Council approves expanded stormwater monitoring contract despite fiscal concerns

The Mukilteo City Council voted 4–2 on April 20 to authorize the mayor to sign a task order agreement with Alta Terra Consulting for a stormwater monitoring program. Council President Moon moved the authorization; the motion passed with Council Members Duran and Champion voting no.

Council Member Champion had pulled the item from the consent agenda and argued the change in scope—from four pilot watersheds to ten within the city limits—represented a ‘‘fundamental change in scope’’ that dramatically increased cost and risked burdening ratepayers. ‘‘When there's such a major change in scope, those things are discussed,’’ Champion said, adding she planned to vote no on principle of fiscal responsibility.

Myra, a city staff member presenting the item, explained the rationale for the broader monitoring effort: the city has 13 watersheds (10 inside city limits) and staff sought more baseline data tied to an upcoming self-inspection program and a stormwater-bill credit and grant program. Myra said the original comprehensive-plan estimate for monitoring the pilot four watersheds was about $145,000, but a vendor quote made it possible to cover 10 watersheds and obtain more useful data to prioritize future work.

Council President Moon emphasized concerns about potential slope failures and increased heavy-rain events as justification for more extensive monitoring. The motion’s spoken wording in the transcript included an amount that was partially garbled; the motion record referenced Alta Terra Consulting and an estimated sum referenced in the meeting as "in the amount of $236,000 for $236,425 and $29." The audio/transcript portion was unclear on that numeric phrasing.

Managerial next steps: the council authorized the mayor to execute the task order, and staff said they would return with additional details about the scope, rates and any rate impacts on customers.

Vote record: Passed 4–2; Council Members Duran and Champion voted no.