HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 07-07-25Minutes of the Arlington
City Council Meeting
Council Chambers
110 East 3rd Street
Monday, July 7, 2025
Councilmembers Present: Rob Toyer, Debora Nelson, Michele Blythe Yvonne Gallardo-
Van Ornam, Leisha Nobach, and Jan Schuette, and Heather Logan who joined with Teams.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Mayor Don Vanney, Paul Ellis, Sheri Amundson, City Attorney Oskar Rey,
Monroe Whitman, Chelsea Brewer, and Wendy Van Der Meersche.
Also Known to be Present: Kathy Vanney, Randy Nobach, Nathan Senff, Heather Watland,
Tim Abrahamson, Steve Maisch, Holly Sloan -Buchanan, Deb Kindinger, Courtney Amonsen,
Jay Lindberg, Mark Dolan, Dixie Dolan, Tom McNeil, and others.
Mayor Don Vanney called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and the Pledge of Allegiance and
roll call followed.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Michele Blythe moved to approve the agenda as presented. Councilmember
Rob Toyer seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Joining the Council meeting with Microsoft Teams, Audit Manager Courtney Amonsen
introduced herself and Audit Lead Deb Kindinger. With the use of PowerPoint, Ms. Amonsen
and Ms. Kindinger conducted the audit entrance conference for the 2024 Audit.
PROCLAMATIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jay Lindberg, Stanwood, provided comments.
Mark Dolan, Arlington, provided comments.
Dixie Dolan, Arlington, provided comments.
Tom McNeil, Arlington, provided comments.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Rob Toyer seconded the motion
to approve the Consent Agenda that was unanimously carried:
1. Minutes of the June 16 and June 23, 2025 Council meetings
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting July 7 2025
2. Accounts Payable: Approval of EFT Payments and Claims Checks #113569 through
#113686 dated June 3 through June 16 for $1,526,329.52.
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Airport Commission Appointments
Airport Operations Manager Monroe Whitman requested Council reappoint Dary Finck and
Kirk LeDoux to the Airport Commission for another term.
Dary Finck and Kirk LeDoux's terms on the Airport Commission expired April 1, 2025. The
Airport Commission selection committee consisting of Mayor Don Vanney, Councilmember
Michele Blythe, Airport Commissioner Ruth Gonzales, Airport Director Marty Wray and
Airport Operations Coordinator Lorene Robinson conducted interviews for these two
positions and Dary Finck and Kirk LeDoux were chosen for reappointments.
Councilmember Leisha Nobach moved, and Councilmember Michele Blythe seconded the
motion to appoint Dary Finck and Kirk LeDoux to the airport commission for another term.
The motion passed unanimously.
2026 Lodging Tax Distribution
City Administrator Paul Ellis requested Council approve the 2026 lodging tax funding
distribution. City Attorney Oskar Rey explained the process regulated by state statute.
The committee met on June 30, 2025 to review and discuss the applications. 17 grant
applications were received totaling $264,185. The total amount that could be awarded was
$185,000. An example of some of the priorities the committee focused on, in addition to
using the scoring matrix, included new projects, off season events, those with the potential
for overnight stays, number of years previously funded and events that had other sources
of funding (like admission fees or sponsorships). Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis and Mr,
Rey answering Council questions.
Councilmember Debora Nelson moved, and Councilmember Heather Logan seconded the
motion to approve the 2026 funding distribution as recommended by the lodging tax
advisory committee. The motion failed 4 to 3, with Councilmembers Rob Toyer, Michele
Blythe, Leisha Nobach, and Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam voting no. This will return to the
lodging tax committee for further review and deliberation on the distribution.
Interlocal Agreement with Arlington School District No.16 for School Resource
Officer
City Administrator Paul Ellis requested Council approve the Interlocal Agreement with
Arlington School District No.16 for a School Resource Officer.
This is a renewal of the interlocal agreement with Arlington Public Schools #16 for the
School Resource Officer position. This position is budgeted in the police operations budget.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting July 7, 2025
The school district and the police department are mutually responsible for providing a safe
environment within which students may receive appropriate instructional and educational
services, which can be delivered more efficiently through the cooperative efforts of said
partners to the benefits of public health, safety, and welfare.
The school district and the police department agree that it is in the best interest to assign a
school resource officer(s) to schools mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Councilmember Jan Schuette moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve the interlocal agreement with Arlington School District No. 16 for the
School Resource Officer and authorized the Mayor to sign the agreement. The motion
passed unanimously.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Jan Schuette provided an update regarding the Transportation Policy Board.
Councilmember Michele Blythe stated that she and Councilmember Rob Toyer enjoyed a ride
along with Officer Inci Yarkut.
Councilmember Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam thanked everyone who was involved in 4th of
July celebrations.
ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator Paul Ellis provided an update about repairs on Tveit Road.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Vanney thanked M&O, and everyone involved in working on the 4th of July
celebrations. Mayor Vanney also provided information regarding the AWC Conference he
attended in Kennewick.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Don EPVarfney, Mayor
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