HomeMy WebLinkAboutSigned Minutes 12-16-24GVIN-Y
►1 A
Council Chambers
110 East 3rd Street
Monday, December 16, 2024
Minutes of the Arlington
City Council Meeting
Councilmembers Present: Heather Logan, Rob Toyer, Debora Nelson, Michele Blythe
Leisha Nobach, and Jan Schuette.
Council Members Absent: Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, excused.
Staff Present: Mayor Don Vanney, Paul Ellis, Kristin Garcia, Amy Rusko, Jonathan Ventura,
Chelsea Brewer, City Attorney Steve Peiffle, and Julie Petersen.
Also Known to be Present: Kathy Vanney, Steve Maisch, Holly Sloan -Buchanan, Oskar Rey,
Emily Romanenko, Nathan Senff, Neil Knutson, Matt Dimond, Aly Kleinman, Britt Kleinman,
Megan O'Brien, Mary Levesque, Randy Nobach, Tim Abrahamson, Sean Morgan, Heather
Watland, Arnold Morgan, 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 agenda as presented. Councilmember
Leisha Nobach seconded the motion, which passed with a unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF SPECIAL GUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS
City Attorney Steve Peiffle provided an overview of his 35 years of service to the City of
Arlington, and introduced Oskar Rey and Emily Romanenko of Ogden Murphy Law Firm who
will serve as the new City Attorney. Mr. Rey and Ms. Romanenko described the services they
will provide to the City of Arlington.
PROCLAMATIONS
None.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Matt Dimond from Arlington made comments regarding the Post Middle School Levy.
Aly Kleinman from Arlington made comments regarding the Post Middle School Levy.
Britt Kleinman from Arlington made comments regarding the Post Middle School Levy.
Megan O'Brien from Arlington made comments regarding the Post Middle School Levy.
Mary Levesque from Arlington made comments regarding the Post Middle School Levy.
Page 1 of 3
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting December 16 2024
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve the Consent Agenda that was unanimously carried:
1. Minutes of the December 2 and December 9, 2024 Council meetings
2. Accounts Payable: Approval of Petty Cash Check #2041; EFT Payments and Claims
Checks #112195 through #112280 dated November 19 through December 2 for
$2,516,473.60, and Approval of Payroll EFT Payments and Check #30407 through
#30412 dated November 1, 2024 through November 30, 2024 in the amount of
$1,549,476.72.
3. Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Right -of -Way
Procedures
PUBLIC HEARING
Ordinance Amending the 2024 Budget
Finance Director Kristin Garcia presented the amended changes to the 2024 Budget.
The public hearing was opened at 6:39 p.m.
With no one wishing to speak, the public comment portion closed and opened for Council
questions at 6:39 p.m.
The public hearing closed at 6:39 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve the ordinance amending the 2024 budget section of the 2023/2024
biennial budget for the City of Arlington and authorized the Mayor to sign the ordinance.
The motion passed unanimously.
Amendments to Fee Resolution
Community and Economic Development Deputy Director Amy Rusko reviewed the updates
to the fee resolution.
The public hearing was opened at 6:44 p.m.
With no one wishing to speak, the public comment portion closed and opened for Council
questions at 6:44 p.m.
The public hearing closed at 6:45 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tern Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Heather Logan seconded the
motion to approve the amendments proposed in the fee resolution as presented and
authorize the Mayor to sign the resolution. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Engagement Letter for Legal Services
City Attorney Steve Peiffle requested the City Council approve the Engagement Letter with
Ogden Murphy Law Firm for city legal services following Mr. Peiffle's retirement of 35
years to the citizen's and staff of Arlington through Bailey, Duskin, Peiffle & Martin, PS Law
Firm.
Page 2 of 3
Minutes of the City of Arlington City Council Meeting December 16, 2024
The City issued a request for proposals (RFP) for legal services after learning the existing
City Attorney intended to retire as City Attorney. Four responses were received by the City
Clerk from qualified law firms. Two of the firms were selected by City Administrator Paul
Ellis and the Mayor Don Vanney for further review. A panel comprised of Mayor Don
Vanney, Mayor Pro Tem Michele Blythe, City Administrator Paul Ellis, City Clerk Wendy
Van Der Meersche, and City Attorney Steve Peiffle met with two firms who provided
presentations. Ogden Murphy Wallace of Seattle, which is a 13-attorney law firm that
provides legal services to approximately 30 cities and towns, was selected as the preferred
firm. The firm will have two lawyers working with the City; Oskar Rey will be the principal
City Attorney with Emily Romanenko as Deputy City Attorney.
Mayor Pro Tem Michele Blythe moved, and Councilmember Debora Nelson seconded the
motion to approve the Engagement Letter with Ogden Murphy Wallace and authorized the
Mayor to sign, subject to final review by the current City Attorney. The motion passed
unanimously with Councilmember Jan Schuette abstaining.
COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Jan Schuette announced that Microtransit starts tomorrow, December 17,
2024, in Arlington. She stated that she will be delivering brochures to the senior living
establishments in the area.
Councilmember Heather Logan stated that Sid Logan received his Microtransit letter in the
mail today.
ADMINISTRATOR & STAFF REPORTS
City Administrator Paul Ellis stated the business for the year has been completed and there
is no need for City Council workshop on Monday, December 23, 2024, and wished everyone
a happy holidays.
MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Vanney had nothing to report and wished everyone a happy holidays.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Attorney Steve Peiffle announced the need for an executive session to discuss the
collective bargaining negotiations [RCW 42.30.140(4)] for 15 minutes. Mr. Peiffle stated he
is not asking for any action to be taken after the executive session.
Mayor Vanney dismissed Council at 6:48 p.m.
Council returned and reconvened at 7:03 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Council, the i was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
Don E. Vanney, Mayor
Page 3 of 3