City Council Committee Agendas

Public Safety Committee Minutes April 2, 2025 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Councilmember Tercero called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm Present Mayor Donovan Councilmembers: Beaton, Brocksmith, Carías, Hudson, Molenaar, Tercero, and Vander Stoep Staff: Police Chief Christman, City Attorney Rogerson, Special Projects Manager Sexton, Fire Chief Harris, City Clerk Jensen Citizens: 3 1. Approval of March 5, 2025 Minutes Councilmember Hudson moved to approve the March 5, 2025 minutes. Motion seconded by Councilmember Carias. Motion carried 7-0. 2. Police a. Crime In and Around Eaglemont: Mr. Christman presented 2024 and year to date 2025 crime/call statistics for the Eaglemont area of Mount Vernon. b. Mr. Christman reported that today arrests were made related to a recent shooting. 3. Fire a. 2024 Review: Mr. Harris introduced Rachel Hedlof from Mackenzie, Inc. who presented the Fire Station #1 Concept Design including site and floor plans and interior/exterior designs. Materials, floodproofing and cost estimates were reviewed. Public Safety Committee April 2, 2025 Page 2 of 3 Four potential sites were discussed. The sites were scored with twenty criteria, such as cost of property, access, traffic, expansion, etc. The downtown property was ranked most favorable. Additional review and approval of the selected site is required by the Development Services Department, FEMA and Department of Ecology. Mr. Harris presented the advantages of downtown site such as call response time, floodwall requirements, and location. Council and staff discussed site options, flood protection and regulations, projected project cost, potential cost savings and building design options. Next steps, funding, and bond timing were also discussed. The concept design will be presented again at the April 9th Regular City Council meeting with a possible request to move forward with placing the bond on the Spring 2026 election ballot. 4. Administration  Introduction to 2025-2026 Community and Economic Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan Worksheet: Mr. Sexton reviewed the 2025-2026 Funding requests totaling $335,794. There is approximately $96,365 available after the Section 108 Loan payment and administration costs are deducted. The Salem Lutheran Church project does not qualify for funding and has been removed. The next step is to open the public comment period. Council may request additional information from the applicants about their project/program. 5. Agenda Requests - none 6. Miscellaneous:  Draft Immigration Statement - Mayor Donovan read a draft immigration statement about the Keep Washington Working Act and the City’s commitment to public safety. The statement is in response to a request received to pass a resolution or proclamation about the Keep Washington Working Act. Mayor, Council, and staff discussed various ways to communicate to the community, how to address rumors about Police involvement with ICE, the current ad hoc committee, steps that have been taken to train and educate staff, reporting, and whether Council desires to make a formal statement of facts. Mr. Rogerson presented information about federal and state laws regarding the issue and a current case in Adams county. Public Safety Committee April 2, 2025 Page 3 of 3 Councilmember Brocksmith will draft a statement of facts that will be discussed at a future committee meeting.  Mr. Rogerson provided information about a Change Order for the Lydig Construction agreement for the Library Commons Project. The change order will be placed on the consent agenda for approval at the April 9, 2025, Regular City Council meeting. Substantial completion of the project is projected to be April 14, 2025.  Tenant Protection Ordinance - Mr. Rogerson presented the second draft of the Tenant Protection Ordinance. If adopted, the ordinance will prohibit landlords from requiring tenants to provide their social security number. There will be a public hearing and final ordinance for consideration on April 16th. The meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Submitted by: Becky Jensen, City Clerk