REGULAR COUNCIL

REGULAR COUNCIL MINUTES Council Chambers – 1300 First Street December 07, 2022 at 6:00 PM 1. Council Workshops A. Budget Workshop 6:00-6:30 Finance Director Julie Pope stated that they were able to balance the budget due to Aberdeen not raising the EMS fees to the City. The budget is set up so that we would only be on the contract through April and then reverting to the previous contract. If that doesn't happen, we would have to do a budget amendment and reevaluate the fees to the customers. The 2023 EMS fees on the utility bills will be $18.00 per month. She stated that while revenues are increased, expenditures are much higher than previous years due to inflation. Expenditures are rising faster than revenues. Councilmember Ancich asked what we can do with the Sewer LID fund. Director Pope will be contact the State Auditor's Office for guidance. Councilmember Wenzel stated the budget will keep us where we are at. Public Works Superintendent Jeff Nations stated we budget some park improvements for 2022. Those projects were not completed. We will have to take those on a case by case basis during 2023. During the spring, we will take a look at what we can do. Administrator Raines stated we didn't include some things in the budget at this time due to the inflation. We can take another look during the year as things project. Mayor Pauley stated the Aberdeen contract was the biggest factor for this budget. The Council discussed the Stormwater Utility and the impact to the General Fund. Nick Falley asked about the Fire Equipment Fund. Director Pope stated the revenues that go into the fund go to pay for the Fire Truck. It only covers 3 of the quarterly payments. The fourth payment comes from the general fund. B. RV Ordinance Workshop 6:30 - 7:00 Mayor Pauley stated this topic has been covered the last couple of months. We are adding some some proposed items into the current instead of rewriting the whole code. We are amending CMC10.24.025 to add permits. Permits would allow for 7 days. Amending CMC10.24.020 to add 72 hours. Adding to CMC 10.24.070 to create a violation with a civil infraction and a $150 fine. The permits would cost $50. Councilmember Wenzel stated we used the oversize vehicle definition from the previous code. Attorney Johnson stated the definitions for oversize vehicles and recreational vehicles would remain the same as the current code. Councilmember Wenzel stated all changes were made from comments at previous meetings. 2. FLAG SALUTE - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  After the flag salute, Mayor Pauley held a moment of silence for former city attorney Steve Hyde who had recently passed. 3. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL PRESENT Councilmember Candice Makos, Councilmember Stana Carlisle, Councilmember Jim Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Miles Wenzel 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Robinson to approve the agenda, Seconded by Councilmember Ancich. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 5. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ashley Arcangel - She would like us to update references to newspapers. She said the budget has not been posted to the website. Finance Director Pope stated the budget is not posted to the website as it hasn't been passed yet. There is an RCW that requires us to send it to the official newspaper. 6. CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel to approve the consent agenda, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel A. EnterTextHere B. EnterTextHere 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS Finance Sub Committee - Councilmember Wenzel stated they had discussed the budget. Public Works - Councilmember Ancich stated they discussed the budget, improvements, and adding an employee to the Public Works Department. Public Safety - Councilmember Wenzel stated they discussed the budget for fire and police, the RV ordinance, and the status of the Fire Department. The Fire Department responded to 30% of the calls last month. They are looking at reporting software in the future. RFA Planning Committee - Mayor Pauley stated the meeting will be tomorrow at the fire hall. 8. CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS  City Administrator - He thanked Police Chief Stratton for all of his years of service. His service is appreciated. Finance Director - She said we are ready to start the accountability portion of our audit. We should start the entrance interview soon. Currently our unemployment insurance coverage is reimbursable. She would like us to switch us to taxable. The Council asked she find out what are rates would be before approval. Police Chief - He stated he has a memorable 18 years with the City. He would like Deputy Chief Layman to be his successor. Mayor Pauley stated that he is only considering Deputy Chief Layman for the position. Fire Chief - Interim Chief Raines commended Nick Falley, Mark Tarabochia, and the other volunteers for their hard work. Nick Falley stated they are getting ready for the Police to move into the Fire Hall. They are looking at items to surplus. Public Works Superintendent - Superintendent Nations thanked Chief Stratton for his service. A. EnterTextHere 9. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Pauley thanked Chief Stratton for his service to the City. He stated that former attorney Steven Hyde passed away earlier this week. He served the City for over 40 years. There was a rollover accident in Cosmopolis recently. The Cosmopolis Police and Fire Department responded. They provided a remarkable response. 10. OLD BUSINESS A. Ordinance 1378 (RV Parking) Attorney Steve Johnson read the ordinance by title. Mayor Pauley stated that this would update the current municipal code. It would provide a civil infraction and fine of $150 for parking on the street over 72 hours without a permit. Councilmember Wenzel stated Chief Stratton did the research for this. Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel to approve the ordinance, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel Voting Nay: Councilmember Ancich 11. NEW BUSINESS A. Ordinance 1380 (2023 Budget)  Attorney Johnson read the title of the ordinance. Mayor Pauley commended the staff on their hard work with the budget. Director Pope stated it was truly a collaborative effort. Motion made by Councilmember Robinson to approve the ordinance, Seconded by Councilmember Makos. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 12. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Carlisle - She thanked everyone for their hard work. Councilmember Ancich - He asked if there would be a meeting regarding the RFA in January. Mayor Pauley stated that when things are finalized we will have another meeting. He asked that we put something out on the water bills for the meeting. Director Pope said we would have to have the information prior to the bills going out on the 10th. He thanked Casey for all of his hard work. Councilmember Robinson - He thanked everyone for their help. He thanked the people who put up the lights on First Street. Councilmember Wenzel - He congratulated Chief Stratton on his retirement. He said the decorations on First Street look great. He said all of the City departments are working hard. He said the Fire department is starting to respond to calls. He is encouraged by the progress. Councilmember Makos - She asked if we will be having an open house at the next meeting.Director Pope stated MRSC came out with an article regarding these. The City cannot provide food for these. It is a gifting of public funds. 13. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ashley Arcangel - She thanked Chief Stratton for his service. She would like the City to announce holidays well in advance instead of the day before the holiday. She would like the new website to be updated. Mayor Pauley stated that if anyone notices an issue with the website, to please let us know. Kim Gherna - She thanked Chief Stratton for his service to the City and his hard work on the RV ordinance. EnterTextHere