Mount Vernon City Council discusses priorities for upcoming meetings
The Mount Vernon City Council discussed priorities for upcoming meetings, including a proposed temporary moratorium on data centers. This moratorium, similar to those enacted in Skagit County and La Conner, aims to prevent new data center permit applications until the city can establish permanent regulations. The proposal has already been drafted and is expected to open for public input soon.
The Mount Vernon City Council convened a Committee of the Whole meeting to prioritize topics for city staff to research and draft ordinances. A key discussion point was a proposed temporary moratorium on data centers, alongside a cryptocurrency kiosk ban and e-bike regulations.
The drafted data center moratorium, intended to prevent the city from accepting new permit applications until permanent regulations can be established, was identified as a priority for an upcoming agenda. This follows similar temporary moratoriums recently approved by Skagit County and La Conner. The council also expressed interest in a cryptocurrency kiosk ban, noting recent bans in La Conner and Anacortes due to theft and scam concerns.
Additional topics included potential regulations on kratom sales and a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) trespassing resolution. Councilmember Randy West emphasized the urgency of an ICE trespass resolution, citing the expiration of temporary protected status for certain populations. However, some councilmembers, like Mary Hudson, voiced concerns that such a resolution might inadvertently draw more attention from ICE to the city. City Attorney Kevin Rogerson is researching the city's legal authority in this area.
Other discussions touched upon the possibility of recording audio at future committee meetings for public access and an alternative process for councilmembers to request agenda items.