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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Signed Minutes 07-06-26 MeetingY - Council Chambers 110 East 3rd Street Monday, July 6, 2026 Minutes of the Arlington City Council Meeting Councilmembers Present: Heather Watland, Rob Toyer, Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam Michele Blythe, Nathan Senff, Tim Abrahamson, and Leisha Nobach. Council Members Absent: Staff Present: Mayor Don Vanney, Paul Ellis, Raelynn Jones, Jim Kelly, Shelby Burke, City Attorney Oskar Rey, Bryan Terry, Jonathan Ventura, Rory Bolter, Mike Gilbert, Amy Rusko, and Shawn Friang, Seth Kinney. Also Known to be Present: Kathy Vanney, Randy Nobach, Steve Maisch, Holly Sloan - Buchanan, family members of Seth Kinney, 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 Tem Michele Blythe moved to approve the revised agenda as presented. Councilmember Tim Abrahamson seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS Mayor Don Vanney and Police Chief Jonathan Ventura present the K-9 "Oso" Memorial Plaque to Officer Seth Kinney. Chief Ventura spoke of honoring the life and service of retired Police K9 Oso, who passed peacefully on April 17, 2026, with his handler, Sgt. Seth Kinney, by his side. For seven years, K9 Oso served the Arlington Police Department with extraordinary courage, loyalty, and dedication. Retiring in June 2022, Oso leaves behind a legacy that will not be forgotten. Named by Sgt. Kinney in honor of the victims of the Oso landslide, he was our police department's first dual-purpose K9. In that role, he helped shape policing in Arlington and strengthened public safety across our community. Mayor Don Vanney would like to honor the lives of K9 officers that have served the Arlington Police Department by starting a memorial wall in the Police Department building. Pagel of S Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting July 6.2026 PUBLIC COMMENT Holly Sloan -Buchanan, Arlington, provided comments. Jay Lindberg, Arlington, provided comments. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Nathan Senff seconded the motion to approve the Consent Agenda that was unanimously carried. PUBLIC HEARING None. EXECUTIVE SESSION City Attorney Oskar Rey announced the need for an executive session to discuss interpretation and application of the labor agreement [RCW 42.3 0.140 (4)], to begin at 6:15 p.m. and last 10 minutes until 6:25 p.m. There are items on the agenda following the session. Council was dismissed at 6:15 p.m. Council reconvened at 6:25 p.m. and continued with the next agenda item of New Business. NEW BUSINESS Airport Staffing City Administrator Paul Ellis explains to Council that this is a request to create a temporary Operation Specialist position at the Airport for a period of six consecutive months. This position will allow coverage for some essential duties while training new staff members. The airport has some unforeseen turnover in staffing and is training two new staff members. The creation of a temporary position will aid in training new staff and to keep current on essential functions at the Airport. Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Heather Watland seconded the motion to approve the addition of a six-month temporary position at the Airport. The motion passed unanimously. Acceptance of Stillaguamish Tribe (FY2023 and FY2024) Community Contribution Grant for Impacts from Angel of the Winds Casino Police Chief Jonathan Ventura asks Council to authorize the acceptance of the Community Contribution Grant for Impacts from Stillaguamish Tribe Angel of the Winds Casino. The grant is for $79,000.000 to purchase new unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and rifle rated ballistic shields. Acceptance of this grant will require an end -of -year budget adjustment. The City's Police Department applied for the Community Contribution Grant through the Stillaguamish Tribe in March 2026 and was notified of the award in June 2026. Grant funds will be used to acquire state-of-the-art equipment, provide training for department personnel, and establish the infrastructure needed to ensure the equipment operates efficiently and effectively. This award reflects the strong partnership between our department and the communities we serve and exemplifies the spirit of collaboration. The positive impact of the Tribe's generosity will be felt not only within the Arlington Police Page 2 of 5 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting July 6.2026 Department, but throughout our shared community, which will benefit from the enhanced capabilities of our agency. Discussion followed with Chief Ventura answering Council questions. Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Tim Abrahamson seconded the motion to approve the Acceptance of Stillaguamish Tribe's Community Contribution Grant and subsequent budget amendment in the amount of $79,000 and authorize the Mayor to sign it. The motion passed unanimously. Request for Waiver of Fees for FAA Arlington Municipal Airport Runway 34 Approach Lighting Project Community & Economic Development Director Amy Rusko explains that Community and Economic Development is requesting a waiver of fees on behalf of the United States Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration for the Arlington Municipal Airport Replacement of Runway 34 Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System (MALS) with MALS with Flashers (MALSF) Project. The project is funded by the Federal Government, which is requesting that fees are waived per the Supremacy Clause of Article VI, Clause 2 of the US Constitution. The Building Permit Fee is $15,790.32 for plan review, permit fee, and processing technology fee. The State Surcharge Fee is not exempt and will be charged. Federal Government funded projects are typically exempt from building permit fees. Discussion followed with Ms. Rusko answering Council questions. Councilmember Rob Toyer moved, and Councilmember Tim Abrahamson seconded the motion to authorize the Mayor to waive the building permit fees and sign the Permit Fee Waiver Form for the FAA Arlington Municipal Airport Runway 34 Approach Lighting Project. The motion passed unanimously. Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with SAFEbuilt Washington, LLC for Building Plan Review and Inspection Services. Community & Economic Development Director Amy Rusko explains that the Community and Economic Development Department requests to continue the Professional Services Agreement with SAFEbuilt Washington, LLC. The proposed Second Amendment is to provide building plan review and building inspection services on an on call/as needed basis for the next 5 years and an annual automatic renewal after that timeframe until termination or updates to the agreement are needed. The rate for plan review and inspection remains unchanged at 70% of the combined Building Permit Fee and Plan Review Fee stated in the Arlington fee schedule as established by ordinance and Fire Code Plan Review and Inspection at $150.00 per hour - one (1) hour minimum. Page 3 of 5 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting July 6 2026 The Community and Economic Development Department has held a Professional Services Agreement with SAFEbuilt Washington, LLC for building plan review and building, plumbing, and mechanical inspections services since October 2018. The first Amendment extended the contract through June 2026. Discussion followed with Ms. Rusko answering Council questions. Councilmember Leisha Nobach moved, and Councilmember Rob Toyer seconded the motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with SAFEbuilt Washington, LLC for Building Plan Review and Inspection Services. Safebuilt Planning Services Contract Community & Economic Development Director Amy Rusko requests the approval of a Professional Services Agreement with SAFEbuilt Washington, LLC for Planning Review Consultant Services due to not refilling the Planning Manager position. The proposed Professional Services Agreement would allow the department to utilize consultant services for review of land use projects, development, and entitlement application materials, along with code amendments, new code development, and comprehensive plan amendments per the Scope of Services included with the Professional Service Agreement. The Planning Review services are on an on-call/as needed basis for 1 year with an annual automatic renewal after that timeframe until termination or updates to the agreement are needed. The rate for services is a per hour rate subject to employee classification needed for the proposed work as shown in the Compensation/Payment Schedule included with the Professional Services Agreement. If additional funding is needed for the remainder of 2026 a Budget Amendment will be requested from the Permit Revenue Fund. The Community and Economic Development Department chose not to refill the Planning Manager position after the Planning Manager left employment in the City in March of this year in order to reduce budget costs for 2026 and 2027. This is proposed to be a short-term Agreement with a plan to hire an additional Planner in 2028 if funds are available or within the 2029-2030 Biennial Budget. Discussion followed with Ms. Rusko answering Council questions. Councilmember Leisha Nobach moved, and Councilmember Heather Watland seconded the motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the Professional Services Agreement with SAFEbuilt Washington, LLC for Planning Review Services. COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS Nathan Senff attended the carnival and 4th of July parade and reminded the community of the upcoming Street Fair. Leisha Nobach attended the 4th of July events over the weekend and enjoyed the community spirit of Arlington throughout the events. Page 4 of 5 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting July 6.2026 ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS None. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Vanney thanked the Maintenance and Operations Department and the Police Department for their hard work during the 4th of July festivities. He attended multiple community events throughout the day. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:39 p.m. Don E. Vanney, Mayor Page 5 of 5