HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 09-07-21 Special MeetingMinutes of the Arlington
City Council Special Meeting
Council Chambers
110 East Third Street
September 7, 2021
Councilmembers Present: Michele Blythe, Jan Schuette, Debora Nelson, Marilyn Oertle, and
Don Vanney.
Council Members Absent: Mike Hopson.
Staff Present: Mayor Barb Tolbert, Paul Ellis, James Trefry, Kristin Garcia, City Attorney
Steve Peiffle, Jonathan Ventura, Tony Orr, Sarah Lopez, Marc Hayes and Ashleigh Scott
Also Known to be Present: Bryan Terry and family, Heather Logan and family, Dave Kraski
and Avery Hufford.
Mayor Barb Tolbert called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m., and the Pledge of Allegiance and
roll call followed.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Interim Mayor Pro Tem Debora Nelson moved to approve the agenda as presented.
Councilmember Jan Schuette seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Recognizing IT Director Bryan Terry
Mayor Tolbert presented former IT Director Bryan Terry a plaque for his amazing and
respectable years of service. She thanked him for all his dedication and work he has brought
to Arlington over the last ten years. Bryan Terry was accompanied by his family.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Avery Hufford, Arlington stated that he and other residents of the Centennial Park complex
are facing parking issues. There are concerns that with new buildings being completed, there
will be a future of continued parking problems. He distributed photos to Council and staff
showing how the reserved parking spaces and guest parking are completely full during work
hours. Mr. Hufford would like to have a further discussion to fix the issues.
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Special Meeting September 7 2021
NEWBUSINESS-
Appointment of Heather Logan to Fill Vacated Seat of Councilmember Jesica Stickles
City Administrator Paul Ellis reviewed the appointment of Heather Logan to City Council
Position #1, previously held by Jesica Stickles, and vacated by Ms. Stickles on September 1,
2021.
Council member Jesica Stickles served on City Council from 2014 to 2021. She resigned
September 1, 2021, before her December 31, 2021 term ended, leaving a vacant Council seat
that will last only until the election. Heather Logan is running unopposed for that seat.
Because the appointee will only serve until the election, and because it appears Heather
Logan is running unopposed, the City Attorney and City Administrator believe the most
practical course of action is to appoint Ms. Logan to fill the seat now until the November 2,
2021 General Election. Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis answering Council questions.
Councilmember Debora Nelson moved and Councilmember Jan Schuette seconded the
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Logan to City Council Position #1, to fill the vacant seat of Councilmember Jesica Stickles. The
motion passed unanimously.
Following the motion to appoint Heather Logan to City Council Position #1, City Attorney
Steve Peiffle administered the oath of office to Ms. Logan.
Mobile Integrated Health
City Administrator Paul Ellis reviewed the Washington State Health Care Authority
Agreement and draft Professional Services Agreement with Kaitlyn Goubeau, LICSW.
The Mobile Integrated Health Program is a pilot program funded 100% with a grant from the
Washington State Health Care Authority. This program will utilize interns who are obtaining
their Master's Degrees in social work, to assist individuals experiencing behavioral health
distress. Under the direction and supervision of a mental health professional, the interns will
receive requests from Arlington police officers and North County Regional Fire Authority
emergency medical staff.
The interns will identify the individuals' behavioral health needs, and make referrals to
address their needs by professional services. The program will begin in September 2021, and
be completed no later than July 31, 2023. Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis answering
Council questions.
Councilmember Debora Nelson moved and Councilmember Jan Schuette seconded the
motion to accept the grant funding for the Mobile Integrated Health Program, and authorized
the Mayor to sign the agreement with Washington Health Care Authority, and authorized
the Mayor to sign a Professional Services Agreement with Kaitlyn Goubeau, to provide
services for the Mobile Integrated Health Program, subject to final review by the City
Attorney. The motion passed unanimously.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Special Meeting September 7. 2021
Selection of Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor Barb Tolbert and City Attorney Steve Peiffle reviewed the selection of a new Mayor
Pro Tem.
Councilmember Jesica Stickles served as Mayor Pro Tem from January 2020 to August 31,
2021. She resigned September 1, 2021, leaving a vacancy for Mayor Pro Tem. This selection
by Council is for a Mayor Pro Tem to serve until the second meeting in January 2022, when
the two year selection for Mayor Pro Tem will be made.
The City Council is to select a Mayor Pro Tem every two years. The Council Rules of
Procedure state as follows:
Selecting Mayor Pro Tem and Alternate Mayor Pro Tem: The Mayor Pro Tem will be selected
by a majority vote of the Council members at the second meeting in January in even years or
when there is a vacancy. In selecting the Mayor Pro Tem, the Council will be guided by the
following principles:
• To preserve continuity in the office, the Mayor Pro Tem shall generally serve for a term of
two (2) years.
• The Mayor Pro Tem should have served as a Councilmember for at least two (2) years
before appointment to the office of Mayor Pro Tem.
• In general, the appointment of Mayor Pro Tem will be to the eligible Councilmember who
has served the longest in office.
The Alternate Mayor Pro Tem will be the Councilmember who most recently served as Mayor
Pro Tem.
Councilmember Debora Nelson spoke on behalf of herself and Marilyn Oertle in nominating
Jan Schuette to become the new Mayor Pro Tem.
Councilmember Debora Nelson moved and Michele Blythe seconded the motion to select
Councilmember Jan Schuette as the City Council's Mayor Pro Tem, to serve until the January
18, 2022 Council meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
None.
ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator Paul Ellis discussed the increase of COVID cases with the new variant, and
asked the opinions of Council about reverting back to virtual City Council meetings, moving
forward, until the case counts decline to safer levels.
Mr. Ellis stated that City Hall and other departments will remain open until further notice.
Staff have options to work from home, and are also able to work safely within the offices, as
well. Mayor Tolbert asked Council to state their choice in this matter, and with a majority
vote, City Council will revert back to virtual City Council Workshop and City Council Meetings
following summer break on September 13, 2 02 1.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Special Meeting September 7. 2021
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Tolbert stated that she met with Congressman Rick Larsen and Senator Maria
Cantwell to provide the City's final plea for 169th funding as they go through the
reconciliation process with the big bill. Both the Congressman and Senator have committed
to do so.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:03 p.m.
Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
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