REGULAR COUNCIL

REGULAR COUNCIL MINUTES Council Chambers – 1300 First Street December 21, 2022 at 7:00 PM 1. FLAG SALUTE - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmember Candice Makos, Councilmember Stana Carlisle, Councilmember Jim Ancich, Councilmember Raymond Robinson, Councilmember Miles Wenzel 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Makos, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ashley Arcangel - Director Pope read emailed comments for items D and B. She commented on the annual cost of department supervisor raises. She wanted to know the justification for these raises. She stated that by denying the raises, it would cover the budget amendment for the Advance Payment Cemetery Fund. 5. CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Makos, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel A. Claims Vouchers B. Meeting Minutes - 12/07/2022 Workshops and Meeting Minutes 6. COMMITTEE REPORTS Public Safety - Councilmember Wenzel stated they discussed the recent RFA meetings. They also discussed the progress within the fire department. Central Grays Harbor RFA - They met earlier in the month. Councilmember Ancich wants to schedule a meeting for Cosmopolis citizens to discuss the RFA. Mayor Pauley stated that there is another RFA meeting on January 12th. Councilmember Ancich stated that if the citizens had questions or concerns, they could be brought up at the next RFA meeting. The meeting was scheduled for January 5th at 6:00 p.m. 7. CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS Finance Director - She thanked everyone for their hard work and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Interim Police Chief - Chief Layman encouraged the public to not report things to social media as it is not monitored 24/7. He urged that they either call 911 or dispatch. We hired a new officer. There has been an uptick in vehicle thefts. They are urging people to be prepared for the bad weather that is coming. He gave kudos to Nick and his crew at the fire department. The fire department partnered with the police department. They did an impromptu parade through town after Operation Santa Cop. Fire Department - Nick Falley stated the police department is in the process of moving into the Fire Hall. He thanked Chief Layman for inviting them to participate in Saturday's event. Public Works Superintendent - He thanked Tom and Jamin for their hard work. He thanked the volunteers that have helped all year long. Ed Van Syckle has volunteered at least 200 hours for 2022. Happy Holidays to everyone. 8. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Pauley stated that Cosmo Specialty Fibers is doing a planned shut down until the end of the year. This news came to us after the budget was passed. If the closure extends into 2023, we will have to make some adjustments to lessen the impact. He expressed his gratitude for the department heads and staff. We have worked well as a cohesive unit. He wished everyone Happy Holidays. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. 2023 Utility Rates Attorney Johnson read the title of the resolution. Director Pope stated that the City of Aberdeen raised their rates by 10%. We have passed this cost onto our customers. The EMS charge was  raised to $18 per month to help cover the costs to Aberdeen for EMS services. Stormwater was raised 8.6% per the cpi index. All remaining fees remained the same. Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel, Seconded by Councilmember Makos. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel B. 2022 Budget Amendment Attorney Johnson read the title of the ordinance. Director Pope stated the revenues budgeted for 2022 were conservative. We also handled the funds for the T-Mobile grant, the Grays Harbor Community Grant, and the AARP grant which were not budgeted for. She stated we received more money than we estimated therefore, we had to increase our ending balances for the year. Motion made by Councilmember Carlisle, Seconded by Councilmember Ancich. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel C. RV Dwelling and Parking Permit Fees Attorney Johnson read the resolution. The fees were set at $50. Director Pope stated we have not charged for this before. She stated that $50 only covers the inspector's time. Motion made by Councilmember Makos, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel D. City Official Pay Attorney Johnson read the resolution. Mayor Pauley stated the wages were already in the budget but needed to formalized per their agreements with the City. Director Pope stated that we could table the resolution until we know what is going to happen with the mill. Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel to table the resolution, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel E. Confirmation of New Volunteer Firefighter Nick Falley asked to have Camilo Tobito confirmed as a volunteer firefighter. We would like to get him to the EMT class that starts in January.  Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel, Seconded by Councilmember Makos. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel F. GH EMS & Trauma Council Agreement Mayor Pauley stated that funding for the trauma care council used to go through the Grays Harbor Transit. They are no longer able to do this. This is a way to fund the council. This is the MOU for their fees. Nick Falley stated that they oversee all of their training. Motion made by Councilmember Makos, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel G. Memorandum of Understanding - City of Aberdeen Mayor Pauley stated this is an extension to the contract that is already in place. There are no changes from the previous contract to include the fees. This would extend the agreement to June 30, 2023. Motion made by Councilmember Robinson, Seconded by Councilmember Wenzel. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 10. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Makos - She thanked Nick Falley for all his hard work. She also thanked Jeff Nations and the rest of the staff. Councilmember Carlisle - She wished everyone a happy holidays. Councilmember Ancich - He asked about unemployment insurance. Director Pope stated that she is waiting on numbers from Employment Security Department. He thanked Kim Gherna for helping to recruit Camilo. Councilmember Robinson - He wished everyone happy holidays. Councilmember Wenzel - His thoughts are with all the employees at Cosmo Specialty Fibers. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 11. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ashley Arcangel - Director Pope read her emailed comment. She stated the public should have known about the event that happened this weekend with the police and fire department. She believes the citizens should have been informed with resources are being used. Interim Chief Layman stated that was 100% volunteers and on their own dime. He doesn't advertise as most people may not want their names or addresses known. Next year, they will be more purposeful to provide something for the rest of the community. This year, the long route back to the department was a spur of the moment thing. They were enjoying spreading Christmas cheer.