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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 11-12-19Minutes of the Arlington) City Council Workshop Council Chambers 110 East Third Street November 12, 2019 Councilmembers Present: Mike Hopson, Marilyn Oertle, Debora Nelson, Josh Roundy, Jan Schuette, Jesica Stickles and Sue Weiss. Council Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Mayor Barb Tolbert, Paul Ellis, James Trefry, Kristin Banfield, Marc Hayes, Jonathan Ventura, Jim Kelly, City Attorney Steve Peiffle, and Wendy Van Der Meersche. Also Known to be Present: Bruce Angell, Bob Nelson, Michele Blythe, Holly Sloan - Buchanan, Doug Buell, Sid Logan, and Heather Logan. Mayor Barb Tolbert called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance and roll call was taken previously at the Joint Meeting with councilmembers and commission members. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Mayor Pro Tern Marilyn Oertle moved to approve the agenda with the addition of new business Item No. 3 titled, "A Code of Conduct and Ethics for Councilmembers." Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS None. PROCLAMATIONS None. WORKSHOP ITEMS - NO ACTION WAS TAKEN Resolution and Memorandum of Understanding with Port of Everett Community and Economic Development Director Marc Hayes presented a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Everett. City staff has been working with the Port of Everett since the beginning of 2019 to determine and evaluate common goals and opportunities between the two entities, and evaluating how working together would be in the best interest of the long-term development of the Cascade Industrial Center. This Memorandum of Understanding expresses the intentions of both City and Port to continue working together in achieving Pagel of 3 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop November 12. 2019 the common goals related to the Cascade Industrial Center. Discussion followed with Mr. Hayes answering Council questions. Amended and Restated Contract with Waste Management Public Works Director Jim Kelly presented an Amended and restated contract for solid waste, recycling, and compostable organics collection and disposal with Waste Management of Washington. City of Arlington entered into a contract with Waste Management in September 2010 to provide refuse, compost and recycling services within the City of Arlington. This restatement and amendment to the contract incorporates the following: - Incorporate all Amendments into the contract (2 ea) - Clean up mis-numbered and missing items from table of contents - Clearly define airport storage space designated to store WM containers - Update City facilities list and add City -sponsored events to capture current WM services provided to the City - Enhance commercial recycle program by providing 2-96 gal recycle carts to businesses at no additional charge with their garbage service - Partner with the City to improve the quality of compost and recycle materials by introducing customer contamination notices and charges - Update recycle material list to focus on items with strong recyclability, noting accepted material could change based on strength of end markets - Establish rate for loose extra compost and recycle material set out that exceeds container capacity or limits already established in the contract Discussion followed with Mr. Kelly answering council questions. A Code of Conduct and Ethics for Councilmembers Councilmember Debora Nelson indicated she was the one that asked that the third item be added to the agenda. She read a prepared statement indicating that Councilmember Sue Weiss made unsubstantiated accusations of corruption within City government in the Arlington Times last week. Councilmember Nelson stated she is unaware of Councilmember Weiss reporting any alleged wrongdoing to the State Auditors in her four-year term. Councilmember Weiss interjected that this is not the purpose of these meetings. Mayor Tolbert called for order. Councilmember Weiss stated she was under no obligation to stay, and immediately left the meeting at 7:14 p.m. Councilmember Nelson continued with her prepared statement, stating that the words and actions of Councilmember Weiss broke the norm of civility expected in the governing body, and that her divisive and unfounded comments call into question the integrity of not only the Mayor, but also City staff and the Council. She further stated she believes the statements reveal a level of seriousness that the Council needs to address and consider what actions should be taken to assure that this type of behavior is not accepted as the norm in the future. She requested that the City Administrator and the City Attorney bring to Council possible options of code of conduct and policy of ethics for councilmembers, the Mayor, and commission members, including rules Page 2 of 3 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Worl<shop November 12. 2019 of procedure if the code of conduct is broken by a councilmember, Mayor, or commission member in the future. Discussion followed with City Attorney Steve Peiffle answering questions. It was agreed that the City Attorney and City Administrator Paul Ellis will prepare drafts to bring forward to Council after the first of the year. Miscellaneous Council Items None. PUBLIC COMMENT Lindsay Dunn requested that the new fitness center in Emory Lofts offer free membership to Arlington police and firefighters. EXECUTIVE SESSION City Attorney Steve Peiffle announced that there would be a need for an Executive Session to review the performance of a public employee [RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)]. Mr. Peiffle stated that the Executive Session would last approximately 25 minutes, until 7:55 p.m. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS Prior to being excused for the Executive Session, Councilmembers Debora Nelson and Jesica Stickles provided brief updates, while Councilmembers Mike Hopson, Marilyn Oertle, Josh Roundy, and Jan Schuette had nothing to report this evening. Mayor Tolbert recessed the meeting at 7:29 p.m. for the Executive Session. The meeting reconvened at 7:56 p.m. ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS City Administrator Paul Ellis requested councilmembers submit 2019 expense reports by December 20. He requested that Council allow a resolution of intent to explore potential benefits of service with North County Regional Authority be added to next Monday's meeting agenda. Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis answering Council questions. Council agreed to the item being added. REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING After a brief discussion of tonight's agenda items, councilmembers agreed that all agenda items be place on new business for next Monday's council meeting. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m. 7 Barbara Tolbert, Mayor Page 3 of 3