10-28-14 MinutesYELM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 MINUTES
Mayor Harding called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call Present: J. W. Foster, Joe Baker, Bob Isom, Tracey Wood, Ken Garmann
and Russ Hendrickson.
14-090 MOTION BY BOB ISOM CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF JENNIFER
LITTLEFIELD TO YELM CITY COUNCIL POSITION #4 FOR THE TERM
EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2015. CARRIED.
b. Mayor Harding administered the Oath of Office to Jennifer Littlefield and she took
her seat as a Councilmember.
C. Agenda Approval
14-091 MOTION BY RUSS HENDRICKSON APPROVING THE AGENDA AS
PRESENTED. CARRIED.
4. Special Presentations -
Relay for Life presentation to local sponsors -
Mayor Harding along with Relay for Life Captain, Sonia Ramirez and Co -Captain
Teresa Mattson presented plaques to: the City of Yelm Wellness program for the
$250 registration fee, City of Yelm for the best tent decor awarded to Judy Butler
and Janine Schnepf; Mr. Doug's Family Restaurant for sponsoring the team
banner, Gamer Graph -X Sports for partial sponsorship of the team t -shirts, Todd
& Ericka Stancil & The Rainier Ringers for their $1,240 monetary donation and
Yelm Wal-Mart Supercenter for $100 in gift cards for use at Wal-Mart. Mayor
Harding thanked everyone for his or her involvement in the Relay for Life. The
City of Yelm team raised $3173.79. Mayor Harding thanked Sonia and Teresa for
all their hard work to organize such a successful event.
South Thurston Economic Development Initiative Update (STEDI)-Michael
Cade, Thurston County EDC Executive Director -
Michael Cade, Executive Director of the EDC, introduced Lisa Smith, Executive
Director of Enterprise for Equity and Fred Evander, Planner for the Thurston
Regional Planning Council. Mr. Cade gave a special thanks to Mayor Harding and
City Administrator Shelly Badger for their work in the STEDI program. Mayor
Harding challenged Mr. Cade about four years ago to think about economic
development differently and bring economic development resources out to
communities that really need it. The South Thurston County Small Business
Resource Guide was handed out to council. The matrix helps South Thurston
County business owners identify local and regional resources that exist to help
them expand their knowledge base and grow their business. The STEDI group
meets once a month and rotates the meeting location throughout the cities that
collaborate with STEDI. Lisa Smith stated her office is located in Olympia but
serves, Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. Enterprise for
Equity's focus is on business training and technical assistance. They also offer
micro loans up to $25,000 for business start up. Forty percent of people served
are in rural areas. Rural entrepreneurship is at the core of what makes cities
strong. Fred Evander elaborated on the resources that STEDI brings from the
north part of the counties to the and south counties for business opportunities.
Yelm is doing very good stuff in their community. Mayor Harding stated the
resources are valuable and much needed in all areas. STEDI brings hope for the
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businesses that might not otherwise have the resources available to them. There
is a renewed enthusiasm for their businesses. Councilmember Foster attended a
presentation on the Washington Tourism Alliance and asked how that works with
the STEDI program. Mr. Cade stated that the Thurston County Visitor &
Convention Bureau is a critical partner in the STEDI program. Tourism is an
important part of the local economy. Shelly Badger is Yelm's representative on the
STEDI group and stated the group provides education of resources to one another
and a renewed excitement about South County and the opportunities available to
them. Councilmember Isom asked why the Work Force Development is not on the
list as a resource. Mr. Cade said they should be at the table; they are on the
mailing list but have not been able to attend.
Public Comment -
Preston Collins, Yelm resident, applied for Council Position #4 and was very
disappointed to hear of the appointment to Council Position #4 in the Nisqually
Valley News and on the Council Agenda. Mr. Collins did not receive any formal
notice from the City stating the position had been filled. Mr. Collins objected to
the way the appointment of Jennifer Littlefield to Council Position #4 has been
handled and requested that all the candidate's names be made public. He would
also like disclosure of the proceedings of the selection process in writing through
our local news media. Mr. Collins asked if his application was considered for the
position. Mayor Harding explained that the Councilmember's were given all
applications for review. All seven applications were given the same due process.
The process was publically announced and outlined at the last council meeting,
which was recorded. Councilmember Isom responded to the attack on the Council
integrity by stating that Mr. Collins' application was considered heavily as part of
the review process. Every application was reviewed carefully in the process. Mayor
Harding stated there were seven great applicants applying for Council Position #4.
Mr. Collins would have liked a personal response from the City acknowledging
receipt of his application.
6. Consent Agenda
Minutes - Regular Meeting October 14, 2014
Payables - Checks #63468 - #63532 Totaling $573,230.06.
YCP, Annual Christmas in the Park, December 5 & 6, 2014, Open to the Public
14-092 MOTION BY TRACEY WOOD APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
PRESENTED. CARRIED.
7. Public Hearing -none scheduled
8. New Business -
a. Contract Award Stetz Construction, Inc. - Yelm Community Center
Project Phase 1
Shelly Badger stated that Council authorized BCRA to begin the design of Phase 1
of the Yelm Community Center on February 5, 2014. The scope of work included
full design through the bid process and some limited construction services. The
final design of the Community Center was complete at the end of August 2014,
and went to bid on September 5, 2014 and September 12, 2014. Fourteen bids
were opened on September 25, 2014. Stetz Construction came in at the lowest
price. References for Stetz Construction have been checked and BCRA's letter of
recommendation is included. Councilmember Isom asked what exactly are we
getting in Phase 1 for the 2.2 million. Ms. Badger stated a 5,000 square feet
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facility with a commercial grade kitchen, large open multi use room that can be
divided into two rooms, interior and exterior access to the kitchen for community
events and the site improvements like the parking lot and landscaping.
Councilmember Isom wanted to make sure that we had a building that we can
move in ready when we have spent the 2.2 million. Councilmember asked about
the references given for Stetz Construction. Mayor Harding stated the City is
required to follow the lowest responsive bid process, all the references were
checked, and the few negative comments were not enough to reject the bid. We
have to either accept the bid from the lowest bidder or not do the project. Ms.
Badger stated the references were the most recent relevant projects done by
Stetz Construction.
14-093 MOTION BY BOB ISOM AUTHORIZING MAYOR HARDING TO SIGN A
CONTRACT WITH STETZ CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF (ONE
MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED SEVENTY NINE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED
SIXTY NINE DOLLARS) $1,879,869.00 FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
RELATED TO THE YELM COMMUNITY CENTER PHASE 1 PROJECT. CARRIED.
b. BCRA Contract Amendment #1,- Yelm Community Center Project Phase 1
Shelly Badger stated in February of 2014, Council authorized BCRA to begin full
design of the Community Center Project. The initial scope of work with BCRA
included full design and limited construction management services. In August of
2014, the design was complete and the project was bid in September of 2014.
The Amendment No. 1 includes increased construction management services for
the entire length of the project. Councilmember Wood asked why this amount
was not included in the original contract. Ms. Badger stated because it was the
beginning of the design. The evolution of the design provides more information
that warrants additional services. Mayor Harding added that the dollar amounts
of the bids were unknown and so things have been done in phases, as the money
is available.
14-094 MOTION BY JW FOSTER AUTHORIZING MAYOR HARDING TO SIGN
AMENDMENT NO. 1 WITH BCRA, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $30,000 FOR
ADDITIONAL CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES REQUIRED TO
COMPLETE PHASE 1 OF THE CITY'S COMMUNITY CENTER. CARRIED.
9. Old Business —none scheduled
10. Mayor and Council Initiatives
Councilmember Foster asked for a quick update on the Mosman Ave. Project.
Ms. Badger stated the project is still within the construction window.
Councilmember Foster attended the Nisqually River Council meeting in Pac Forest.
On October 18, attended the Salmon Festival in Eatonville, which was a successful
event. On October 20, attended the Exit Interview with city staff and the
Washington State Auditor's Office, which was informative and reinforced his
opinion of the fine work, our city staff does especially when it comes to keeping a
clean audit. Councilmember Foster also attended the Visitors & Convention Bureau
presentation on the Washington Tourism Alliance.
Councilmember Baker attended the Yelm Adult Community Center meeting and
reported their finances are doing good due in part to fundraisers they have had
recently. Councilmember Baker also attended the Intercity Transit Board meeting
where they discussed strategic planning, Junior/Senior recruiting to the Citizens
Advisory Committee and Pension planning.
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Councilmember Isom attended the State Auditor's Exit Interview and was
impressed with the way Yelm is doing things and thanked staff for a job well
done. He also attended a TRPC Sub Committee and discussed the regionalization
of services in the County.
Councilmember Littlefield attended her last Planning Commission meeting and
will miss that group, it was a great experience, but looks forward to Council's
review of the Unified Development Code (UDC) since the Planning Commission has
spent a lot of time working on it. Mayor Harding thanked Councilmember Littlefield
for the work she did on the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Garmann along with members of the Thurston County Law and
Justice Committee attended a tour of the Accountable Restitution Center (ARC)
building. The facility was approved by the County Commissioners then constructed
and then turned over to the Sheriff's Office without any operating budget so the
building has been empty for the last five years. There is an operating cost of about
$500,000 a year to operate and maintain the building.
Councilmember Hendrickson attended the Yelm Emergency Operations Board
meeting and they discussed Flood Hazards, the Ebola outbreak and the Hazardous
Mitigation Plan Update. Councilmember Hendrickson also attended the Medic One
meeting and the Exit Audit at City Hall with the State Auditor and city staff.
Mayor Harding attended the Exit Interview with the Auditor and staff and
reported that the City has a few things to work on procedurally but City finances
are in order. Mayor Harding attended the Thurston County Economic Development
Council/BRC Finance Committee meeting and worked on a draft presentation of
development goals. Mayor Harding has served on this board for nine years. When
he joined the committee, the annual budget was less than $300,000 and now its
3.3 million dollars. Mayor Harding thanked the Council for the vote of unity for
our new Councilmember and welcomed Councilmember Littlefield.
Councilmember Baker wanted to take a minute to recognize all the boy scouts in
the audience tonight.
Mayor Harding invited the scouts to ask any questions or make a comment about
the meeting.
A high school student from the audience asked if there was anything that he could
do as a citizen. Mayor Harding invited the young man to stay after the meeting to
talk with him.
A boy scout asked about the trail and the litter left on the trail. Mayos
stated there are volunteer groups that get together and pick up trash.
Councilmember Littlefield asked where the troop is from. They are Troop
of McKenna.
11. Executive Session - none scheduled
12. Correspondence included -
AWC Legislative Bulletin #18, October 17, 2014
Ask Municipal Research Services Center (MRSC), October 2014
Williams Washington Expansion Project Update -Third Quarter 2014
Harding
#643 out
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Notice to reschedule Yelm City Council meeting from Tuesday, November
11, 2014 to Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Yelm Area Chamber of Commerce November Forum & Luncheon, Wednesday,
November 12, 2014 11:30-1, Prairie Hotel-Yelm
Thurston Regional Planning Council Friday, November 7, 2014 8:30am - 10:30am
Thurston PSE Update, October 27, 2014
Small Business Workshop Thursday, November 6, 2014 8-9:00 am Tenino
Thurston Economic Development Council Upcoming, Events October 27, 2014
13. Adjourn 7:10 pm.
Ro Har in , Mayor
Attest: �J
Lori Mossman, Deputy City Clerk
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