WORKSHOP & REGULAR COUNCIL

WORKSHOP AND MEETING MINUTES FOR REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING Fire Hall - 111 D Street June 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM WORKSHOP – 6:30 PM A short presentation was made by Stacie Roundtree from Grays Harbor County Emergency Management regarding the adoption of the 2022 Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, (CEMP) FLAG SALUTE - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE CALL TO ORDER - ROLL CALL Mayor Springer calls the meeting to order; Clerk Barr takes Roll Call. PRESENT: Councilmember Kim Skinner, Councilmember Jeremy Winn, Councilmember Mark Collett, Councilmember Sue Darcy, Councilmember Spargo. There were 6 citizens joining online Guests in Attendance were: City Attorney Chris Corker Commander Timmons of the Aberdeen Police Department Jacob Cocker – Fire Captain APPROVAL OF AGENDA Councilmember Skinner motioned to approve the agenda; Councilmember Darcy seconded. Motion passed unanimously. CONSENT AGENDA Councilmember Collett motioned to approve the consent agenda; Councilmember Darcy seconded. Motion passed unanimously. COUNCIL COMMENTS Page 1 of 4 Councilmember Winn spoke about fence permits and if we could simplify requirements. Additionally, he spoke about trees in the city and plantings along streets. He is working on a list of non-root invasive trees that are also low maintenance COMMITTEE REPORTS Auditing – Councilmember Darcy reviewed vouchers. Finance – No report. Parks – Councilmember Winn states no meeting and no report. Public Safety – Councilmember Collett discussed the need to have moving vehicle definitions to include electric or motorized unicycles. Public Works – Councilmember Darcy stated that Tom Distler was retiring at the end of the month and thanked him for his 34 years of service. She also announced that we have a new hire for Public Works. His name is Andrew Workman he comes highly qualified form Washington State Department of Transportation; His start date was June 2, 2025. CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS Clerk/Treasurer – Clerk Barr reported that we have sold two of the Police surplus vehicles. One of the 2014 Ford Taurus sedans and the Crown Victoria. The City of Ocean Shores purchased both for $10,000 on June 6, 2025. She also thanked Mayor and Mackenzie Adams for filling in during her recent absence. Police Chief Report – Chief Layman was training on the east coast and Councilmember Skinner read his report in his absence. Please excuse my absence, I will be on the east coast teaching a class. Cosmopolis Police had 233 incidents since the last report (05/21/2025). See APD report for number of incidents that APD handled during “afterhours”. Thank you for approving the surplus vehicle request that was made at the last council meeting. I am happy to report we have already sold two of the PD’s surplus vehicles and are working on preparing the third for sales. I met with the public safety committee last week and we are working on modifications to at least one ordinance in response to concerns raised about a lack of language in our current ordinance regarding our parks parking lots. I drafted possible revisions to the ordinance and have submitted the information to our city attorney. I will be meeting with the public safety committee again with the recommendations when I receive them for a submission to the council to consider. Fire Chief Report – Chief Falley is out on leave, Jacob Coker reports Progress is being made on the new to us Ambulance. Building Inspector – Bill Sidor reported on the revenue brought in this year from Permitting activities with major projects being the Pape remodel and the Cosi Elementary seismic retrofit. Page 2 of 4 MAYOR'S REPORT: - The Mayor states we are facing a deficit; Tara will be presenting the budget at the next council meeting. We are exploring options and those will be presented next month. She also reminds citizens that this Administration follows policy and procedure. We do not give out our employees’ phone numbers and if you need assistance call city hall (360.532.9230) with any water, sewer or other needs. If you need a location for digging, or digging guidelines call 811. The Mayor also mentioned that Tom Distler was retiring. She thanked him for his years of service to the community and wished him well in his retirement. She then discussed our two full-time and one part-time Public Works employees. Donnie Flower is our new lead. She stated she was very impressed with them and their work ethic and background. They will continue to build their skills. Donnie has been invited to attend Aberdeen’s PW meetings every Monday, training and knowledge sharing. Aberdeen has been a partner for several years to Cosmopolis, sharing equipment, aiding pipe repairs if needed and providing parts that are often scarce for older systems like ours. PW continues with our chlorine testing. Under the guidance of Community Water Systems, who is our water management provider. They ensure we are compliant and are also available for any water-related issues should they arise. The Mayor reminded citizens that we still have garbage vouchers available at City Hall. She announced that the Mill Creek yearlong project was almost complete and the re-opening of the park, tennis courts, gazabo and other park amenities covered by the $100K RCO would be Sunday June 22nd and encouraged citizens to come and see the improvements, listen to music, pack a picnic lunch or buy a Lion’s Club Burger to celebrate. The mayor mentioned that we are working to have council meetings at the Community Center (the old city hall) beginning in July but stay tuned. The Community Center will be having free lunch for seniors every Tuesday. NEW BUSINESS DISCUSSION 1. Clerk Barr presented ordinance 1398 which repeals Chapter 3.6 of the Cosmopolis Municipal code. This is related to applying half of all sales and use tax to the equipment fund. The city has never been in a position to consistently afford to do this. The revenues are better used in the general fund. 2. Resolution 2025-12 Adopting the Grays Harbor Emergency Management Plan was presented by Councilmember Skinner. 3. Paladin Background Screening Contract was presented by Councilmember Skinner and Captain Jacob Coker PUBLIC COMMENTS – A citizen thanked Tom Distler for his years of service and voiced their concern of not having knowledgeable, experienced public works and the overall health of the city. NEW BUSINESS – COUNCIL ACTION 1. Councilmember Darcy motioned to approve Ordinance 1398, Councilmember Collett seconded. There was no discussion. Motion carried. 2. Councilmember Collett motioned to approve resolution 2025-12, Councilmember Spargo seconded. There was no discussion. Motion carried. 3. Councilmember Skinner motioned to approve the contract renewal with Paladin Background Screening, Councilmember Collett Seconded. There was discussion about a fee schedule, Clerk Barr noted that the fees were based on the background level requested and the motion carried. Page 3 of 4 PUBLIC COMMENTS – A citizen mentioned that there were 4 large projects in the city that would have revenue of more than $50 million, the Daniels project, the school project, the Pape project and the Mill. This citizen encouraged the council to support these projects because of the economic development they would bring to the city. COUNCIL COMMENTS – Councilmember Winn mentioned that Mr. Bassett had not included the City in any plans and that he had not called at all. There were no further comments **Mayor Springer called for an executive session of no more than 15 minutes at 8:03 PM. She, the council members, Winn, Collett, Skinner, Darcy and Spargo along with city Attorney Chris Coker moved to a separate room. They came out of executive session at 8:17 PM** Councilmember Collett motioned to Adjourn the meeting; Councilmember Skinner seconded. Meeting adjourned at 8:20 PM. Page 4 of 4