City Council Committee Agendas

City of Mount Vernon Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes from November 16, 2016 Chairperson Joe Lindquist called the meeting to order. Present were Council members Dale Ragan, Ken Quam, Mark Hulst, Gary Molenaar, Mary Hudson, Bob Fielder and Mayor Boudreau. Staff members present included Bob Hyde, Rebecca Lowell, Rick Prosser, Kevin Rogerson, Jerry Dodd, Christine Love Johnson, Blaine Chesterfield, Alicia Huschka, Bryan Brice and Peter Donovan. Overview of Bio-Op Issues from FEMA visit: Mr. Prosser provided a brief background of the National Flood Insurance Program and the Community Rating System, or CRS. The City just completed an audit and has maintained a Class 6 rating. This rating provides a 20% reduction in flood insurance premiums for property owners; an average of $228 per policy holder. This audit requires the work of several staff members and many hours. Mrs. Lowell reported on the Community Assistance Visit, or CAV. The Department of Ecology performs site visits looking for compliance of floodplain regulations and permits. Additionally, the Biological Opinion, or Bi-Op, requires an audit to determine the impacts the National Flood Insurance Program have on endangered species in the Puget Sound. This also involves staff time from several departments. In response to what the next favorable rating may be Mr. Prosser stated a Class 5. It would require more activities and be difficult to maintain. Mr. Ragan requested a summary of activities needed to achieve a Class 5 rating. Adult Entertainment Code Update: Mrs. Lowell provided a list of committee members and the date of the first committee meeting, November 29th. She has also created an informational page for this code update on the City’s website. The City Council will hold a public hearing on December 7th. Department of Emergency Management Update: Mayor Boudreau reported the City is considering the option of discontinuing this service with Skagit County and contracting with another county. Other counties can provide this service at a better rate. Fire Chief Brice is exploring options with Snohomish County. Downtown Sub Area Plan Update: Mrs. Lowell reported the contract with the consultant has been signed. They are currently working on defining the boundaries of the sub area plan, forming a list of stakeholders and data needs. Staff will provide an update at the January committee meeting. Mr. Fiedler requested a timeline for the work that will be performed. Public Private Partnership Update: Mr. Hyde stated the agreement is nearly finalized and he hopes to bring it to Council next week. Low Impact Development Update: In preparation of the new stormwater regulations effective January 1, 2017, the City co-hosted a training session November 2nd on low impact development, (LID), with Department of Ecology and the Skagit Conservation District. There was a large attendance that including builders, developers, engineers and office staff. Projects Update: • The first vendor for the Riverwalk Plaza, Big Daddy’s Hotdogs, is in operation. • Mount Vernon School District has 2 major projects: 1 new elementary on E. Division and replacing Madison Elementary on E. Fir. • YMCA has new project manager for a future facility; a meeting has been scheduled with Rebecca Lowell. • Skagit County Jail is progressing rapidly; Rick Prosser is performing daily inspections and anticipates it will be completed by April 2017. Miscellaneous: Several applications have been received for the Planning Commission position that becomes available January 2017. Planning Commission members will also select a new chairperson and vice-chairperson. The Downtown Design Standards Committee resumes meetings beginning tomorrow. The downtown area defined as those properties between Freeway Drive to the south side of Kincaid Street, and S. 3rd Street to the river. The Downtown Design Standards Committee is proposing a Citizens Architectural Review Committee to review plans that will use the guidelines. Requests for Qualifications for a planning consultant are to be published for the upcoming code amendments. The 2016 Comprehensive Plan Amendments/Rezones will be processed with the 2017 Comprehensive Plan Amendments/Rezones. Applicants that submitted in 2016 will have the option of a refund of the fees should they chose not to proceed. A discussion regarding the responsibility of the repair or replacement of the fence at the Vintage Apartments ensued. A security fence was required by the City at the time of development but it is unclear who maintains it. A City crew will repair the damage portion. Further discussion with the property owner regarding this matter will continue. There being no other business the meeting adjourned.