City Council

TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING September 5, 2023 Page 1 CONVENE: 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Debbie Sullivan and Councilmembers Peter Agabi, Michael Althauser, Leatta Dahlhoff, Angela Jefferson, Charlie Schneider, and Eileen Swarthout. Excused: Councilmember Joan Cathey. Staff: City Administrator Lisa Parks, City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick, Finance Director Troy Niemeyer, Transportation & Engineering Director Brandon Hicks, Communications Manager Ann Cook, and City Clerk Melody Valiant. PUBLIC COMMENT: Dottie Lerouge, 716 Dennis Street SE, Tumwater, spoke on behalf of TC Media and encouraged the City to continue supporting and funding the organization. Several years ago, her neighbor suggested she consider volunteering at TC Media. Unbeknownst to her, her neighbor included her in films, movies, in a talk show, and featured her in an article in the Senior News about 80 being just a number. It is not just a number because a person can do anything regardless of age. The experiences she has gained from TC Media has blossomed her life beyond her wildest dreams. She serves as a volunteer and can operate cameras, prepare set designs, and coordinate costumes. None of that would have happened had she not been exposed to TC Media. Many of her neighbors also volunteer at TC Media. TC Media does not just record county or city meetings, it is for the public. TC Media also supports non-profit organizations and dedicates specific hours to supporting non-profits within the community. She asked the Council to support TC Media. Darlene Adkins, 716 Dennis Street SE, Tumwater, thanked those who work in public service serving the community. At the end of her Army Reserve career, she considered what she wanted to do next in support of the public. She became aware of TC Media and the classes the organization offered. She took classes and recruited other women who live in her 55+ community and in the greater Thurston county community. With the help of TC Media training, a show was launched on In the Know Women’s Show. She interviews women in the county that have impacted the community through their organization or their work within the county. The show enables the community to learn about the organizations and storytelling groups and filmmaking group comprised of filmmakers. It has inspired her so much through her relationship with TC Media that she entered a short film contest for the first time. Those activities have affected the quality of her life. She has witnessed much creativity in TC Media and its staff, as] well as its many projects. The show, Live at Five is similar to Saturday Night Live and was a major undertaking. She TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING September 5, 2023 Page 2 acknowledged the work of a local director and volunteers who were able to produce and broadcast the show on public TV. The shows are unique to the community and bring many people together. Next month, she celebrates her 10th episode and will be interviewing the former Washington State Director of Veterans Affairs, Alfie Alvarado-Ramos.Adkins. Ms Adkins asked the Council to continue supporting TC Media. Dave Nicandri, 505 South 4th Avenue, Tumwater, recalled his comments at a May Council meeting and his question as to the status of the City’s interpretation of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on the unconstitutionality of outlawing natural gas connections and natural gas appliances. He was prepared to complain as to the length of time since his initial comments but understands there has been a breakthrough. He referred to the Thurston County Climate Action Plan and a provision that indicates nothing included in the plan should affect the ability of people to pay for the shift and resources anticipated in the plan. Electrical vehicles are not cheap as they are luxury cars costing $50,000 to $60,000. Even with government rebates, people would be forced to buy electrical vehicles. Not only are they more expensive, they are likely unaffordable as a long-term measure. However, hybrids have killed the mad dash to electrical cars. There are enough rare earth metals including lithium in one electrical vehicle to power 90 hybrid vehicles. This is a crazy policy of mandating a shift to all electric vehicles. He plans to engage in discussions with City staff about the issue, as well as with the City Attorney. Today was his first meeting as an appointee by the City to the Regional Public Facilities District. He noted several highlights of interest to the Council. The district was created in 2003 and the final bond payments on the initial projects of the Olympia Children’s Museum and the regional sports complex in Lacey will be paid in full in 2026 and 2027. Those jurisdictions are laying the groundwork for the next round of public facilities capital improvements. Since those jurisdictions are pursuing their interests, he believes the City of Tumwater should pay some attention. He offered to discuss some ideas with staff and the Council. Former Councilmember Chris Leicht is also a member of the Board. Not only can the District resources pay for capital improvements, the City of Lacey and the City of Olympia have been spending a considerable amount of revenue from the revenue stream for ongoing maintenance and operations. Mr. Leicht, as a former member of the Tumwater Council, found that information to be a revelation, as he understood that district funds could only be used for capital improvements. However, the City of Olympia and City of Lacey have been using the funds for ongoing operations at those two facilities for well over a decade. CONSENT a. Approval of Minutes: City Council Worksession, July 25, 2023 TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING September 5, 2023 Page 3 CALENDAR: b. Approval of Minutes: City Council, July 31, 2023 c. Approval of Minutes: City Council Special Joint Tour with Port of Olympia - August 8, 2023 d. Payment of Vouchers e. Falls Terrace Right-of-Way License Agreement f. Agreement with Clearcreek Contractors for the Palermo Lagoon Dredging & Maintenance Project Amendment #1 g. Electrical Easement with Puget Sound Energy for Parcels 82700300300, 82700200000, and 82700100100 h. Barnes Lake Management District Steering Committee Reappointment of Dana Day, Jody Keys, Linnea Madison, Lalani Shelton, and Tom Sparks i. Letter of Commitment with Department of Commerce for 2025 Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update Middle Housing Grant Application j. Preliminary Docket for 2023 Annual Housekeeping Amendments k. Offsite Lease with South Puget Sound Community College MOTION: Councilmember Althauser 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 agenda for the September 12, 2023 meeting includes a Thurston SAFETY: County Prosecutor’s Office update on the Blake decision and new Leatta Dahlhoff provisions and an amendment to an interlocal agreement with Lewis County for use of jail facilities. GENERAL The next meeting on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 8 a.m. GOVERNMENT: includes a 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update on the Housing Element Michael Althauser and a discussion on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update on the Land Use Element. PUBLIC WORKS: The Thursday, September 7, 2023 meeting was cancelled. The next Eileen Swarthout meeting is scheduled on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 8 a.m. BUDGET AND There was no meeting and no report. FINANCE: Debbie Sullivan MAYOR/CITY City Administrator Parks provided an update on road construction ADMINISTRATOR’S projects occurring at various locations across the City. The City REPORT: received notification of a federal transportation grant of $224,000 to TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING September 5, 2023 Page 4 complete a study of the 93rd Avenue SR 21 interchange because of the significant increase in traffic from recent development the area. The City hired several new firefighters over the summer. One firefighter recently returned from a deployment to the Bedrock fire near Eugene, Oregon. Teams deployed to wildland fires included trained staff to provide rescue and medical support for firefighters working in complex terrain. The Fire Department is interviewing strategic planning consultants to assist the Fire Department with its strategic planning process. The Tumwater Police Department has commenced its master plan process beginning with data and outreach. The Tumwater Police Department website includes an application process for residents, workers, and business owners to participate in several focus groups as part of the master plan process. The intent is to solicit interest from 45 to 60 members of the public representing all segments of the community to participate in four different focus groups. The City of Tumwater received its annual opioid settlement fund distribution on August 2, 2023 for $16,960. Mayor Sullivan reported the Intercity Transit Authority conducted a public hearing for the draft Annual Report and the 2023-2028 Transit Development Plan. The Authority adopted a resolution amending some bylaws for the Authority. The agency’s website has been updated effective on August 17, 2023. The State Transit Association Bus Rodeo was held at Vancouver, Washington. Intercity Transit won in the top three of all categories including winning for the seventh consecutive year the 2023 Grand Champion Award for the state. Intercity Transit placed first in the maintenance competition for coach technicians, first place on the 35-foot coach competition, second place on the 40-foot coach competition, and second place for the Dial-Lift operator competition. Mayor Sullivan reported on her receipt of the Advanced Certificate in Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities. She joins Councilmembers Swarthout and Dahlhoff who had previously received their certificates. COUNCILMEMBER REPORTS: Michael Althauser: At the last Regional Housing Council (RHC) meeting, the Board received recommendations from the Affordable Housing Advisory Board for funding of projects based on the results of the Request for TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING September 5, 2023 Page 5 Proposal process. RHC received applications totaling $14 million in funding for affordable housing projects. The RHC was only able to award $5.2 million. Previously, the RHC established the Affordable Housing Advisory Board with members who had lived experience and more subject matter expertise to provide RHC with recommendations. The RHC approved the recommendations. Councilmember Althauser identified some of the service providers who received funding awards. The funding awards will eventually create approximately 137 new affordable housing units in Thurston County, Angela Jefferson: At the August 23, 2023 meeting of Tumwater HOPES, members discussed selecting a new organization to sponsor the organization. The Thurston County Department of Health elected not to renew the contract due to reporting requirements and the inability to meet reporting deadlines. With assistance from staff and Councilmember Swarthout, the Family Support Center and ESD 113 agreed to consider funding the organization. A questionnaire of four questions was forwarded to both organizations for members to review to help select the organization for sponsoring Tumwater HOPES moving forward. Councilmember Jefferson attended several meetings with the Thurston County Regional Law and Justice Council. Members continue to update its vision and goals. The Senior Center sponsored a were briefed on the release of the 7th Edition Bike Map and its various forms, contents, points of distribution, and how it benefits the community. Members received a briefing from Ashley Carle with the Washington State Department of Transportation on the I-5 Tumwater to Mounts Road Study. The purpose of the study is to enhance mobility and connectivity on I-5. A final study report will be published in July 2023.s rib cook-off on August 3, 2023. Unfortunately, she did not win the rib cook-off. This year, the winner was Councilmember Schneider. The cook-off event was well attended by many seniors. The event was coordinated by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department. Leatta Dahlhoff: Councilmember Dahlhoff reported on her attendance to seven different meetings. During the Sea Level Rise meeting, members discussed the 2023 work plan to include installing tide gauges, conducting a land survey, conducting a groundwater study, and investigating public financing mechanisms to obtain $75 million to fund risk reduction actions. Members approved the 2024 Sea Level Rise Collaborative Work Plan and Budget for $180,000. Eileen Swarthout: Councilmember Swarthout attended the Thurston County Mitigation Collaborative Executive Committee meeting. Highlights of the TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF HYBRID MEETING September 5, 2023 Page 6 meeting included approving the proposed advisory workgroup recruitment process. In addition to the Thurston County Mitigation Collaborative Executive Committee that represents the jurisdictions, a citizens group was formed. The purpose of the group is to provide community perspective and feedback on implementation actions within the Thurston County Climate Action Plan. The group includes 15 stakeholder positions representing a variety of community perspectives. The recruitment process for the advisory workgroup begins on September 1, 2023 and closes at the end of September. Members of the community are encouraged to apply. Charlie Schneider: There was no report. Peter Agabi: At the last Joint Animal Services Commission meeting, members received a report on animal shelter statistics to date. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mayor Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. Prepared by Valerie L. Gow, Recording Secretary/President Puget Sound Meeting Services, psmsoly@earthlink.net