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City Council Agenda Follow-Up
June 17, 2019
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
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APPROVED
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PUBLIC COMMENT
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INFO ONLY
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CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Taylor moved, and
Councilmember Xczar seconded, to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
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APPROVED
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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Brian Enslow
City
Lobbyist Brian Enslow presented an update from the 2019 Legislative Session,
including an overview of the 2019 operating budget. Session priorities for
Ferndale included:
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INFO ONLY
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CAPITAL PROJECTS UPDATE:
Public
Works Project Manager Katy Radder presented updates on the following capital
projects:
First
Avenue Pedestrian Improvements – the project is currently out to bid, with a
bid opening date of June 27. Construction is anticipated to begin in August.Ferndale
Terrace – the project is currently in the design phase.Nordic
to Scout Waterline – the project is currently in the design phase, and BNSF
permitting is in process. Pump
Station #19 Decommissioning – currently coordinating easement language and
terms with the property owner and will soon be beginning the design phase.Thornton
Overpass – currently getting close to finishing with right-of-way
acquisition.
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INFO ONLY
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PRESENTATION: Shoreline Master Program
Community Development Director Haylie Miller presented an
overview of the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The SMP is regulated by the
Washington State Department of Ecology. The existing version was written
between 2000 and 2006, though it was not adopted by Ecology until 2010. A
minor update to the Critical Areas portion was revised in May 2017 in order
to comply with the City’s Critical Areas Ordinance update. The City is
required to conduct a periodic review of its SMP by June 2020 in order to
comply with State guidelines.
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INFO ONLY
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ORDINANCE: Kope Road Vacation
On
April 5, 2019, the Lummi Nation submitted a request to vacate a portion of
Kope Road. The request complied with the procedures set forth in Ferndale
Municipal Code 12.37, Road Vacations. A public hearing was held on May 20,
2019, consistent with the requirements of FMC 12.37, providing citizens with
the opportunity to provide testimony regarding the vacation. Following the
public hearing Council agreed to proceed with valuing the property. An
appraisal set the value of the land at $114,000.00. It is staff’s belief that
the public benefit criteria as defined in FMC 12.37 has been met, and the
vacation will mutually benefit both the City and the Lummi Nation.
Councilmember Olson moved, and
Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to send the item back to the Planning &
Land Use Committee for further discussion. MOTION FAILED 3-4, Councilmembers
Olson, G. Hansen and Jensen in favor.
Councilmember K. Hansen moved, and
Councilmember Xczar seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTION CARRIED 5-1,
Councilmember Olson opposed and Councilmember Taylor abstaining.
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APPROVED
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ORDINANCE: Multifamily Tax Exemption
Time Frame Extension
The
City Council adopted the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program in
September of 2018. The program allows property owners within the residential
target area to waive property taxes associated with eligible multifamily
residential development for a period of eight years. The residential targeted
area designation consists of the Urban Residential and City Center zones, as
well as the Griffintown neighborhood. The City Council initially expressed
support for a sunset date to encourage applicants to move forward with the
projects within a short timeframe. The program currently has a sunset date of
December 31, 2020, allowing two years for applicants to submit building
permits. This date ties eligibility to building permits (rather than Site
Plan approval, etc.) Further, construction of new multifamily housing must be
completed within three years from the date of approval of the application, as
described in FMC 3.38.080, or within an extension authorized under the
chapter.
Staff
believes that MFTE applications will be submitted soon for at least three new
developments. The program currently requires building permits to be submitted
by December 31, 2020. That deadline may be feasible; however, on average,
most projects take two years or more from the initial permit submittal to the
submittal of building permits. Staff recommends extending the application
deadline by one year to December 31, 2021.
Councilmember Xczar moved, and
Councilmember G. Hansen seconded, to approve the agenda bill. MOTIN CARRIED
6-1, Councilmember Olson opposed.
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APPROVED
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EXECUTIVE SESSION: RCW 42.30.110(i)
Following
the executive session, Councilmember
Jensen moved, and Councilmember Olson seconded, to approve the settlement
agreement and release between the City of Ferndale and Greg Young as
presented. MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
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SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT APPROVED
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ADJOURNMENT
The
meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
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