REGULAR COUNCIL

REGULAR COUNCIL MINUTES Council Chambers – 1300 First Street August 17, 2022 at 7:00 PM 1. FLAG SALUTE - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL PRESENT Councilmember Candice Makos Councilmember Stana Cummings Councilmember Jim Ancich Motion made by Councilmember Cummings to excuse Councilmember Wenzel, Seconded by Councilmember Ancich. Motion carried. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Cummings, Councilmember Ancich 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Cummings to amend the agenda to add ESCI Services Agreement as Item D, Seconded by Councilmember Ancich. Motion carried. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Cummings, Councilmember Ancich Motion made by Councilmember Cummings. to approve the agenda as amended, seconded by Councilmember Ancich. Motion Carried. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Cummings, Councilmember Ancich 4. PRESENTATION: Central Grays Fire Authority - Hoquiam Fire Chief Matt Miller Hoquiam Fire Chief Matt Miller, Aberdeen Interim Fire Chief David Golding, and Hoquiam Finance Director Corri Schmid gave a presentation on the Central Grays Harbor Fire Authority and the invitation to have Cosmopolis join the fire authority. Mayor Pauley stated that the Council will need to make a decision soon as to whether or not we move forward with the RFA. He set a Council Workshop and Public Forum for September 7th at 6 p.m. Finance Director Schmid explained how the property taxes would work and what the estimated EMS fees on the utility bills would be. Director Pope stated that we currently charge our residents $6.75 a month for EMS  fees. She stated the total budget for the Volunteer Fire Department with the new truck payments is around $250,000 per year. Chief Miller stated the plan does not include any new staff members. Citizen Darryl Brown asked what the WSRB rating for Cosmopolis is and if joining the RFA would help our rating. Administrator Raines stated our last rating was approximately a year and a half ago. He does not recall what the number was. Chief Miller stated that by Aberdeen and Hoquiam joining their forces significantly helped their rating. He stated that if Cosmopolis were to join, it would help our rating and lower homeowner insurance costs. Chief Miller stated that the RFA would offer Fire Marshall services. Administrator Raines stated that our Building Official is doing our Fire Marshall service. Director Pope asked if there would be a fee for this service. Chief Golding stated that the cost is already built into the plan. There would not be an additional fee for building permits. He said that city of Cosmopolis would be helping to manage the volunteer program. Chief Miller stated that there would be one voting member elected to the Board of Commissioners. There would also be a non-voting member from each city. The RFA would be separate from the City but tied to the City. Cathy Shapansky asked what would happen to the taxes if the mill closed. Mayor Pauley stated that the property taxes are still paid. Director Schmid explained how property taxes work. 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS No public Comments 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Makos, Seconded by Councilmember Ancich. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Cummings, Councilmember Ancich A. Claims Vouchers B. Meeting Minutes - July 20, 2022 C. July 20, 2022 Meeting MInutes 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS Public Works - Per Councilmember Ancich, they discussed sewer charges, comp time, bulk water rates, and hiring another employee. Public Safety - Mayor Pauley stated the RFA planning committee met last Thursday. We went through the planning process and what it looks like going forward. Finance Subcommittee- Councilmember Cummings stated that the finance director will touch on the items during her report. 8. CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS Administrator Raines - He stated that we have two new recruits for the fire department. We are actively working on the paperwork for a couple more recruits. He thanked everyone who has helped us to clean up First and Second Street. He updated everyone on the progress of Highland Park.  Finance Director - She stated our new website is up and running. In the Public Works and Finance Committee meetings, we have discussed bulk water sales. Currently we are charging them what our residents pay. We are working on new rates to include a service charge. We also discussed overtime/comp time for our public works employees. We are going to temporarily increase their comp limit to 160 hours until we can hire a new employee. We discussed EMS fees and Sewer fees for small businesses. We discussed the RFA and how it affects the City finances. Regarding the fire department, we found out that the Board of Volunteer Fire Fighters will reimburse us up to $100 per physical for the new recruits. Deputy Police Chief - We had an increase calls this last month due to mental health and drugs. IN the last month we have administered narcan twice. We had over 220 calls in the last 30 days with two injury collisions. Detective Miskell is part of a grant funded position for criminal investigation with the Seattle Police Department and the Washington State Internet Crimes against Children Task Force. He was assigned to a case that led to the south side of our community. The suspect was apprehended. A. City Administrator Council Report 9. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Pauley stated that FEMA granted $50 million for the North Shore Levee Project. He said the Moore-Wright group is planning to put 90 tiny homes near the old middle Swanson's in Aberdeen. They are doing some amazing work. 10. NEW BUSINESS A. Interview Candidates for Council Appointment Mayor Pauley stated that they had two questions for each applicant to answer. One is why did you choose to apply and two is what experience do you feel you bring to the Council. Darryl Brown - He has been a resident since 2007. It is a joyous place to live. He has an interest in public service. He is currently a battalion chief at South Beach RFA. He understands the importance of the financial aspect of public funds. He believes in transparency. Debbi Moran - Debbi said she had been on the council for 24 years. She knows what hte City needs and doesn't need. She does a lot of walking and informs the public of changes as they occur. Mark Collett - He has been a resident for 22 years. This is a great place to live. He has been with the Department of Corrections for 30 years. He knows a little bit about law enforcement and he was a volunteer firefighter for a while. He is currently on the planning commission. Ed VanSyckle - He drives the City and helps where needed. He has engineering experience, construction, design work, and landscaping. He says he has the time wants to do something to help the City.  Ray Robinson - He has lived in Cosmopolis for 7 years. He says he has been attending meetings. He was on the planning commission and city council in Raymond. He has experience and background on the financial aspect. He is retired from the State of Washington and the US Air Force. Linda Springer - She wants to make a difference. She has worked in education and with the State. and Police as an investigator. She has the ability to work as a team with multiple agencies. She is trained in psychology and human development. She helped to form the Friends of Highland Park and has received grants to upgrade the park to the amount of $131,000. She thanked Ed VanSyckle for everything he has done for the community. B. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Qualifications of an applicant/candidate for appointment to elective office per RCW 42.30.110(1)(h) Mayor Pauley stated that the executive will last 15 minutes to return at 8:11. At 8:11, it was announced the executive session will be extended until 8:16. Regular session resumed at 8:16. C. Vote for New Councilmember Councilmember Makos made a nomination for Raymond Robinson to the Council. Councilmember Ancich nominated Darryl Brown. For Raymond Robinson, Councilmember Makos and Cummings voted Aye. For Darryl Brown, Councilmember Ancich voted Aye. Mayor Pauley congratulated Mr. Robinson and swore him in. D. ESCI Agreement- Mayor Pauley stated this agreement is for a fire service option analysis. Annie Sieger from ESCI discussed the scope of the agreement. This agreement is to study four options available: current model, join the RFA, contract services, and form a fire district. Councilmember Cummings made a motion to table the discussion until September 7th. Councilmember Ancich seconded. Motion carried. 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Robinson - He appreciates the support. Councilmember Makos - She welcomed Mr. Robinson to the Council. Councilmember Cummings - She welcomed Mr. Robinson to the Council. Councilmember Ancich - He welcomed Mr. Robinson to the Council. He asked the Finance Director for the total of the GovDeal sales. She said the 3 chargers brought in over $8,000 and the Fire Truck was around $2,800. 12. PUBLIC COMMENTS Susan Robinson - She heard that there will be speed limit signs on Stanford. She is excited. Ed VanSyckle - He is concerned about overgrown vegetation on E Street. HIs other concern is regarding a public safety problem on 1st and H Street for obstruction of a street light due to vegetation. Cathy Shapansky - She stated no one had gotten back to her regarding the EMS and Sewer charges on her properties. Administrator Raines stated that both the Public Works Committee and the Finance Subcommittee voted to not do anything until a rate study can be conducted.