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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Attest• 101 AA�n���
Ron Hardin , Mayor Lori Mossman, Deputy City Clerk
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