Arlington swears in new council members, hears public comment and waives permit fee for Eagle Scout project

Arlington City Council began its meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, a roll call and the swearing-in of newly seated council members.

An official introduced Oscar Ray to administer the oath of office; new members recited the oath to support the U.S. and Washington constitutions and local ordinances. Those sworn included Alicia Novak and Timothy Abrahamson; a speaker also identified himself as "Seth" during the oath. The presiding official congratulated the new members.

During the public-comment period, a resident identifying himself as Jay of San Bernardino congratulated the council and praised the city's management. He also raised concerns about local public-safety and environmental issues — citing fentanyl enforcement and groundwater at the airport — and urged the council to check the city's exposure to silver supplies and renewables-related investments, saying the city should "look into how much silver this city needs."

On routine business, the council approved the consent agenda and took up two items of new business from staff member Paul. First, the council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with Snohomish County to continue an embedded social worker who will work alongside a police officer and bring access to housing and other services. Second, the council authorized the mayor to waive a $253.91 building permit fee for an Eagle Scout project for the nonprofit Kids Closet on school-district property; Paul said the council regularly considers fee waivers for nonprofit and community projects and gave the fee amount as $253.91. Councilmember Timothy Abrahamson, speaking as an Eagle Scout, said he was "always gonna be very supportive of these kind of projects."

The meeting concluded with brief holiday greetings from council and staff and a unanimous voice vote to adjourn.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of the agenda: voice vote; "Aye" heard, motion carried.
- Consent agenda: voice vote; "Aye" heard, motion carried.
- Interlocal agreement with Snohomish County (embedded social worker): motion moved and seconded; voice vote; motion carried.
- Waive building permit fee for Eagle Scout Kids Closet project ($253.91): motion moved and seconded; voice vote; motion carried.
- Adjournment: motion moved and seconded; voice vote; motion carried.