City Council - Regular Meeting

appreciate the collaborative approach to bringing this vision to fruition. The crosswind transmission line is a piece of creating that vision. When completed, this line in combination with the crosswind substation will support the Cascade Industrial Center and the growing energy needs of North Snomish County. The line is also crucial to the completion of our state-of-the-art battery energy storage system, which expands our clean energy capabilities, helping to ensure that local businesses, residents, and essential services have rates that are affordable and stable, and power that is reliable and resilient now and well into the future. The PUD's Arlington Clean Energy Center has become a regional training ground for manufacturers, fire departments, and other city planning departments regarding clean tech. We are proud to make these investments in the city of Arlington and to look forward to continued partnership in creating the innovation hub the city envisions. We are also deeply committed to safety and collaboration. There is nothing more important to me than the safety of our staff and the community members we serve. From day one, public public and crew safety have been our top priority. We have worked closely with the city of Arlington, the Arlington Municipal Airport, the FAA, and community stakeholders to ensure that every design choice from the route chosen for the line to the installation of warning lights meets or exceeds safety standards. On behalf of Snomish County PUD, I want to express our sincere appreciation for your partnership and your vision. I ask for your support tonight for the easements needed to move this important

project forward. Together, we are building a cleaner, safer, and more innovative future for Arlington. Thank you.

Thank you. our ne next speaker Kevin Duncan. Mayor and city council members, thank you for the opportunity to address this proposed Snowomas County PUD 115,000 volt transmission line and rideway purchase. In 1959, the US government transferred 1,200 acres to the city of Arlington for the use of an airport and entrusted the city to protect the property and the airspace according to the terms of the deed of trust. I sent a package out. You should all have that. You could read, I think, page 10 of the document, page seven of the of the deed where it explicitly prohibits selling a rightaway or transferring any property of any kind for any use other than airport space. Over the years, the city applied for and received millions of dollars from the federal government in the form of grant money for the purpose of improvements to the airport. By accepting the grant money, the city has obligated itself to what's called grant assurances. And I think there's 32 or 35 of those, three or four which apply directly here, which prohibits the installation of anything above the airport. It specifically says that. On top of that, another grant assurance says that the city must create um Um, sorry the term slipping me. Um, to prevent growth from on the airport or adjacent to the airport. And so I'm asking you to deny this right away. There's many other routes that are

superior, less costly for the taxpayers and the rateayers and the grant people to support. Additionally, we can't wait for the trees to come down. That's a um a positive thing for the positive resource for the airport. They'll make money by having a JIPO logger come in. I've done it several times myself. And then finally, um this decision should be easy. You have grant assurances and you have the deed of the trust. Don't violate those. As has been done in the past, the airport and the city have paid for that. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay. Our next speaker, Neil Carman. My name is Neil Garman and some of you know me. I'm a commercial pilot. I've been a commercial pilot all my life. Uh and I'm rated in general aviation airplanes. uh single engine, multi-engine, glider and helicopter. I was also a pilot examiner for 75 years. So I should be able to speak on the problems with aviation. I'm also president of the Washington Pilots Association which represents the pilots for Washington. I'm a member of the AOPA, which is the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association, and I've been a member for many years. And I'm also a key man for a older type uh pilot association. based on my flying these power lines which we aren't opposed to but we are opposed drastically to the location of the power lines. The location of the power lines is a very much of a safety issue. It infringes on the rights of instrument pilots for their goaround. It impacts the gliders because their pattern goes right above it. It impacts helicopters which goes right above it and it and it impacts the goarounds for

regular airplanes. The trees should have been removed many years ago. Should have been removed by the city and it's a positive cash flow. We as pilots definitely oppose this location of where the power lines are. And a vote for the power lines is a vote against safety. Remember that's against safety. It's also not legal to be there. There are many alternatives. If there weren't any alternatives, then it would make another decision. But there are definitely other alternatives. Again, a vote for this program in the location where it is is a vote against safety. Thank you. Thank you. Our next speaker, Dan, I'm going to butcher it. Dan Terich close. Hi. Uh, I'm Dan Terasvich. Uh, I own Paraphernelia. We actually make parachutes for pilots and we have saved many pilots lives over the years that I've owned the business. Uh I'm glad to hear that uh PUD is interested in safety because the route they've chosen to do this is very very dangerous. Uh I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago and uh should a pilot leaving uh runway 11 and loses an engine, the

first first note note that I would take and I've been in a couple airplane accidents uh is to get back to the airport. And so I would because of safety go to the left and try to put the airplane down in the middle of the airport. doing that, you're going to start losing altitude right away and those power lines are going to be right in your face. Uh, and at how many volts was that? 115,000.

115,000. That could melt the airplane. Um, as I had mentioned before, aluminum is what makes up most of uh of our airplanes. and uh they've used alum uh electricity to melt aluminum for the war effort back in the ' 40s. Thank you very much. I really hope that you vote this route down for safety. Thank you.

Thank you, Dan. Uh next speaker, Connor Bear. Members of the council, my name is Connor Bearer and I'm the manager of Arlington flight services at the Arlington Municipal Airport as well as a pilot who flies out of Arlington regularly. We are currently the only full service FBO in the field. This gives myself and all of us who work at AFS opportunity to meet and fly with many great people and fellow pilots. The foundation to make all of this possible is safety. These proposed transmission lines along the airport are a danger to our safety. They might not appear so as planned as the planned route is parallel to the runway. But any power line, transmission line, etc. on or near any airport property poses a major risk. Power line strikes, power line strikes that are the leading cause of accident fatalities and general aviation accidents. There's no reason pilots and the passengers should safety should be jeopardized. There are other routes and the PUD will find them and make them work. I've heard the argument that by doing this the trees will be taken down on 59th. is also said that since there are already power lines along 59th, doesn't really matter as nothing new is being constructed, just replaced. The fact of the matter is there are already plans to remove these trees as well as bury the existing lines. The airport will still make money on the log trees without having to give up any land or endangering the lives of pilots. This would make their it so that there are no obstructions along 59th. The most critical time in flight for a pilot is during takeoff and landing when the airplane is low to the ground and slow. This is where many accidents happen for a number of reasons. If an aircraft taken off runway 11 one has an issue, for example, there are not many options for that pilot to pick from to make a safe landing. When the trees along 59th are removed and the current lines are buried, this becomes almost another runway the pilot could use in event of an emergency. If a wall of transmission lines were to go up, this eliminates 59th as an option and places for a pilot to go in event of emergency are greatly

reduced. I asked the city council to also consider the potential growth the Arlington airport offers. The space available on the airport lends itself to development of more hangers, FBOs's, fuel depots, maintenance shops, jet centers, etc. However, all this requires a safe environment for aircraft to operate in. The airport alone generates roughly 667 million revenue per year. The construction of this transmission line will impact the revenue in a negative way by reducing the number of operations at this airport. Current and potential charter services may need to look elsewhere to fly as the transmission lines not only pose a physical safety threat but also a navigational threat. High voltage transmission lines interfere with navigational equipment on aircraft. The lines also pose a great risk to helicopters landing and taking off to the east such as for firefighting operations as we've seen in recent years. I strongly urge this council to deny the PUD access to the airport property to conduct high voltage trans or to uh construct high voltage transmission lines. The danger is too great to not only the pilot safety but of the families find on board charters. There are other alternatives that are much less impactful and less dangerous. Thank you.

Thank you, Connor. Okay, our next speaker, Scott Tomkins. I'm Scott Tomkins and I live in Arlington, late member of the airport commission, but I'm not going to be talking about anything except a small observation that I've uh that I've made about the intersection of Hazel Street and Highland. Uh there's been a temporary uh um crosswalk sign with a couple of 2x4s or 4x4s holding this temporary sign in place. Obviously, somebody had destroyed the first one, but that's been like that for at least two years that I can remember. I was wondering if there was any chance of this being made permanent. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, our next speaker, Mark Warren.

Good evening. My name is Mark Warren. I'm a local pilot. Uh I've been a pilot literally all my life. I was born and raised on an airport in Colorado and have been involved in general aviation and commercial aviation. and I recently retired after 42 years as an airline pilot. I can stand here today because safety does mean something to me and the power line proposal that I have seen does not fit the mold. We have a city that supports its airport. Not every city does and I'm really happy about that. Arlington provides the city, the Arlington airport provides the city with a lot and the city supports it as well. That's a little bit of a unique situation. Even the logo of the city of Arlington right behind you. Airplane trees. Now put a power line in front of that. Put a power line in front of that airplane trying to make a runway when he's in trouble. Put a power line in front of the airplane in front of a helicopter when things aren't going just exactly right. And folks, they don't always go just exactly right. For all the reasons stated before this evening, I urge you to deny this easement and protect the safety and well-being of the airport and the people that use it. Thank you.

Thank you. Okay, our next speaker is Jay Lindberg. Jay Lindberg Jay Lindberg. This is kind of a deja vu moment. I'm from Southern California and we lost a congressman to to this right here. His name was Jerry Pettis. Um he got he you know he was a pilot and he hit the power lines right by the airport. This was in in Riverside, you know, maybe 50 years ago now. But um you know it just you know you look at health and safety and you look at these guidelines that are that are out there for like airports and power lines and it just strikes me really strange that there wouldn't be a law already on the books saying that you can't run power lines, you know, high voltage power lines right next to an airport. If it isn't, then it's probably just because everybody thought it was common sense. So, um, I just thought I'd let you know that, you know, I've actually experienced a congressman that got got killed, you know, because of something real similar to this, and it was it was like over 50 years ago. Um, on another note, yeah, that that's enough. Just I don't think this is a good idea. We got a lot of people here that with like 50 years of flying experience and um sometimes it's really important to listen to the old-timers that know what they're talking about. You know, I know that you've got this grant money that's sitting here and I know you need the power lines, but try figuring out another way to do it because like I said, you got a lot of

lot of people with a lot of experience and um you're going to end up with more accidents because of it and people will end up getting killed. So, you know, whatever you do, I you know, it's like this is the first thing that I've seen since I've been here where there's a disagreement on anything. You know, I think you run your city great, but I just don't think that these power lines are a good idea. I think you ought to figure out another way to do it. Thank you. Thank you. Do we have any others from the public that would like to speak? Okay. None seen then we'll move on.

Mayor Banny, I move for approval of the consent agenda. Second. Question. All those in favor? I I. Any oppose? None heard. Motion carries. Okay, we'll move on to our regular business. Um, first item, compensation proposal and easement approval for PUB transmission lines. Marty,

thank you, Mayor Vanny, and council members. Um PD is uh proposing a transmission distribution line uh that will require approximately 23 370,633 square ft of easement area belonging to the airport. FA grant assurances require any easement to be compensated at current market value. The locations are on 59th Street to the east of the airport on the west side of the street. FAA has conducted obstruction surveys of the locations and deemed a determination of no significance. The plan will include tree removal and compensation is considered at current market values as well. You can see the attachment. Um the uh market value uh that was determined was $1,425,798. Additional timber value compensation of $7,920. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thank you. Any questions? None seen. Do I have a motion? I move to approve the proposal for easement acceptance and compensation of 1,425,798 and additional timber value compensation of $7,920. Second question. All those in favor? I I I. Any oppose? Nay. Nay.

Nay. Okay. Can I have a roll call vote? Heather Watland. I Rob Tor. Nay. Ivon Gayardo. Michelle Bllythe. Yes, Nathan S. Yes, Tim Abrahamson. Nay, Lisa Novak. Yay. Three nays. Is that what I have? Three nays. Yep. Okay, motion carries. Thank you. Okay, we'll move on to our next item, airport commission appointments. Monroe.

Thank you, mayor. Council members. Airport Commissioners Ruth Gonzalez. I'm going to start all over. Right. The airport commissioners Ru Gonzalez, Robert Anderson, Scott Tomkins terms expire April 1st of this year. Robert Anderson has submitted a new application to the commission and Tom or sorry, Tim Fineran has applied for one of the two vacant positions. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Finan were interviewed for the open positions on March 5th and 6th by Mayor Vanny, airport director Marty Ray, myself, council member Nathan Simp, and current airport commissioner Derry Frink. Staff recommends that Mr. Anderson and Tom or sorry, Tim Finerin to be appointed to the airport commission. These applicants have shown keen interest in the operation and the management of the airfield and staff welcomes their insight, comments, and questions at regular scheduled meetings. their their relationship with the staff, tenants, and community make them valuable assets to the city of Arlington and the m Arlington municipal airport. Any questions?

Any questions? None seen. Do I have a motion? I move to appoint Robert Anderson and Tim Fineran to the airport commission. I second question. All those in favor? I.

Any opposed? Motion carries. Okay, we'll move on to our third item, amendment number two to the contract for prosecution services. Paul, thank you, mayor. This is amendment number two to our prosecuting attorney's contract. This extends uh their contract an additional three years. Uh the only uh real change uh substant change to the agreement is a 4% annual adjustment through the life of the contract. I'm happy to answer any questions. Have any questions? Okay, none seen. Do I have a motion?

I move to approve amendment number two to the contract with Zachtock and Creps, Inc. PS4 Prosecution Services and authorize the mayor to sign pending legal review. Second discussion ask that. All those in favor? I. Any oppose? Motion carries. Thank you. At this time, do we have any comments or reports from council members? Tim?

Yeah. Um, just last week, uh, had my second board of health uh, meeting and just, uh, still working on some other stuff. Uh, Snowomish County is working on fee schedules for some of the safety things that they do for the board of health. But I think the biggest thing is just to remind people March 24th is uh, World Tuberculosis Day. just a day to uh think about and and learn a little bit of more about tuberculosis and how it affects our communities and how we can make sure that we do what we can to limit and cure this uh this very curable disease. Great. Thank you, Michelle.

So, Ivonne and I were back on the road um touring again. On Friday, we uh brought community transit over to Cedar Point uh Senior Living Apartments. Um, and it was so successful. Uh, so many people applied for an Orca card, which is, um, a transportation card that they didn't know anything about or didn't have. Um, so we're going again at the end of the month to another senior facility to offer the same presentation and hopefully, um, we'll get a a great response. I think we probably had 40 50 people there again. Um, so yeah. So, um, I think that was that was it. Yeah.

Good. Thank you. Any others? Yvon.

Um I just was excited to talk about um and I guess give thanks. Uh Paul and Heather and I were there. I I'm sure you're gonna say other stuff, but um at the youth mental health forum um at the high school and that was um it was kind of eye openening to be able to sit with the students and learn a little bit more about the effects and how the struggle or the struggles of youth mental health and as a community how to support them and learn more about trying to support them. Um and I I just thank you to the school district for inviting us to come out and be a part of that. Um, I thought that was pretty eye opening, especially as a mom, um, to kind of see that and hear that differently. Um, I also actually, um, also attended the, uh, first, uh, policy advisory board for transportation and so I'm really excited to be back on that committee and that board and, um, getting that going again for the it was the first meeting of the year.

Good. Thank you. Anybody else? Nathan. So, uh, this week we had our Boys and Girls Club auction committee meeting and just a reminder, it's on April 25th. It's Boots and Buckles and very much our rodeo type theme for our city and we're still in need of some sponsors and some table hosts as well as um, baskets for silent and live auction events. So, um, the website actually has it up right now where you can um, sign up and be part of that experience. So, it's been fun to get things together for our community. And then I also attended the state of the city last Tuesday where Mayor Don Banny did present a really good presentation even though I got to only have a snapshot, but presented a lot of what we've done in the last year uh with our city and how we helped our community and gave us some numbers and good statistics about how many people come to visit Arlington, which is astounding nowadays compared to what it was when I was a kid. um about 22,000 people showed up for Christmas or for our lighting tree lighting ceremony. So, it's very very awesome to see that people come to visit. Um I also parttook in Arbor Day in town uh over the weekend after the snow. We had a great time in the mud and the sunshine planting I mean 50 plus trees,

maybe like 200 trees. 200 trees between like a whole handful of us and we got done in like an hour. um ROC kids came out and and full force and helped. We got different leadership opportunities and they got to experience a little bit of fun with the city. Um so it was great. I did not unfortunately get to run in the lovely St. Patrick's Day fun run marathon, but um or 5K and 10K, but it looked fun from what I could see. So that's pretty much my update. Great. Thank you. Okay, Paul, do you have anything for tonight?

No, I'll hold mine for right now. Okay. No, I think everybody's touched on some of mine was of course the state of the union address that I gave to the Chamber of Commerce that was turned out really good. Everybody showed up. There was quite a few people there. I thank the council members and city staff that showed up. Um, also it was a great day Saturday out there planting some trees and like you say the mud, but it was sunshiny so it was good. It was a lot of fun. Okay, other than that, I think that's my report. And it looks like we do have an executive session.

We do. Uh council is going to meet in executive session to discuss potential litigation and legal risks pursuant to RCW4230.110 1 I. And it's going to take approximately 10 minutes. So, let's say that council will reconvene at um 6:43 um p.m. And um uh it's not anticipated that the council will take final action after the executive session. Okay. Thanks. Okay. We'll dismiss to executive session and then come back for reconvening.

Heat. Heat.

Heat. Heat.

order and I don't think we have anything else. I think we're ready for adjournment. Motion to adjurnn. Second question. All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Meeting is adjourned. Thank you.