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Home My WebLink AboutCouncil Signed Minutes 05-04-2026 MeetingMinutes of the Arlington City Council Meeting Council Chambers 110 East 3rd Street Monday, May 4, 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, Raelynn Jones, Jim Kelly, Kris Wallace, Shelby Burke, City Attorney Oskar Rey, Bryan Terry, Rory Bolter, Shawn Friang, Sarah Lopez, Mandy Kruger. Also Known to be Present: Kathy Vanney, Randy Nobach, Steve Maisch, Holly Sloan - Buchanan, Department of Health Environmental Engineer Ryan Deem, Diane Kreig, Daniel Jackson, Toyosi Dosunmu, Nolan Kruger, 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 Ryan Deem, an Environmental Engineer from the Department of Health, presented the National Drinking Water Week "Grace Under Pressure" Award to Zachary Resch, Daniel Petersen, and Bryan Simmons of the City of Arlington Public Works Department. Stilly Valley Chamber of Commerce Director, Diane Krieg introduced the Arlington Civic Bee Winners: Daniel Jackson, Toyosi Dosunmu, and Nolan Kruger. Each student gave a short presentation about their Civic Bee essay to City Council members and answered Council questions. PROCLAMATIONS None. PUBLIC COMMENT Tracey Gilroy (on behalf of Rick Graham), Stanwood, provided comments. Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting April 6 2026 CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Nathan Senff seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda that was unanimously carried: 1. Minutes of the April 20 and April 27, 2026 Council meetings and April 24, 2026 Council Retreat 2. Accounts Payable: Approval of Petty Cash Check #2053 & 2054, and EFT/ACH Payments and Claims Checks #115721 through #115825, dated April 7th, 2026 through April 20th, 2026 in the amount of $1,442,745.34. 3. Position Request for Water Treatment Plant Operator Resolution for WSDOT Grant - Perimeter Fencing Improvement Project Stage 2 4. Change Order No. 2 for Water Treatment Expansion Design PUBLIC HEARING None. NEW BUSINESS Condemnation Ordinance for the 180th Street and Smokey Point Boulevard Roundabout Project Public Works Director Jim Kelly requested Council approve the condemnation ordinance for the 180th Street and Smokey Point Boulevard Roundabout Project. Arlington received a grant from Puget Sound Regional Council for the design and construction of a roundabout at 180th Street and Smokey Point Boulevard as part of the Smokey Point Boulevard Corridor improvement project. This project design is near completion and will be bid early summer. As part of the roundabout project, the City needed to obtain Right of Way (ROW) and Temporary Construction Easements (TCE) from several parcels; all parcels have been acquired except for a property located at the southwest corner of the intersection. The property owners have rejected fair, above market offers for the needed ROW and TCE. Construction of this intersection project will provide for mobility and safety, it is for the good of the public and community; as such, we are now moving to obtain the ROW and TCE through condemnation proceedings. Discussion followed with Mr. Kelly answering Council questions Mayor Pro Tem Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Leisha Nobach seconded the motion to approve the ordinance allowing the City to move forward with condemnation proceedings and authorize the Mayor to sign the ordinance. The motion passed 5-1 with Councilmember Tim Abrahamson voting no. Appointments to the Cemetery Board The Cemetery Board serves as an advisory board to the Mayor and City Council with respect to all aspects of the Arlington Cemetery, explained Public Works Director Jim Kelly. The board meets quarterly and reviews activities and operations as well as finances, capital planning, future expansion plans/needs and any other issues that may arise. Three vacancies were created on the Cemetery Board with one retirement, and two terms expiring. Page 2 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting April 6. 2026 Allen Ice retired in 2026 after serving the Cemetery and community for 24 years - the City is grateful for Allen's many years of service and will be acknowledged in an upcoming meeting. The City advertised for the open Cemetery Board positions and four applications were received. An interview committee consisting of city staff, a current cemetery board member, and an elected official (Michele Blythe) conducted interviews with the applicants on April 21, 2026. While all applicants are very well qualified, the interview committee is recommending the renewal of Annette Patterson, and the appointment of Alan Weil and Erika Coghill to fill the vacant positions. Councilmember Leisha Nobach moved, and Councilmember Tim Abrahamson seconded the motion to re -appoint Annette Patterson and appoint Alan Weil and Erika Coghill to the Arlington Cemetery Board. The motion passed unanimously. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Appointments The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) consists of two representatives from the hotel/lodging industry, two representatives from businesses that are actively involved in activities eligible for lodging tax funding, and one City Council representative who serves as chair of the committee, explained Finance Director, Shelby Burke. All of these positions are currently either up for renewal or vacant. For the City Council representative and committee chair position, the Mayor has appointed Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam. One individual representing the hotel/motel side of the committee has expressed interest in continuing to serve on the committee: Rachel Ralson, representing Hotel Services Group (Best Western). Ms. Ralson has been a valuable contributor, providing hotel industry insight that has led to process improvements within the program. Historically, it has been difficult to find hoteliers willing to serve on the committee. At this time, no other individuals representing local hotels/motels have expressed interest. Staff will continue efforts to identify an additional hotelier to serve on the committee. Two individuals have expressed interest in serving on the LTAC as representatives of businesses actively involved in activities eligible for lodging tax funding. Michele Heiderer, representing the Stillaguamish Valley Museum, is interested in continuing on the committee for another two-year term. Matt Bass, who would represent the Downtown Arlington Business Association (DABA) and Windermere Arlington, has also expressed interest in joining the committee. Both Michele and Matt bring valuable perspectives based on their respective areas of expertise and would be strong additions to the committee. The Finance Director has been actively reaching out to individuals who may be interested in serving on the committee and conducting interviews. Due to the longstanding difficulty in filling positions on this committee, the recruitment process differs from that of other City of Arlington committees in order to meet representation requirements. Page 3 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting April 6 2026 Councilmember Tim Abrahamson moved, and Councilmember Heather Watland seconded the motion to confirm the appointment of Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Rachel Ralson, Matt Bass, and Michele Heiderer, to the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The motion passed unanimously. COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS Councilmember Heather Watland acknowledged Nurse's and Teacher's Week and expressed her appreciation. ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS None. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Vanney stated that he attended the AWC Legislative Advisory Commission on April 30th and May 1st and provided a report on the event. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the mee was adjourned at 6:27 p.m. i D anney, Mayor Page 4 of 4