City Council Committee Agendas
Regular MeetingMount Vernon, WA · July 20, 2016
Minutes
City of Mount Vernon
Economic Development Committee
Minutes from July 20, 2016
Chairperson Joe Lindquist called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Mark Hulst, Dale
Ragan, Ken Quam, Mary Hudson and Mayor Jill Boudreau. Staff members present included Bob Hyde,
Rebecca Lowell, Jerry Dodd, Bill King, Peter Donovan and Kevin Rogerson. Council members Bob Fiedler
and Gary Molenaar were absent.
Minutes:
Mr. Hulst moved, second by Mr. Quam, to approve the minutes from May 18, 2016. Motion carried.
Comprehensive Plan:
Mrs. Lowell distributed the following elements to the 2016 Comprehensive Plan update for review in the
coming weeks: Capital Facilities, Health and Wellness and the Economic Development Objectives and
Policies. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the Transportation and Land Use
Elements; and the Housing Element Goals, Objectives and Policies at a public hearing on July 19, 2016.
City Council will hold a public hearing on the same elements next week.
Sub‐Area Plan Status:
Five proposals were received for a sub‐area plan for the Alf Christianson Seed company site. A selection
committee is reviewing and will present their recommendation to Council for approval in September.
Fees are anticipated to come in around $60,000.00.
Public Private Development Consultant Status:
The consulting firm, Collins Woerman/THG, has been selected. Fees are being negotiated and staff will
present to Council in August.
A brief discussion ensued regarding bringing in a consultant to write the code the comprehensive plan
and amendments. Mr. Hulst asked staff to look at costs for this service.
Food Carts:
Staff has drafted an ordinance that would add a new chapter to the City’s municipal code on mobile
vendors. Mr. Hyde summarized the requirements:
Non‐motorized vending unit only
Maximum 30 square feet
Sales of food, flowers and non‐alcoholic beverages only
Must obtain a permit annually
Discussion ensued regarding the number of vendors at specific locations, restroom access and daily
removal of vendor cart. The locations chosen are Pine Square and River Plaza. Mr. Hulst feels Pine
Square is not large enough to accommodate 2 food carts. The City is looking into acquiring the property
at the Gasper statue location. Mr. Lindquist recommends regulating hours of operation, and verifying
the health code regulations. Mrs. Lowell stated notice has been given to the Downtown Association.
Impact Fees Deferral:
As required by the State staff has drafted an ordinance to allow deferral of impact fees for new single
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family residential construction. This deferral will be limited to 20 single family residential building
permits annually per applicant. The applicant must grant and record a lien against the property to the
City in the amount of the deferred fees. An administrative fee of $150.00 will be applied. The deferral of
impact fees will remain until final inspection. Planning Commission recommended approval at the public
hearing on July 19, 2016. This will be presented to Council on August 10, 2016.
Miscellaneous:
Marijuana Cooperatives:
Mrs. Lowell provided a brief history of the State’s regulations on medical marijuana and the City’s
ordinances. Collective gardens are no longer authorized but there is a new provision for Cooperatives
allowing 4 qualifying patients with a maximum of 60 plants located in a domicile of one of the
cooperative patients. Sales or donations to other persons not in the cooperative are prohibited. The
ordinance drafted by staff prohibits Cooperatives. Planning Commission denied approval of this
ordinance. Cities are not mandated to allow Cooperatives. Mr. Hulst and Mr. Quam spoke in opposition
of allowing Cooperatives. Mrs. Lowell stated medical marijuana is sold in retail marijuana stores.
The ordinance will be presented to Council on August 10, 2016.
PUD Overlay Zones:
There was a brief discussion regarding the amenities a developer must provide in a PUD subdivision.
Mr. Hulst asked for a list of the amenities for future discussion.
Current Developments:
Mr. Hyde reported there has been a 24% decrease in parking tickets downtown since changing
the parking times.
Summer Concerts – this year there is 19 sponsors compared to 5 last year.
The Co‐op restaurant is near completion.
Waterfall Pond Supply is re‐locating and re‐modeling the former Addie building.
The Electrical Contractors Association is re‐locating and re‐modeling the former Skagit County
Parks and Rec building.
The Skagit County jail is 45% complete; will open next year.
Tractor Supply is re‐modeling the former Albertsons and is scheduled to open mid‐August.
Paul Evert and Poulsbo RV are expanding to accommodate growth.
A new truck wash has opened in South Mount Vernon.
Two pre‐application meetings were held for 2 new elementary schools.
Harbor Freight will be re‐modeling and moving into the former Hinton’s Oldsmobile dealership
building.
Master Insulation will be moving to Mount Vernon.
Mayor Boudreau reported funding for the College Way I‐5 lane improvements has been received.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
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Agenda
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
July 20, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.
1805 Continental Place, Mount Vernon
AGENDA
1. Minutes from May 18, 2016
2. Comprehensive Plan
a. Capital Facilities
b. Health and Wellness
c. Economic Development
3. Sub area Plan- Status
4. Public Private Development Consultant- Status
5. Food Carts ( Fred Barnum)
6. Impact Fees Deferral - Status
7. Miscellaneous
City of Mount Vernon
Economic Development Committee
Minutes from May 18, 2016
Chairperson Joe Lindquist called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Bob Fiedler, Ken
Quam, Mark Hulst, Mary Hudson and Mayor Jill Boudreau. Council members Dale Ragan and Gary
Molenaar were absent. Staff members present included Bob Hyde, Rebecca Lowell, Bill King, Jerry Dodd
and Kevin Rogerson.
Minutes:
The minutes from April 20, 2016 were approved as presented.
Food Carts:
A recent inquiry regarding operating a hot dog cart prompted another discussion on whether to allow
food vendors in the downtown district. Discussion ensued on how many vendors, which locations, size
of food cart, and lease terms. The consensus of Council is to allow one vendor at Gates Street and 1st
Streets, one vendor at Pine Square, and at the Riverwalk Plaza. Staff was directed to draft an ordinance
for review at the next committee meeting.
RV and Boat Storage:
A request to store RVs and boats at a parcel east of the City’s maintenance shop was discussed.
Mrs. Lowell explained the ordinance allowing storage as an accessory use to an existing business was
drafted because this type of use expends limited commercial lands and provides little in terms of
providing jobs.
Downtown Design Standards:
Mr. Hyde reported a small group from the City recently took a field trip to Ballard Avenue Historic
District for a better understanding of design standards. They met with a representative who explained
the District’s policies. Although, their process is limiting it does have an appeal process. Mount Vernon
could adopt standards less restrictive. Architect Christian Carlson recently re-located to Mount Vernon
and purchased the Brunet building on South First Street. Mr. Carlson spoke in favor of design standards
for downtown. He further stated architectural character adds value to the building and the business.
Mr. Hulst is not in favor of an advisory group determining design guidelines for property owners.
Mr. Fiedler likes the idea of keeping the history of a building and suggests having something in place for
new construction.
Impact Fee Deferral:
Proposed currently is the deferral of impact fees for new construction of single family residential until
final inspection. This will be limited to twenty houses per developer per year. A $150.00 fee will be
assessed for administering the deferral fee program. It is anticipated this program will begin in the next
few weeks.
Economic Development Metrics:
Mr. Hyde presented an overview of the Economic Element of the City’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan
update. Items reviewed included population, education, employment, wages, housing and economic
development. The proposed goals, policies and objectives of the Economic Element were also
presented.
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Miscellaneous:
• Lazarus House – Meetings with owner and neighbors are being held to address neighbors’
concerns
• Noise mitigation from Foothills Christian School – An acoustic fence will be installed between
school and neighbor to help alleviate noise.
• Kincaid Building – The brick façade is failing so a structural engineer will perform an assessment
and staff will present the findings to City Council.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned.
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