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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 02-24-20Minutes of the Arlington City Council Workshop Council Chambers 110 East Third Street February 24, 2020 Councilmembers Present: Mike Hopson, Jan Schuette, Debora Nelson, Michele Blythe, and Jesica Stickles. Council Members Absent: Marilyn Oertle, excused. Staff Present: Mayor Barb Tolbert, Paul Ellis, James Trefry, Kristin Garcia, Ashleigh Scott, Dave Ryan, Jim Kelly, Marc Hayes, Katie Heim, Sheri Amundson, Jonathan Ventura, Dave Kraski, Bryan Terry and City Attorney Steve Peiffle. Also Known to be Present: Don Vanney, Kathy Vanney, Lindsay Dunn, Avery Hufford, Lisa McLean, Nancy Neraas, Cristy Brubaker, Justin Monwai and Don Munson. Mayor Barb Tolbert called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call followed. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Mayor Pro Tern Jesica Stickles moved to approve the agenda as presented. Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote. SWEARING IN New Councilmember Don Vanney was sworn in to Council Position No. 2 by City Attorney Steve Peiffle. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS Lisa McLean, Census Coordinator from the Office of Financial Management provided a 2020 Census Survey Review to Council. PROCLAMATIONS None. WORKSHOP ITEMS --NO ACTION WAS TAKEN Ordinance for Bond Refunding Finance Director Kristin Garcia, reviewed the Ordinance to Refund Bonds. Nancy Neraas from Foster Garvey and Justin Monwai from Piper Sandler joined Ms. Garcia. In 2007, the City issued LTGO bonds for the N. Olympic improvement project. In 2010, the City issued LTGO refunding bonds to refinance improvements to Station 46 and to purchase the 800 MHZ public safety radios. In 2010, the City entered into a promissory Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop February 24. 2020 note for the purchase of land (Graafstra property). All of these bonds are eligible to be refinanced. The purpose of the refunding is to reduce the long term cost of the bonds by reducing the interest rates we're currently paying. The estimated net present value savings for refinancing both bonds and the promissory note is $1,092,354. The City has engaged Piper Sandler as bond underwriter and Foster Garvey as bond counsel, both of whom have assisted the City in previous bond financing transactions. The bond underwriter assists the City with the process of issuing the bonds. A handout was provided to City Council. Discussion followed with Ms. Garcia, Ms. Neraas, and Mr. Monwai answering Council questions. Airport Commission Appointment Airport Directur Dave Ryan reviewed the appointment of Don Munson to the Airport Commission. On January 22nd and 23rd of 2020, an interview panel consisting of City Councilmember Jan Schuette, Airport Commissioner Ruth Gonzales, Airport Director David Ryan, and Airport Operations Manager Marty Wray, held interviews with five candidates for the open Airport Commissioner position. Don Munson, who has 11 years' experience on the Commission, was selected for the position. BNSF Rail Trail Crossing Bid Results Public Works Director Jim Kelly reviewed the bid award for 67th Ave. Rail/Trail Crossing Improvement Project. The Centennial Trail railroad crossing along 67th Ave. is at a skewed angle, which causes bike tires to get stuck in the railroad tracks and has been the location of many bicycle accidents over the years. City Staff applied for and received a FHWA Safety Grant to improve the Centennial Trail railroad crossing along 67th Ave. The proposed improvement will realign Centennial Trail so that it crosses the railroad tracks at a more perpendicular angle. Work on this project includes traffic control, demolition, grading, paving, and pavement markings. Bid results were distributed to City Council. Discussion followed with Mr. Kelly answering Council questions. January Financial Report Finance Director Kristin Garcia reviewed the January 2020 Financial Report. Discussion followed with Ms. Garcia answering Council questions. Community and Economic Development Monthly Report With Review of Upcoming Docket Items and Current Projects Community and Economic Development Director Marc Hayes reviewed the monthly report. The 2020 docket consists of three privately initiated rezones, two City initiated rezones and two changes to AMC Title 20 (the City's land use code). If proposed changes are adopted, amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Map and Zoning Map will need to be implemented. State law (see RCW36.70A.130) allows for jurisdictions to make amendments to comprehensive plans once annually. The City has established a docketing process (see AMC §20.96.022) in order to identify and review all potential amendments to the City's Page 2 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop February 24, 2020 Comprehensive Plan for a given year to ensure all proposed amendments are considered together. As part of the docketing process, private citizens have the opportunity to submit applications to amend the City's Comprehensive Plan. The deadline to apply for annual amendments is January 31st of each year. The City can also propose amendments to the comprehensive plan. Once the deadline passes, staff compiles a list of all proposed amendments on a preliminary docket. This docket is then reviewed by staff to determine if each amendment complies with the criteria listed in Chapter 20.96 of the City's Land Use Code. Once approved by the Director, the public has an opportunity to comment on proposed amendments listed on the preliminary docket. Comments are compiled, if any, and are then presented to the Planning Commission for consideration at a public hearing. The Planning Commission then makes a recommendation to the City Council on whether or not the proposed amendments shall be on the Final 2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket. The City Council reviews and has the option to keep and/or remove any proposed amendments on the docket. The Council then adopts the final docket in which staff processes over the course of the year. The Preliminary 2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket was reviewed for compliance with AMC Chapter 20.96 and approved by the director on February 11, 2020 for review by the public and consideration by the Planning Commission. The 15-day public comment period on the preliminary docket ends March 2, 2020. Handouts were distributed to City Council as visuals for zoning locations. Discussion followed with Mr. Hayes answering Council questions. ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS None. PUBLIC COMMENT None. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS Councilmembers Debora Nelson, Jesica Stickles, Jan Schuette and Michele Blythe provided brief updates, while Councilmembers Mike Hopson had nothing to report this evening. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Tolbert stated how much she enjoyed the census presentation and hopes everyone takes Lisa's words to heart. Infrastructure funding can sometimes be a big challenge, but it helps those less fortunate. Because the Arlington community is compassionate, this is an easy way for citizens to participate. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING None. Page 3 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop February 24 2020 ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:02pm. Barbara Tolbert, Mayor Page 4 of 4