06 06 2023 Study Session Minutesf` Yep
EST. 1924
WASHINGTON
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MEETING MINUTES
VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON
TUESDAY, June 6, 2023
Call to Order: Mayor Pro -Tem Holly Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call: Joseph Richardson, Joshua Crossman, Holly Smith, Brian Hess, Terry
Kaminski, Ashley Brooks and Joe DePinto.
Staff Present: City Administrator Todd Stancil, City Clerk Kathy Linnemeyer, Finance
Director Stephanie Dice, Planning & Building Manager Gary Cooper
and Public Services Director Cody Colt
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Thurston Economic Development Council Presentation — Michael Cade, Mark Steepy, ,
Aslan Meade, George Sharp and Heidi McCutcheon gave a presentation on the Thurston
Economic Development Council and explained how they support the community. They also
asked what priorities the Yelm leadership have and explained the role of the City on the EDC
Board.
Housing Action Plan — Planning & Building Manager Gary Cooper announced that the
Housing Action Plan has been funded by a grant from Department of Commerce and that it
must be finalized by the end of June. He gave an update on why we are doing a Housing
Action Plan and of HB 1220. Dan Penrose with SCJ Alliance reviewed the draft of the
Housing Action Plan and answered questions from the City Council. The Planning
Commission will hold a Public Hearing on the Housing Action Plan on June 20, 2023.
Council Applicant Application Review — City Administrator Todd Stancil announced that the
City Council will vote to fill the vacant position on June 13, 2023 using ranked choice voting.
Council had a discussion and agreed to rank their top five candidates on June 13th.
Fireworks Discussion — City Administrator Todd Stancil announced that Yelm Municipal
Code is in need of updates and asked if Council wanted to go with the State regulations or
Thurston County regulations and discussed adding language to allow for temporary
prohibiting fireworks due to extreme fire danger.
MAYOR REPORT — Appreciated the Economic Development Council presentation and stated
that he will bring Council ideas to the EDC Board. He also announced that City Hall will be
closed on July 4th and that the July Study Session will be cancelled due to the holiday.
COUNCIL INITIATIVES
Brian Hess — Would like to organize a free food program similar to Food is Free Tacoma,
there have been lively discussions over the last two months and asked people to be civil and
respectful of each other.
Ashely Brooks — Looking forward to the Homelessness Committee meetings, would like to
see medical services and transportation for citizens to get to services. She asked about the
status of a Council retreat. Mayor DePinto will look at dates on a Saturday in July from 10
AM to 6 PM and will send an email to Council by the end of the week. She also stated that
she is not getting emails regarding Emergency Management Events.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
J�e, nto, Mayor
Kathy Linnem er, City Clerk/
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June 6, 2023 City of Yelm Council Study Session. These minutes record the official actions of the
Yelm City Council. Complete recordings can be viewed on YouTube, or a copy may be purchased by
contacting the City Clerk's office at 360.458.8816.