HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Signed Minutes 06-08-26 WorkshopE
Council Chambers
110 East 3rd Street
Monday, June 8, 2026
Minutes of the Arlington
City Council Workshop
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, Shelby Burke, Thad Newport, Ameresia Lawlis,
Marty Wray, Josh Grinde, Jonathan Ventura, Rory Bolter, Mike Gilbert, and Chelsea Brewer.
Also Known to be Present: Randy Nobach, Steven Maisch, Holly Sloan -Buchanan, Julie
Winchell, Craig McDonald, Dwan Kinney, Jim Hafner 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
Nathan Senff seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
None.
WORKSHOP ITEMS - NO ACTION WAS TAKEN
Interlocal Agreement with Arlington School District No.16 for School Resource Officer
City Administrator Paul Ellis provides an explanation regarding the renewal of the interlocal
agreement with Arlington Public Schools #16 for the School Resource Officer Position. This
position is budgeted in the police department operations budget.
The school district and the police department are mutually responsible for providing a safe
environment within which students may receive appropriate instructional and educational
services, which can be delivered more efficiently through the cooperative efforts of said
partners to the benefits of public health, safety, and welfare. The school district and the
police department agree that it is in the best interest to assign a school resource officer to
schools mutually agreed upon by both parties. Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis answering
Council questions.
Page 1 of S
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop June 8 2026
Acceptance of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Officer
Wellness Grant
Police Chief Jonathan Ventura asks for Council authorization to authorize the acceptance of
a Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Officer Wellness Grant in the
amount of $13,551.00 to repurpose and outfit a room within the police department as a
wellness, recovery, and resiliency room. This room will be a low -barrier space designed
specifically for employees to decompress, recover, and return to duty with improved focus
and readiness. Grant acceptance and purchases may trigger the necessity for an end of year
budget amendment.
Through labor-management meetings, employee satisfaction surveys, and exit interviews,
the Police Department has identified officer mental health and wellness as a key part of
employee engagement, job satisfaction, retention, and long-term career success. Police
Administration is finding practical, creative solutions such as partnering with other City
departments, labor groups, private businesses, and pursuing grant opportunities to help take
care of our people. This is essential to the success of our mission and our community.
Discussion followed with Mr. Ventura answering Council questions.
Ordinance Approving Amendment to AMC Chapter 20.16 Permits and Land Division
Associate Planner Ameresia Lawlis reviews the 2026 AMC Chapter 20.16 Zoning Code
Amendment includes reorganizing permit categories, removing or refining steps in the
review process, and clarifying timelines, fees, and consolidated review procedures. It also
removes duplicative or outdated code language and improves internal consistency across
sections. Land division standards are updated to reflect current practices and state
requirements, including new provisions where required.
The AMC Chapter 20.16 Zoning Code Amendments were proposed with the 2026 Docket.
The Community and Economic Development Department proposed to update the chapter for
consistency with House Bill 1096, Senate Bill 5611 and Engrossed House Bill 1403. Staff also
proposed updates to all text regarding subdivision types. While editing the chapter staff
identified additional changes including, clarifications, permit naming structure, updates to
permit type thresholds and the clarification of process for lot consolidations. Discussion
followed with Ms. Lawlis answering Council questions.
Ordinance Approving Amendment to AMC Chapter 20.40 Permissible Uses
Associate Planner Ameresia Lawlis reviews the 2026 AMC Chapter 20.40 Zoning Code
Amendment involves revisions including updates to clarify requirements and reflect changes
in state and local regulations. The amendment renames permit type references to align with
the updated Type I -IV permit structure and thresholds in AMC 20.16 and clarifies
requirements where some ambiguity existed. The amendment also revised allowable uses in
specific zones as required by new state regulations. Duplexes are proposed to be allowed in
RULC per new state law (RCW 36.70A.635 "Trade Businesses" were added to the Permissible
Use table and allowed in Industrial zones, and Daycare Centers are updated to be allowed in
all zones except Industrial per new Senate Bill (SB5509). As directed by City Council, an
exclusion was also added for Data Centers.
Page 2 of 5
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop June 8.2026
The AMC Chapter 20.40 Zoning Code Amendments were proposed with the 2026 Docket.
The Community and Economic Development Department needed to update the section to be
in line with House Bill 1110 and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5509. During the revision
process, additional edits were identified such as Permit types and the exclusion of data
centers from the permissible uses. Discussion followed with Ms. Lawlis answering Council
questions.
Ordinance Approving Amendment to AMC Chapter 20.110 Mixed Use Development
Regulations
Associate Planner Ameresia Lawlis reviews the 2026 AMC Chapter 20.110 Zoning Code
Amendment involves revisions to AMC 20.110 including changing the permit types from
Zoning/Special Use/Conditional Use to Type I/Type II/Type III and thresholds for
consistency with AMC 20.16. Removal of drive-thru references and provide specific
requirements around drive-thrus. Update to mapping. Removal and updates to definitions
for consistency with the chapter.
Community and Economic Development Department proposed updates to ensure
consistency with the Title 20 changes regarding permit naming. While reviewing, additional
changes were identified with mapping and drive-thrus. Discussion followed with Ms. Lawlis
answering Council questions.
Airport On -Call Engineering Professional Services Agreement Contract Amendment
Airport Director Marty Wray requests that the City Council authorize the Mayor to execute
an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with DOWL, the Airport's current on -
call engineering consultant. The existing agreement limits the annual contract amount to
$15,000. Staff is requesting an amendment to increase the annual contract amount to
$30,000 to accommodate current and anticipated engineering service needs.
The requested increase is necessary to cover additional engineering services that were not
anticipated in the original contract amount. These services included evaluation of glider
operating areas to support airport planning and operational safety, which exceeded the
Airport's routine on -call engineering needs. Increasing the contract amount will allow the
airport to cover these unanticipated services and continue receiving timely engineering
support. Discussion followed with Mr. Wray answering Council questions.
Airport Quarterly Report
Airport Director Marty Wray presented the Airport Quarterly Report for the second quarter
of 2026.
Maintenance and Operations Quarterly Report
Maintenance and Operations Manager Josh Grindy presented the Quarterly Report for the
Maintenance and Operations Department. Discussion followed with Mr. Grindy answering
Council questions.
Page 3 of 5
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop June 8 2026
ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS
None.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Vanney thanked the Councilmembers for filling in for him at the 6/1 Council Meeting.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Nathan Senff thanked community members for supporting and attending
the Farmer's Market and the Pop -Up Shop over the previous weekend during rainy
weather.
Councilmember Leisha Nobach commended the Maintenance and Operations Department
for assisting with the Senior Parade and the Youth Council for assisting with the stage
events at the park.
Councilmember Tim Abrahamson attended a ceremony for Eagle Scout Troop 92 and
commended the organization in helping to build citizenship.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Julie Winchell, Arlington, provided comment.
Craig McDonald, Arlington, provided comment.
Dwan Kinney, Arlington, provided comment.
Jim Haffner, Arlington, 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 15, 2026 Council meeting:
1. Interlocal Agreement with Arlington School District No. 16 for School Resource Officer
2. Acceptance of Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Officer Wellness
Grant
3. Ordinance Approving Amendment to Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.16 Permits
and Land Division
4. Ordinance Approving Amendment to Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.40
Permissible Uses
S. Ordinance Approving Amendment to Arlington Municipal Code Chapter 20.110 Mixed
Use Development Regulations
6. Airport On -Call Engineering Professional Services Agreement Contract Amendment
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
Page 4 of 5
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop tune 8.2026
ADLOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
Don E. Vanney, Mayor
Page 5 of 5