09-13-16 MinutesYELM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13,_ 2016 MINUTES
Mayor Foster called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
2. Roll Call Present: Molly Carmody, Bob Isom, Tad Stillwell, Tracey Wood, Joe
DePinto and Russ Hendrickson.
3. Agenda Approval
16-103 MOTION BY JOE DEPINTO TO AMEND THE AGENDA AND PLACE THE
EXECUTIVE SESSION AFTER THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD SO THAT THE
PUBLIC WOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT TO COMMENT. SECONDED BY BOB
ISOM. MOTION CARRIED.
16-104 MOTION BY BOB ISOM TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
SECONDED BY MOLLY CARMODY. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Special Presentations -none scheduled
5. Public Comment
Christine Hoffman, Outreach Coordinator, Puget Sound Energy updated the
Council on a program from PSE that will be taking place in Yelm starting on
September 20. The 2016 Home Energy Assessment program is free to PSE
customers. PSE will do a free in-home energy assessment, referrals and rebates,
energy efficiency tips, up to 20 free LED bulbs and up to 2 free showerheads for
residential customers.
Jane Newby, Yelm resident thanked Councilmember Wood for inviting her to
speak at the meeting. She was disappointed that the water park was not installed
before the Community Center was built so it would be ready for this summer. Ms.
Newby also has a hard time reading the small print on the agenda.
Amy Fladager, Yelm resident spoke about the increased number of panhandling in
Yelm. It is a big safety concern for residents and she would like Council to address
this issue.
Rich Mizner, Pierce County resident also spoke against the growing number of
homeless people in Yelm. It is an image and safety issue for Yelm. Mr. Mizner
would like Council to outlaw panhandling.
Councilmember DePinto thanked the public for speaking on that issue and stated
it will be brought before Council at a Study Session for further discussion and
possible solutions to the problem.
Mayor Foster said it has become more of an obvious problem in Yelm in the past
few years. The Yelm Police have made contact with them and private property
owners where the RV's are parked in the downtown area.
Councilmember Stillwell witnessed a large suburban dropping people off to
panhandle in downtown Yelm. Part of the problem is that we are a giving, loving
community in Yelm. It is very hard to address through an Ordinance. Mayor Foster
has done some research and talked with other Mayors and jurisdictions. We want
to do it right, we want to look out for the rights and the needs of our homeless
population as well as the citizens of Yelm.
Chief Stancil stated that the homeless population has grown over the last year or
SO.
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Aris Cissney, Yelm resident and owner of Butt Naked Organics food truck business
and would like to be able to operate in Yelm. She looks forward to more
discussion and a process to allow food truck businesses in Yelm in the future.
Dan Crowe, Executive Director of the Yelm Business Association (YBA) and local
business owner would like to address the documents submitted to the Mayor and
Council regarding proposed language for a municipal code that would allow food
trucks in Yelm. Currently there is no language or a process for food trucks to
conduct business in Yelm. The proposed change in code is meant to assist Yelm in
changing the code to define a process for food truck business. Food trucks give
local entrepreneurs a chance to start and run a business and create jobs in their
hometown. Food trucks add color to our City and promote pedestrian traffic. Yelm
is seen as a drive through town and if there were food trucks, they. might stop.
The research shows that food trucks do not affect brick and mortar restaurant
business. The YBA has gathered information from Lacey and Olympia where food
trucks are allowed and local restaurants have reported that they have not seen a
drop in their business. Mr. Crowe invited Council to go through the provided
document and make changes or enlist the YBA's assistance in addressing this
matter.
Councilmember Stillwell would like to see this matter added to the Study Session
for discussion. Councilmember DePinto would like to see it come to the Study
Session also. Councilmember Carmody stated that the Nisqually Valley News put a
survey out on Facebook and had an overwhelming positive response.
Councilmember Carmody also put it on her Facebook page, had 100% positive
response, and would like to see it brought to the Study Session.
Mayor Foster thanked everyone for their comments. This item will go to a Study
Session as soon as possible with the appropriate information so it can be
discussed thoroughly.
At 6:25 pm Mayor Foster announced that Council would go into a 40 minute
Executive Session to evaluate the qualifications for appointment to elective office,
Council Position #1 (RCW. 42.30.110(h)). Mayor Foster asked Council if the
amount of time allotted for the Executive Session could be changed to 15 minutes
instead of 40 minutes.
16-105 MOTION BY BOB ISOM AMENDING THE EXECUTIVE SESSION TIME FROM
40 MINUTES TO 15 MINUTES. SECONDED BY MOLLY CARMODY. MOTION
CARRIED.
At 6:25 pm, Mayor Foster announced that Council would go into a 15 minute
Executive Session.
At 6:42, Mayor Foster reconvened the meeting.
6. Consent Agenda
Minutes - Regular Meeting August 9, 2016 & Special Meeting September 7, 2016
Payables - Checks #67428 - #67606 Totaling $2,212,520.33
16-106 MOTION BY BOB ISOM APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
PRESENTED. SECONDED BY RUSS HENDRICKSON. MOTION CARRIED.
7. Public Hearing - none scheduled
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8. New Business —
a. Appointment to fill Council Position #1 unexpired term
16-107 MOTION BY JOE DEPINTO TO NOMINATE SCOTT BRADLEY FOR COUNCIL
POSITON #1. SECONDED BY TAD STILLWELL. AYE-CARMODY, STILLWELL,
DEPINTO.
16-108 MOTION BY TRACEY WOOD TO NOMINATE EJ CURRY FOR COUNCIL
POSITION #1. SECONDED BY RUSS HENDRICKSON.
AYE-ISOM, WOOD, HENDRICKSON.
MAYOR FOSTER CAST THE DECIDING VOTE FOR EJ CURRY (RCW
35A.12.100). MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Foster stated there were very fine candidates for the Council Position #1
and he appreciates the applicants that are willing to come forth and serve their
community. The position will go to the people for a vote in November 2017. Mayor
Foster encouraged the applicants to stay in touch and maybe get involved in the
Planning Commission or other committees. All the City Council meetings are open
to the public and you are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Mayor Foster administered the Oath of Office and Councilmember EJ Curry took
her seat on the Council.
b. Appointment of City Administrator
Mayor Foster explained that it has taken a year to fill this position. He thanked the
Councilmember's, Staff, Department Heads, community members and Prothman
Company that were involved in the process. Mayor Foster asked for Confirmation
from the Council on his selection of Melissa Evans for the City Administrators
position.
16-109 MOTION BY MOLLY CARMODY TO CONFIRM MELISSA EVANS THE CITY
ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE CITY OF YELM. SECONDED BY TRACEY WOOD.
MOTION CARRIED.
Mayor Foster thanked the Council for the unanimous vote and stated he is excited
for a new beginning for Yelm with Melissa Evans. Ms. Evans will start November 1,
provided the parties can agree on the details of the contract. Mayor Foster stated
the contract with Ms. Evan would come before Council at the next meeting for their
approval.
C. School Resource Officer Agreement for 2016/17
Chief Stancil explained that over the past 25 years, the Yelm School District and
the City of Yelm have partnered to provide a police officer to work within the school
district. From 1992 to 1999, this service was provided by a D.A.R.E. instructor that
taught drug abuse resistance education to all 5th grade classrooms. In the fall of
1999, this service was changed to that of a School Resource Officer (SRO), who
since that time has been responsible for handling all emergency calls coming from
the schools as well as education and crime prevention. The City has provided this
service for a number of years with an annual agreement to allow the parties to
review the program on a regular basis. There are no language changes from the
previous year. The Yelm School District will reimburse the City of Yelm $60,000 for
services provided by the SRO. Councilmember Isom asked if the dollar amount
covered the actual cost of the officer. Chief Stancil stated it was close given the
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time spent as the SRO. That might change in the future depending on the amount
of time as the SRO and the amount of time the Officer would be available to patrol.
16-110 MOTION BY BOB ISOM AUTHORIZING MAYOR FOSTER TO SIGN THE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN YELM COMMUNITY SCHOOLS AND THE CITY OF
YELM FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER SERVICES FOR THE 2016/17
SCHOOL YEAR. SECONDED BY JOE DEPINTO. MOTION CARRIED.
9. Old Business — none scheduled
10. Mayor and Council Initiatives
Councilmember Curry has no reports at this time. Mayor Foster stated there is a
Council Retreat scheduled for Saturday, September 17, at the Public Safety
Building from 9 am to 4 pm.
Councilmember Isom has no report but would like Mayor Foster to come back to
him before the end of the meeting.
Councilmember Wood attended the TComm 911 Admin Board meeting and
reported they signed contracts, one being the Crawford Mountain site in South
County. They also discussed the billing criteria for ambulances.
Councilmember DePinto welcomed newly appointed Councilmember Curry and
looks forward to working with her on the Council. Councilmember DePinto
reiterated Mayor Foster's comments to the Council applicants that were not chosen.
Please stay involved, be active in your community and there will be open positions
next year. He thanked those that applied. Councilmember DePinto stated that he
spoke with Kyle Cronk, South Sound YMCA President and CEO and the study is
moving forward along with Lacey and Olympia. The community should start
receiving calls by the end of next week to answer questions for the feasibility
study.
Councilmember Hendrickson attended the Yelm Emergency Management
Operations Board meeting and reported the Alert Sense program is up and running
on the City website. About 120 people have signed up to receive notification in the
event of an emergency. The Executive Seminar is December 12 and everyone is
welcome to attend. Erika Katt is working on the Hazardous Mitigation Plan update
with Chief Stancil and Randy Schleis from the City of Rainier. Ms. Katt is working
on her Master's Degree and is working for free as part of her grade. Mayor Foster
stated that Erika Katt grew up in Rochester and she is a great example of how our
school system and programs in Thurston County produce wonderful members that
then come back and help their communities.
Scott Bannister thanked Councilmember Wood for hosting the benefit breakfast for
Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza. Councilmember Wood stated the benefit
would be held from 7 am to 11 am, to raise funds to help the Sheriff and his family
during his recovery from his motorcycle accident. The Panorama City restaurant is
also holding a benefit for Sheriff Snaza. Mayor Foster stated the Lacey Fire
Department used their transport unit to bring Sheriff Snaza from Idaho to
Harborview in Seattle. Mayor Foster wishes Sheriff Snaza a speedy recovery and
hopes he comes back to work soon.
9-13-16
Mayor Foster thanked everyone who was involved in appointing him to the
Mayor's position. The first month has been a great deal of learning and getting to
know people. Mayor Foster also took a road trip to Ohio to deliver his son to
Graduate School. The road trip gave him a wonderful opportunity to see this
magnificent, amazing and fabulous scenery in this country of ours. Mayor Foster
spoke to law enforcement people about the panhandling problem and how they
dealt with it. It was great opportunity for learning. Upon his return, he embarked
on his mission to help create a safe, healthy, happy home here in Yelm. He would
also like to thank various department heads for their work along those lines. Chief
Stancil has the Alert Sense sign up on the City's, website and he has been given
permission to start a Facebook page for the Yelm Police Department. We have
reached 25,000 through social media in a positive way. Chad Bedlington and his
crew has made Yelm a little safer by putting crossing flags up in front of the Yelm
Middle School so the kids can grab an orange flag to alert drivers of their crossing.
Noah Crocker, Finance Director has been working very hard in creating efficiencies
in the payroll system to free up time for other duties. Bill VanBuskirk, Wastewater
Treatment Facilities Manager worked overtime to make sure that the system could
handle all of the tears that flowed into the system on Sunday from the Dolphin fans
in Yelm. The Community Development Department hosted Gary Carlson's
retirement party. Mayor Foster met with the lobbyists that are employed by the
City of Yelm to get to know them and get an update on what they are working on
for Yelm. An outline of what has been covered so far will come to Council in the
future and get important issues that need to go to the Legislatures. The Lobbyists
suggested that Councilmembers also talk to the Legislatures. We will create the
Lobbying Agenda together to move forward to secure funding. If it were not for the
work of the lobbyists, Yelm would not have received funding for the bypass to date
or the completion, which will be completed within the next five years. The Yelm
Chamber Luncheon today had a speaker that spoke to businesses about the face of
their business. Mayor Foster thought about what the citizens of Yelm see when
they walk into City Hall. There is a sign in Community Development that says smile
and say hello. When you go to the front counter, you have excellent, friendly,
professional staff in person and over the phone. He really appreciates it.
Councilmember Isom read a letter addressed to the Mayor and Council. After
serious consideration, Councilmember Isom has made the decision to resign from
Council effective 12:00 am, Sunday, September 18, 2016. He leaves due to his
duties and responsibilities of his position as Territorial Manager for the Loyal Order
of Moose. It has been an honor to serve the community he has spent his entire life
in. He takes great pride in the accomplishment over the last 16 years knowing that
every decision made by the councils he has served was made in the best interests
of the community as a whole. He wishes the current council the best and knows
they will continue to strive to ensure our community remains healthy and vibrant.
Mayor Foster stated that Councilmember Isom has been a stalwart councilmember
and a mentor to Mayors, City Administrators and other Councilmembers.
11. Executive Session - no additional session scheduled
12. Correspondence included -
Thurston Regional Planning Council Pre -Agenda Friday, September 9, 2016,
8:30am -11am
Olympia Harbor Days, September 2-4, 2016
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TC County City Meeting, West Olympia Olive Garden, August 31, 2016, 5:30-
7:30pm
Yelm Chamber of Commerce Enewsletter- September 2016
Thurston County Solid Waste Enewsletter- fall 2016 Edition
Yelm Business Association letter dated 9-6-16 regarding Food Truck Regulations
16-111 MOTION BY BOB ISOM TO ADJOURN, SECONDED BY TRACEY WOOD.
MOTION CARRIED.
13. Adjourned at 7:12 pm.
9-13-16
Attest: PtfJ ntaA-<�
Lori Mossman, Deputy City Clerk