Workshop & Councilmeeting

WORKSHOP & COUNCILMEETING MINUTES Council Chambers – 1300 First Street November 16, 2022 at 6:15 PM 1. Budget Workshop 6:15-6:30 & RV Ordinance Workshop 6:30 - 7:00 Budget Workshop - Director Pope went over the projected revenues for all funds. For Utilities, we are projecting a 10% increase due to increased costs from Aberdeen. The Stormwater Utility rate increases are based on the CPI Index June to June. B&O and Sales Tax are projected to increase due to the increased pricing on goods and services. Aberdeen is estimating the EMS fees to go up to $32.83 per utility account. We will have to adjust our EMS rates due to this. City insurance rates are going up 21.77%. Mayor Pauley went over the state of the economy and the City's resources. Councilmember Wenzel stated the EMS fees were having a big impact on the City. Last year, we chose to absorb the fees, but this year, we will have to pass them on. Mayor Pauley stated we need to catch up to inflation and the costs. RV Ordinance Workshop - Chief Stratton stated the old ordinance lacked any penalty. He also said one of the issues at the last meeting was that the ordinance didn't cover oversize vehicles. Attorney Johnson stated the Council doesn't have the existing ordinance. He thought this would be going to the public safety committee before coming back to the council. Councilmember Wenzel said public safety had decided this is what they wanted. They did not have a discussion to amend the existing code, but to repeal and replace. Councilmember Ancich asked if the 72 hours is fair for the citizens. 2. FLAG SALUTE - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 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 Carlisle to approve the agenda, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Motion carried. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 5. PRESENTATION - LYNETTE BUFFINGTON, GREATER GRAYS HARBOR Lynette gave a presentation of the benefits they provided to local business this past year. Cosmopolis has 9 member businesses and 11 businesses receiving online benefits. They provide business assistance and relief, promote local business, and invest in the workforce. They also produce original content to encourage tourism in Grays Harbor. 6. PUBLIC HEARING - PROPERTY TAXES AND BUDGET Councilmember Robinson made a motion to open the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Wenzel. Motion carried. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel  There were no public comments. Councilmember Robinson made a motion to close the public hearing. Seconded by Councilmember Makos. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 7. PUBLIC COMMENTS Ashley Arcangel - She emailed her public comment to Director Pope. Director Pope read her statement. She stated she was not opposed to the vacation, but they would need a fire apparatus turn around. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Motion made by Councilmember Makos to approve the consent agenda, Seconded by Councilmember Carlisle. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS Public Works - Councilmember Ancich they discussed preliminary budget numbers. Finance Sub Committee - Councilmember Wenzel stated they discussed EMS fees. 10. CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS City Administrator - He explained the street vacation on I street. He showed a map which highlights the property and I street. He said we have an 80 foot right of way, but standard is 60 feet. Police Chief - He announced he will be retiring effective December 31, 2022. He gave the mayor his selection for the next chief. He said Detective Miskell has stepped up with leadership for the reserves. Fire Chief - Interim Chief Raines said the volunteers have been working hard in the department. There has been a lot of clean up and getting things back into compliance. Nick stated that medical training is happening. They are getting the fire hall ready for the police to move into in preparation for construction of the new municipal facility. Public Works Superintendent - Superintendent Nations stated they had a sewer main that had started failing. They have been working to repair it. They are hoping to start putting in new meters the first of December. 11. MAYOR'S REPORT Mayor Pauley said the RFA Committee stated Chief Matt Miller discussed how the volunteer program would work if the RFA is approved by voters. RTPO meeting discussed priority projects to include the US 12 Rail Separation Project which is still ranked high. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. 12. OLD BUSINESS A. Ordinance 1378 (RV Parking) Councilmember Carlisle made a motion to move the RV Parking ordinance back to Public Safety. Councilmember. Councilmember Makos seconded. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 13. NEW BUSINESS A. Ordinance 1379 (2023 Property Tax Levy) Councilmember Ancich made a motion to read by title only. Councilmember Makos seconded. Motion carried. Attorney Johnson read the title of the ordinance. Motion made by Councilmember Ancich to approve the ordinance, Seconded by Councilmember Robinson. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel B. Refund Levy Approval Motion made by Councilmember Carlisle approve both refund levies, Seconded by Councilmember Wenzel. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel C. Street Vacation Discussion Administrator Raines stated he and Attorney Johnson will verify that it is allowed by law and then a public hearing would be held. We are not looking for action, but would like to know if the Council would like to move forward. Councilmember Wenzel made a motion to continue the discussions on the street vacation. Seconded by Councilmember Ancich. Voting Yea: Councilmember Makos, Councilmember Carlisle, Councilmember Ancich, Councilmember Robinson, Councilmember Wenzel 14. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Ancich asked if we would be having an RFA meeting for Cosmopolis residents in January. Mayor Pauley stated that we should be at a point to start informational meetings in January for the citizens. Councilmember Wenzel said that our fire department is responding to calls now and having meetings. He implored local citizens to volunteer with our department. It's a good way to give back to your community. 15. PUBLIC COMMENTS Joe Gebauer stated that he and his wife got full custody of their baby.