City Council Committee Agendas

Mount Vernon Fire Department Public Safety Meeting December 3, 2014 Minutes Approval of the Minutes A motion was made by Councilmember Holst and seconded by Councilmember Quam to approve the September 3, 2014 and November 5, 2014 minutes. The motion was approved. FIRE 1. Resolution on Petroleum Transport by Rail  Chief Hari briefed the Council on the key points of the Resolution regarding petroleum transport by Rail that will be presented at the December 10th Council meeting. The resolution will address the concerns of protecting the citizen and natural resources of Mount Vernon. These concerns include: o The type of product and the quantities which will be allowed to come through the City. o Identifying the use of “safe” cars that will decrease the ability for the product to ignite in the event of a derailment. o Training and specialty equipment provided to the Fire Department to be ready for the potential hazards. o Speed restrictions for areas inside the city limits.  The Chief will email council a list of other states which have adopted a similar resolution prior to next week’s meeting. 2. Deployment Study for the Fire Department  The Mayor will be selecting a focus group consisting of representatives from key areas interested in developing the best deployment model for the fire department. These representatives will include the Mayor, Labor, Council and the Citizens of Mount Vernon.  The study will be completed by the end of June and results will be brought forward to Council. POLICE 3. K-9 Unit and Personnel Updates  The department currently has four vacancies which the recent departure of Mike Lumpkin. There is one very promising candidate in Florida which the department is beginning background checks on. The next academy starts on February 24th and currently a stop is being held for Mount Vernon. There are two other candidates which the department are looking at, and they too appear to be very promising.  Zack Neilsen is graduating on December 9th. Traffic Officer Paul Shaddy has finished his training and performing his traffic officer duties.  Walter Marteniz was promoted to Sergeant in September and has completed his training.  Luther is officially retired. The department is currently testing a new dog “Rommel” out of Victoria, Canada. Basic K-9 school begins in March / April 2015. Rommel is being raised from the same trainer as Luther and they are asking $7,000 for the dog which is very reasonable. The dog is currently being evaluated by Bellingham Police Department and the Whatcom County Sherriff’s office for outside opinions. PARKS 4. Restroom Discussion  This discussion was informational in nature only. There is a need for public restrooms in the downtown waterfront area. The RSO grant has allotted $60,000 for the restroom development.  The property acquisition was completed in February 2013 in the amount of $146,587. The City paid $20,000 in relocation fees.  Thus far the project has cost $224,000 including design fees from Carleti.  Currently there is discussion regarding the project proceeding forward as capital construction project vs a lease. More information regarding the two options will be brought forward to council.  The property is currently off the tax roll.  Kevin Rogerson, City Attorney, presented preliminary findings to council regarding a public/private partnership.  Councilmember Lindquist would like to see a proposal with dollars brought forward to council from staff. Councilmember Holst agreed with this suggesting adding that it would give council more information to begin asking the necessary questions.  Jim Scott, Windermere Reality, expressed his opinion that it is important to see the property put back on the tax roll. He would also like council to not look at the project as a 800 sq ft bathroom and storage facility, but as a valuable retail space – using only half the area for restrooms. Meeting was adjourned at 6:57 pm