City Council

MEETING MINUTES TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL March 3, 2026 CONVENE: 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff and Councilmembers Peter Agabi, Angela Jefferson, Eileen Swarthout, Meghan Sullivan, Kelly Von Holtz and Brandon Weedon. Excused: Councilmember Joan Cathey Staff: Staff: City Administrator Paul Simmons, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams, Administrative Services Director Michelle Sutherland, City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick, Communications Director Jason Wettstein, Acting Police Chief Carlos Quiles, Jr., Fire Chief Brian Hurley, Finance Director Troy Niemeyer, Information Technology Director Lance Inman, Parks & Recreation Director Chuck Denney, Transportation & Engineering Director Brandon Hicks, Water Resources & Sustainability Director Dan Smith, Program Manager Patrick Soderberg, Communications Engagement Specialist Margo Bergendahl and City Clerk Melody Valiant. Others: American Red Cross South Puget Sound & Olympics Chapter Executive Director Shannon Glenn, Zonta Club of Olympia President Shelly Willis, JFJ Strategies Project Manager Jennie Foglia-Jones and Thurston County Chamber President David Schaffert SPECIAL ITEMS: PROCLAMATION: Councilmember Von Holtz read a proclamation declaring March AMERICAN RED 2026 as American Red Cross month. American Red Cross month CROSS MONTH, honors all the work that the Red Cross does to be at the forefront MARCH 2026 of helping Americans to prevent, prepare, and respond to large TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 3, 2026 1  and small disasters. Families and communities depend on the Red Cross in times of need and the Red Cross depends on the American people to sustain the foundation. Council complimented the local chapter for all their hard work that supports eight counties. Mayor Dahlhoff presented the proclamation to Shannon Glenn, Executive Director with the American Red Cross South Puget Sound and Olympics chapter. PROCLAMATION: Councilmember Sullivan read a proclamation declaring March WOMEN’S HISTORY 2026 as Women’s History month. Women’s History Month urges MONTH, MARCH 2026 people to take actions against gender bias and inequity and join in recognizing women’s contributions to culture, history and society. Mayor Dahlhoff and Councilmembers talked about the importance of Women’s History month and that while current times can be discouraging, there is also a lot to celebrate and look forward to. Mayor Dahlhoff presented the proclamation to Shelly Willis, President of the Zonta Club of Olympia. PUBLIC COMMENT: Public Comment was given by residents and community members Mason, Sullivan and Burt. CONSENT a. Approval of Minutes: City Council February 3, 2026 CALENDAR: b. Approval of Minutes: City Council Work Session, February 10, 2026 c. Payment of Vouchers d. Service Provider Agreement with Gray & Osborne for the Well 15 Aeration and Design Project e. Final Acceptance of Work with A&D Enterprises for the Antsen Sewer Project f. Final Acceptance of Work with Miles Resources for the Israel Road Pedestrian and Bike Project g. Fiber Optic Cabling Agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation Amendment No. 17 MOTION: Councilmember Jefferson, moved, seconded by Councilmember Swarthout, to approve the Consent Calendar. Motion carried unanimously. TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 3, 2026 2 COUNCIL CONSIDERATIONS: REGIONAL Assistant Administrator Adams presented a Regional MEMORANDUM OF Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Cities of UNDERSTANDING Olympia, Lacey, Thurston County and Port of Olympia for the (MOU) WITH CITIES planning and managing of the Olympia/Lacey fan zone for the OF OLYMPIA, LACEY, 2026 International Association Football Federation (FIFA) World THURSTON COUNTY cup. This is an agreement that provides the next steps of working AND PORT OF with our regional partners to plan fan zone events in the summer OLYMPIA FOR of 2026. Assistant Administrator went over the funding history PLANNING AND and explained how the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) MANAGING THE made the final decision to fund $7,500 towards it. She introduced OLYMPIA/LACEY FAN David Schaffert, President of the Thurston County Chamber and ZONE FOR THE 2026 Jennie Foglia-Jones, Project manager with JFJ Strategies. FIFA WORLD CUP: President Schaffert gave the history of how the Seattle FIFA chapter reached out to selected communities to host regional fan zones. After it was decided that Thurston County would be a regional fan zone location, the Thurston County Chamber was asked to help and be the lead planner for the events. Project Manager Foglia-Jones defined what a fan zone is, the locations throughout the state hosting them including the location for the Olympia/Lacye fan zone at Port of Olympia’s NorthPoint. She also highlighted the dates of the matches, the layout of the fan zone and the activities that would be available to participants. Council asked clarifying questions and had a lengthy discussion about how the FIFA fan zones would work. MOTION: Councilmember Sullivan, moved, seconded by Councilmember Jefferson, to approve the Regional Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cities of Olympia, Lacey, Thurston County and Port of Olympia for Planning and Managing the Olympia/Lacey Fan Zone for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Motion carried unanimously. MAYOR/CITY Mayor Dahlhoff reported that the Budget & Finance Committee ADMINISTRATOR’S met on February 27, 2026. She had three highlights from the REPORT: monthly financial update presentation that Director Nieymeyer gave: • The general fund is tracking steady with revenues and expenditures remaining aligned with our adopted budget TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 3, 2026 3  • Sales tax is holding even though national global risks remain that could affect it in the future • Utility and enterprise funds are stable Administrator Simmons reminded everyone about the Council Retreat on March 7, 2026. He also said that the last half of the retreat there will be an in depth presentation on the budget and that soon they will be starting the 2027-2028 biennial budget process. Lastly, he said that some concerned residents have been writing about the closure of the Evergreen pool. He acknowledged that it is challenging times and he has reached out to the school district to make sure they are looking for alternatives for all the resources our schools need. COUNCILMEMBER Councilmembers Sullivan and Weedon gave reports. REPORTS: Councilmember Agabi gave no report. Councilmember Jefferson gave a report and shared that the Public Works Committee will meet on March 5, 2026, to discuss the following: • Reimbursable Agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation for the Tumwater Blvd & I-5 Interchange Project • Acceptance of Work with Northwest Cascade for the Linwood Avenue Sidewalk, Susitna Lane to 2nd Avenue project • Committee meeting schedule Councilmember Swarthout gave a report and shared that the General Government Committee will meet on March 11, 2026, to discuss the following: • Ordinance No. O2026-001, 93 Ave and Case Rd Annexation • Committee meeting schedule Councilmember Von Holtz gave a report and shared that the Public Health and Safety Committee will meet on March 10, 2026, to discuss the following: • Tentative Tumwater Police Policy 539 – Body Worn Camera Policy – Briefing TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 3, 2026 4  • Memorandum of Understanding with the Tumwater School District regarding Temporary Reduction of School Resource Officer (SRO) Staffing • Interlocal Agreement for Opioid Abatement Council Independent Subcommittee with the Cities of Lacey, Olympia and Thurston County • Committee meeting schedule ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Dahlhoff adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Prepared by City Clerk, Melody Valiant TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 3, 2026 5