06 01 2021 Study Session MinutesYELM CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, June 1, 2021
VIRTUAL & IN PERSON
1. Mayor JW Foster called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. Present: Councilmembers: Molly Carmody, EJ Curry, Holly Smith, Joe DePinto, James
Blair and Terry Kaminski.
Staff present: Public Services Director Cody Colt, City Clerk and Community Services
Manager Kathy Linnemeyer and Michael Grayum City Administrator.
3. a. Thurston County Solid Waste Interlocal Agreement -
Cody Colt, Public Services Director gave a follow up summary to the presentation from the
May 4th Study Session regarding solid waste and informed Council that there will be an
Ordinance that clarifies where solid waste goes in the county and an Interlocal Agreement
that joins Thurston County cities to manage waste over the next 6-20 years on the agenda
of the June 8th City Council meeting.' Councilmembers had no further questions.
3. b. Community Beautification by Businesses and Commercial Property Owners -
Councilmember Carmody received a comment from a citizen who would like local businesses
to spruce themselves up. Councilmember Kaminski is working on beautification in the city
and toured Yelm with City Administrator, Michael Grayum and identified items that would
improve the appearance of the City. Some of the items identified are park benches, flower
pots, signage consistency, painting fire hydrants, better Welcome to Yelm signs and cutting
grass. Money for beautification was included in the 2021 budget and Councilmember
Kaminski will work to get like-minded people together to form an ad hoc committee to
discuss further.
3 c. Collecting and/or sharing COVID-19 vaccination information -
Councilmember James Blair stated he feels that the City of Yelm should bring a Resolution
forward to the Council for approval that would prohibit the City from collecting and sharing
COVID-19 vaccination information and encourage Yelm Businesses to do the same. Also
would like information included to end the mask mandate and feels that the general
population have enough information to make their own decision. The General Government
Committee will review the information on June 8, 2021 and a Resolution will be placed on
the June 8, 2021 Council Agenda for further discussion and review.
3 d. Budget Overview - 2019-2020 Ending Balance/2021-2022 YTD Actuals -
Finance Director, Stephanie Dice gave Council Budget updates as of April 30, 2021. She
explained differences in the estimated ending 2020 fund balances and the actual ending
fund balances and also informed Council of the next steps for the Finance Department
including quarterly financial updates, budget amendments, developing financial policies,
preparation for audit and a mid -biennial budget review and modification.
4. Mayors Report - This week in Yelm has been terrific, the City looks great, the Splash
Pad was very busy, the Farmers Market had over 700 attendees, Yelm Community Garden
is over flowing and the flower baskets are hung.
S. Council Initiatives -
Councilmember Carmody — Will be attending the Intercity Transit meeting tomorrow and
apologized for missing the Finance Committee meeting. Would like to add a very basic
informational discussion about the 640 acres and LID's to the next Study Session agenda.
Joe DePinto — Had a constituent reach out to him regarding a cross walk near Ridgeline
School who feels that additional safety measures need to be added.
James Blaire — The June Solid Waste Advisory Committee meeting was cancelled. Received
a comment about heavy congestion near Prairie Elementary School during pick up and drop
off times.
Terry Kaminski — Attended the Finance Committee and stated that Splash Pad and
Farmers Market starting was great.
Adjourn: 6:52 p.m.
voz7c�T— Attest:
JW oster, Mayor Kathy Linne yer, City Clerk
These minutes record the official actions of the Yelm City Council. Compl recordings are
available on the city website at www.yelmwa.gov.