HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 10-25-21Minutes of the Arlington
0 City Council Zoom Workshop
Monday, October 25, 2021
Councilmembers Present: Mike Hopson, Marilyn Oertle, Don Vanney, Jan Schuette,
Michele Blythe, and Heather Logan.
Council Members Absent: Debora Nelson, excused.
Staff Present: Mayor Barb Tolbert, Paul Ellis, Kristin Garcia, Marc Hayes, Tony Orr, City
Attorney Steve Peiffle, and Wendy Van Der Meersche.
Also Known to be Present: 30 YouTube viewers.
Mayor Barb Tolbert called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm, and the Pledge of Allegiance and
roll call followed.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Jan Schuette moved to approve the agenda as presented. Councilmember
Marilyn Oertle seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
None. �ry
WORKSHOP ITEM -- NO ACTION WAS TAKEN
Station 48 Change Order No. 4
City Administrator Paul Ellis reviewed Change Order No. 4 for Station 48.
Change Order No. 4 addresses unforeseen items that were encountered during
construction, as highlighted on the Change Order Proposal log. The total of all changes in
Change Order No. 4 is $17,422.23. These funds will be taken from the project contingency
at 10% of the construction cost. The total of all Change Orders for this project is
$206,471.54. The contingency budget of 10% is $369,000. This is the final change order for
the project.
The City of Arlington began construction of Fire Station 48 in September of 2020, and it is
now completed. Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis answering Council questions.
Resolution Amending the Customer Support Program
Finance Director Kristin Director reviewed a resolution amending the utility customer
support program and authorizing a utility credit program.
On July 2, 2021, the Governor issued Proclamation 20-23.6 extending the prohibition of
residential disconnects and late fees until September 30, 2021.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop October 25, 2021
That proclamation has now expired, so disconnects may now be applied to delinquent
accounts within parameters of state law. RCW 35.21.290 has been amended to allow for
liens and disconnects to be applied to accounts that are more than four months past due
(within certain specified timeframes). Based on suggested guidance from the State, and
amended RCW 35.21.290, staff is proposing a long term repayment plan of 12 months to
assist customers facing financial hardship because of COVID-19 impacts. Additionally, to
further assist customers with economic recovery, staff is requesting authorization of a
utility credit program which will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 will address
those accounts that are currently delinquent. Phase 2 will address all other accounts that
may also be facing financial hardship resulting from the pandemic. Discussion followed
with Ms. Garcia answering Council questions.
Review of 2022 Budget Modifications
Finance Director Kristin Garcia reviewed the 2022 Budget Modifications.
Ms. Garcia reviewed a worksheet detailing the proposed 2022 budget modifications. The
total amount of proposed modifications is a net increase to the city's budget of $6,652,111.
The general fund VVlll reduce by ($1,82I, J and ull ether fund ^.^.mhined ::ell increase by
$8,479,619. The modifications fall into three major categories, capital projects (primarily
transportation), transfers to reserves or transfer between funds and a budget reduction for
both the general fund and EMS fund due to the RFA annexation of the Fire/EMS
departments. A final review of the 2021 amendments and 2022 modifications will be
presented to council in November, with a public hearing and final action on the budget
ordinance taking place December 6. Discussion followed with Ms. Garcia answering Council
questions.
Resolution for Proposed 2022 Regular Property Tax Levy
Finance Director Kristin Garcia reviewed the proposed 2022 regular property tax levy.
The levy resolution and levy certification are the formal documents used to set the city's
levy each year. The state requires the levy resolution only reflect the dollar and percentage
increase of the levy amount from the previous year. If the city is reducing the levy or taking
no increase from last year, the resolution must only show that it is a zero dollar and zero
percent increase. The levy certification is the document that shows what amount of levy
the city is requesting to be collected. As part of the RFA annexation process, the Council
suggested that the levy rate for 2022 be set at $.75 to mitigate any potential tax increases
resulting from the RFA annexation. The city cannot set a levy rate but can request a levy
amount at a level to achieve a targeted levy rate. The levy rate is determined based on a
variety of factors including the final certified assessed valuation and the levy amount
requested. The preliminary assessed valuation to be used for 2022 taxes is
$3,672,174,251. Setting a levy amount of $2,750,000 is expected to result in a levy rate of
approximately $.75. Calculated as follows;($2,750,000/$3,672,174,251)*1000 = $.7489. A
public hearing on the property levy for 2022 will be presented on November 1, 2021, and
Council will be asked to take action on the levy resolution immediately following the public
hearing. Discussion followed with Ms. Garcia answering Council questions.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop October 25, 2021
September Financial Report
Finance Director Kristin Garcia reviewed the financial report for September 2021.
Discussion followed with Ms. Garcia answering Council questions.
September Community and Economic Development (CED) Monthly Report
Community and Economic Development Director Marc Hayes reviewed the CED report for
September 2021. Discussion followed with Mr. Hayes answering Council questions.
ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS
None.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Tolbert provided an overview of discussion items at the upcoming Snohomish County
Tomorrow meeting.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Council Member Don Vanney inquired about vehicle parking at Affinity at Arlington senior
housing, in Smokey Point. Discussion followed.
Council Member Hopson stated his support of affordable housing, and mentioned that this
subject was discussed at last week's Council meeting. Discussion followed, with Council
Members Schuette, Vanney, Blythe, Oertle, and Logan stating they are not opposed to
affordable housing.
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Jan Schuette provided a review of discussion items at the Community
Transit upcoming board meeting. Council Members Vanney, Oertle, Logan, Hopson, and
Blythe had nothing to report this evening.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Council Members discussed and agreed to put all of the agenda items on New Business for
the November 1, 2021 Council meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
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Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
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