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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01 06 2026 Study Session MinutesEST. 1924 CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MEETING MINUTES VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON TUESDAY, January 6, 2026 Call to Order: Mayor DePinto called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM Roll Call: Tracey Wood, Joseph Richardson, Griselda Arias (after Oath of Office) Stephanie Kangiser, Brian Hess, David Johnstone, Terry Kaminski and Joe DePinto. Staff Present: City Administrator Todd Stancil, City Clerk Kathy Linnemeyer, HR Director Karen Bennett, Planning and Building Manager Gary Cooper and Public Services Director Cody Colt PRESENTATIONS/DISCUSSION ITEMS: Oath of Office — Mayor DePinto administered the Oath of Office to Griselda Arias City Council Position No. 3, Stephanie Kangiser City Council Position No. 4, Brian Hess City Council Position No. 5, David Johnstone City Council Position No. 6, and Terry Kaminski City Council Position No. 7. Griselda Arias took her seat as Yelm City Council Position No. 3. Personnel Policy— HR Director Karen Bennett reviewed the changes to the Personnel Policy. The changes will be on January 13, 2026, meeting agenda for further review and action. Annexation Discussion — Planning and Building Manager Gary Cooper advised the Council that the Interlocal Agreement and Public Hearing related to the annexation must be reconsidered at a future meeting. Although the Public Hearing was properly advertised, it was not included on the December 9, 2025, agenda. To ensure compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, the Public Hearing was re -advertised and is scheduled to appear on the January 13, 2026, agenda. The Interlocal Agreement will also be placed on the January 13, 2026, agenda following the Public Hearing. Mr. Cooper outlined the actions taken since the December 9, 2025, meeting and reviewed the remaining steps in the annexation process. Council Committee Appointments— Mayor DePinto led a discussion regarding Council committee appointments. Councilmembers were provided with a list of internal and external committees and were asked to review the information and submit their top three preferences for external committee assignments, as well as their preferred order for internal committee assignments, via email. Mayor Pro -Tem — Mayor DePinto led a discussion and announced that the selection of a Mayor Pro Tem for the 2026-2027 term will be included on the January 13 regular meeting agenda for Council action. He reviewed the duties of the Mayor Pro Tem, and three Councilmembers expressed interest in the position. 2026 City Council Retreat — Mayor DePinto led a discussion regarding the 2026 City Council Retreat and requested Council input on potential locations, the duration of the retreat, and whether to engage a facilitator. MAYOR REPORT — Mayor DePinto announced that regular updates on the 640 Acres project will be provided at each Study Session to ensure consistent communication with the Council and the public. City Administrator Todd Stancil reported that Blue Fern is moving forward rapidly with the 640 Acres project. He outlined financing options available under RCW 39.89 and RCW 39.114 and explained how those mechanisms could be used to construct the road connecting the property to Highway 507. Public Services Director Cody Colt provided additional information related to the project. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:39 PM iotxpinto, Mayor y �iC_ WRON .11 Lilt I Page 2 of 2 January 6, 2026, City of Yelm Council Study- Session. These minutes record the official actions of the Yelm Clty Council.