HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Signed Minutes 05-26-26 WorkshopMinutes of the Arlington
City Council Workshop
Council Chambers
110 East 3rd Street
Tuesday, May 26, 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, Raelynn Jones, Shelby Burke, Jim Kelly, Thad
Newport, Lorene Robinson, Sarah Lopez, Mandy Kruger, Jonathan Ventura, Rory Bolter, and
Chelsea Brewer.
Also Known to be Present: Randy Nobach, Steven Maisch, Holly Sloan -Buchanan, Julie
Winchell, members of the press 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
Low Bid Award for the 67th Avenue Sewer Interceptor Upsizing Project
Public Works Director Jim Kelly presented the preliminary bid tab low bid award for the 67th
Avenue Sewer Interceptor Upsizing Project. In 2022, the city entered into contract with RH2
Consultants for engineering design services for the upsizing of the City's 67th Avenue
interceptor gravity sewer line from 200th Place NE to north of Woodlands Way,
approximately 4,835 feet. Due to the length of this project, it was designed in two
construction phases.
The City publicly bid Phase 1 of the project and bids were opened on May 12, 2026: Reece
Construction is the apparent low bidder with a bid of $1,582,000.55. Staff is qualifying the
bids and will have a final recommendation at the June 1, 2026 council meeting. Discussion
followed with Mr. Kelly answering Council questions.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop May 26 2026
188th and Smokey Point Boulevard Roundabout (RAB) Project, Change Order #3
Public Works Director Jim Kelly reviews Change Order #3 to the 188th Street Roundabout
Project, additional expenses for sanitary sewer north approximately 1,090 feet and connect
to Lift Station 6.
Public Works publicly bid the 188th and Smokey Point Boulevard Project in fall 2025, the
contract was awarded to SRV Construction Inc. As part of this project, the existing 8-inch
sanitary sewer main was being upgraded to an 18-inch sewer main within the project limits.
Change Order #2 was issued to extend the 18-inch sewer main approximately 1,100 feet to
Lift Station 6. This change order is for costs incurred during the additional 18-inch sewer
installation and other sewer conflicts associated with the remaining contracted sewer
installation work. All of the sewer costs will be paid for from the Sewer CIP fund, there is
sufficient funding in the Sewer CIP fund to cover this change order. Discussion followed with
Mr. Kelly answering Council questions.
Snohomish County PUD Distribution Easement for Jensen Park Townhomes
Development Services Engineering Manager Thad Newport presented the Snohomish
County Public Utility District No. 1 (PUD) request for an easement ten (10) feet in width
to place a new underground electrical service to provide electrical power for the Jensen Park
Townhomes project. This new electrical service will be placed adjacent to the Public Right of
Way of Jensen Farm Lane.
The PUD requests, from time to time, easements for the placement of electrical infrastructure
associated with their distribution and transmission systems. This electrical service was
requested by the PUD in order to provide power for the private development. Discussion
followed with Mr. Newport answering Council questions.
Incorporation of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rates and update of the 2026
Airport Rate Chart for the City of Arlington Municipal Airport
Airport Operations Coordinator Lorene Robinson presents the proposed electric vehicle
(EV) charging station rates for the City of Arlington Municipal Airport and updated airport
rates and fees provided in the 2026 Airport Rate Chart and recommend including them in
the City's Resolution for Rates and Fees Schedule. The City has not yet adopted rates for EV
charging station use. The Airport currently has a Level 2 charger installed in the parking lot
and is prepared to open it for public use once rates are approved.
Based on outreach and review of nearby EV charging rates, staff propose the following rates:
• Energy fee: $0.27 per kWh while charging
• Occupancy fee: $0.27 per minute after charging is complete, with a 10-minute grace
period and a maximum fee of $25.00
Other updates to this rate chart include annual rate adjustments based on the Consumer
Price Index (CPI) and land appraisals. The Airport Commission approved the 2026 Airport
Rates and Fees Chart, including EV charging rates, at the May 11, 2026, Commission meeting.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop May 26, 2026
The city has not yet adopted rates for use of EV charging stations. As electric vehicle use has
increased, airport staff developed a proposed rate structure to support operations, provide
transparency to users, and promote fair access to charging spaces at the Arlington Municipal
Airport. Discussion followed with Ms. Robinson answering Council questions.
Resolution Adopting a Revised Fee Schedule
City Administrator Paul Ellis presents the amended fee resolution and indicates that Staff is
proposing changes to the Fee Resolution to update fees and rates for 2026 and provide minor
clerical corrections to the document. The proposed changes involve multiple department
updates including the Community and Economic Development Department and the
Arlington Municipal Airport.
The fee resolution sets the fees for city services, and the proposed changes reflect updates to
fees and services of multiple departments. Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis answering
Council questions.
Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for services between Snohomish County and the
City of Arlington, particularly Snohomish County Diversion Center participation.
Police Chief Jonathan Ventura requests the City Council approve a renewal
Intergovernmental Agreement for services between Snohomish County and the City of
Arlington for Snohomish County Diversion Center participation. There is currently no direct
service fee (only incidental costs) to use the center as it is funded by State and County
Chemical Dependency and Mental Health tax revenue. The City must contract with a social
services professional to participate.
The Arlington Police Department launched a Law Enforcement Embedded Social Worker
(LEESW) program in 2018, pairing an officer with social worker. This Co -response team is
committed to addressing issues affecting our community members, including homelessness,
substance addiction, and mental health. The Diversion Center is critical tool to their success.
Discussion followed with Mr. Ventura answering Council questions.
Community Engagement Quarterly Report
Community Engagement Director Sarah Lopez presented the Community Engagement
Quarterly Report for May 2026. In addition, Public Information Officer Mandy Kruger
provided an overview of the Meet Me In Arlington program showcasing the web page and
analytics. Discussion followed with Ms. Kruger and Ms. Lopez answering questions.
ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS
None.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Vanney thanked Community Engagement Director Sarah Lopez, Public Information
Officer Mandy Kruger, and Police Chief Jonathan Ventura for the information they provided
to the public during recent events.
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop May 26 2026
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Tim Abrahamson thanked the community volunteers, Police Department
and Fire Department that helped set up the flags for Memorial Day. He also discussed the
topic of data centers and proposed the city pass an ordinance prohibiting data centers within
the City limits.
Discussion followed regarding the topic of data centers with Councilmembers Michelle
Blythe, Nathan Senff, Leisha Nobach, Heather Watland, Rob Toyer, and Yvonne Gallardo-Van
Ornam providing comments.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Cierra Meske, Lake Stevens; provided comment.
REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING
Councilmembers discussed and agreed to put the following items on the Consent Agenda
for the June 1, 2026 Council meeting:
1. Low Bid Award for the 67th Avenue Sewer Interceptor Upsizing Project
2. 188th and Smokey Point Boulevard Roundabout (RAB) Project Change Order #3
3. Snohomish County PUD Distribution Easement for Jensen Park Townhomes
4. Electric Vehicle Charging Station Rates and Updates to the 2026 Airport Rate Chart
for the Arlington Municipal Airport
5. Resolution Adopting a Revised Fee Schedule
6. Renewal of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA
EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Administrator Paul Ellis announced the need for an executive session to discuss the
performance of a public employee [RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)], with no action to be taken
afterward, to begin at 6:53 p.m. and last ten minutes until 7:03 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Don E. Vanney, Mayor
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