Regular City Council Meeting

CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING July 5, 2022 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Korthuis called to order the July 5, 2022 regular session of the Lynden City Council at 7:00 p.m.at the city's council chambers. ROLL CALL Members present: Mayor Scott Korthuis, Councilors Gary Bode, Ron De Valois, Gerald Kuiken, Brent Lenssen, Nick Laninga, MarkWohlrab, and Kyle Strengholt. Members absent: None Staff present: Fire Chief Mark Billmire, Parks Director Brent DeRuyter, Police Chief Steve Taylor, Public Works Director Steve Banham, City Clerk Pam Brown, City Administrator John Williams, and City Attorney Greg Greenan. OATH OF OFFICE- None SUMMARY REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS - None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilor De Valois moved, and Councilor Strengholt seconded to approve the June 20, 2022, regular council meeting minutes as presented. Motion approved on 7-0 vote. Mayor Korthuis reminded those in attendance that the council committee meetings is where issues/items are worked through. He noted that Public Works committee has a meeting scheduled at 4 pm on Wednesday, Public Safety committee has a meeting scheduled at 4 pm on Thursday and that Community Development committee will meet July 27th city hall. Contact the Planning Department for more information. CITIZEN COMMENT Cynthia Ripke-Kutsagoitz, Guide Meridian, Lynden • Voiced her concern with unsafe speeding situations occurring in the Food Pavilion parking lot. She asks that someone at the police department monitor the area more closely. 300 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 1 of 5  CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Voiced concern for those people who are being evicted from the Parkview apartments. She stated that there is not any affordable housing in Lynden and does not know where these people will be able to find housing. Anna Liza Wilson, Westview Place, Lynden • Concerned with the possibility of transitional housing locating near two elementary schools in Lynden. She worries for the safety of her children and other local children in the area and the possible negative outcomes. While understanding the need of these services she does not agree with the designated locations and does not believe it is worth the risk. Nick Sawka, Village Drive, Lynden • Concerned that the possibility of locating transitional housing near two elementary schools almost slipped past the notice of the city officials and the nearby neighbors. He agrees with offering people second chances but also believes if you are going to make mistakes then make small ones. Not the ones that affect your life-long term. • He questioned why the burden of providing neighborhood support and accessibility for these programs continue to fall on the shoulders of the middle class while those with money remain physically removed from the location of transitional housing. • Mr. Sawka emphatically asked the city to enforce the 25-mph speed limit on Village Drive. Councilor Lenssen assured audience members that city staff were working on an ordinance regarding this issue, but it will take some time. Nathan Libolt, N 17th Street, Lynden • Supportive of the city's efforts in developing an ordinance that regulates location of transitional housing in Lynden. This is an urgent issue, and he looks forward to continued updates to the process from the city. Gary Vis, 8844 Bender Rd, Lynden • Cited Section 12.24.040 B of draft ordinance no. 1649. He noted that (5) and (20) does not currently align with the Lynden Municipal Code but references the LMC. 300 4Ih Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 2 of 5  CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING 2. CONSENT AGENDA Payroll Liability to June 19th through July 2, 2022 EFT & Other Liabilities Non-L&l Liabilities Monthly EFT...................................................................................................... $489,095.14 Check Liability....................................................................................................... $1,032.64 Total Non-L&l Liabilities .................................................................................... $490,127.78 Quarterly Liabilities.............................................................................................. $13,604.03 Total EFT & Other Liabilities $503,731.81 Approval of Claims - July 6,2022 Manual Warrants No. through $0.00 EFT Payment Pre- $0.00 Pays Sub Total Pre-Pays $0.00 Voucher Warrants 24971 through 25033 $174,821.40 No. EFT Payments $216,901.66 Sub Total $391,723.06 Total Accts. Payable $391,723.06 Ordinance No. 1645- Correction of Legal Description for Benson Park Property Annexation On June 20, the City Council adopted Ordinance 1645 which annexed the city-owned Benson Park property into the City. Unfortunately, the legal description within the ordinance was inaccurate in that it did not include the statement "except the tract described as follows" - which refers to the homestead parcel which was previously annexed. The revised Ordinance 1645 comes forward with the correct legal description included. Set Public Hearino- Ordinance No. 1649- Camping Prohibition and Parks Rules Update The City is considering adopting an ordinance that would prohibit camping in public spaces and simultaneously amending LMC 12.24 related to park use. Legal counsel drafted the initial language to ensure compliance with State code and provide consistency with current case law. This text represents the proposed code language that has been created after circulating through Council committees. Staff intends to return these amendments to City Council at a public hearing on July 18th . 300 41h Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 3 of 5  CITY OF LYNDEN C\TY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Councilor Kuiken moved, and Councilor Strengholt seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion passed with a 7-0 vote. 3. PUBLIC HEARING - None 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS - None 6. OTHER BUSINESS Councilor De Valois reporting for the Parks Committee. • Benson Park exploratory committee continues their work • SHKS continues to provide updates for the Barn Project • Dickinson Park - Natural Resources conducted a forest inventory • Lynden Door will sponsor replacement for the City Park's entrance sign • Parks recently hired two full time employees • Replacement of the Berthusen Park house roof. 7. EXECUTIVE SESSION Council adjourned into executive session at 7:26 p.m. to consider the qualification of an applicant for public employment per RCW42.30.HO (1)(g), expected to last 10 minutes and another matter includes discussion with legal counsel about potential litigation per RCW 42.30.110(1)(!)), also expected to last 10 minutes. Council will reconvene at 7:46 p.m. At 7:46 p.m. Mayor Korthuis announced an extended end time of 7:56, thereby extending the executive session by another 10 minutes. Council resumed the open session at 7:56 p.m. Council then adjourned into a closed-door session to discuss a labor negotiation matter. Council came out of the closed-door session at 7:57 and the council meeting reconvened. The following motion was made: 300 4'" Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 4 of 5  CITY OF LYNDEN CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Councilor Strengholt moved, and Councilor Kuiken seconded to approve the labor agreements with the public works and clerical bargaining units as presented. Motion passed with a 7-0 vote. 8. ADJOURNMENT The July 5, 2022, regular session of the Lynden City Council adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Pflmir; D Bmnn -^* ^A ^"f- Pamela D. Brown Scott Korthuis City Clerk Mayor 300 4th Street, Lynden, WA 98264 www.lyndenwa.org Page 5 of 5