City Council Committee Agendas

City of Mount Vernon Economic Development Committee 1805 Continental Place Minutes from November 19, 2014 Council member Joe Lindquist called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Present were Council members Bob Fiedler, Dale Ragan, Gary Molenaar, and Mike Urban. Mayor Boudreau and staff members Jana Hanson, Ana Chesterfield, Jerry Dodd, Alicia Huschka and Roy Hari were also present. Council members Ken Quam and Mark Hulst were absent. Minutes: Mr. Fiedler moved, second by Mr. Ragan, to approve the minutes from September 17, 2014. Motion carried. Presentation on the Peony Project: Mrs. Hanson introduced James Dawson, representative for the American Peony Art and Culture Association, (APACA). APACA members George and Young Jiang, Kirk Chia and Scott Heilein were also in attendance. The power point presentation provided a background of the peony’s importance in the Chinese culture dating back over 2,000 years; it is China’s national flower. Peony festivals are held annually. Its’ added value includes oils, cosmetics, edibles and medicines. It is can also be used as a rotation crop. The APACA is currently on a fact finding study looking for a location between Seattle and Vancouver. Their proposed project includes the growing and processing of peonies, offices, greenhouse, display gardens, wholesale and retail sales, an interpretive center and an annual festival. Other uses proposed with this project that may occur near the project site or elsewhere in the city include single and multi-family housing, a hotel, restaurant, retail and artist workshops. Mr. Dawson estimated the project would be built in phases over a period of three to five years. The proposed project site is nearly 90 acres and located just outside the city limits northeast of East College Way with access off McLaughlin Road. Following a brief question and answer period Mrs. Hanson stated this is an introduction to the possibility of such a project to initiate discussion. There would be considerable public process to go through. AWC Legislative Priorities: Mayor Boudreau presented Council a list of five preliminary State legislative priorities from AWC. The top five included restoring funding for Public Works Trust Fund, transportation, sharing marijuana tax revenue, restore liquor tax funding and maintain state shared revenue. Funding for Phase III of the flood protection project remains a top priority for Mount Vernon. Miscellaneous: Dick Nord presented a proposal to Council to enter into a public-private partnership with the City by purchasing the former Teamsters building at 420 Gates, and leasing it back to the City for public restrooms. The building is designated to become a public restroom facility and coffee Page 1 of 2 stand as part of the downtown re-development. Mr. Nord offered to purchase the building for $145,000.00 and build the restrooms similar to the City’s plan. He further stated if the City enters into a terms of lease agreement by December 31st he could build the restrooms in time for Tulip festival, and less than what the City would pay if the City were to develop the site. There being no further business the meeting adjourned. Page 2 of 2