HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Signed Minutes 06-22-26 WorkshopMinutes of the Arlington
City Council Workshop
Council Chambers
110 East 3rd Street
Monday, June 22, 2026
Councilmembers Present: Rob Toyer, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, Michele Blythe, Nathan
Senff, Tim Abrahamson, and Leisha Nobach.
Council Members Absent: Heather Watland - Excused.
Staff Present: Mayor Don Vanney, Paul Ellis, Shelby Burke, Thad Newport,, Jonathan
Ventura, Rory Bolter, and Chelsea Brewer.
Also Known to be Present: Randy Nobach, Steven Maisch, Holly Sloan -Buchanan
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 Tern 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
Interlocal Agreement for the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force for 2026
Police Chief Jonathan Ventura explains the Interlocal Agreement for the Snohomish Regional
Drug Task Force for 2026 is a renewal agreement. The term of the Interlocal is January 1,
2026-December 31, 2027, contingent upon local legislative appropriation of the necessary
funds.
The Interlocal Agreement allows participating jurisdictions to jointly coordinate selected
law enforcement activities, resources, and functions to disrupt illegal drug trafficking
systems and to remove drug traffickers through a cooperative program of investigation,
prosecution, and asset forfeiture. The City has been a longtime participant in the Task Force.
Discussion followed with Mr. Ventura answering Council questions.
Interlocal Agreement for the Allied Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) for
2026 Renewal
Police Chief Jonathan Ventura explains the Interlocal Agreement for the Allied Law
Enforcement Response Team (ALERT) is a renewal agreement for participating in 2026. The
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Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop June 22 2026
initial term of this Agreement shall be for one (1) year (the "Initial Term"), from the effective
date of this Agreement and contingent upon local legislative appropriation of the necessary
funds for this specific purpose in accordance with each party's Charter and applicable law.
The term of this Agreement may be extended for up to two (2) additional periods of five (5)
years each (respectively, the "First Extended Term" and the "Second Extended Term").
Extension of the Agreement shall be automatic unless one of the parties provides written
notice of termination as more fully described in Section 15 of this Agreement. The City has
been a longtime participant in the Allied Law Enforcement Response Team (ALERT).
Discussion followed with Mr. Ventura answering Council questions.
Acceptance of Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) FY27 Simple
Possession Advocacy and Representation Program (SPAR) Grant
Police Chief Jonathan Ventura asks Council to authorize the acceptance of a WA State Office
of Public Defense (ODP) FY27 SPAR Grant in the amount of $49,000.00 to for eligible public
defense costs related to representation on simple drug possession or public use charges in
courts of limited jurisdiction. This funding helps reimburse localities for public defense costs
incurred in the representation of adults charged with misdemeanor drug possession or
public use offenses.
RCW 2.70.200 authorizes WA State OPD to reimburse localities for eligible public defense
costs related to representation on simple drug possession or public use charges in courts of
limited jurisdiction. Our Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation (SPAR) Program
administers and disburses these funds. The legislature limited these funds to counties with
a population of 500,000 or less, or to cities with a population of 200,000 or less. Discussion
followed with Mr. Ventura answering Council questions.
Medallion Inn and Suites Right of Way Dedication of Real Property for Public Right of
Way Purposes
Development Services Manager Thad Newport presents the information related to the
dedication of a strip of real property for public Right of Way purposes, as described in Exhibit
"A". Dedication of real property for Right of Way purposes related to new development is
typically dedicated through the Land Use process pursuant to 20.56.170 AMC. This
dedication was a requirement of the Medallion Inn & Suites Binding Site Plan.
Financial Quarterly Report
Finance Director Shelby Burke presented the May 2026 Quarterly Report for the Finance
Department. Discussion followed with Ms. Burke answering Council questions.
ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator Paul Ellis reminds Council that the next Council Meeting will be on July 6,
2026.
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Minutes of the City of Arlin tog, » City Council Workshop lune 22, 2026
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Don Vanney indicates that he will be attending the AWC Conference in Wenatchee and
provided Council with a brief synopsis of the topics of interest to be discussed at the
conference.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS/COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS
Councilmember Nathan Senff acknowledges tribal members Nakita Strangeways and
Ember Bennu for their creativity and dedication for the tribal artwork on 211th Street NE.
In addition, he noticed an increase in young entrepreneurs attending the Farmer's Market
and indicated the first Father's Day Cookoff was a success.
Councilmember Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam provided a humorous antidote regarding
ranch dressing and visitors attending the World Cup games. She also pointed out that there
is a labrynth spiral pathway located in Legion Park that is often referred to as the Zen
Garden. In addition, she commended Sarah Lopez and the Maintenance and Operations
Department for organizing the event.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rob Berry, Arlington, provided comment.
Mary O'Farrell, Stanwood, 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 July 6, 2026 Council meeting:
1. Interlocal Agreement for the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force for 2026
2. Interlocal Agreement for the Allied Law Enforcement Response Team
(ALERT) for 2026 Renewal
3. Acceptance of Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) FY27
Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation Program (SPAR) Grant
4. Medallion Inn and Suites Right of Way Dedication of Real Property for Public Right
of Way Purposes
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
-DwT—E:. Vanney, Mayor
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