City Council Committee Agendas

City of Mount Vernon Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes from September 21, 2016 Chairperson Joe Lindquist called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Mark Hulst, Ken Quam, Dale Ragan, Gary Molenaar and Mayor Jill Boudreau. Staff members present included Rebecca Lowell, Ana Chesterfield, Rick Prosser, Kevin Rogerson, Jerry Dodd and Bryan Brice. Council members Bob Fiedler and Mary Hudson were absent. Zoning Code Amendments 2016/2017: Mrs. Lowell provided a detail memo outlining 37 code amendments and implementation tasks that the Community and Economic Development department needs to prioritize and begin this year. These code amendments and code implementation tasks were broken down into the following 7 categories: 1) Impact Fees 2) Critical Areas 3) NPDES Requirements 4) Implementation of Existing Regulations, 5) Affordable Housing 6) Zoning Code Not Related to Housing and 7) Procedural Regulations Not Related to Housing. Additionally, the code amendments and related tasks were color coded to identify their level of priority. Red represents needing immediate attention; blue is important to process but not as urgent as the red category. Green represents completion required but not immediately. This is a usually large task but there are a handful of elements that can be achieved this year. A brief discussion followed regarding impact this may have on multi‐family and affordable housing development if certain tasks are not completed. Mrs. Lowell cautioned staff needs to be aware we’re not creating infrastructure problems. Discussion regarding the 2016 Comprehensive Plan Amendments/Rezone applications ensued. Mr. Hulst encourages the applicants to hold neighborhood meetings to address the concerns of those that will be impacted by a re‐zoning of a nearby property. Although staff has encouraged applicants to hold neighborhood meetings it is not mandatory. This is being considered in the update to Resolution 491 (Public Participation Program). Discussion will continue on which amendments and tasks to prioritize at future meetings. LID Code Update: Mrs. Chesterfield reported on the adoption of the 2012 Department of Ecology LID code that is due by the end of 2016. The purpose of the LID, (Low Impact Development), is to mimic nature. In preparation staff has coordinated education and training sessions with Skagit Conservation District, DOE staff and SICBA. The first workshop is scheduled November 4th. In addition to the development and building community the department’s front office staff will also need training and new submittal checklists are anticipated to help streamline the permit process. Development Update – Building, Planning, Engineering: Building: Mr. Prosser reported due to the increased work load and to provide timely service to applicants an agreement with a consultant for third party review and building inspections will be presented to Council next month. Staff is looking at software for online plan review. This will minimize Page 1 of 2 the storage of large plan sets and provide more efficiency. The current permitting system has the capability to submit and issue permits electronically. Staff is currently working on activating this feature in 2017. Engineering/Planning: Mount Vernon School District ‐ Mrs. Lowell reported staff has assisted the School District in preparing their Master Plan for submittal and working on the new school and remodels of two others. YMCA – No submittal yet. Dairy Valley – A pre‐construction meeting is scheduled for September 26th. Waterfall Pond Supply – The fill and grade permit has been issued. The applicant wants to occupy building by January. Harbor Freight – This is in negotiations with the property owner. Skagit PUD new water tank – A pre‐construction meeting is scheduled for September 22nd. Jail – Scheduled for completion fall 2017. West Mount Vernon – Construction of Craft Stove and Hanson’s Furniture stores are moving forward. Kim Building ‐ Building permit has been submitted. General Facilities Projects Update: Police Court Campus and City Hall – both painting jobs are complete. Fire Station #1 – Acceptance of roof bid goes before Council on September 28, 2016. Public Works – Currently, staff is re‐configuring the building entry and installing key pads to provide security. City Hall – Install glass partition/wall in lobby area on 2nd floor to provide security. To be completed by year end. Mr. Hulst questioned the expenditure for a new roof for Fire Station #1 if the City is building a new fire station. Mr. Prosser responded the structure is sound, it could house other offices and a new roof will protect whatever is inside. Fire Chief Bryan Brice stated there are leaks, the lighting is poor and exhaust is also an issue. The process for a new fire station may take several years; it’s worth a new roof for the safety issues. Miscellaneous: Mayor Boudreau asked Council for direction to prioritize capital projects for the 2017 budget. A lengthy discussion ensued on which projects to prioritize and how to fund them as some bonds are close to pay off. Projects discussed included a fire station, library, city shop and possibly a downtown campus for city offices. The consensus agreed a new fire station is a priority, but a new library is important. The Mayor asked Mr. Ragan and Mr. Hulst to meet with staff about needs and she will contact local architects regarding costs. It was suggested Council brainstorm their ideas at the next retreat. Mr. Rogerson reported a tentative settlement was reached with Dairy Valley in the amount of $318,500.00. Mayor Boudreau added the apparent low bidder for the Downtown Flood Protection Project Phase 3B is Interwest with a bid of $5,525,942.98. There being no further business the meeting adjourned. Page 2 of 2