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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Signed Minutes 02-02-26_MeetingMinutes of the Arlington City Council Meeting Council Chambers 110 East 3rd Street Monday, February 2, 2026 Councilmembers Present: Heather Watland, Rob Toyer, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Michele Blythe, Nathan Senff, Tim Abrahamson, and Leisha Nobach. Council Members Absent: None. Staff Present: Mayor Don Vanney, Paul Ellis, Sarah Lopez, Shelby Burke, Jim Kelly, Amy Rusko, Rory Bolter, Peter Barrett, Seth Kinney, Thad Newport, Ameresia Lawlis, City Attorney Oskar Rey, Chelsea Brewer, and Wendy Van Der Meersche. Also Known to be Present: Kathy Vanney, Randy Nobach and family, Kim Casteel, Denise Lester, Shane Henderson, Gayle Roeber, Ryley Nelson, Jay Lindberg, 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 Tern Michele Blythe moved to approve the agenda as presented. Councilmember Nathan Senff seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS Mayor Vanney presented the Mayor's Volunteer Award to Randy Nobach for his service in the community. PROCLAMATIONS None. PUBLIC COMMENT Jay Lindberg, Smokey Point, provided comments. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Tim Abrahamson seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda that was unanimously carried: 1. Minutes of the January 20 and January 26, 2026 Council meetings and January 23, 2026 City Council Retreat and Orientation 2. Accounts Payable: Approval of EFT Payments and Claims Checks #115081 through #115166, dated December 31, 2025 in the amount of $996,587.50; and Approval of EFT Payments and Claims Checks #115167through #115214, dated January 5, 2026 through January 20th, 2026 in the amount of $370,770.70. Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting February 2 2026 3. Ordinance Amending Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 2.52 Planning Commission 4. Ordinance Repealing Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 2.104 Design Review Board PUBLIC HEARING None. NEW BUSINESS Planning Commission Appointments Community and Economic Development Director Amy Rusko requested Council confirm four appointments to the Planning Commission. The interview committee recommends Drew Bono fill the vacated term of Nathan Senff that expires March 31, 2028 and Ryley Nelson fill the vacated term of Tim Abrahamson that expires March 31, 2027. The interview committee also recommends Anthony Smith fill the expiring term of Melissa Johnson and Trisha Baker to fill the expiring term of Gayle Roeber. Councilmember Leisha Nobach moved, and Councilmember Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam seconded the motion to confirm the appointments of Drew Bono and Ryley Nelson to fill the two vacant terms in the Planning Commission, beginning February 2026; and confirm the appointments of Anthony Smith and Trisha Baker to fill the two expiring terms beginning April 2026. The motion passed unanimously. Ordinance Approving Lindsay Subarea Plan and Establishing a Planned Action Community and Economic Development Director Amy Rusko requested Council approve an Ordinance Approving Lindsay Subarea Plan and Establishing a Planned Action. The Lindsay Annexation was completed in 2022 under Ordinance 2022-003, officially bringing Lindsay into the City of Arlington, where it is now one of the neighborhoods within the Hilltop Subarea. In November 2023, Ordinance 2023-016 amended AMC Section 20.44.032 Subarea Plans. This amendment reflected community priorities identified through the 2024 Comprehensive Plan engagement process and emphasizes the importance of coordinated land development through subarea planning. In 2024, MJS Investors, in partnership with the City, initiated the community planning process for the Lindsay Subarea. In December 2025, City Council approved a Development Agreement with MJS, Investors vesting critical area stream buffers and regulations, park requirements, 79th Avenue dedication and creek crossing, utility infrastructure improvements, cost recovery/latecomers' agreements, phased development, modifications process for the conceptual site plan, and terms of agreement. Councilmember Heather Watland moved, and Councilmember Rob Toyer seconded the motion to approve the ordinance adopting the Lindsay Crossing Subarea Plan and authorized the Mayor to sign the ordinance. The motion passed unanimously. Construction Funding Agreement with the Public Works Board Public Works Director Jim Kelly requested Council approve the Funding Agreement with the Public Works Board for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project. Page 2 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting February 2.2026 The City of Arlington has been seeking funding for the final phase of a multi -year project to expand the Arlington water treatment filtering capacity to meet its available water rights at Haller South Wellfield. This final phase entails construction of an expansion onto the City's existing water treatment plant. Staff applied for funding through the Public Works Board in 2025 and the City of Arlington has been selected for a $10,000,000.00 low interest loan for this project. Staff are now requesting authorization for the mayor to sign the funding agreement. Councilmember Nathan Senff moved, and Councilmember Tim Abrahamson seconded the motion to approve the funding agreement with the Public Works Board for the Water Treatment Plant Expansion Project and authorized the Mayor to sign the agreement. The motion passed unanimously. Title VI Language Access Plan (LAP) Public Works Director Jim Kelly requested Council approve the Title VI Language Access Plan (LAP). Title VI Language Access Plan (LAP) complies with WSDOT Title IV Plan and USDOT Standard Title VI/Non-Discrimination Assurances. Compliance with federal non-discrimination policies and laws are required for the City to receive federal transportation funding. Entities that receive federal financial assistance are required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d) to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to their programs and activities regardless of race, color, or national origin. Since WSDOT is Arlington's Certifying Agency, we comply with the WSDOT Title VI Plan. The city is now required as part of this process to have a Language Access Plan in place assuring that we will continue to comply with their Title VI Plan and also certify to the federal government that we will comply with the USDOT Standard Title VI/Non- Discrimination Assurances. Councilmember Tim Abrahamson moved, and Councilmember Heather Watland seconded the motion to authorize staff to adopt the Title VI Language Access Plan to comply with WSDOT Title VI requirements and the USDOT Standard Title VI Assurances. The motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS Councilmembers Blythe, Gallardo-Van Ornam and Watland provided updates from events they attended in the community. ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS None. Page 3 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting February 2 2026 MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Vanney provided information about speaking with legislators in Olympia with City Administrator Paul Ellis. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. ADIOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the7igs adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Don E. Vanney, Mayor Page 4 of 4