Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Signed Minutes 09-14-26_WorkshopMinutes of the Arlington City Council Workshop Council Chambers 110 East 3rd Street Monday, September 14, 2026 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, Shelby Burke, Shawn Friang, Rory Bolter, Monroe Whitman, Lorene Robinson, Peter Barrett, Jonathan Ventura, and Chelsea Brewer. Also Known to. be Present: Kathy Vanney, Randy Nobach, Steven Maisch, Holly Sloan - Buchanan, Dwan Kinney, Drew Bono, 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 Tern Michele Blythe moved to approve the agenda as presented with the exception that Agenda Item No. 5., Division and Broadway Restoration Project - Change Order No. 3 be removed and continued to the next council meeting. Councilmember Rob Toyer seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote. INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS None. WORKSHOP ITEMS NO ACTION WAS TAKEN Council Rules of Procedure - Update to Section 7.4 Manner of Addressing the Council - Time Limit and Section 7.3 Subjects on the Current Agenda City Administrator Paul Ellis explains the City Council Rules of Procedure and Code of Ethics need to be updated to incorporate the public -comment time -limit revisions set forth in Section 7.4, Manner of Addressing the Council -Time Limit and Section 7.3 Subjects on the Current Agenda. This amendment is necessary to provide a consistent and efficient framework for accommodating public comment at future City Council meetings while allowing the Council to manage meeting time effectively. Discussion followed with Mr. Ellis answering Council questions. Page 1 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop September 14 2026 Request for Waiver of Fees for FAA Arlington Municipal Airport Runway 34 Approach Lighting Project Community and Economic Development is requesting a waiver for permit fees on behalf of the United States Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration for the Right -of -Way permitting for the Arlington Municipal Airport Replacement of Runway 34 Medium Intensity Approach Lighting System (MALS) with MALS with Flashers (MALSF) project explains City Administrator, Paul Ellis. The project is funded by the Federal Government, which is requesting that fees are waived. The Right -of -Way Permit Fee is $1,125.00 for right-of-way fee and processing technology fee. Federal Government funded projects are typically exempt from right-of-way permit fees. Permit fees for the portion of work on the airport property have already been waived by Council, but an additional permit was necessary for work with the SR531 Right -of -Way. Perimeter Fencing Improvements Project (Stage 2) - Professional Services Agreement Design Amendment The Perimeter Fencing Improvements Project - Stage 2, was approved as part of the airport's bi-annual budget, which involves design, construction, and construction administration services, explains Airport Operations Coordinator Lorene Robinson. This professional services agreement with Dowl, the Airport's current on -call engineering consultant, provides for the design of replacement perimeter fencing along the west side of the airport. The project includes removal of existing fencing of various types and installation of an 8-foot chain -link fence topped with three strands of barbed wire, consistent with FAA technical specifications. The design also includes four automated vehicle access gates with access - control systems. Airport staff are returning to Council to request an amendment to Dowl's design contract for this project. The amendment will provide additional design services needed to address tenant and IT feedback. This amendment is limited to design services only. The budgeted amount of $816,000 mentioned above includes both design and construction costs. Discussion followed with Ms. Robinson answering Council questions. Skydio X10 Drone Procurement for the Arlington Airport Airport Operations Manager Monroe Whitman requests that the City Council authorize the purchase of a Skydio X10 Drone for Airport Operations through the TIPS Purchasing Cooperative Agreement. Airport staff consulted with the City's Information Technology staff, which supports the proposed purchase based on Skydio's established -reputation, security - focused software platform, and suitability for City operational needs. The Skydio X10 meets Airport Operation's needs and will improve the City's ability to conduct inspections, respond to incidents, and support staff safety. Key features include all- weather flight capability, which reduces the need to reschedule operations; advanced collision avoidance for safer survey work; thermal imaging to improve safety during trail checks; and remote flight capability to support airfield incident and weather response during unstaffed hours while saving staff time and resources. The Arlington Police Department Page 2 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop September 14, 2026 recently purchased the same model, which will support shared training, familiarity, and coordination between departments. Airport Operations currently uses a drone purchased in 2019 that is approaching the end of its useful life. The drone's proprietary software does not meet current City, state, or federal security standards. Discussion followed with Mr. Whitman answering Council questions. ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF REPORTS City Administrator Paul Ellis welcomed everyone back from break and noted that a calendar invite has been sent out for the Budget Retreat that will be held on October 2, 2026. The Budget Retreat materials are currently being worked on. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Don Vanney welcomed everyone back from break. COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERSICOUNCILMEMBER REPORTS Councilmember Michele Blythe, along with Councilmember Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam toured several aging facilities for the maturing community and have more tours scheduled in the upcoming weeks. Councilmember Blythe attended the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 hosted by North County Regional Fire Authority and on a separate occasion joined Arlington Police Department staff in a ride -along. She provided a detailed explanation of her experience and expressed her gratitude and respect to the Officers that she accompanied during the ride - along. Councilmember Heather Watland attended the Arlington Food Bank Auction and acknowledged a local band that performed at the auction. She also encouraged attendance for the Sip, Sip, Hooray Wine Tasting and Fundraiser Event to be held on September 24, 2026. Councilmember Tim Abrahamson attended 25th Anniversary of 9/11 hosted by North County Regional Fire Authority. He also commended the Arlington Police Department Community Outreach Team and expressed his gratitude towards the team. Councilmember Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam thanked other Council members for sharing their experiences of the Arlington Police Department. She acknowledged the city staff involved with organizing the Arlington Fiesta At the Park event and expressed her gratitude to all that attended the event. She attended the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 hosted by North County Regional Fire Authority and also encouraged community members to attend the last Farmers Market event for the season. PUBLIC COMMENT Dwan Kinney, Arlington; provided public comment. REVIEW OF CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING Councilmembers discussed and agreed to put the following items on the Consent Agenda for the September 21, 2026 Council meeting: Page 3 of 4 Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Workshop September 14 2026 2. Request for Waiver of Fees for FAA Arlington Municipal Airport Runway 34 Approach Lighting Project 3. Perimeter Fencing Improvements Project (Stage 2) - Professional Services Agreement Design Amendment 4. Skydio X10 Drone Procurement for the Arlington Airport EXECUTIVE SESSION City Administrator Paul Ellis announced the need for an executive session for discussion of potential litigation and legal risks [RCW 42.30.110(1)(i)] with no action to be taken afterward, to begin at 6:34 p.m. and last 20 minutes until 6:54 p.m. City Administrator, Paul Ellis, notified the City Clerk at 6:53 p.m. that 10 more minutes would be required and the session will end at 7:03 p.m. City Administrator, Paul Ellis, notified the City Clerk at 7:03 p.m. that 5 more minutes would be required and the session will start at 7:04 p.m and will end at 7:09 p.m. Council was dismissed at 7:09 p.m. Council reconvened at 7:11 p.m. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the meetirwas adjourned at 7:11 p.m. Vanney, Mayor Page 4 of 4