month with Mount Vernon Terminal Railway and Whole Energy Fuels. Their proposal is to build a glycerin refinery the Railway property and acquire additional parcels to expand track for storage tanks. Mr. Rogerson cautioned that Federal law pre-empts local jurisdiction and entering into lease agreements of this nature may not give the City any authority with regards to uses allowed at the site. Mr. Fiedler requested this area be reviewed during the comprehensive plan update. Mrs. Hanson announced Terra Viva Organic Produce Sales purchased the Land Title building and is re- locating their headquarters there. The access to 1-5 and Mount Vernon’s fiber network was the motivating factor in their decision to move. There being no further business the meeting adjourned.