HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 10-20-25Minutes of the Arlington
City Council Meeting
Council Chambers
110 East 3rd Street
Monday, October 20, 2025
Councilmembers Present: Heather Logan, Rob Toyer, Debora Nelson, Michele Blythe
Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Leisha Nobach, and Jan Schuette.
Council Members Absent: None.
Staff Present: Mayor Don Vanney, Paul Ellis, Shawn Friang, Amy Rusko, Jim Kelly, City
Attorney Oskar Rey, Bryan Terry, Mike Gilbert, and Rory Bolter.
Also Known to be Present: Kathy Vanney, Drew Bono, Tim Abrahamson, Heather Watland,
Nathan Senff, Randy Nobach, Kim Casteel, Sid Logan, and Larry Johnson.
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 Tern 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
None.
PROCLAMATIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
A written public comment was distributed to Council.
Larry Johnson, Arlington, provided comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Leisha Nobach seconded the
motion to approve the Consent Agenda that was unanimously carried:
1. Minutes of the October 3 Council retreat, and October 6 and October 13, 2025 Council
meetings
2. Accounts Payable: Approval of EFT Payments and Claims Checks #114326 through
#114429 and Petty Cash check #2049 dated September 16, 2025, through October
6, 2025, in the amount of $905,597.38.
3. Employee Handbook Policy Updates
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting October 20 2025
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Police Department Lateral Hiring Incentives Program
Human Resources Director Shawn Friang requested Council approve the Police
Department's lateral hiring incentives program.
The City of Arlington did not offer a lateral police officer candidate incentive in 2025, and
applications for lateral police officer positions were significantly down in 2025, reflecting
the broader market conditions in Washington State regarding recruitment of qualified
lateral police officer candidates. The proposed Lateral Police Officer Incentive program for
2025 and 2026 would offer different maximum incentive payments based on Washington
State or out-of-state certification. This reflects current incentives in the hiring market and
provides additional incentives for qualified in -state certified candidates that will be able to
be assigned shifts sooner than out-of-state candidates, defraying overtime that would
otherwise be spent.
The City previously had a lateral hire incentive program in place between 2018 and 2020,
which did not differentiate between Washington State certified lateral police officer
candidates and out-of-state lateral police officer candidates. The prior program offered a
maximum amount of up to $10,000.00, prorated based on level of experience, distributed in
two installments - one half at time of hire, and one half at the time of completion of
probation. The program was successful in attracting qualified lateral candidates and was
consistent with market conditions at the time. Discussion followed with Ms. Friang
answering Council questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve the Limited Term Lateral Police Officer Incentive Program, which will
begin October 20, 2025, and sunset December 31, 2026, unless revoked, modified or
canceled prior. The motion passed unanimously.
Ordinance Adopting Island Crossing Subarea Plan and Planned Action
Community and Economic Development Director Amy Rusko requested Council approve
the ordinance adopting Island Crossing Subarea Plan and Planned Action.
In preparation for the Island Crossing Subarea Plan the City implemented a development
moratorium over properties within the subarea, north of South Slough under Ordinance
No. 2023-006 (4-23-2023), Ordinance No. 2023-017 (12-04-2023), Ordinance No. 2024-
007 (6-3-2024), Ordinance No. 2024-027 (11-18-2024), and Ordinance No. 2025-001
(5-5-2025).
The City contracted with MAKERS Architecture and Urban Design in the amount of
$328,908.50 to develop and assist in the completion of the subarea plan, draft
environmental impact statement, final environmental impact statement, planned action
ordinance, development regulations, public outreach and participation.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting October 20, 2025
Councilmember Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam moved, and Councilmember Michele Blythe
seconded the motion to approve the ordinance adopting the Island Crossing Subarea Plan
and authorized the Mayor to sign the ordinance. The motion passed 6-1 with
Councilmember Jan Schuette voting no.
Ordinance Adopting Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.119
Community and Economic Development Director Amy Rusko requested Council approve
the ordinance adopting Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.119.
The AMC Chapter 20.119 Zoning Code Amendment establishes a new chapter in the zoning
code that provides development standards for the Island Crossing Subarea. The
development standards include regulations for zoning designations, permissible uses,
density and dimensional standards, street design standards, parking standards,
landscaping standards, flooding and compensatory storage. The design standards include
the theme, site planning, vehicular access and parking, pedestrian access, amenities, open
space, and building design.
The establishment of the new AMC Chapter 20.119 code amendment is directly correlated
to the Island Crossing Subarea Plan and Planned Action Ordinance. The development
standards are required to ensure the predicted built environment of the subarea. The City
of Arlington started the Island Crossing Subarea Plan in 2023. A consultant was hired to
complete the necessary studies, data review, and documents, along with facilitating public
engagement presentations, open houses, stakeholder meetings, and public engagement
ensuring comprehensive input.
Councilmember Debora Nelson moved, and Councilmember Leisha Nobach seconded the
motion to approve the ordinance adopting AMC Chapter 20.119 and authorized the Mayor
to sign the ordinance. The motion passed 6-1 with Councilmember Jan Schuette voting no.
Change Order No. 1 for Division -Broadway Restoration Project
Public Works Director Jim Kelly requested Council approve Change Order No.1 for the
Division -Broadway Restoration Project.
Public Works publicly bid the Division -Broadway Restoration Project in January 2025. The
contract was awarded to Reece Construction. After award, the City and Reece Construction
performed preliminary project staking and found that there were several serious grade
discrepancies. Upon further evaluation of the construction drawings, staff discovered even
more errors in the construction drawings (missing sidewalks, missing ADA curb ramps,
missing alley driveways, lack of slope for drainage, etc.). The City's engineering
department corrected the drawings errors. The correction changed quantities (+/-) on 33
bid items and added 12 new bid items (see Engineer's Estimate). Since this is a federally
funded project, this change order is being processed through WSDOT. Discussion followed
with Mr. Kelly answering Council questions.
Councilmember Heather Logan moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve contract Change Order No. 1 to the Division -Broadway Restoration
Project and authorized the Mayor to sign it. The motion passed unanimously.
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Minutes of the CiV of Arlington City Council Meeting October 20 202S
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Blythe stated that she attended the Freedom Bridge Recovery Center
opening.
ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator Paul Ellis asked Public Works Director to provide an update on the
Arlington School property being sold to Miles Sand and Gravel.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Vanney stated that he attended the Freedom Bridge Recovery Center opening.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, theme i g was adjourned at 6:2S p.m.
Don anney, Mayor
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