HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Signed Minutes 03-09-26_WorkshopMinutes of the Arlington
City Council Workshop
Council Chambers
110 East 3rd Street
Monday, March 9, 2026
Councilmembers Present: Heather Watland, Rob Toyer, Michele Blythe, Nathan Senff, Tim
Abrahamson, and Leisha Nobach.
Council Members Absent: Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, excused.
Staff Present: Mayor Don Vanney, Paul Ellis, Shawn Friang, Shelby Burke, Amy Rusko, Thad
Newton, Marty Wray, Ameresia Lawlis, Jim Kelly, Kris Wallace, Peter Barrett, and Chelsea
Brewer.
Also Known to be Present: Kathy Vanney, Randy Nobach, Kim Casteel, Brenda White,
Jessica Sparr, Andra Flaherty, Neal Karman, Kevin Duncan, Conor Baer, Dan Tarasievich, and
others.
Mayor Don Vanney called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm, 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
Tim Abrahamson seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
None.
WORKSHOP ITEMS - NO ACTION WAS TAKEN
Compensation Proposal and Easement Approval for PUD Transmission Lines
A presentation was performed by Jessica Sparr, Program Manager for Energy Storage and
Emerging Technologies, and Andra Flaherty, Senior Manager of Transmission and
Distribution Engineering Design from Snohomish County PUD. Discussion followed with Ms.
Sparr and Ms. Flaherty answering Council questions.
Airport Director Marty Wray reviewed the compensation proposal and easement approval
for PUD transmission lines. Snohomish County PUD is proposing a transmission and
distribution line(s) that will require approximately 237,633 square feet of easement area
belonging to the Airport. FAA grant assurances require any easement to be compensated at
current market value. The location(s) are on 59th St. to the East of the Airport on the West
side of the street.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop March 9 2026
The FAA has conducted obstruction surveys of the locations and deemed a determination of
no significance. The plan will include tree removal and compensation is considered at
current market value, as well. Discussion followed with Mr. Wray answering Council
questions.
Ordinance Amending Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.04
Associate Planner Ameresia Lawlis reviewed an ordinance amending Arlington Municipal
Code (AMC) Chapter 20.04.
The amendments to AMC Chapter 20.04 Zoning Code Amendment include updates to
20.04.014(a)(6) to provide additional information to regulating the subdivision of land for
lot splits, AMC 20.0.120 to provide additional reference documents to the prescribed list and
add a new section to incorporate regulations around the Designation of Historic Landmarks
per Substitute House Bill 1576.
The AMC Chapter 20.04 Zoning Code Amendments were proposed with the 2026 Docket.
The Community and Economic Development Department needed to provide clarification
regarding the intent for regulating subdivisions, update the list of supplemental documents
to include all subarea plans and planned actions, and create a new section regarding state
regulated historic designations. The proposed zoning code amendments are required to
comply with the state law and local requirements. Discussion followed with Ms. Lawlis
answering Council questions.
Ordinance Amending Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 2 0.2 0
Associate Planner Ameresia Lawlis reviewed an ordinance amending Arlington Municipal
Code (AMC) Chapter 20.20.
The amendments to AMC Chapter 20.20 Zoning Code Amendment includes clarification of
administrative interpretations of the zoning map, creating a new section to allow for
administrative interpretations to any portion of the code or state law requirement,
clarification for split zoning within a lot, and removal of the Design Review Board references
per Title 2 changes.
The AMC Chapter 20.20 Zoning Code Amendments were proposed with the 2026 Docket.
The Community and Economic Development Department needed to provide clarification on
the appeals process, create a process for an administrative interpretation of the code to
provide clarity to any potentially ambiguous or conflicting language found in the code and
other minor changes. Discussion followed with Ms_ Lawlis answerin¢ Council .,,stuns.
Ordinance Amending Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.46
Associate Planner Ameresia Lawlis reviewed an ordinance amending Arlington Municipal
Code (AMC) Chapter 20.46. The amendments to AMC Chapter 20.46 Zoning Code
Amendment includes updates to sections of this Chapter regarding the design review general
development standards, standards adopted, conformance with design standards, design
review requirements and restrictions, design review process, administrative design review,
design review board recommendation, and design review approval requirements in
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop March 9. 2026
compliance with Engrossed Senate Bill 5559 and the Revised Code of Washington under
RCW 36.70A.630, RCW 36.70A.635, RCW 36.70A.030, and RCW 36.70A.681.
The AMC Chapter 20.46 Zoning Code Amendments were proposed with the 2026 Docket.
The Community and Economic Development Department needed to update language
regarding Design Review Board, update current supplemental documents, and remove
sections now provided within their own supplemental documents. The proposed zoning
code amendments are required to comply with the state law and local requirements.
Discussion followed with Ms. Lawlis answering Council questions.
Change Order No.1 for Jensen Park Project
Public Works Director Jim Kelly reviewed Change Order No. 1 for the Jensen Park Project
miscellaneous site and utility changes
The City bid the Jensen Park Project in July 2025, and the contract was awarded to Reece
Construction, Inc. During construction, various unanticipated changes were needed and
approved via Change Order Proposals (COP) to keep the project moving. Staff has assembled
Change Order No 1 incorporating the following changes for City Council's approval.
1- COP-1 Bathroom internal plumbing and water connections.
2 - COP-2 Miscellaneous site work changes.
3 - COP-3 Pedestrian pathway asphalt removal and paving (ADA compliance).
There is sufficient funding in the, project budget to cover these changes. Discussion followed
with Mr. Kelly answering Council questions.
ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS
None.
MAYOR'S REPORT
None.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Nobach spoke of a positive experience she had on a police ride along with
Officer Kidd -Zimmerman.
Councilmember Senff reviewed his engagements in the community.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Neal Karman, Lake Stevens, provided comments.
Conor Baer, Snohomish, provided comments.
Dan Tarasievich, Arlington, provided comments.
Kevin Duncan, Arlington, provided comments.
REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Councilmembers discussed and agreed to put the following items on the Consent Agenda
for the March 16, 2026 Council meeting.
2. Ordinance Amending Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.04
3. Ordinance Amending Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.20
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop March 9 2026
4. Ordinance Amending Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.46
5. Change Order No. 1 for Jensen Park Project
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:48 p.m.
D16in'T Vanney, Mayor
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