City Council

Regular Council Meeting of December 3, 2024 Present were: Mayor Naillon, Councilmembers Shaw, Marthaller, Werner, Hart and Moser. Absent: None. Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Naillon. Pledge of Allegiance given. Copies of the November 19th council meeting minutes were read and approved. Roni Holder-Diefenbach, Executive Director of the Economic Alliance, was present to discuss economic development services provided by the Economic Alliance in Okanogan County. Holder-Diefenbach explained: ➢ Overview of who they are and what services they provide ➢ Where their funding comes from ➢ Barriers and challenges that rural businesses and communities face ➢ Small business resource and technology center ➢ Small business development center ➢ Involvement with the Okanogan County Tourism Council ➢ Economic development / public infrastructure projects (.09 funds) ➢ Small business training ➢ Comprehensive economic development strategy ➢ Impacts that the Economic Alliance has had on economic development in Okanogan County / discussed current projects Discussion on local business opportunities. Council thanked Holder-Diefenbach for attending the meeting and updating the City on the services provided. Public Hearing on the 2025 Budget opened by Mayor Naillon; no changes have been made to the budget since the preliminary budget hearing. No additional comments received. Mayor Naillon closed the public hearing. Budget adoption ordinance will be presented for approval during the December 17th meeting. Review of Ordinance #945, amending rates for water service, explained by Superintendent Thompson; base water rates to increase by $2. Discussed that rates need to be amended to help the City keep up with the costs of providing the services; discussion on how rates affect eligibility for grant funding. Motion by Werner, second by Marthaller that Ordinance #945 be approved; motion carried unanimously. Review of Ordinance #946, amending rates for sewer service; base sewer rates to increase by $2. Motion by Moser, second by Werner that Ordinance #946 be approved; motion carried unanimously. Review of Ordinance #947, amending rates for garbage service; base garbage rates to increase by $2. Motion by Hart, second by Werner that Ordinance #947 be approved; motion carried unanimously. Department Head Updates Police Chief Hirst reported that all of the officers have successfully updated their BAC cards; certifications took place through the Washington State Patrol. Superintendent Thompson stated that the City Crew is planning to put up the Christmas Lights this week. Salley Bull requested a letter of support from the City for the Farmer’s Market to continue offering the SNAP food programs; Bull explained the programs available to the community. Mayor Naillon thanked Bull for helping provide the services to the community; Bull stated that Sandy Rounds takes care of the paperwork for the programs. Bull presented the Council with a sample letter of support. Motion by Werner, second by Marthaller that Mayor Naillon be authorized to sign the requested letter of support; motion carried unanimously. Councilmember Shaw updated the Council on the presentation she gave at the school for the AWC Center for Quality Communities Scholarship Program; Shaw stated that there will be 3 applicants. Motion by Werner and second by Marthaller the vouchers $360,428.53, #34499-34517, be paid, manual checks $894.80, Park Account EFT #990557, Checking Account EFT #990498, Checking Account #34422-34426, be paid, the November 30, 2024 payroll of $82,975.66, #34458-34498, Direct Deposit Run, EFT #202446-202447, be approved and the meeting be adjourned at 7:44 pm. Motion carried unanimously. Minutes approved ____________________ ________________________________ Mayor ________________________________ Clerk