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10-22-13 MinutesYELM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2013 MINUTES 1. Mayor Harding called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Joe Baker, Mike McGowan, Tracey Wood, Ken Garmann and Russ Hendrickson. 13-87 MOTION BY MIKE MCGOWAN EXCUSING COUNCILMEMBERS 3W FOSTER AND BOB ISOM FROM THE MEETING. CARRIED. 3. Agenda Approval 13-88 MOTION BY TRACEY WOOD APPROVING THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. 4. Special Presentations - Thurston County Economic Development Council Update Michael Cade, Executive Director thanked the Mayor and Council for giving him the opportunity to come before them tonight for an update on the activities of the Thurston County Economic Development (EDC). Mr. Cade also thanked the Mayor for his roles on the 24 member volunteer Board of Directors and the Business Resource Center. Mr. Cade has been in his current role for 10 years. The Economic Development Council recruits investment and business into the community, they retain those businesses and look to expand market opportunities. The Yelm community has shown continued investment and support of the EDC. Economic Development is defined broadly to improve the lives and opportunity of the citizens that reside in our community. In 2004, the Board pursued the activity to become a Government Contracting Assistant and accounted for $125,000 of the statewide program at the end of that year. The board finds and accesses contract opportunities for local employers. They mentor the employers through the process and make sure they have the tools and the resources to obtain and execute government contracts. EDC did $20 million dollars in government contracts in 2012 in Thurston County. Councilmember McGowan asked questions regarding the Port of Olympia's increase in growth and jobs and the connection with Yelm. Mr. Cade explained that the EDC and the Port of Olympia work very closely together and are codified through the State Department of Commerce and are both recognized as Economic Development agencies. Councilmember McGowan asked about the Small Business Outreach sponsored by the EDC and stated the Library would like to partner with EDC in that program. Councilmember McGowan will have the Library manager from Yelm contact Mr. Cade. One of the questions that often come up a the library is regarding Business Plans with small business start-ups. Mayor Harding stated the EDC is a private nonprofit organization and a large share of their success is from private investments and local businesses that have been successful due to the EDC. Mayor Harding thanked Mr. Cade for making the program such a success in assisting businesses and the local economy. 5. Public Comment - Dave Runners, Thurston County resident shared his concerns regarding the Sustainable Thurston program and some of their long terms goals for our area. Mayor Harding explained that one of the concerns from council from the beginning was the purpose of the program, the outlining purpose and making sure Page 1 of 5 6. 13-89 7. 8. their purpose does not conflict with the Council's local control as the elected policy board for the City of Yelm. Council has sent a couple of letters stating Council represents the community and not self appointed groups that are in charge of or part of a regional effort and that Council will only support the data that was gathered in the document if it was clear that the intended purpose was for information only and not an implementation guide. Allison Baker, Thurston County resident was proud of the letter written by Mayor Harding to the EDC and would like to see the letter in its entirety printed in the Nisqually Valley News this week. As a citizen of Thurston County and a member of the unincorporated Yelm area, Ms. Baker would like to encourage the Council to educate themselves and stand tall on this issue. Mayor Harding stated there is a volunteer group that has been working on the purposed language changes that are of concern to many. The plan is just data to use to educate ourselves as we are making responsible decisions. Alfred Osolin, Thurston County resident supports the previous speakers concerns regarding Sustainable Thurston. Mr. Osolin is in support of sustainability but it has to be the real thing, not a phony agenda with a green mask that is facilitating something completely different. Mr. Osolin thanked the Council for being there for concerned citizens. Mayor Harding encouraged the group to contact their elected County Commissioners and express their concerns with them as well. The County Commissioners represent citizens located in unincorporated Yelm. Councilmember McGowan stated attending the meetings, citizen participation or presence in a public meeting really affect elected officials. In addition, the media coverage of an issue can be beneficial. Preston Collins, City of Yelm resident suggested the Library obtain copies of Behind the Green Mask so that the citizens can read it. Mr. Collins encouraged the Council to educate themselves on every issue. Ella Marmont, Thurston County resident has lived in Yelm for 20 years and loves the community. Ms. Marmont is afraid that she will lose the right of choice in our community. Mayor Harding thanked the group for taking the time to come to Council to express their concerns regarding Sustainable Thurston. Consent Agenda Minutes - Regular Meeting October 8, 2013 Payables - Checks #61252 - #61329 Totaling $469,634.30. MOTION BY MIKE MCGOWAN APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. CARRIED. Public Hearing - none scheduled New Business - a. Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for Assistance with Road and other Public Works tasks Page 2 of 5 Ryan Johnstone explained that periodically the need arises for the City of Yelm Public Works staff to utilize the services of a larger organization to complete tasks that require equipment or manpower that we do not currently have. In 2008, the City signed a 5 -year master interlocal agreement (ILA) with Thurston County. This ILA provided a means for Thurston County to furnish to the City manpower, equipment and materials when available on a reimbursable basis for roadway maintenance activities. The maximum amount payable for work to be performed under this agreement was $50,000. This interlocal agreement expired earlier this year. Any work contracted under the ILA, will be subject to the approved budget for that given year. The duration of the ILA is through the remainder of 2013 and throughout 2014. Thereafter, it will renew automatically on January 1St of each year unless terminated by the City or County. Councilmembers McGowan and Wood had questions regarding the increased amount of the contract by $75,000 for the roadway resurfacing. Shelly Badger clarified that Council establishes the budget amount and if the work needed is within that budget amount, then Ryan Johnstone can enter into the Interlocal Agreement with Thurston County for services. 13-90 MOTION BY MIKE MCGOWAN AUTHORING MAYOR HARDING TO SIGN A MASTER INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THURSTON COUNTY FOR ASSISTANCE WITH ROAD AND OTHER PUBLIC WORKS RELATED TASKS. CARRIED. b. Interlocal Agreement for Establishment of a Thurston County Tourism Promotion Area for Thurston County and the Cities of Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey and Yelm Shelly Badger stated that Washington State RCW Chapter 35.101 allows for the creation of a Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) to raise funds to promote tourism; market conventions, trade shows and the local travel industry; and recruit sporting events. On July 29, 2013, Thurston County received a petition from the Thurston County Lodging Association with a sufficient number of signatures to qualify for the formation of a TPA by Thurston County and the municipalities of Olympia Tumwater, Lacey and Yelm. This petition included Prairie Hotel as a signatory. Since then, the communities have been discussing the details of what a TPA would involve in Thurston County. Formation of a TPA requires Thurston County to conduct a Public Hearing and prior to the Board of County Commissioners approval of the ordinance creating the TPA, interlocal agreements must be approved by the city council of the involved jurisdictions. The proposed TPA and Interlocal Agreement permits the Board of County Commissioners to form the Thurston County Tourism Promotion Area to provide revenue to fund tourism within Thurston County which will benefit the operators of lodging businesses in Thurston County, Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey and Yelm. Charges within the TPA are $2.00 per room/day for those lodging businesses located in Thurston County and the cities of Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey and Yelm. It would also form the Thurston County Hotel and Motel Commission, comprised of 7 members, which shall make a recommendation annually to the Board of County Commissioners on the budget for the upcoming year. The revenues collected shall be used for funding activities and expenditures designed to increase tourism promotion and convention business with Thurston County. Thurston County will hold the Public Hearing on the formation of the TPA on October 29, 2013. Councilmember McGowan asked about the size requirements of the organization and who would be affected. Ms. Badger stated it includes businesses that furnish lodging taxable by the state and that have 40 or more lodging units. Page 3 of 5 13-91 MOTION BY JOE BAKER APPROVING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF A THURSTON COUNTY TOURISM PROMOTION AREA FOR THURSTON COUNTY AND THE CITIES OF OLYMPIA, TUMWATER, LACEY AND YELM. CARRIED. c. Resolution No. 545 Adopting an Interlocal Agreement with AWC Employee Benefit Trust to Self Insure Employee Health Insurance Janine Schnepf explained that Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Employee Benefit Trust administers health care benefits to 280 cities and other entities: 16,000 government employees and 19,000 of their dependents. The Trust was formed in 1970 in response to the state mandated LEOFF 1 pension plan, requiring municipal governments to pay all reasonable medical expenses incurred by municipal firefighters and police officers. The City of Yelm has one LEOFF 1 retiree. After much research and consideration, the AWC Employee Benefit Trust Board voted to transition to self-insured medical, dental and vision coverage. Benefits of the self-insured plan include cost savings of state and federal taxation of fully insured plans; increased competition in the self-insured market allowing the pool to take advantage of 0% rate increases for 2014; and the Trust member entities loss experience has been lower than the carrier over the years. In July, Trustees submitted an application to self -insure to the State Risk Manager and approval was granted in August of 2013 to be effective January 2014. The benefit plan design and options will remain the same, and employees will have access to the same providers. The City is required to enter into an interlocal agreement with the Trust by November 15, 2013 to continue with the current coverage enjoyed by City of Yelm employees and their families. 13-92 MOTION BY MIKE MCGOWAN APPROVING RESOLUTION NO. 545, AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT JOINING MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON CITIES EMPLOYEE BENEFIT TRUST TO CREATE THE HEALTH CARE PROGRAM THAT WILL SELF -INSURE HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS AND COVERAGE THROUGH THE TRUST. CARRIED. 9• Old Business — 10. Mayor and Council Initiatives Councilmember McGowan attended the Thurston County HOME Consortium Retreat and stated there was a lot of good conversation. Councilmember Garmann attended the Thurston County Family Justice Center Grand Opening at the old Fire Station downtown Olympia with Councilmember Hendrickson and Chief Todd Stancil. The whole facility is geared towards keeping families in tact while they recover from bad situations and trauma. Thurston County receives 4,000 domestic violence calls a year. Councilmember Garmann enjoyed attending the Wellness Committee Potluck today at the Public Safety Building with City staff. Councilmember Hendrickson attended the Grand Opening of the Thurston County Family Justice Center. Also attended the Medic One Emergency Management Board meeting and discussed the BLS response times. They are going to implement electronic tablets for the members instead of paper copies. Mayor Harding reported he attended a tour of the City along with Shelly Badger for Leadership Thurston County. The organization provides a training opportunity Page 4of5 for entities within Thurston County to send folks to and get insight on management leadership and the different issues in the County. It is a great program the City participates in annually. It allows staff an opportunity to discuss some of the issues within Yelm and why the City takes the approaches they do and some of our accomplishments. Joe Baker added that he was in Grand Coulee last week on vacation and ran into a former citizen of Yelm, Mark Hussim who attends Grand Coulee Council meetings and states that Yelm is brought up frequently for some of the things they are doing that could help Grand Coulee. Councilmember Baker took it as a compliment for our City. 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION - none scheduled 12. Correspondence included - Municipal Research News Fall 2013 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Site Review for Washington Expansion Project, October 8, 2013 TRPC Pre -Agenda Friday, November 1, 2013 8:30-11:00 13. Adjourn 7:40 pm. r � Attest• 101 AA�n��� Ron Hardin , Mayor Lori Mossman, Deputy City Clerk Page 5 of 5