HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 12-13-21Minutes of the Arlington
City Council Zoom Workshop
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Monday, December 13, 2021
Councilmembers Present: Mike Hopson, Marilyn Oertle, Debora Nelson, Don Vanney,
Jan Schuette, Michele Blythe, and Heather Logan.
Council Members Absent: None..
Staff Present: Mayor Barb Tolbert, Paul Ellis, Dave Ryan, Marc Hayes, Jim Kelly,
City Attorney Steve Peiffle, Tony Orr, and Wendy Van Der Meersche.
Also Known to be Present: Seven 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.
WORKSHOP ITEMS - NO ACTION WAS TAKEN
Resolution of the Arlington Airport Commission relating to Consumer Price Indexed
leases at the Arlington Municipal Airport
Airport Director Dave Ryan reviewed a resolution approved by the Airport Commission.
Each year, the Airport Commission is required to approve a resolution for changing fees and
charges at the airport. The required five-year appraisal was completed, and the Airport has
the Consumer Price Index for 2021 (CPI 5.2%). Those figures are included in this year's
resolution. Most airport property values are based on the appraisal, but the CPI adjusts
buildings owned by the airport. Staff recommends approval.
While business leases require the Airport to raise the rates by the local CPI each year, last
year Airport did not raise the hangar rates due to the current COVID-19 crisis. In addition to
the CPI rate increase, land rates will go up by $0.01 per square foot. Discussion followed with
Mr. Ryan answering Council questions.
Resolution for a "Center of Excellence" to be established within the northwest portion
of the Airport Business Park
Community and Economic Development Director Marc Hayes reviewed a proposed
resolution to establish an area of approximately 25 acres within the northwest portion of the
Airport Business Park, as the "Center of Excellence."
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop December 13, 2021_
The area would be reserved specifically for the construction of facilities that would support
the education, training, research/development, and employment support of advanced
manufacturing industries. With the majority of available land being leased for industrial
buildings, now more than ever, it is critical to reserve property in order to locate facilities
for higher education, research/development and industry training to support both current
and future employees as well as the industries that utilize this workforce.
The resolution was presented to Council a year ago with an illustrative map, showing how
the property could be utilized in a campus style setting. Discussion followed with Mr. Hayes
answering Council questions.
Ordinance establishing a water rate adjustment for customers outside the city limits
of Arlington
Public Works Director Jim Kelly reviewed an ordinance proposing the establishment of a
utility rate schedule for water service outside city limits.
Since 1977, the City of Arlington has been in a Critical Water Service Area as designated by
Snohomish County in accordance will: the P,uhlir XAlater Cystem rnordinatinn Art rl2r�lU
70.116 and WAC 246-293). As such, the City has worked with other local water purveyors
to cooperatively establish water service areas. The City of Arlington's water service area
extends beyond Arlington's incorporated city limits.
Water service outside city limits is rural in character and less densely populated than within
city limits. With a less dense water service population outside city limits, the City also
recognizes that it is costlier for operations and maintenance of the water services outside
city limits; -the -water -service area outside -city -limits has 21%-of the water-distr-ibution-system
and only 4% of the customer base.
To offset this increased cost of operations, many other municipalities charge a separate
water utility rate for water service in areas outside city limits. The City contracted with Katy
Isaksen and Associates, to perform an outside city limits utility rate study to determine an
appropriate outside city limits rate schedule to help defray the increase cost of outside city
limits water service.
Based on the rate study, staff recommends adoption of a water service schedule for outside
city limits water services. Discussion followed with Mr. Kelly answering Council questions.
Contract with Pacific Groundwater Group for services associated with the Haller
Wellfield Improvement Project
Public Works Director Jim Kelly reviewed the Scope and Fee for Pacific Groundwater Group
to provide hydrogeological support and optional water right assistance to the Haller
Wellfield Improvement Project.
Public Works has been working for several years on securing and developing new water
sources to ensure water availability for Arlington's future. PGG is a strong hydrogeology
consultant who has provided exceptional service for the City on previous projects and is well
qualified to perform the geotechnical and hydrogeological work as needed to support the
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop December 13, 2021
installation of up to two (2) new production wells at the Haller Wellfield. Brown & Caldwell
is the lead consultant on this project and will provide direction to PGG, with City oversight.
Staff is recommending the city enter into contract with PGG for geotechnical and
hydrogeological consulting services. Discussion followed with Mr. Kelly answering Council
questions.
ADMINISTRATQR AND STAFF REPORTS
None.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Tolbert stated that tonight is the last Council meeting of the year. Action will be taken
on these workshop items at the January 3, 2022 Council meeting.
Mayor Tolbert also stated that at this morning's Directors and Senior Managers meeting,
state and federal lobbyists provided information regarding programs coming up regarding
the infrastructure bill that has passed.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmembers Vanney, Nelson and Blythe spoke about the police department. Discussion
followed.
Councilmember Certle spoke of the Peace Plaza obelisk unveiling. Discussion followed.
COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmembers had nothing to report this evening.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Councilmembers discussed and agreed to put the following item on the Consent Agenda for
the January 3, 2022 Council meeting:
#4. Contract with Pacific Groundwater Group for services associated with the Haller
Wellfield Improvement Project.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Barbara Tolbert, Mayor
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