08-11-09 Minutes YELM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2009 MINUTES
1. Call to Order- Mayor Harding called the Meeting to Order at 7:00 p. m.
2. Roll Call - Councilmembers present: Don Miller, Joe Baker, Mike McGowan, Pat
Fetterly and John Thompson. Excused: Bob Isom and Russ Hendrickson
3. Agenda Approval
9-066 MOTION BY JOE BAKER APPROVING THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. MOTION
CARRIED.
4. Special Presentations- WSDOT update on SR510 Yelm Loop Project. Dennis Engel
was unable to attend tonight's meeting. Jeff Petterson provided an update for Stage
One; Mud Run to Cullens Road and Stage Two; Cullens Road to SR 507 of the Yelm
Loop project. Washington State Department of Transportation is actively working on the
design elements and has secured 95% of the property and right of way for construction.
Call for bids for Stage One will go out in November 2009, construction to begin in Spring
2010 with completion planned for January 2011. Mayor Harding expressed appreciation
for the efforts and management of the project moving forward.
Mayor Harding introduced Michael Wessels as the new Managing Librarian for the Yelm
Timberland Library.
5. Public Comment -seeing none, Mayor moved to the next item on the agenda.
6. Consent Agenda
a. Regular Minutes of July 28, 2009, July 22, 2009 Study Session
b. Voucher Approval checks 51605-51738, Totaling $452,551.06
9-067 MOTION BY PAT FETTERLY APPROVING CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS AS
PRESENTED. MOTION CARRIED.
7. Public Hearings- Ordinance No. 909 Utility Business & Occupation Tax Rate
Increase. Mayor Harding opened the Public Hearing at 7:14 pm. Finance Director, Sue
Davis provided a staff report explaining the increase from the current 4% to 6% tax rate
on utilities including; cable, phone, electricity, natural gas and solid waste. This is not a
new tax but an increase to bring Yelm's tax rate in line with other cities and raise
revenues. Utility companies will be notified prior to effective date of October 20, 2009.
Mark Steves, Yelm resident and Realtor, stated that this increase, along with the water
rate increase is anti-productive to increase revenue because of the negative affect on
businesses moving into Yelm.
Shelly Badger added that Council and the Finance Committee has reviewed the
proposed tax increase as a way to offset any further cuts. They recommended that this
be moved forward for Council vote.
Mayor Harding closed the Public Hearing at 7:27 pm.
8. New Business -
a. Ordinance No. 909 Amending Utility B&O Tax
9-068 MOTION BY MIKE MCGOWAN ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 909 INCREASING THE
UTILITY BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION TAX TO 6%.
3 VOTES; YES 1 ABSTAIN; PAT FETTERLY WAS NOT PRESENT AT STUDY
SESSION OR FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING. CARRIED.
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b. Longmire Park Enhancement
Stephanie Ray provided the Scope of Work from KPG for the design work proposed for
Longmire Park Enhancement project including; survey and utility design, design for
structure for restrooms and concession kiosk and construction cost estimates. Funding
is provided by Washington State Public Works Board direct appropriation from the 2009-
2011 Capital Budget. KPG completed a similar scope and construction management of
the Yelm Prairie Trail Line as well as the reclaimed waterline extension to Longmire
Park.
Councilmember Baker expressed concern for the public perception of funding
enhancements in the midst of layoffs and tax increases. Councilmember Miller asked
about the added work for Public Works with fewer staff, however, it does provide and
attraction to Yelm.
Councilmembers McGowan and Thompson responded that Longmire Park is the most
used park in Yelm with baseball, soccer, football and playground facilities. The
development of the land use was a joint effort with Thurston County and would be an
appropriate use of state funds.
9-069 MOTION BY JOE BAKER AUTHORIZING MAYOR HARDING TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH KPG ENGINEERING OF TACOMA, WASHINGTON, FOR THE
SURVEY AND DESGN SERVICES FOR THE LONGMIRE PARK ENHANCEMENT
PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $60,629.74. CARRIED.
9. Old Business -none scheduled
10. Mayor and City Council Reports
Councilmember McGowan attended Thurston County HOME Consortium updated
Council on the funding projects in the surrounding area. He announced that he was
elected to Chair the committee beginning in September 2009.
Councilmember Thompson attended the Chamber Forum presentation by Dwight
Littlefield on the Economy.
11. Executive Sessions -None scheduled
12. Correspondence included Primary Election Ballot Processing information from the
Thurston County Auditor.
13. Adjourned: 7:40 p. m.
r?
onald rdi g, Mayor
Attest:
J me Schnepf, City Clerk
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