HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 11-17-25Minutes of the Arlington
City Council Meeting
Council Chambers
110 East 3rd Street
Monday, November 17, 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, Shelby Burke, Sheri Amundson,
Jim Kelly, Kris Wallace, Amy Rusko, Thad Newport, Mike Gilbert, City Attorney Oskar Rey,
and Chelsea Brewer.
Also Known to be Present: Kathy Vanney, Nathan Senff, Heather Watland, Tim
Abrahamson, Dave Kraski, Steve Goforth, Shelby Kreminich, 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
Leisha Nobach seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
None.
PROCLAMATIONS
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Leisha Nobach seconded the
motion to approve the Consent Agenda that was unanimously carried:
1. Minutes of the November 3 and November 10, 2025 Council meetings
2. Accounts Payable: Approval of EFT Payments and Claims Checks #114562 through
#114623, dated October 21, 2025, through November 3, 2025 in the amount of
$829,233.17; Approval of Payroll EFT Payments and Check #30470 through #30474
dated October 1, 2025, through October 31, 2025, in the amount of $1,697,464.64.
PUBLIC HEARING
None.
Page 1 of 3
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting November 17 2025
NEW BUSINESS
City Council's Confirmation and Ratification of Directors' Appointments
City Administrator Paul Ellis requested Council confirm and ratify the appointment of three
department directors
Marty Wray was appointed to the position of Airport Director January 1, 2024.
Amy Rusko was appointed to the position of Community and Economic Development
Director July 1, 2025.
Shelby Burke was appointed to the position of Finance Director November 3, 2025.
Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to confirm and ratify the appointments of Director Marty Wray, Director Amy
Rusko, and Director Shelby Burke. The motion passed unanimously.
Change Order No. 2 for SR530 Utility Crossing
City Administrator Paul Ellis requested Council approve the SR530 utility crossing fiber
installation Change order No. 2 which includes Washington State Sales Tax.
The original project amount was $149,959.60. A break in the conduit was found, so repairs
were needed, and Change Order No. 1 ($11,798.70) was approved by Council. That price
did not include Washington State Sales Tax.
Councilmember Leisha Nobach moved, and Councilmember Michele Blythe seconded the
motion to approve Change Order No. 2 for the SR530 Utility Crossing Fiber Installation and
authorized the Mayor to sign the Change Order. The motion passed unanimously.
Change Order No. 4 for 211th Place Corridor Project
Public Works Director Jim Kelly requested Council approve Change Order No. 4 for the
211th Place Corridor Project.
As the 211th Place Corridor Improvement project finished up, unexpected conditions that
were encountered and solved mutually with the contractor need to be finalized. Change
Order No. 4 is a summary of the final four items, all unplanned project conditions (COP-10
through COP-13).
Councilmember Jan Schuette moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve Contract Change Order No. 4 to the 211th Place Improvement Project
and authorized the Mayor to sign it. The motion passed unanimously.
Ordinance Adopting Fire Sprinkler Code
Community and Economic Development Director Amy Rusko requested Council approve
the ordinance adopting fire sprinkler code.
Adding new Section, 15.24.040-Fire Sprinkler Systems, to AMC Title 15 Fire Regulations
will require fire sprinklers to be installed in all new construction, including Residential
one- and two-family dwellings.
Page 2 of 3
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting November 17, 2025
This is in anticipation of the upcoming development of single-family detached homes that
will be built on 3600-4200 square foot lots with reduced separation and in locations having
significant topography that may increase the response time of Fire/EMS apparatus due to
the proposed grades of the roadways. The installation of sprinkler systems in all new
construction also enables us to evaluate the reduction of roadway widths, substantially
reducing the initial cost of installation by the developer and the overall maintenance cost
incurred by the city in perpetuity.
This item was discussed in detail at the May 27 Council workshop, June 2 Council meeting,
and the June 9 Council workshop, where it was tabled for discussion until a later date.
Councilmember Debora Nelson moved, and Councilmember Yvonne Gallardo-Van Orman
seconded the motion to approve the amended ordinance as recommended by staff and
modified by the staff during the discussion of this meeting, for the inclusion of Section
15.24.040 to AMC Title 15 and authorized the Mayor to sign it. The motion passed 6-1, with
Councilmember Leisha Nobach voting no.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Debora Nelson thanked Public Works for the excellent
work on Division and Broadway.
Councilmember Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam thanked the staff and volunteers at the Stilly
Valley Senior Center for the holiday bazaar.
ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS
None.
MAYOR'S REPORT
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Attorney Oskar Rey announced the need for an executive session to review the
performance of a public employee [RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)] for 10 minutes to last until 6:35
p.m.
Council began the executive session at 6:25 p.m.
Council returned at 6:35 with open session resuming.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meetingwas adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Don . Vanney, Mayor
Page 3 of 3