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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 03-23-20i Council Chambers 110 East Third Street March 23, 2020 Minutes of the Arlington City Council Workshop Councilmembers Present: Mike Hopson, Marilyn Oertle, Debora Nelson, Don Vanney, Jan Schuette, Jesica Stickles and Michele Blythe. Council Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Mayor Barb Tolbert, Paul Ellis, Bryan Terry, Marc Hayes, City Attorney Steve Peiffle, and Wendy Van Der Meersche. Also Known to be Present: Doug Buell and Kathy Vanney. 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 Tern Jesica Stickles moved to approve the agenda as presented. Councilmember Marilyn Oertle seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote. INTRODUITIQN OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS IT Director Bryan Terry provided training for the Mayor and Councilmembers to join meetings remotely using Zoom conferencing. WORKSHOP ITEMS - NO ACTION WAS TAKEN Ordinance to Revise Municipal Code City Attorney Steve Peiffle reviewed the Ordinance Amending Various Provisions in the Arlington Municipal Code to Change or Delete References to the Marysville Municipal Court, and Repealing Ordinance No. 1408. Arlington contracted with Marysville for Court Services beginning in 2003. With the recent changeover to return to Cascade District Court, references in Arlington's Municipal Code need correction. Discussion followed with Mr. Peiffle answering Council questions. Appointment to Planning Commission Community and Economic Development Director Marc Hayes reviewed the Planning Commission's recommended candidate. Page 1 of 3 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop March 23 2020 An interview panel consisting of Councilmember Jan Schuette, Planning Commission Chairman Tim Dean and Co -Chair Bruce Angell, and Community and Economic Development Director Marc Hayes interviewed the incumbent with four additional applicants. From that interview process, Yvonne M. Gallardo-Van Ornam was selected for recommendation to fill the vacant seat on the Planning Commission. Discussion followed with Mr. Hayes answering Council questions. 2020 Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket Community and Economic Development Director Marc Hayes reviewed the 2020 Comprehensive Plan Docket. The 2020 Preliminary Comprehensive Plan Amendment Docket consists of 6 items. There are three privately initiated items, and 3 City initiated items. The preliminary docket (list) was heard by the Planning Commission at a Public Hearing held on March 17, 2020. The docket was approved by unanimous decision of the four members present. Pursuant to RCW 36.70A.130, Cities may amend their comprehensive plans only once per calendar year. Arlington Municipal Code §20.96.022 establishes a docketing process where all proposed comprehensive plan amendments may be considered and adopted congruently. Proposed amendments to the City's Comprehensive Plan may be made by any private citizen or by the city itself. The City Council must approve of any item being placed on the Final Docket. Once the docket becomes final, staff is authorized to proceed with processing the proposed amendments. Proposed amendments must receive final approval by the City Council in order to become incorporated into the City's Comprehensive Plan. Discussion followed with Mr. Hayes answering Council questions. February 2020 Financial Report City Administrator Paul Ellis reviewed the February 2020 Financial Report. Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis answering Council questions. SPECIAL MEETING Amendment to Council Rules and Procedures to Include Remote Access to Meetings City Attorney Steve Peiffle reviewed an amendment to add remote access to meetings to the Council Rules and Procedures. As requested by Council, staff has procured the necessary equipment for Councilmembers to gain access to Council meetings remotely. The Council Rules and Procedures does not include a provision for Councilmembers to access Council meetings remotely. Revisions must be made to the Rules and Procedures. Mayor Tolbert called on Councilmembers, so each could offer comments and ask questions. After the Councilmembers spoke, Mr. Peiffle revised the draft Rules and Procedures to reflect comments Councilmembers made, and read aloud the revised draft. Councilmember Debora Nelson moved and Councilmember Don Vanney seconded the motion to approve the amendment to Council Rules and Procedures, with the additions so Page 2 of 3 Minutes of the CJ1y of Arlington City Council Workshop March 23, 2020 made by the City Attorney. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilmember Marilyn Oertle voting no. It was voted on by Councilmembers that this item will be brought to another workshop in the future, after the new technology is used, to further discuss parameters for Councilmembers calling in remotely for meetings. ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS City Administrator Paul Ellis stated that he and the Directors have been working to make sure staff members continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing. He and the Directors will be meeting remotely tomorrow morning to discuss how each department will continue to operate and serve the public, with staff members on site, and some working from home during this time. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Tolbert stated that she has been working with different groups in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS None. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS Councilmembers Jan Schuette, Michele Blythe, Mike Hopson, and Debora Nelson provided brief updates, while Councilmembers Marilyn Oertle, Don Vanney, and Jesica Stickles had nothing to report this evening. PUBLIC COMMENT None. REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Council discussed and agreed to place the following items on the Consent Agenda for the April 6, 2020 Council meeting: 1.Ordinance to Revise Municipal Code EXECUTIVE SESSION None. City Attorney Steve Peiffle stated that his office will likely be closing during the COVID-19 pandemic because city attorneys are not considered essential public services, but he will be working remotely, and he does not anticipate any change in service to City staff and Councilmembers. Due to the recent orders from the State Supreme Court and the Federal U.S. District Court, all pending litigation has been put on hold at least through the end of April. There will not likely be a need for many Executive Sessions with regard to any pending litigation. There may be some future meetings where his attendance will be required. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Barbara Tolbert, Mayor Page 3 of 3