City Council Work Session

MEETING MINUTES TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION July 8, 2025 CONVENE: 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Debbie Sullivan and Councilmembers Peter Agabi, Michael Althauser, Joan Cathey, Leatta Dahlhoff, Angela Jefferson, Eileen Swarthout, and Kelly Von Holtz. Staff: City Administrator Lisa Parks, Assistant City Administrator Kelly Adams, City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick, Community Development Director Brad Medrud, Communications Manager Jason Wettstein, Fire Chief Brian Hurley, Information Technology Director Lance Inman, Associate Planner Dana Bowers, and City Clerk Melody Valiant Others: Jeffrey S. Myers, Law, Lyman, Daniel, Kamerrer & Bogdanovich, P.S. and Rebeca Potasnik, Consultant LAND USE TRAINING: Director Medrud introduced Jeffrey S. Myers, a local risk management attorney and talked about the importance of land use training. Mr. Myers provided training to the Council and staff on the legal basis of land use planning in Washington. The training covered the constitutional basis of planning authority, laws governing land use regulations, procedural framework of land use decisions, key liability issues for municipalities and individual policymaker bodies, some of the tools allowed by law for decisionmakers, roles and responsibilities of decision makers, and do' s and don' ts. Councilmember Michael Althauser joined the meeting at 6:40 p.m. TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 8, 2025 1 FOOD SYSTEM PLAN Associate Planner Bowers introduced Rebeca Potasnik, a STATUS UPDATE: Consultant who presented the draft goals and policies of a food plan. Ms. Potasnik asked for input and feedback on her draft assessment. Council asked clarifying questions and provided feedback and support for the plan. Council commented on how useful the food plan will be for other local jurisdictions once completed. OLYMPIA/LACEY/ City Administrator Parks explained how an International THURSTON COUNTY Federation of Association Football (FIFA) fan zone works to FAN ZONE 2026: support the World Cup every four years. Fan zones are a public space where people can gather to watch matches on large screens and participate in activities. In 2026, there will be 11 Fan Zones within Washington State, one being located in Olympia. It is anticipated that 2500 people will attend each scheduled event in Thurston County. The request of jurisdictions is $375,000 per jurisdiction along with staff time and logistics support such as parking and traffic control. City Administrator Parks talked about where the funds would come from if the Council chooses to move forward. Council asked about potential benefits to the City and financial and staff impacts. Council requested that more information be provided at a future meeting. MAYOR/CITY City Administrator Parks said the 4th of July was a huge success ADMINISTRATOR’s for City events and she wanted to remind everyone that Screen REPORT: on the Green is returning starting July 18th for the next four Friday’s. City Administrator Parks also reminded everyone that the next Work Session will be hybrid being both in person and online. Mayor Sullivan had no report. ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mayor Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Prepared by Melody Valiant, City Clerk TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – JULY 8, 2025 2