City Council

TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING July 31, 2023 Page 1 CONVENE: 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Debbie Sullivan and Councilmembers Peter Agabi, Joan Cathey, Leatta Dahlhoff, Angela Jefferson, Charlie Schneider, and Eileen Swarthout. Excused: Councilmember Michael Althauser. Staff: City Administrator Lisa Parks, City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick, Finance Director Troy Niemeyer, Water Resources and Sustainability Director Dan Smith, Communications Manager Ann Cook, City Clerk Melody Valiant, and Deputy City Clerk Brandy Legomina. SPECIAL ITEMS: PROCLAMATION: Councilmember Dahlhoff read a proclamation declaring August 31, OVERDOSE 2023 as Overdose Awareness Day. The proclamation urges community AWARENESS DAY - members to join with the City to raise awareness around drug overdose AUGUST 31, 2023: by reducing stigma through initiatives related to education, prevention, treatment, and recovery support for substance use disorder. Katie Strozyk, Opioid Response Coordinator, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, thanked the City of Tumwater and the Council for issuing the proclamation for 2023. She stressed the importance of increasing awareness of the issue and continuing to have Overdose Awareness Day as a priority. She thanked Councilmember Dahlhoff for her service and participation on the Thurston County Opioid Response Task Force as well as for participating in the Prevention Workgroup tasked with efforts on primary prevention of different substances in the community with a focus on opioids. On August 31, 2023, the annual Overdose Awareness Day event is scheduled at Heritage Park in downtown Olympia from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event features a resource fair with different providers in the community, training for naloxone on how to reverse an opioid-related overdose, and free naloxone kits for community members. Memorial crafts and arts will be featured to recognize individuals who have survived or for those who were lost to a fatal overdose. TUMWATER Lily Grant, Tumwater Library Manager, provided an update on TIMBERLAND programs activities offered by the Tumwater Library. LIBRARY UPDATE: Currently, 2023-2024 strategic planning efforts are underway focusing on local communities, equity, diversity, inclusion, and children from birth to 5 years of age. Timberland Regional Library provides service to five counties with each library serving its respective community. The library focuses on equity, diversity, and inclusion in all activities to ensure all members of the community feel welcome at libraries. TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING July 31, 2023 Page 2 The library focuses on all ages with special emphasis on younger children because of the crucial learning age and ongoing brain development in young children. The library offers services that support families with small children to ensure children have access to learning and social activities to provide them with a good start in their lives. Timberland Regional Library’s service area encompasses 7,000 square miles providing a number of resources in each library. Items not necessarily available in Tumwater would likely be available at one of the other library branches. The district is comprised of 29 library locations and a new mobile service similar to a book mobile but equipped with Wi-Fi and other services. The mobile service was launched in Thurston County and serves the communities of Rainier and Rochester at this time. Mobile service is scheduled for launch in the remaining four counties later in the year. Additionally, the library expanded services by offering checkout Washington kits with binoculars, guidebooks, and other items to help patrons learn about the outdoor environment in the state. Plankton kits feature a microscope to explore insects and animals living in local waters. Timberland Regional Library also provides kitchen tools at other branches. The Tumwater Library will begin offering kitchen tool kits if the program is successful at other branches. Fishing kits are available for checkout at the library with fishing rods for all ages and tackle box stocked with hooks and bait. Other outdoor kits include Explore Your Forest Backpack, Environmental Backpack, and a Birding Backpack with different items to help people learn about the outdoors and nature. The library offers light therapy lamps for checkout. Musical instruments are available for checkout at the Tumwater Library for guitars, ukuleles, violins, percussion instruments, and other musical instruments. The library offers 3D printing at no charge. Patrons submit the items and library staff print the item for pickup. The library also offers a seed library. Brand new to the library is a program for lending Discover Passes to state parks for a visit of one week. Learning opportunities for younger children include math backpacks designed for early learning mathematics, accounting, addition, measuring, learning shapes, and games. The library offers checkout of iPads. The library offers free Wi-Fi throughout the building. The library lends devices preloaded with an assortment of apps to read books, magazines, and watch movies. New to Thurston County is expanded access hours. The Tumwater Library currently does not offer this program; however, the Tenino branch offers expanded access. Patrons can sign up to receive a special access card to access the library outside of normal hours. Patrons are able to use library printers, browse books, or use computers. The service is currently offered at the TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING July 31, 2023 Page 3 Hoodsport, McCleary, Tenino, Ocean Park, Naselle, and Packwood branches. Other services at the library include free Wi-Fi, free computers, free printing, scanning, and faxing. The library offers remote printing enabling a patron to send a print job from home to the library cloud queen to hold for 24 hours. The patron visits the library and enters a number to print the document. Special new formats for children include Launchpad, a kid-friendly tablet loaded with games that do not require a Wi-Fi connection, new audiobook formats for children, Playaway, a preloaded MP3 player, and VOX books, which are read-along books with a MP3 component. The summer library program includes activities and book reading with participants able to win a free book. The program runs through August 31, 2023. Online library resources include audiobooks, e-books, movies, genealogy databases for research, language learning, and other activities geared to children and adults. Councilmember Jefferson questioned the lack of expanded access at the Tumwater library. Ms. Grant explained that the service is resource intensive and is a long-term option under consideration for different branches. The service was offered to the smaller branches because of the financial investment for cameras and special locks, and possible modifications to the building depending on the particular branch. Councilmember Jefferson inquired about any programs the library offers for special needs children and adults. Ms. Grant said she recently visited the Shelton library to observe a new program, which the Tumwater Library would like to replicate. The program is activity- based tailored to everyone regardless of ability as well as those with special needs. She is working with several groups to develop a program for the Tumwater Library for a possible launch this fall or early next year. Several Councilmembers and Mayor Sullivan thanked Ms. Grant and library staff for their great work and service to the community. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. CONSENT a. Approval of Amended Minutes: City Council, June 6, 2023 CALENDAR: b. Approval of Minutes: City Council Worksession, July 11, 2023 c. Approval of Minutes: City Council, July 18, 2023 d. Payment of Vouchers e. Service Provider Agreement with Stantec for the Pioneer Park Riparian Restoration Project Amendment 2 TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING July 31, 2023 Page 4 f. Heritage Tree Nomination - Japanese Bigleaf Magnolia MOTION: Councilmember Jefferson moved, seconded by Councilmember Swarthout, to approve the consent calendar as published. A voice vote approved the motion unanimously. Mayor Sullivan reviewed the items approved on the consent calendar. COMMITTEE REPORTS: PUBLIC HEALTH & The next meeting scheduled on August 9, 2023 has been cancelled. SAFETY: Leatta Dahlhoff GENERAL The next meeting is scheduled on August 9, 2023 at 8 a.m. GOVERNMENT: Michael Althauser PUBLIC WORKS: At the last meeting, the committee recommended approval of the Eileen Swarthout Service Provider Agreement with Stantec for the Pioneer Park Riparian Restoration Project Amendment 2. The next meeting is scheduled on August 3, 2023 at 8 a.m. to consider Agreement with Clearcreek Contractors for the Palermo Lagoon Dredging & Maintenance Project Amendment #1 and to receive an update on the Tumwater Climate Work Program. BUDGET AND There was no meeting and no report. FINANCE: Debbie Sullivan MAYOR/CITY City Administrator Parks shared feedback the City has received for ADMINISTRATOR’S several City employees recognizing them for their efforts and work in REPORT: support of the community. Mayor Sullivan reminded the community and the Council of National Night Out scheduled on August 1, 2023. Activities are planned in 12 different locations. Mayor Sullivan said she plans to visit as many of the neighborhoods as possible. The next Council worksession is a Port tour with the Council to meet at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. to board buses. Port staff members are participating in the tour as well. The City Council’s annual summer recess is scheduled during the latter half of August. The next Council meeting is scheduled on September 5, 2023. TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING July 31, 2023 Page 5 COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: Angela Jefferson: At the July 19, 2023 Thurston County Emergency Medical Services Council meeting, members discussed disposal options for ambulance service. All agencies are in compliance for response times. An Advanced Life Support Training Coordinator was hired following a nationwide search. The new employee is from Florida and currently serves as a college instructor who recently completed a Masters Degree in EMS Service Management. Members approved the proposed budget. At the July 20, 2023 Thurston County Law and Justice Council meeting, members reviewed some of the challenges encountered by the jail. An update was provided by the Chief of Corrections focusing on the lack of staffing resources. Open positions at the jail total 23 of an authorized staffing level of 41 positions. The jail plans to contract with Lewis County, reduce the number of arrests, and review shifts and schedules to ensure appropriate staffing levels at the jail. A new drug detection canine program will be implemented in response to fentanyl overdoses to decrease the amount of illegal fentanyl entering the jail. As many inmates are addicted to fentanyl, a program has been established to distribute naloxone to inmates discharged from the jail. The program is a self-service option with the dispenser located in the lobby area of the jail. Members discussed the Blake response bill by the Legislature and the possibility of creating guidance and diversions programs. Tumwater HOPES is releasing a community survey. All partners have been asked to assist in ensuring maximum participation. Tumwater HOPES seeks to collaborate to reduce youth substance abuse and self- harm in Tumwater. Tumwater HOPES is working to become a more inclusive and engaged community where everyone belongs. Access to the survey is online at www.tumwaterhopes.org or scanning the QR code published on the website. City staff has been asked to include the QR code on the City’s Facebook page and during August movie nights at the golf course. The Senior Rib Cook-off is scheduled at Tumwater Historical Park on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. The community is invited to attend and participate, as the event will provide a wide variety of ribs and food. Judges are needed to vote on the best ribs. Councilmember Schneider won the category last year. Councilmember Jefferson encouraged those who are in need of food to join the Commodities Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) at Thurston TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING July 31, 2023 Page 6 County Food Bank by calling 360-352-8597 and letting them know of their interest in the CSFP, a USDA program for seniors over 60 to receive nutritious food. If unable to pick up food, seniors can designate another person to pick up food. Additionally if unable to pick up food, the food bank often has drivers who can deliver food to a home. Peter Agabi: Councilmember Agabi reported on his recent meeting with Michael Cade with the Thurston Economic Development Council to discuss economic activities in the City of Tumwater. Leatta Dahlhoff: The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Task Force updated its dashboard reflecting 111 referrals received to date including referrals received from the Tumwater Police Department and Tumwater Fire Department. Approximately 150 individuals were served with 1,410 total services provided. The Task Force is working on the ability to extract data specific to Tumwater to identify the referral agencies, such as nonprofits, individuals, first responders or other organizations. Charlie Schneider: There was no report. Joan Cathey: Councilmember Cathey reported she plans to attend the next meeting of the Thurston County Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, and the Tumwater General Government Committee meeting. Eileen Swarthout: At the last meeting of the Thurston Climate Mitigation Collaborative Executive Committee on July 24, 2023, members reviewed the interlocal agreement covering the period from September 2023 through December 2024 and received an update on the status of regional initiatives. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mayor Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m. Prepared by Valerie L. Gow, Recording Secretary/President Puget Sound Meeting Services, psmsoly@earthlink.net