City Council Committee Agendas

City of Mount Vernon Development Services Committee Meeting Minutes from May 17, 2017 – 6:00 p.m. Chairperson Dale Ragan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present were Council Members Bob Fiedler, Mark Hulst, Mary Hudson, Ken Quam, Joe Lindquist and Mayor Jill Boudreau. Staff members present were Development Services Director Chris Phillips, Senior Planner Rebecca Lowell, Finance Director Doug Volesky. Council member Gary Molenaar was absent. Minutes Ms. Hudson moved, seconded by Mr. Hulst, to approve the minutes from April 19, 2017. Motion carried. Business License Ordinance Update Mr. Doug Volesky, Director of Finance, announced that on June 1st Business Licensing will be processed through the Department of Revenue. This process will expedite business licensing for new and current business license holders being able to apply for their UBI (United Business Identification) number simultaneously. Mr. Volesky stated that the business license fees will not change. Adult Entertainment Ordinance Update Mrs. Rebecca Lowell informed the Council that the final open record public hearing for the Adult Entertainment Ordinance is scheduled for May 24, 2017. Land Clearing Code Update Mrs. Lowell reminded the Council of the Land Clearing Ordinance that was adopted in 2013, which requires the City to administer the Type IV Forest Practice Permits instead of the Department of Natural Resources. She reviewed some of the requirements of the land clearing ordinance and mentioned a couple projects that are under review. Permit Process Update Mr. Chris Phillips, Development Services Director, updated the Council on the continued improved permit process. Mr. Phillips was happy to announce that with Staff’s help the permit process has been reduced from 26 to 20 days for review time. He also updated the Council on Staff training that has been taking place on City View and the upcoming Blue Beam plan review program. He is gathering costs for converting City View from a “Desk Top” to a “Work Flow” program, which would allow staff to continue to better serve the public. Page 1 of 2 Public Private Partnership Update Mr. Phillips reported that he has been making weekly pre‐application follow up phones calls to potential new business owners to find out if their needs have been met to build their business within the city limits. Additionally, Mr. Phillips reported that he had a meeting with a potential development firm that is very interested in being involved in the City’s redevelopment plan. They are a mixed use developer. Mrs. Lowell handed out a formal invitation to Council for the Public Meeting with Makers regarding the South Kincaid Subarea Plan May 25, 5:30‐7:30 p.m. Miscellaneous/Good of the Order – Homeless Discussion Councilman Ragen mentioned the possibility of using the old Skagit County Jail as a facility for homeless to clean up, so that possibly they would have fair shot at trying to get work. He suggested that Erin from the Police Department could attend the next meeting to discuss possibilities. In addressing Mr. Ragen’s concerns, Mayor Jill Boudreau explained the barriers that are in place trying to get something like this coordinated, and that City staff continually works with other agencies within Skagit County to try to figure out how to best accommodate/reduce homelessness. In closing, Mr. Phillips announced two City Employees recently hired; Sabrina Peninger in Facilities Maintenance and Elliott Hurd, Plans Examiner & Building Inspector. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Page 2 of 2