[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6079831,"mediaKeyId","2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a","parentId",2953914,"title","Mount Vernon council votes at a glance — April 9, 2025","audioSeconds",336,"startMs",47000,"endMs",383000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a&start=47&end=383","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a/thumbnail_47000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079831/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Mount-Vernon-council-votes-at-a-glance-April-9-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079831-b98d07b95133db342d209f4589addea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174904&Signature=MPV9SPuITgV3K~JrOYdfC7-Hn54xRLS9-WuU~2A94vbGBpjQ4hCOk7-Z1wZwg-lKKd~ETUB5Uc8ronJlG6N8xGZH~Jj6EouHo5peD2SP2qZQqWjCHgUFO6zNT11suNLa0v47VfHBhF7DColC2xxxvFhv7RWpHpZpjqO7pd4NEV43U3XZ2FwzD9IBC41Z4hIJlMHw4nryVqTdbWzl3eecd6dvMjZFigcY5pSqFIXEAhPFqgV5glu0NSZJTmINebQktMUWiV8l9QpqZFgynNXn9hCk6PQID4uuNBwZn66FGLtLsQjyqMxSskFsiEgMOhJ5fI~Yh~mbKw8jrRw-0JuxeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mount Vernon City, WA","date","2025-04-10T15:14:45Z","article","The City of Mount Vernon City Council took several routine and project-authorizing votes during its April 9 meeting. Key outcomes:

- Agenda adoption: Council approved the meeting agenda. Motion recorded as “Motion by Gary and second by Melissa.” Outcome: passed (voice vote).

- Consent agenda: Council approved the consent agenda (minutes, payroll checks, wire transfers, claims and agreements). Motion noted as “A motion by Melissa and a louder second by Navore.” Outcome: passed (voice vote).

- Kulshen Trail Safety Lighting 3: Council authorized the mayor to execute a local agency agreement with WSDOT to obligate federal design funds for the Kulshen Trail Safety Lighting 3 project. Motion by Andrew; second by Navor. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Construction funding will be authorized separately.

- Street closure — Cinco de Mayo parade: Council approved the Mount Vernon High School Latinos in Action request to close downtown streets for the second annual Cinco de Mayo parade on Sunday, May 4 (closure approximately 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.). Motion by Fidesz; second recorded. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Downtown planned-action EIS contract: Council authorized the mayor to sign a contract with the city’s comprehensive-plan consultant (OTAC/OTEC as recorded) to prepare a programmatic EIS and planned-action ordinance for the downtown waterfront master planned area (project estimate about $300,000 over two years). Motion by Andrew; second by Edith. Outcome: approved (voice vote).

All roll-call tallies were recorded as voice votes in the meeting transcript; no roll-call vote-by-name counts were given in the meeting record.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mount Vernon City Council Meeting - April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of formal motions and outcomes from the April 9 council meeting, including agenda and consent approval and several contracts and permits authorized by voice vote.","taxTitle","Mount Vernon City, Skagit County, Washington","taxId",5126,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079835,"Council approves street closure for Mount Vernon High School’s Cinco de Mayo parade",107,3017000,3124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a&start=3017&end=3124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a/thumbnail_3017000.jpg","/articles/6079835/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Council-approves-street-closure-for-Mount-Vernon-High-Schools-Cinco-de-Mayo-parade","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079835-217fc17dbfc799a63f18037500d9976c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174904&Signature=gDa3spHDCaNKhBcs1j8nr-IuCp5mYEe~HUFydX9i3mrk-jZryf1pPM7gHcVw-ebE7lEG7cVDg1FUA6uOVD-OOpWAuG5T1EbXqb1X1MyGyn4UpH-9eY~w4tmkMso1jHMoxVj8DBOtOGQIe5f3FQ10b4rzyfVtWvathZqeySeWv3cv8ccm-Cs1QLb87Mu2rjP6LUb6nzWB-OnHF0uDmKVaB~DyPamnZVKxARmhd6vWcW2lRhPh8uxKLiAQ1C06kNc7yMVBw29rrMMyYzRG0BX5jodO-5HCx6v3a9BjzkmJBs17H3HLA48MxOiBDy6pS31AQ81rPhtp~SPebV8RuCvxQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Mount Vernon on April 9 approved a street-closure request from Mount Vernon High School’s Latinos in Action program for the second annual Cinco de Mayo parade in downtown Mount Vernon.

Parks Director Jennifer Burner outlined the proposed route and timing: the closure will cover Cleveland and First Street along the same parade route used for the city’s Christmas and high-school parades; closures will begin Sunday, May 4 at 1:00 p.m. and reopen around 7:30 p.m. Council member Fidesz moved to approve the street closure; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote.

Burner said the event organizers will follow the city’s established parade-closure procedures and the route will be managed similarly to prior downtown parades.","Council approved the Mount Vernon School District’s request to close downtown streets for the second annual Cinco de Mayo parade on Sunday, May 4; closure will use the same route and schedule as other downtown parades.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079840,"Council approves contract to prepare planned-action EIS for downtown waterfront",184,3152000,3336000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a&start=3152&end=3336","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a/thumbnail_3152000.jpg","/articles/6079840/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Council-approves-contract-to-prepare-planned-action-EIS-for-downtown-waterfront","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079840-dc14a1e73e25323e18f5b69be44be3df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174904&Signature=VInYMv-CfBIQUech~BwoSYLBnA0iySDlAOqQ1dfAiaUgTZEdklbrAMYOUOlixFSAJ9nGPhCMzExbwv6DxPMJcFuP0L~ORhAw-9ufbqg-4yUKkU3ZXkjksx8TvFnA2OoNfpnAvXvvvPs1rGM-oHBnvasv5duL67IMNHlk8wMFxPnlANZvrLs-3TQmxRWN1MK8GSVQJbyu0slNB6ZTydzoKxsfUszOI2702uJOcfNTmnNzjjQycyaFb0sSOiBYYpR1R6HhUMkzM5~jD-OH~x8GizPcAvmLdUVc6g33CDa~~wnpVzzKKxlBEy-e1ufiZfyRivC0zCy3eLKxJXSz8Rd0pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon City Council on April 9 authorized the mayor to sign a draft contract with the city’s comprehensive-plan consultant to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) and a planned-action ordinance for the downtown waterfront master planned area.

Development Services Director Stacy Pachner presented the proposed two-year scope and an estimated $300,000 budget to fund analysis that would allow expedited environmental review for development proposals that fall within the planned action’s scope. Pachner said the process responds to a tool identified in the city’s 2008 downtown waterfront master plan to spur economic development by pre-analyzing environmental impacts and regulatory mitigations.

Mandy Roberts, principal with the consultant (referenced as OTAC/OTEC), attended the meeting. Council member Andrew moved to approve the contract and Edith seconded; the motion passed on voice vote.

Pachner said the planned-action process would result in an environmental analysis that, if adopted, shortens permit review for future projects consistent with the studied scope. The contract and scope were the product of work since January and refinements in February and March, Pachner said. Council voted to authorize the mayor to sign the contract at the meeting.

","Council authorized a roughly $300,000, two-year contract with consultant OTAC (OTEC in transcript) to develop a programmatic environmental impact statement and a planned-action ordinance for the downtown waterfront master planned area to streamline future development review.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079845,"Council authorizes local agreement to begin design for Kulshen Trail safety lighting",225,2827000,3052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a&start=2827&end=3052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a/thumbnail_2827000.jpg","/articles/6079845/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Council-authorizes-local-agreement-to-begin-design-for-Kulshen-Trail-safety-lighting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079845-96b3b9c744b2a69fcd3d6443f539524b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174904&Signature=RU5MpNYzhmCrgbAKtB-MsgGJjurYz78YHnzxD~0eVHLnHWZdbWt8sCuuwsh4aUMiQrKRtUQmRFsIzFiaTJUfBDxlm2rVy3pMhjoBYakoBp88umG0qaFIp50UY1ONgWcJyF7KBHrs4kxF7WWKicXt4hVXhl8WLEekl6n-IhxGCfahbA6YdH5-kWJkIHYeDimSGUg4ZWYA7e3tUi6aZaH21ezptYl-i-0ap3c0YonBCtiOO01eHHvnEz~Wa2rTpMlfnsyi10jehW76ce0Kbg5Lp1mMjqDpDdM8FQt9y55oP~2z3BmaVwUGgGvpwgV3Ho4ABW8ggZ4hrDd-g4LrJCrT~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Mount Vernon on April 9 authorized the mayor to execute a local agency agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation to obligate federal funds for design of the Kulshen Trail Safety Lighting 3 project, which will add pedestrian-focused lighting on the section of the trail between LaVenture Road and 30th Street.

Frank Reinhardt, the city’s capital projects manager, told council the project was awarded design and future construction funds through regional partners (SCOG) and that the agreement released federal funds for the design phase; construction funds will be requested in a later authorization. Reinhardt described the project as a pedestrian-safety lighting installation — the scope covers lighting only for this phase.

Council member Andrew moved to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement; Navor seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Reinhardt said the awarded construction funds are anticipated to be obligated next year and that staff will return to council with details before obligating construction funds.","The council authorized the mayor to sign a local agency agreement with WSDOT to obligate federal design funds for the Kulshen Trail Safety Lighting 3 project (LaVenture Road to 30th Street). Construction funding will return for future authorization.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6079850,"Mount Vernon presents $35.3 million plan to replace aging Fire Station 1",1680,1168000,2848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a&start=1168&end=2848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953914-752eda36c9924d308707c12be23a8a9a/thumbnail_1168000.jpg","/articles/6079850/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Mount-Vernon-presents-353-million-plan-to-replace-aging-Fire-Station-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079850-8bd9b9a42c45b891de849e3864188619/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174904&Signature=MabECgKvqPBXuWLXeyq8d5Vst5MFLNp2Vkn5kF3SSC~5Em3p7STrFC~JBq94VTJJUiAmgLH5x1hdSv9-Vi1OsgDxD7X0jOwZRTab~G0YfcvQ4mN2XaQcTaPj3j~C8k1TKYw~kRN9Y7zi2quxU-ViWA1KajWLHrZrJ2z4LXKNMEEMAcW2r6hxNX1NT3odyCBwV7gmsLL-RKyg9ipoybSyI3WzPil0yRLosLcFsWGxFphh8NshmCkQ15C-wmfMMXtpLXntjaYDfy~2IF1Df5yskzvRqdD9unXceZu4r1jGPhH59uH52mRSenPxKnSvkcTlQT4FpTtobg98kHLfN2F8Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City of Mount Vernon officials on April 9 presented concept designs, site evaluation and a cost estimate of $35,300,000 for a proposed replacement of Fire Station 1 in downtown Mount Vernon.

The project team — Fire Chief Brian Harris, lead architect Rachel Hedloff of Mackenzie Architecture and Development Services Director Stacy Pachner — described a two-story building on the city-owned parking-lot site with four drive-through apparatus bays, public meeting space and a display room for a restored historic La France firefighting apparatus. The design is sized for 10 firefighters per shift and includes bunk rooms, offices, a conference room that could be used by other city departments and a fenced secure staff parking area.

Pachner told council that the project must meet local floodplain code and federal guidance. The site lies inside the base floodplain (Zone A) and, under the city’s implementation of FEMA rules (Mount Vernon Municipal Code Title 15), critical facilities must be elevated above the base flood elevation. The team said the design sets the protected first-floor elevation 5 feet above street grade, which includes the base flood elevation plus the required 3-foot additional elevation for critical facilities; walls will include concrete backup and waterproofing and doors/windows will be protected by temporary flood shields.

Rachel Hedloff described site constraints that add cost: floodproofing, special foundations because of nearby liquefaction risk, streetscape work converting a vacated Snoqualmie Street to a pedestrian plaza, and routing electricity underground across Second Street. The team estimated those site-specific items add about $2.8 million of the total estimate. The concept-level total of $35.3 million includes construction, consultant and owner costs, a 10% design contingency and an estimated 10% escalation premium to account for inflation and tariffs before construction.

The team presented cost alternatives. Removing the front historic-display room, patio and entry arcade would reduce the estimate by about $1,180,000. An alternate flood-protection approach — a temporary perimeter flood fence like the riverwalk barriers — was considered but ruled out because the team expects FEMA approval would be difficult and the fence option would add roughly $600,000 compared with the selected dry floodproofing of the building envelope.

Pachner said the planning department required an alternatives analysis showing there is no feasible non-floodplain site for a critical facility. The project team evaluated several candidate sites, including Lincoln School, the Old YMCA and the Elfco property, and concluded the proposed downtown civic-campus site best met program, service-area and timing criteria; Planning has determined the Title 15 alternative-site requirement was satisfied for permitting.

Finance Director Doug Velasquez provided bond feasibility information: for a $35 million bond issued in 2026, using the city’s median home value figure of $565,000, the team projected a 25-year bond would cost a resident roughly $216.62 annually (about $18.05 per month); a 20-year bond projection showed roughly $246.94 annually (about $20.58 per month). Pachner reminded council that a bond levy requires 60% approval and voter turnout sufficient to meet the local validation threshold (the city must reach 40% of the votes cast in the last general election to validate the measure). The presenters reviewed past turnout numbers and noted the city did not achieve the supermajority on a prior 2019 levy, which the council then addressed with a smaller councilmatic bond to renovate Stations 2 and 3.

Council members asked for additional operating-cost comparisons between the old station and the proposed facility; Chief Harris and the architect said they would pursue estimates of day-to-day operating expenses and expect new mechanical and electrical systems will be more efficient. No formal action or vote was taken on April 9; staff said next steps include continued design refinement, permitting and further public outreach ahead of any decision to place a bond measure before voters.

","City staff and architects presented concept designs, floodproofing requirements and cost estimates for a proposed new Fire Station 1 in downtown Mount Vernon; council was briefed on alternatives, permitting and a likely bond to fund construction but took no action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mount Vernon council votes at a glance — April 9, 2025

Council approves street closure for Mount Vernon High School’s Cinco de Mayo parade

Council approves contract to prepare planned-action EIS for downtown waterfront

Council authorizes local agreement to begin design for Kulshen Trail safety lighting

Mount Vernon presents $35.3 million plan to replace aging Fire Station 1