City Council

City Hall City of Olympia 601 4th Avenue E Olympia, WA 98501 Information: 360.753.8447 Meeting Minutes City Council Tuesday, April 1, 2014 5:30 PM Room 207 Special Study Session 1. ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Mayor Stephen H. Buxbaum, Mayor Pro Tem Nathaniel Jones, Councilmember Jim Cooper, Councilmember Julie Hankins, Councilmember Jeannine Roe and Councilmember Cheryl Selby Excused: 1 - Councilmember Steve Langer 2. BUSINESS ITEM Mayor Buxbaum called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. He welcomed and introduced Major General Terry Ferrell and Colonel Tim Kehoe of Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM). Major General Ferrell introduced other members of the JBLM staff. 2.A 14-0309 ORAL REPORT - Joint Base Lewis McChord Command Update on Connector Units, the 17th Field Artillery Brigade and the 7th Infantry Division Major General Ferrell briefed the Council on an overview of JBLM including the following: 1. He is new to the base but is very impressed with the talent and dedication of the men and women at JBLM. 2. Olympia's Connector Unit - formerly the 17th Fire Brigade - is now the 17th Field Artillery Brigade. 3. The Army is shrinking and consolidating. Minor reductions are planned at JBLM now but more will come. 4. JBLM is strategic in its location. Different units at the base deploy all over the world. 5. The Army wants to improve its connection with cities and citizens who are its neighbors. Currently, 70 percent of its soldiers live off base and are active citizens in surrounding communities. Mr. Bob Jones, the City's liaison to the base, advised the Major General that Olympia is a proud member of the South Sound Military & Communities Partnership and the Association of the US Army (AUSA). Mr. Jones thanked the Council for appointing him to his liaison role. City of Olympia Page 1 City Council Meeting Minutes April 1, 2014 The Major General and members of the City Council discussed a wide variety of topics including the Army's enhanced focus on sexual assault, economic and traffic impacts of the base, service projects involving JBLM such as downtown clean-up, Lakefair parade participation, and opportunities presented to employers from JBLM soldiers transitioning into civilian employment. Councilmembers and Major General Ferrell thanked Mr. Jones for his critical role of facilitating communication and interaction between the City and JBLM. Major General Ferrell addressed the possibility of JBLM staff participating in building demolition on the isthmus properties. He indicated decision-making for this training activity has been placed within his authority and he intends to review very carefully whether this is an appropriate activity. Mayor Buxbaum thanked Major General Ferrell, Colonel Kehoe and others from JBLM for their service and thanked them for their attendance at tonight's meeting. The work session was completed. 3. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m. City of Olympia Page 2