City Council - Regular Meeting

CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING August 7,2023 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Korthuis called to order the August 7, 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 Gary Bode, Ron De Valois, Gerald Kuiken, Brent Lenssen, Nick Laninga, Kyle Strengholt and Mark Wohlrab. Members absent: None. Staff present: Community Development Director Heidi Gudde, Fire Chief Mark Billmire, Police Chief Steve Taylor, City Clerk Pam Brown, and City Administrator John Williams. OATH OF OFFICE - None. SUMMARY REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS - None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilor Kuiken moved, and Councilor Strengholt seconded to approve the July 17, 2023, regular council meeting minutes. Motion approved on 7-0 vote. CITIZEN COMMENT Mary Lou Childs, Benson Road, Lynden Ms. Childs stated that she is not in favor of a total ban on fireworks but would like the City to consider reducing the number of days that fireworks can legally be set off. Another idea would be for the City to host a family-friendly fireworks event at the NW Fairgrounds. Jean Holterman, Emerald Way, Lynden Ms. Holterman stated that she is not in favor of a total ban on fireworks and noted that on her street, the debris created from setting off fireworks is cleaned up afterwards. She doesn't want Lynden to become like Bellingham. Cynthia Ripke-Kutsagoitz, Guide Meridian, Lynden Ms. Ripke-Kutsagotiz spoke to a several items: • Thanked the Lynden Police Chief for the safety in Lynden. • She hopes that the Lyden police department would begin to focus their efforts on the sex trafficking issues. • She stated that people need a strong constitutional sheriff. 300 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 1 of 3  CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Steve Jilk, Brook Way, Lynden Mr. Jilk stated that he does not support a full ban on fireworks, but he would like to start: the discussion on a reduction of how many days the City allows legal fireworks to be set off. He also recognizes that it's almost impossible for police and fire staff to fully enforce the ordinance. He stated that fireworks were being set off outside of the dates and times parameters defined in the fireworks ordinance and there is a perception that the City is not concerned about how much, when and where the fireworks are set off. Cesar Luna, Cascade Wav, Lynden Mr. Luna stated his hope that the fireworks ordinance dates and times would not be amended. He believes the community as a whole should not have to stop using fireworks because of the complaints of the few. He wants his children to be able to experience 4th of July with fireworks and is more concerned with the amount of government involvement. 2. CONSENT AGENDA Payroll Liability to July 16 through July 29, 2023 EFT & Other Liabilities Non-L&l Liabilities Monthly EFT......................................................................................................$582,139.80 Check Liability...............................................................................................................$0.00 Total Non-L&l Liabilities.....................................................................................$582,139.80 Quarterly Liabilities..............................................................................................$13,924.36 Total EFT & Other Liabilities $596,064.16 Approval of Claims - August 8,2023 Manual Warrants No. 27985 through 24985 $13,750.00 EFT Payment Pre-Pays $0.00 Sub Total Pre-Pays $13,750.00 Voucher Warrants No. 27999 through 28112 $317,107.58 EFT Payments $54,482.49 Sub Total $371,590.07 Total Accts. Payable $385,340.07 Set the Public Hearing for Design Standards Variance 23-01 Set the Public Hearing for Agreement to Exchange Property for Pepin Creek Parkway ROW 300 41h Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 2 of 3  CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING ORD-23-1671-Settinci Salaries for Elected Officials (2026-2032) In light of the current election, the current salary schedule for elected officials will expire during the term of those newly elected. Thus, a new table was created that follows the same format and continues through 2032. This new table begins on January 1, 2026. The Finance Committee reviewed this ordinance at its June 19th meeting and July 17th meeting and recommended taking ORD-23-1671 to City Council for approval. Motion made by Councilor De Valois, seconded by Councilor Kuiken to approve the consent agenda as presented. Motion approved 7-0. 3. PUBLIC HEARING - None 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS-None 5. NEW BUSINESS - None 6. REPORTS Councilor Lenssen, Community Development Committee, reported discussion of the following: • Issues/solutions regarding downtown parking. • Continued discussion of patio screening. • Community Development & Planning proposals for the Year 2024 Budget. 7. EXECUTIVE SESSION The council did not hold an executive session. 8. ADJOURNMENT August 7, 2023, regular session of the Lynden city council adjourned at 7:28 p.m. PamaVL 0.8rour> ^^tr ^^.. Pamela D. Brown, City Clerk Scott Korthuis, Mayor 300 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 3 of 3