REGULAR COUNCIL

REGULAR COUNCIL MINUTES Council Chambers – 1300 First Street January 18, 2023 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 Ray Robinson, Councilmember Miles Wenzel 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mayor Pauley asked to adjust the meeting. He would like Item G under New Business to right after Public Comments on Agenda items. Councilmember Ancich made a motion to amend. Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Motion carried. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel Motion made by Councilmember Carlisle to approve the agenda as amended, Seconded by Councilmember Ancich. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS No comments 5. CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Makos to approve the consent agenda, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 6. COMMITTEE REPORTS Parks - Councilmember Carlisle stated they met to discuss the grant with Friends of Highland Park Public Safety - Councilmember Wenzel stated they met with police and fire to discuss a city chaplain, new officer recruitment, RFA meetings, recap of responses for the Fire Department in December, and they discussed computer equipment needed for the fire department. 7. CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS City Administrator - Administrator Raines thanked everyone who helped with the remodel on the Fire Department. He requested a parks committee meeting to discuss banners that the VFW would like to donate. The banners would be for fallen service members from Cosmopolis and the surrounding areas. He gave an update on the Mill Creek Multi Objective Plan. This is a 100% grant from the flood authority.  Police - Detective Miskell stated that there are two conditional offers for new officers. One is entry level and the other is lateral. He mentioned the recruitment bonus which will be discussed under new business. Call volume is within 100 from what it was last year. One of the reserves lent the use of a bucket truck to help run the wiring for the internet. Reserve Jeff Seeman has donated 5 computers to the police department. He stated the computers in the patrol cars are agiing. Fire - Chief Falley stated they have made a lot of progress in remodeling the fire hall for the police to temporarily move in. They had the director of 911 to do some training. We have 5 members on the books and one more applicant that has completed his paperwork. Chief Falley would like to appoint Mark Tarabochia to Deputy Chief. He is looking at getting a grant to replace bunker gear. It has a five percent match. Councilmember Wenzel made a motion to authorize the fire department to seek an AFG grant to replace bunker gear with a 5 percent match. It was seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Motion carried. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel Finance - Director Pope stated the Xpress Bill Pay software was set up last Thursday. The audit is almost done. With the lateral new hire, he would like to have his vacation and longevity set up with his years of service as an officer. Councilmember Makos made a motion to approve. Seconded by Councilmember Wenzel. Motion carried. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel. Public Works Superintendent - They have installed 55 meters this month. They have 350 left. 8. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Pauley stated that he will appointing a new fire and police chief tonight. He stated Nick Falley has been integral in rebuilding the fire department. Heath accepted the offer to serve as police chief. Final king tides of the season are coming this weekend. We are not expecting any flooding. Recently the community lost Frank Majeski. He served on the Council from 2003 to 2007. He will be missed. We received 24 acres of property from the Druzianich family. It is to be used for a park area. We will be submitting funding requests from the Department of Recreation and Conservation office. The RFA planning is continuing to meet. There will be one tomorrow. The plan is not finalized at this time. Council Committee assignments will be done at the next meeting. The council will need to elect a mayor pro tempore at the next meeting. 9. EXECUTIVE SESSION - Qualifications of an applicant for public employment (RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) Mayor Pauley stated the executive will last for fifteen minutes to return at 7:52 p.m. The meeting started at 7:37 p.m. reconvened at 7:53 p.m. 10. NEW BUSINESS A. 2023 Connections Agreement Motion made by Councilmember Ancich to approve the agreement, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Wenzel B. Landscaping Agreement Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel to approve the agreement, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel C. Police Chief Employment Agreement Motion made by Councilmember Makos to approve the agreement, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel  D. Fire Chief Employment Agreement Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel to approve the agreement, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel E. Police Chief Confirmation Mayor Pauley appointed Heath Layman as police chief. Motion made by Councilmember Carlisle to confirm Heath Layman as police chief, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel F. Fire Chief Confirmation Mayor Pauley has appointed Nick Falley as Fire Chief. Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel to confirm Nick Falley as Fire Chief, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel G. Friends of Highland Park Grant for Lions Club Park Linda Springer asked for Council permission for the Friends of Highland Park in conjunction with the Lions Club to get a grant to put in a covered area in Lions Park. Motion made by Councilmember Carlisle to approve, Seconded by Councilmember Wenzel. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel H. Police Recruitment Signing Bonus Agreement Motion made by Councilmember Wenzel, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Wenzel 11. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Makos - She thanked Chief Falley. Councilmember Ancich - He asked to have a workshop prior to the next meeting to discuss building permits for windows, siding, and roofs. Councilmember Robinson - He congratulated the new chiefs. Councilmember Wenzel - He thanked Linda for the grant application. He congratulated Chief Layman and Chief Falley on their confirmations. 12. PUBLIC COMMENTS Linda Springer - She spoke about Ed VanSyckle's dedication to the city and all the volunteer hours he has performed. She would like an Ed VanSyckle day in the City with a celebration. Ed VanSyckle - He stated he volunteers because he enjoys it and doesn't want any special accolades. Joe Gebauer - He congratulated Nick Falley as Fire Chief and Mark Tarabochia as deputy chief. Mark Tarabochia - He stated the citizens are getting a full-time chief at a part-time salary. Nick has the ability to make things happen.