City Council Work Session

MEETING MINUTES TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION November 25, 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, City Attorney Karen Kirkpatrick, Fire Chief Brian Hurley, Finance Director Troy Niemeyer, Information Technology Director Lance Inman, Communication Director Jason Wettstein, Water Resources & Sustainability Director Dan Smith, Deputy Police Chief Carlos Quiles, Jr., Associate Planner Dana Bowers, Deputy Community Development Director Sharon Lumbantobing, and Deputy City Clerk Tracie Core. PRESENTATION OF Mayor Sullivan presented Chairman Klatush from the Chehalis PROCLAMATION: Tribe, who was unable to attend the November 3rd City Council CONFEDERATED meeting, a Proclamation declaring the month of November 2025 TRIBES OF THE as American Indian Heritage Month. The proclamation CHEHALIS encourages people to celebrate the rich culture of Indigenous RESERVATION people, honor their sacrifices, acknowledge the unique challenges Native people face, historically and in the present and recognize their continued significance in our community. Chairman Klatush in turn presented Mayor Sullivan and the Council a Chehalis Tribal Flag and fresh salmon that was just caught that morning to thank them for their partnership with the tribe. INTERCITY TRANSIT’S Planner Bowers introduced General Manager Emily Bergkamp MAY 2026 SYSTEM and Planning Deputy Director Rob LaFontaine with Intercity REDESIGN TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – NOVEMBER 25, 2025 1  Transit who shared a presentation on their transit expansion project. The presentation covered a three-phase redesign process of the transit system to include the following: • Phase 1, May 2025 – Expanded service hours and increased frequency. • Phase 2, September 2025 – Introduction of two new commuter routes. • Phase 3, May 2026 - New Crosstown BRT-Lite line, as well as a replacement of most existing local routes. COUNCIL POSITION Administrator Parks congratulated Councilmember Dahlhoff NO. 1 SELECTION being elected as the new Mayor effective January 1, 2026. Her PROCESS council seat will become vacant when she assumes the mayoral role. Per the statute the City Council has 90 days from the vacancy date to appoint a replacement. Administrator Parks shared that she will be gone in early December and in her absence, City Attorney Kirkpatrick will be overseeing the process for filling the vacancy. Direction was requested from the Council as to the process, timeline, changes to the application form, and list of interview questions. Attorney Kirkpatrick presented an aggressive timeline for the Council Position No. 1 selection process and after a brief discussion, Council agreed they would like to follow the expedited timeline so a new council member can be sworn in at the January 20, 2026 Council meeting. The Council Position No. 1 selection process will be placed on the considerations calendar for the December 2, 2025, City Council meeting. MAYOR/CITY Administrator Parks shared details of a Fire Department ADMINISTRATOR’s recruitment event taking place on December 3, 2025. She also REPORT: shared that Santa stops will be happening throughout the month of December and the Christmas Tree lighting will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025. Administrator Parks also shared that businesses and multi-property owners can apply for EV charging stations grants through the State Department of Commerce until December 18, 2025. Lastly, she reminded TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – NOVEMBER 25, 2025 2  everyone that the city will be closed November 27th and 28th due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Mayor Sullivan shared that on this day back on November 25, 1869, the City of Tumwater was created and today is Tumwater’s 156th anniversary. She also reminded council members that on December 9, 2025, the council work session will be a joint work session with the Planning Commission and will start at approximately 6:30 p.m following the regular Planning Commission meeting ADJOURNMENT: With there being no further business, Mayor Sullivan adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Prepared by Tracie Core, Deputy City Clerk TUMWATER CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – NOVEMBER 25, 2025 3