MUKILTEO, Wash., March 12, 2022 – Mukilteo City Council passed a new contract with Granicus Inc. to upgrade chamber software, discussed county health trends, an AT&T Small Cell Franchise agreement, and Tom Jordal’s recent appointment to the Port of Everett Redevelopment Working Group at its meeting Monday, March 7.
All of these items were in addition to an annual report presented by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission and the council voting down all three candidates for Commissioner positions.
Two agenda items were not discussed, AB 2022-046 on the consent agenda, dealing with the City Engineer job description and salary, and AB 2022-028, dealing with a body camera video redaction fee. The second of these, AB 2022-028, was not discussed on account of Mukilteo Police Chief Cheol Kang’s inability to attend.
Council Vice President Elisabeth Crawford began the meeting by acknowledging the City’s proclamation recognizing March 8 as International Women’s Day and Councilman Harris recognized the Ukrainian conflict, honoring the city’s Ukrainian population.
Before council proceeded to the business items on the agenda, Heather Thomas, Public and Government Affairs and Pia Sampaga-Khim, Assistant Director for Prevention Services for Snohomish County Health Department presented council with last year’s data and trends.
According to Sampaga-Khim, through COVID drug overdoses have increased throughout the county, specifically with opioids, there has been a decline in youth suicides. Snohomish Health Department said they are continuing their efforts in addressing these issues.
Last year there were zero recorded youth suicides, according to the Snohomish County Health Officials, which Sampaga-Khim attributes to youths staying home more with family, less recorded stress, as well as the new Suicide Prevention Task Force that was established last year.
AT&T Small Franchise
Public Works Director Matt Nienhuis discussed a Small Cell Franchise agreement with AT&T telecommunication company.
The agreement would allow AT&T a non-exclusive telecommunications franchise for small wireless facilities within the city’s right-of-way. As stated within RCW 35A.47.040 and Mukilteo Municipal Code Chapter 5.45 the city must grant authority to franchises for the use of streets and other public properties. If council grants permission other permits will be required from the city to begin installation.
The topic was simply introduced to council and an ordinance will be recommended for adoption, by council, on March 21, granting AT&T a franchise similar to what was established with Verizon in 2020 so that AT&T will have “the opportunity to improve wireless service to Mukilteo residents, businesses and first responders”, as stated by AT&T representative Greg Bush.
Granicus Inc.
The next business item on the agenda was a recommendation for council to approve a three year contract with current contractor, Granicus Inc., until September 30, 2024.
The current city encoder is from 2014, is windows based, and is no longer under warranty with Granicus Inc. The encoder is what is used to link the agenda with the live feed from chambers.
The current link between the agenda and chambers is not working due to the age of the encoder software that is used. Replacement is necessary for the proper function and archiving of the city’s meetings.
Councilman Tom Jordal made a motion to approve the contract, seconded by councilman Richard Emery, and passed unanimously by council.
Amendment to include Council VP in setting Council Agenda
With some back-and-forth Council President Schmalz introduced a business item that would amend City Council Rule 4A, allowing the Council Vice President to participate in discussion at agenda setting meetings.
Mayor Marine took the stance that he could “go either way” on the matter and many council members agreed with Council Vice President Crawford that allowing her, and future Council Vice Presidents, the ability to contribute in setting agendas would could be beneficial.
A resolution will be prepared and presented to council, March 21, for a vote.
Tom Jordal for Port of Everett Redevelopment Working Group
On the last business item, Mayor Marine mentioned his recommendation of Councilman Tom Jordal for the Port of Everett Redevelopment Working Group.
According to the mayor, there was contention from both President Schmalz and Vice President Crawford concerning the Mayor’s recommendation without the consent of council.
Marine explained the Port had asked for his recommendation at which point he recommended Jordal based off his “balanced thinking,” being new to the council and to get him more involved, and being a business leader which he could “bring to the discussion.”
“This really was a point of discussion because none of the other council members had the opportunity to express their interest in participation. You can see this as an equivalent to a AAA Federal committee where everybody wants to participate in those,” Council Vice President Crawford said. “At one point everybody has talked about waterfront redevelopment…This is not anything against councilmember Jordal this is really having a fair, transparent process and having the opportunity to express interest.”