[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6101105,"mediaKeyId","2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97","parentId",2810307,"title","Mount Vernon holds first public hearing for 2025–26 CDBG action plan; five applicants present","audioSeconds",2117,"startMs",4299000,"endMs",6416000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97&start=4299&end=6416","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97/thumbnail_4299000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6101105/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Mount-Vernon-holds-first-public-hearing-for-202526-CDBG-action-plan-five-applicants-present","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101105-d083f20de30e5147b8ef08cf98a314e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414110&Signature=loEDndglEaxChdjHVDXwtwttT9HN3EOTugryiPWrP0e98TI8SOTBEL13KbyKKwoUtJL-aLC0B-XLUCzBWLsYM1lFe~rd9nyYAC0lHtvCDOhk61P5MZKLldEaRNvi7f8VyGEIIFRoy3yY73EH7P0IHpvHgMwQrex6omyO6PvK7W86-xiuSikhxXPAulEYiOaan03SPC0Uedzy8tSWzB0IlIswLfvKYEO-majQtKdgOvgzJHnj~bgE5aOnDN~5rLJ7bGZoRpTdnHFcQ0AHuWqqeQ6YVX82SmcQ7BWd5H6N1DpQSFTQbatToTF5MOArYyxj3OBDIXq6qYCmERZAe87GWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mount Vernon City, WA","date","2025-03-28T16:23:17.673Z","article","The Mount Vernon City Council opened a public hearing March 26 on the city’s draft 2025–26 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) annual action plan and heard presentations from five applicants seeking funds. Steve Sexton, the city’s special projects manager, told the council that HUD had not yet announced allocations and that the city was using the same funding estimate as in 2024 for planning.

Applicants who spoke and their main requests:

- Dulce Vasquez, Resource Center Manager at Community Action of Skagit County, requested support to continue operations of the Mount Vernon Resource Center and said the office served a dramatically higher caseload: 308 households (525 individuals) in July 2021–June 2022 versus 1,148 households (reported as 202,236 individuals in the transcript; applicant emphasized large growth) in July 2023–June 2024. Vasquez estimated the center could serve about 2,500 residents with continued support.

- Greg Grama of Salem Lutheran Church described a $645,000 building project to expand facilities for Welcome Home Skagit’s day‑shelter and related services; Salem said it has spent $47,000 to date, is using $300,000 from church reserves and had raised $70,000, leaving an anticipated construction loan of about $195,000. Salem seeks a portion of CDBG capital funds (the application cited a potential CVVG grant representing about 8% of the project).

- Sarah (managing director) of Welcome Home Skagit outlined services provided by the county’s only drop‑in day shelter and seasonal overnight shelter: care coordination, recovery support, showers, meals, case management, transportation assistance and vocational training. She said the day shelter had been used 7,586 times this year by 516 unduplicated individuals and the overnight shelter 1,967 times by 219 unduplicated individuals; the organization seeks funding to sustain and expand operations and pursue a year‑round low‑barrier shelter.

- Amanda Etchey and Chuck Messinger of Volunteers of America Western Washington urged continued support for the countywide Coordinated Entry system (the 211 access point and assessment/referral system). They reported stabilized enrollments and faster call response times, warned of an anticipated 20% funding reduction from county funding notices, and said about 500 individuals were on the coordinated entry list at the time of the hearing.

- Victor Ponce, bilingual business adviser and program manager for the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE), requested $30,000 for bilingual business advising, training and technical assistance targeted to Spanish‑speaking entrepreneurs and microbusinesses.

Council members asked several clarifying questions during and after the presentations about administrative capacity, applicant readiness to meet CDBG billing and reporting requirements, whether applicants could use other funding sources (including local HB 1590 sales‑tax funds), and how the city would allocate the CDBG budget between administration (20%), public services (15%) and capital projects (remainder). Sexton confirmed the administrative cap is 20% and public services are limited to 15% of the grant; five applicants sought public‑service funding and seven total applications were on file for this funding cycle.

No funding decisions were made at the hearing; Sexton said the council will review a funding worksheet at a later meeting (April 2 is the next scheduled presentation of the annual action plan funding worksheet to the Public Safety Committee). Sexton reminded the council that CDBG allocations from HUD were pending and that the city may also consider HB 1590 local funding opportunities in the fall.

The public hearing closed after the scheduled presentations and council questions; further deliberation and a final funding decision will follow the statutory public‑input period and staff recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mount Vernon City Council Meeting - March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mount Vernon City Council heard from five organizations on March 26 during the first public hearing for the city’s 2025–26 CDBG annual action plan; applicants described rising demand for services and requested both public‑service and capital funds.","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},6101110,"Residents press Mount Vernon council for enforcement, accountability after farmworker activist detained",3758,242000,4000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97&start=242&end=4000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97/thumbnail_242000.jpg","/articles/6101110/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Residents-press-Mount-Vernon-council-for-enforcement-accountability-after-farmworker-activist-detained","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101110-d1f657ece71117f657ad6326c99f4359/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413106&Signature=E-fGSXWMeStVI8xtlNhHtlwiqucz8IVKLJtCc8yjwgQHzXdEZPE6qe6q8I8kKQ3cmJ67JyHdfoQ--EVqo0~UIJQRAxM6lPbw21ZYvLRDj63h2oK5MMssVj27SuTHp2ua7av4xuYkNk-rX5i00Oj4RVx5E-v1EMlj91AL~Y3m8lly2NJVjPzFsPaQa446BFM1wrM7O1rtZdEIugQGe-Aa4DnXPVtiaDxB9KYFg8XSt0Shg0G93HY2xKCuoZFt2vmueTqhuTZ6opznY-FhF7ZS-W3Lj5wh1mjxiF~uTYrdPiTTtQ4-QuNQCZbRWJ3gD0AnmkIFoYlfkYK5I3N57XLxhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents addressed the Mount Vernon City Council on March 26, 2025, urging the council to adopt a resolution and implement enforceable accountability measures for the Keep Washington Working Act after a local farmworker activist, Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez, was detained and taken to the Northwest Detention Center. Rosalinda Guillen, a Ward 1 community organizer, told the council her group brought a draft ordinance and sought a public, accountable process rather than a closed task force.

The community said the goal is to ensure training, reporting and public transparency so residents know the city is enforcing the Keep Washington Working Act. “The ordinance that we presented … is important to us,” Rosalinda Guillen said. She described uncertainty about whether a Mount Vernon officer was involved in the detention and reported that an attorney was clarifying whether a Skagit County deputy was the officer who stopped the person taken by ICE.

Other public commenters echoed those demands. Araceli (last name not specified), who said she works in Ward 1, called the detention “unjust and politically motivated” and urged passage of the resolution. Isaac Cavazos, a Ward 1 resident, said the resolution would “send a strong message that our city stands firmly in support of all residents, regardless of their immigration status.” Caroline Bachetto, a coworker and friend of Juarez, told council that Juarez has no criminal record and that his arrest underscores the need to implement the Keep Washington Working Act’s protections.

Council members discussed the matter at length. Council member Richard Bracken (referred to in the record as Council member Brockston in one moment) and other members described the detention as deeply upsetting, expressed support for the detained person and encouraged calls to federal legislators. The council said it is not opposed to the content of the community’s proposed resolution but emphasized the need to understand implementation details and potential legal or administrative consequences before adopting formal action.

Mayor Peter Donovan reported that city leaders and invited community representatives met in person the same day with Mount Vernon Police Chief Dan Christman, Fire Chief Brian Harris, Mount Vernon Prosecutor Jeff McCann, Officer Edgar Serrano, Skagit 911 Director Lisonbee Everbeck and representatives from Community to Community, Indivisible Skagit and other groups. Donovan said the hour-and-a-half meeting improved mutual understanding and that city officials committed to continuing community presentations, refining messaging and working with community leaders to clarify how city agencies will comply with the Keep Washington Working Act.

The council said it had created a committee to listen and learn from community members with lived experience before considering a binding resolution, and some community leaders said they declined to participate in that committee because they prefer immediate adoption of a publicly binding measure with specified reporting and training requirements.

No ordinance or resolution was adopted on March 26. Council members and the mayor said they will continue meetings with community leaders and city staff and that additional follow-up would be scheduled to clarify next steps and any directives to the mayor or city departments.

The public comments and the mayor’s subsequent description of the day’s meeting made clear there is continuing disagreement about process (task force vs. direct adoption) even as council members expressed political and personal support for the detained organizer and for stronger local safeguards.

Looking ahead, community organizers said they will continue to press the council to adopt the measures they presented and to assist with outreach and public education on the city’s obligations under state law.","Dozens of residents addressed the Mount Vernon City Council on March 26, urging adoption of enforceable measures to implement the Keep Washington Working Act after Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez was detained and taken to the Northwest Detention Center.",{"_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},6101100,"Finance, parks and development committees flag budget pressure, Eaglemont and downtown planning",649,2744000,3393000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97&start=2744&end=3393","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97/thumbnail_2744000.jpg","/articles/6101100/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Finance-parks-and-development-committees-flag-budget-pressure-Eaglemont-and-downtown-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101100-2afb44610715c000339b2e11506cdbe7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770414178&Signature=mB5040xvRMfNx6Q3dmNvzDjHMRzUXyUkWJYEQVilN-Y0xavtcXFSmf14RngwbDF-tbqek8FDK445IoQiWzMmF-I2-NRXyyQsvEC3lLkmKk2qudG9idPP-G3AzhyFOvlpbmet5ALxAkB-QWkkirr3S-UJWU8WGUzizQNXHxHURE78cFQ8cflUWVjVTASwMNuzSd~gEvhBB6LZQ2H4LLygclqefcApL7vVNKMC~qDKhkhpr5jviKc3yR8wvmOu1~o9DCWD~dqD~BAdAekqAr1T~5OGiEU3C1gIAWcS7giypxOL96iTVjk3-DV655KV106TUKSewk7bgD5a8oou56hI5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the council’s March 26 meeting committee chairs reported on finance, parks and development items that the council will consider in upcoming months.

Finance and parks. Council member Gary (last name not specified in the record) reported the city’s investment balance for the year ending 2024 at $34,900,000, with roughly $29,000,000 in long‑term investments and the remainder in short‑term vehicles and cash. The committee discussed the Skagit County jail funding arrangement and said the city’s contribution must increase by about $84,000 to maintain required fund balances; staff warned the fund balance could fall below required levels in 2026. The committee also noted preliminary 2026 budget planning and the possibility of a $4,000,000 to $5,000,000 budget shortfall.

The committee discussed a front‑load commercial solid‑waste truck where immediate purchase (if ordered now) would cost $4,471,000 and could shorten production lead time by 9–12 months. Parks and Recreation staff briefed the committee on spring/summer programming, volunteer opportunities and a planned mural under the Hogue Road/I‑5 overpass.

Development services. Council member Melissa Beaton reported an uptick in permitting and staffing gaps (four open positions and two upcoming retirements). She reviewed long‑running development matters: Eaglemont (a 670‑acre RA‑zoned area with a PUD overlay), the long‑planned Blackburn Waugh Road extension (the city is exploring a 30% preliminary design to gauge feasibility and costs), and Hidden Lakes (about 176 acres zoned R‑1 that was logged after purchase and subject to a Department of Natural Resources moratorium that is expiring next month). The committee also described plans for a downtown Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) planned for 2026 (estimated cost about $200,000) to catalyze downtown development and streamline zoning.

Other notes. The committee said the city will invite two dike districts to brief the council on the status of dike infrastructure; staff also reported adding a nurse practitioner position to the fire/IOS team, at an estimated cost of about $50,000 to be funded through local HB 1590 tax funds.

No formal council action was taken on these committee reports at the March 26 meeting; staff and committees will return with more detailed proposals and budget materials.","Committee reports presented March 26 to the Mount Vernon City Council showed the city’s fiscal investments, warned of a possible multi‑million‑dollar 2026 budget shortfall and summarized development planning updates on Eaglemont, Blackburn Waugh Road and a downtown EIS.",{"_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},6101095,"Council approves extended street closure for Tulip Festival street fair",1738,2336000,4074000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97&start=2336&end=4074","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2810307-c05795b3b7d71938c1fdc9d9c6331a97/thumbnail_2336000.jpg","/articles/6101095/Mount-Vernon-City/Skagit-County/Washington/Council-approves-extended-street-closure-for-Tulip-Festival-street-fair","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6101095-e79e5a7e83cc5ae4f3c1acc0ad9a3f1b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412155&Signature=V5BFJ~w4mkaLFuXcG5fDXug-0vwMTV3nybgRoywia7Nuu9aNf3H9ucQj4al9KNVq3zrX7qxDKPpdNGBrxXbSjE-KL0HZtMxNVGvmDI4c2cuxpzunecw~sUx9J~QdbUQt53V1KlM2LD5-PRxCrf-4IPaTe1hRFoMa1U~UDjFpA040fDUecI0X8H87mCAWK66BZuINb3Fd8kiooy6WKfxWNW1ZFjqdTCadpgDUuNQudnN8lQl9Wjz2KTkrACvk~Bh4LdqeEQqROfDQQGfuJVjNDlSQJvD0PE64qLc~wLNXji1ThWSTd1Lo46y5GMCTV36-NVzr4-CyxMg2N2-9AOyF3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon City Council on March 26 approved a downtown street closure for the annual Tulip Festival Street Fair, extending the event footprint two blocks south to Milwaukee to help vendors recoup lost booth space from prior layout changes.

Parks and Enrichment Director Jennifer Berner told council the closure would run from 2 a.m. Thursday, April 17 through 9 a.m. Sunday, April 20; the section of Cleveland Avenue between Milwaukee and Snoqualmie will remain closed until about 10 a.m. Monday, April 21 to allow stage and canopy removal. Ellen Gamson of the Mount Vernon Downtown Association had asked for the extended footprint to help the nonprofit offset increased event costs and lost vendor space from recent accessibility improvements.

Council member Gary moved to approve the street closure and was seconded by Council member Giddis; the motion passed on a voice vote. The transcript records the motion as passed (voice vote “Aye”); seven council members were present at roll call.

Council members and staff said they supported the festival’s aims to expand vendor revenue while maintaining accessibility features in the downtown right‑of‑way. The licensed special event process and public‑safety arrangements will proceed through the city’s standard event‑permit coordination.","The Mount Vernon City Council approved a street closure extending the Tulip Festival Street Fair footprint two blocks south to Milwaukee; the closure runs April 17–20 with a small section remaining closed through April 21 for stage removal.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mount Vernon holds first public hearing for 2025–26 CDBG action plan; five applicants present

Residents press Mount Vernon council for enforcement, accountability after farmworker activist detained

Finance, parks and development committees flag budget pressure, Eaglemont and downtown planning

Council approves extended street closure for Tulip Festival street fair