City Council Meetings

MOSES LAKE CITY COUNCIL Wednesday, November 12, 2025 EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Swartz called an Executive Session from 6:03 p.m. to 6:28 p.m. to discuss potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1) subsection (i). CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Moses Lake City Council was convened at 6:32 p.m. by Mayor Swartz in the Council Chambers of the Civic Center with audio remote access. Special notices for remote attendance and citizen comment were posted on the meeting agenda. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Swartz; Deputy Mayor Madewell; Council Members Lombardi, Skaug, Fancher, Martinez, and Myers. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Martinez led the Flag Salute. AGENDA APPROVAL Action taken: Council Member Myers moved to approve the Agenda as presented, second by Deputy Mayor Madewell. The motion carried 7 – 0. PRESENTATION Moses Lake High School Softball Champions – The Council recognized the following Maverick team members for their WIAA 4A slow pitch state championship: Avanie Avalos, Kylie Barnett, Josie Carlstrom, Aliana DeLeon, Avery Getzinger, Lila Johnson, Samatha Kling, Alina Lopez, Kennadee Lyons, Amaiah Martinez, Mya Martinez, Hayden Morris, Addisyn Reffett, Anisa Valdez, and Ely Vela; Coaches Mike Hofheins, Jake Bertholf, Bob Richardson, Emerald Albert, Jazzmen Rose. Council noted that the high school soccer and football teams will soon be competing for state championships as well. PUBLIC HEARINGS #1 2026 Budget Ordinance – First Public Hearing Finance Director Madeline Prentice provided an overview of the 2026 Preliminary Budget containing budget priorities, considerations, summary of total budget, and staffing changes. All funds are balanced within available resources. Mayor Swartz opened the public hearing at 6:52 p.m., one comment received was for property tax hearing testimony listed below. The hearing was continued to November 25, 2025. #2 Property Tax Levy Resolution 4027 Finance Director Madeline Prentice explained options with and without 1% increase for estimated tax assessments that are restricted by state statute. Amount are based on 2024 valuations and actual for new construction. Mayor Swartz opened the hearing at 7:05 p.m., Marlene Presser commented on the lack of public transportation for handicapped persons in Mae Valley, homelessness issues, and struggle for homeowners to pay increased taxes. There being no further comments, the hearing was closed. Document Ref: ZGU3Y-B8PIJ-HKBEU-GXMO8 Page 1 of 4  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – November 12, 2025 Action taken: Council Member Skaug moved to adopt Property Tax Resolution 4027, without the 1% increase, second by Council Member Martinez. The motion carried 6 – 1, Council Member Myers opposed. CONSENT AGENDA #3 a. City Council Meeting Minutes dated June 3, 2025 b. Electronic Transfer: N/A Checks: 172161 – 172290 - $2,790,091.95 Payroll Checks: 10-24-2025 PR #67172-67177 - $2,518.96 Electronic Payments: 10-24-2025 Direct Deposit - $676,250.44 Total expenditure required and budgeted: $3,468,861.35 c. Flexible Spending Account Plan Amendment d. Sustainable Water Strategy Plan e. October 28 Town Hall Notes Action taken: Council Member Fancher moved to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, second by Council Member Skaug. The motion carried 7 – 0. OLD BUSINESS #4 Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Funding Recommendations Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services Director Doug Coutts relayed Council’s requested recommendations to LTAC members. The Committee met on November 3 and has put forth a recommendation of $200,000 for water park operations and suggested future use of reserved funds for tourism-related capital projects. Action taken: Council Member Fancher moved to accept LTAC recommendations presented, second by Deputy Mayor Madewell. The motion carried 7 – 0. NEW BUSINESS #5 2025 Code Amendments – First Presentation Interim Community Development Director Vivian Ramsey provided the first group of Code amendments related to mini-storage surfacing, drive-through restaurant standards, auto repair uses, and a comprehensive airport overlay district. Senior Planner Nathan Pate provided rationale, standards, and impacts on property owners. #6 Limited Use Shallow Wells Irrigation Ordinance 3079 Assistant Public Works Director Leigh Ramsey requested consideration to revise regulations to allow limited use shallow irrigation wells for public and semi-public parcels. Council discussed eligibility criteria, permit requirements, change of use scenarios, and legislative intent explained in the recitals. Staff will bring proposed changes prior to next irrigation season. #7 IAFF Labor Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Human Resources Director Shannon Springer delivered the considerations acknowledged during IAFF negotiations for restructure by expanding line staff responsibilities to pg. 2 Document Ref: ZGU3Y-B8PIJ-HKBEU-GXMO8 Page 2 of 4  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – November 12, 2025 include duties historically assigned to Medical Services Officers and Fire Prevention roles. Action taken: Council Member Myers moved to authorize IAFF Labor MOA as presented, second by Council Member Martinez. The motion carried 7 – 0. #8 AFSCME Memo of Agreement for Position Changes Human Resources Director Shannon Springer offered implementing several organizational changes involving both represented and non-represented positions. These changes will enhance coordination across departments and clarify duties and responsibilities. Action taken: Council Member Martinez moved to authorize AFSCME MOA as presented, second by Council Member Myers. The motion carried 7– 0. #9 Bilingual Compensation Policy MOA Human Resources Director Shannon Springer shared the City’s inconsistent incentive pay among public-facing employees across the organization who demonstrate bilingual proficiency and estimated expense. Action taken: Council Member Martinez moved to authorize the AFCSME bilingual MOA as presented, second by Council Member Myers. The motion carried 6 – 1, Council Member Skaug opposed. STAFF REPORTS Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services Director Doug Coutts advised they have completed the majority of tree replacements planting downtown, reported on the holiday decorating schedule, and upcoming museum events. Fire Chief Perillo updated Council on the ceremony of donated fire truck to Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS Council Member Martinez stated that they are working on appointment of Housing and Grants Manager Liz Murillo to represent the city on the NCW Opioid abatement Council and expressed her appreciation of Council’s approval of property tax assessment without the 1% increase. Council Member Fancher reported the Grant County Economic Development Council’s Lead Summit event held last week was successful and perception he is hearing in favor of the collaboration between the County and the City officials. Council Member Lombardi shared appreciation to Senator Judy Warnick for providing the downtown holiday tree each year. The Port of Moses Lake is working with the Moses Lake Irrigation District on an agreement to run fresh water, and various work is being done for industry expansion. pg. 3 Document Ref: ZGU3Y-B8PIJ-HKBEU-GXMO8 Page 3 of 4  CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – November 12, 2025 Mayor Skaug reiterated his excitement about the collaboration with other regional entities and is looking forward to this year’s achievements. Mayor Swartz also shared promising outcomes from regional collaborations, he visited the Oxford House last Friday and reported sixty beds are available for Moses Lake along with a Women’s home in place for those willing to participate in recovery program. ADJOURNMENT The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. ______________________________________ Dustin Swartz, Mayor ATTEST____________________________ Debbie Burke, City Clerk pg. 4 Document Ref: ZGU3Y-B8PIJ-HKBEU-GXMO8 Page 4 of 4 REF. NUMBER DOCUMENT COMPLETED BY ALL PARTIES ON ZGU3Y-B8PIJ-HKBEU-GXMO8 12 FEB 2026 17:02:50 UTC SIGNER TIMESTAMP SIGNATURE SENT MAYOR DUSTIN SWARTZ 11 FEB 2026 19:16:11 EMAIL VIEWED DSWARTZ@CITYOFML.COM 11 FEB 2026 21:02:59 IP ADDRESS SIGNED 104.193.239.74 11 FEB 2026 21:03:14 LOCATION MOSES LAKE, UNITED STATES RECIPIENT VERIFICATION EMAIL VERIFIED 11 FEB 2026 21:02:59 SENT DEBBIE BURKE 11 FEB 2026 19:16:11 EMAIL VIEWED DBURKE@CITYOFML.COM 11 FEB 2026 19:33:49 SIGNED 12 FEB 2026 17:02:50 IP ADDRESS 63.135.54.162 LOCATION MOSES LAKE, UNITED STATES RECIPIENT VERIFICATION EMAIL VERIFIED 11 FEB 2026 19:33:49 Signed with PandaDoc PAGE 1 OF 1