City Council Work Session

MEETING MINUTES TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION August 26, 2025 CONVENE: 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Mayor Debbie Sullivan and Councilmembers Peter Agabi, Michael Althauser, Joan Cathey, Leatta Dahlhoff, 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, Finance Director Troy Niemeyer, Water Resources & Sustainability Director Dan Smith, Associate Planner Dana Bowers, Housing & Land Use Planner Erika Smith- Erickson, City Clerk Melody Valiant 2025 Planner Bowers presented the 2025 Comprehensive Plan COMPREHENSIVE Periodic Update – Land Use Element. There are two pieces that PLAN PERIODIC go into the land use element - part one the goals and policies and UPDATE – LAND USE part two the technical information. ELEMENT: Planner Bowers went over the state requirements for the plan that are required by the Grown Management Act. She shared housing, population and job forecast data and the proposed land use designation updates and a future land map. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the land use update and requested we evaluate certain word choices that may have a negative meaning such as constraints when referring to wetlands, etc. Director Medrud reminded the Council that all elements of the Comprehensive plan are available for them to review and make comments. TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION –AUGUST 26, 2025 1 2025 Planner Smith-Erickson presented the 2025 Comprehensive Plan COMPREHENSIVE Periodic Update – Housing Element. The Growth Management PLAN PERIODIC Act housing goal is to plan for and make housing affordable to all UPDATE – HOUSING economic segments. STAKEHOLDER PROCESS: Planner Smith-Erickson went over the state requirements for the plan. Planner Smith-Erickson and staff attended several community-wide engagement events to get feedback on the draft housing element. She highlighted the feedback they received from the community, the Planning Commission and City Council. Councilmember Cathey asked about the diversity of the stakeholder group surveyed. Planner Smith-Erickson responded that she outreached a variety of community members. Planner Smith-Erickson said that even though the review period for public comment has passed she would welcome more comments. The document is set to be finalized and adopted on December 31, 2025. RESOLUTION R2025- Manager Wettstein presented Resolution No. R2025-012 which 012, PURPLE HEART seeks to designate the City of Tumwater as a purple heart city. CITY DESIGNATION: The resolution honors the bravery and sacrifice of military personnel wounded or killed in action. The designation would demonstrate support for our community of veterans and military families in the region. Councilmember Dahlhoff asked about the related costs and requested in future budgets it’s budgeted with a line item so that staff can support the designation. Manager Wettstein requested that the resolution be placed on the September 2nd City Council considerations calendar. MAYOR/CITY Administrator Parks shared a voicemail message thanking the ADMINISTRATOR’s water department for their help. Administrator Parks informed REPORT: Council that they would be sharing several hiring updates soon with the opportunity to meet new employees. She also reminded everyone that the third Craft concert series is on Thursday featuring the Sizzling Symphony - Dirty Cello. Mayor Sullivan had no report. Councilmember Dahlhoff asked about former Mayor Peter Fluetsch who passed away. Mayor Sullivan stated staff would soon be sharing on social media about his passing and service information. TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION –AUGUST 26, 2025 2 ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mayor Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m. Prepared by Melody Valiant, City Clerk TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION –AUGUST 26, 2025 3