City Council - Regular Meeting

CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING June 5, 2023 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Korthuis called to order the June 5, 2023 regular session of the Lynden city council at 7:00 p.m. in the city's council chambers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIENCE ROLL CALL Members present: Councilors Ron De Valois, Gerald Kuiken, Brent Lenssen, Kyle Strengholt, and Mark Wohlrab. Members absent: Councilors Bode and Laninga. Staff present: Parks Director Brent DeRuyter, Planning Director Heidi Gudde, Police Chief Steve Taylor, Public Works Directors Steve Banham and Jon Hutchings, City Clerk Pam Brown, City Administrator John Williams, and City Attorney Bob Carmichael. Mayor Korthuis welcomed the newly hired Public Works Director Jon Hutchings to the city. OATH OF OFFICE - None SUMMARY REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS Briahna Murray, State Lobbyist Ms. Murray reminded that the 42nd District is currently represented entirely by democrats, those being Representative Shewmake, Representative Rule and Representative Timmons, several of which are in important leadership positions. Ms. Murray provided council with an update for the three funding requests put forth by the city as follows: • Lynden Community/Senior Center ($300,000 received)- Representative Rule working as the lead. • Schoolyard Park ($300,000 submitted but not granted). • Bradley Road Improvement Project ($3 million allocated for the 2023-2025 biennium)- Representative Shewmake and Timmons working as leads. 300 41h Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 1 of 5 CITYOFLYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Overall, this was a really challenging legislative session for a number of reasons. Thirty- six plus legislators were brand new to the process. Remote testimony has continued and probably will continue into the future. This may account for the lack of relationships between the parties and even internally within the caucuses although the current representative work well together. Overall, the session was a mixed bag for the cities as a whole. Councilor Lenssen thanked Ms. Murray for her years of dedicated service for the city of Lynden. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilor Strengholt moved, and Councilor De Valois seconded to approve the May 15, 2023, regular meeting minutes and the May 24th special council meeting minutes. Motion approved on 5-0 vote. CITIZEN COMMENT Dale Assink, Lynden Mr. Assink addressed Council as to the discussions being held in regard to amending the 2018 decision to cover rear patios and decks that extend into the setback. He would like to take that change a step further and allow for glass enclosures, sunrooms, more permanent structures. He feels there is a real need in the community for such structures due to the benefits of year-round use of outdoor living space making the enclosure winter friendly. Another benefit is the sound barrier created between neighbors. He asks Council to consider this item. Cynthia Ripke-Kutsaaoitz, Guide Meridian, Lvnden Cynthia commented on several general topics some of which included D-Day celebrations, a movie recommendation, support for the Lynden police department and the protest of the circus at the NW WA fairgrounds. Gary Vis, Chamber of Commerce Director, Lvnden Mr. Vis expressed gratitude to alt the volunteers, city council and city staff for their contribution to the success of the Farmer's Day parade. Mr. Vis estimates that there were approximately 16,000 in attendance. 300 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 2 of 5  CITY OF LYNDEN cm' COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING 2. CONSENT AGENDA Payroll Liability to May^1 through June 3, 2023 EFT & Other Liabilities Non-L&l Liabilities Monthly EFT......................................................................................................$588,275.14 Check Liability...............................................................................................................$0.00 Total Non-L&l Liabilities.....................................................................................$588,275.14 Quarterly Liabilities ..............................................................................................$13,524.66 Total EFT & Other Liabilities $601,799.80 Aeproval of Claims - June 6,2023 Manual Warrants No. through $0.00 EFT Payment Pre-Pays $0.00 Sub Total Pre-Pays $0.00 Voucher Warrants No. 27409 through 27600 $481,543.50 EFT Payments $911,263.00 Sub Total $1,392,806.50 Total Accts. Payable $1,392,806.50 Resolution No. 23-1070-Acceptance of WA State DOT Aviation Division Grant to Lvnden Municipal Airport Resolution No. 23-1071-Increase in the Revolving Cash Fund Resolution No. 23-1069-Acceptina ROW from Whatcom County at the Main Street and Berthusen Road Intersection Resolution No. 23-1063-Updatina Park Fees Motion made by Councilor Kuiken, seconded by Councilor De Valois to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion approved 5-0. 300 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 3 of 5 CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING 3. PUBLIC HEARING Resolution No. 23-1064- Adoptino a Six Year Transportation Improvement Proaram (STIP) 2024-2029 By law, a public hearing must be held for the City Council to consider comments regarding the City's Six Year Transportation Improvement Program (2024 to 2029). If approved by Council, these transportation improvement projects will be submitted to the Whatcom Council of Governments and from there to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) as part of their statewide program. To be eligible for funding for these projects, every city and county must prepare a planned local list of projects which ultimately is forwarded to the WSDOT by July 31 of each year for inclusion in the State's Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) list. The Public Works Committee reviewed the STIP projects at their April 5, 2023, meeting and recommended that Council set a public hearing date for 7:00 p.m. on June 5, 2023 to hear public comments. Mayor Korthuis opened the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. There were no comments. Mayor Korthuis closed the public hearing at 7:36 p.m. Motion made by Councilor De Valois seconded by Councilor Kuiken to approve Resolution No. 23-1064 adopting the 2024-2029 Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program for the City of Lynden and authorize the Mayor's signature on the resolution . Motion approved 5-0. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS - None 6. OTHER BUSINESS Councilor Lenssen reporting for the Community Development Committee involving discussion of: • Items moving forward in the Planning Department • County-wide planning policies • Affordable housing • LCM 19.22 • Sign code 300 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 4 of 5 CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING 7. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council adjourned into executive session to consider sale or lease of real estate as allowed by RCW42.30.110(1)(c). Council will be executive session until 7:50 p.m. and is not expected to take further action following the executive session. 8. ADJOURNMENT June 5, 2023, regular session of the Lynden City Council adjourned at 7:50 p.m. J(LPBittjon _^^J(^^. st^ Pamela D. Brown, City Clerk Scott Korthuis, Mayor 300 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 5 of 5