City Council Committee Agendas

Public Works/Library Committee Meeting December 11, 2019, 6:00 pm Attendees Present: Council Members: Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Hulst, Moberg, Molenaar Staff Members: Public Works – Bell, Bullock, Chesterfield; Library – Huffman; City Attorney – Rogerson; Project Development Manager – Donovan; Finance –Volesky; Interim Police Chief - Cammock 1. Approval of Public Works Committee Minutes: Councilmember Hudson moved to approve the minutes from October 9, 2019; Seconded by Councilmember Carías; Carried by all. 2. Library Committee – Isaac Huffman Isaac showed a picture of a new employee, Justin, playing guitar during story time and noted how using his and other employee talents outside of the Library can help with story time. a) Website Improvements The Library web page has some new changes make it more mobile friendly and provides a better way of doing calendar events. The new calendar widget allows date search, is more functional, and has a link to save events on your mobile device. There will be a new look to the borrow page and staff picks. It will integrate images of the picks with random titles and is expected to go live in January 2020. b) Strategic Planning There hasn’t been much strategic planning in the past few years. A three year plan beginning in 2020 is taking shape. The Library will 1) learn from the community, 2) design new services; must haves and wants for services people will use and know it is good to have, and 3) have one-on-one conversations with leaders to create the most value for the taxpayers. Some of the challenges are more competition; more free, or nearly free, or perceived free content; reference services are changing; community needs are more complex and diverse; information is more challenging to understand; and staff costs c) Library Updates TechVenure continues to go well. Pictures were shown of kids creating Ozobots and the use of Virtual Reality. The goal is to make education fun in a fun environment. It’s fun to watch them testing their creations. December 11, 2019, Public Works/Library Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4  The Library was approved for the 4% Friday in August 2020. 4% of the Co-op’s gross receipts on the 4th Friday of each month goes back into the hands of the selected community groups, who are working to enrich the life and land-base of the community. Its makes for fantastic fourth Friday fun in-store, as shoppers learn more about local programs, and the groups get a boost for their programs. Isaac provided some pictures of art and how it has been moved for the best display possible. The art display case will have more long term exhibits which helps as a connection point for the community and is good to have. Also shown was the rotating art that has been taking place for about a year now. 3. Program Coordination Division – Blaine Chesterfield a) Rain Garden Program The City and the Skagit Conservation District have been working on the development of a residential rain garden program. Once completed Skagit Conservation District and the City will offer free technical assistance to residents on the location and construction of rain gardens on their properties. There have been several meetings over the course of the year and site visits to the City of Everett, Snohomish Conservation District, and WSU Extension. Blaine also provided some pictures of educational signage. The City of Everett has shared much of their documentation with the City as a tool as well. The steps involved are: 1) Advertise the Program (Dec – Feb) 2) Home Owner Education (Feb – Mar) 3) Site Assessment/Soils Infiltration Testing (Feb – April) 4) Rain Garden Design/Permitting/Application/Schedule (April – Aug) 5) Installation (Sept – Nov) 6) Inspection/Approval/Rebate (Rebates if grant funding becomes available) 7) Maintenance – Agreement for Rebates 8) Program Evaluation Discussion was held regarding rebates. Rebates can be up to $2,500 dependent on actual cost. The goal would be to have the rebates grant funded. The City has not budgeted for rebates in 2020, but it could be discussed for the 2021 budget or as a budget amendment. The maximum number of installations through this program has been determined to be five this first year. b) Washington Conservation Corp The Washington Conservation Corp (WCC) was in town the week of November 25th planting willow sticks at a few stream side mitigation locations around the City. Another crew will be in town to work on drainage facilities the week of December 16th. A map was provided showing the locations of work in November and the ponds that will be worked on in December (there may be additions depending on time). December 11, 2019, Public Works/Library Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 4. Project Updates – Bill Bullock a) College Way Widening Under I-5 The PUD waterline has been tested and completed, the I-5 ramps (south side) and the south side (bottom lift) of paving has been completed. The north side concrete work is scheduled for completion the week of December 20th (includes curb, gutter, sidewalk, and barriers). The project will be suspended the weeks of Christmas and New Year. The north side I-5 ramp reconstruction will be scheduled in January 2020. Project completion is expected in February/March 2020. b) 4th St N / Riverside BNSF Railroad Crossing The project is 90% complete. Ongoing remaining activities include:  Way-side horn installation anticipated in December  Miscellaneous final construction elements  BNSF to install new bungalow cabinet and pedestrian crossing arms in January/February 2020. c) Cedardale Anderson Roundabout (2019 Street Improvements) The roundabout is complete and looks good. Bill showed pictures of the completed work. d) College Way / Riverside Drive Signal Upgrades The signal equipment has arrived and the contractor will resume finishing all the signal work in the intersections in January 2020. e) Upcoming Design Projects: Freeway Drive Improvements (Cameron to College Way) will begin design in 2020 for pavement rehabilitation, bike lanes on both sides, sidewalk on the west side, and storm water and street lighting on the west side. Kulshan Trail Lighting Project design will begin in 2020 with construction in 2021 (with potential for 2020 construction depending on grant funding); the City will be ready to construct if funding becomes available. Project includes trail lighting and minor trail enhancements. 5. Public Works Director Comments – Esco Bell a) Downtown Floodworks and Role of the Dike District 3 City staff is working with Dike District 3 on ownership transfer and additional funding for the overall project. Ownership transfer won’t show much difference in operations. The City will still put up flood wall and continue to flood fight, however, the Dike District will pay time and materials for all work provided by the City. December 11, 2019, Public Works/Library Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4  b) Flood and Snow – The City is Prepared Public Works staff are fully prepared for flooding or snow events which may arise. Fleet is ready and the City has the proper equipment for the work. 6. Traffic Safety Committee (TSC) Update – Esco Bell The last Traffic Safety Committee was on Tuesday, October 15, 2019. The next Traffic Safety Committee is on Tuesday, December 17, 2019. 7. Skagit County Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) Presentation Andy Mayer, Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce CEO and Peter Browning, Burlington Chamber of Commerce CEO provided information to the Council on the Skagit County Tourism Promotion Area. The City will soon be looking at and possibly approving an agreement to create a TPA. There has been an effort in place for the last 10 – 12 years to create a TPA in Skagit County. Funds are generated by assessment of lodging properties with 40 or more rooms at $2 per night per room to promote tourism. Where are we in the process? Currently working on interlocal agreements ratified by cities, towns, and the County. Working on getting signatures from properties and are close to being where we need to be. The TPA would have a 17 person advisory group consisting Skagit County, the cities, towns, EDASC, and the Chambers of Commerce. Monies go through the County to the State and then back. Once approved they would look at a contractor that would promote the advisory group. Creation of a TPA would help visitor’s access services when they are in the area and help them be better prepared. 8. Miscellaneous / For the Good of the Order Interim Police Chief Cammock provided Council with an update on the tragedy in Burlington on December 6th where the suspect fled the scene. A Mount Vernon officer saw a suspicious person and made contact, determining the person to be the suspect in question. The officer was able to arrest the suspect without incident and the information was passed to the City of Burlington. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m. Submitted by: Michele Myers Michele Myers December 11, 2019, Public Works/Library Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4