01-13-15 MinutesYELM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 MINUTES
Mayor Harding called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. Roll Call Present: JW Foster, Joe Baker, Bob Isom, Jennifer Littlefield, Tracey
Wood, Ken Garmann and Russ Hendrickson.
Agenda Approval
15-001 MOTION BY JOE BAKER APPROVING THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
CARRIED.
4. Special Presentations -none scheduled
5. Public Comment - no comments
6. Consent Agenda
Minutes - Regular Meeting December 9, 2014
Payables - Checks #63819 - #63982 Totaling $979,111.21.
15-002 MOTION BY RUSS HENDRICKSON APPROVING THE CONSENT AGENDA AS
PRESENTED. CARRIED.
7. Public Hearing -none scheduled
8. New Business -
a. Ordinance No. 993 Establishing Lodging Tax Advisory Committee
Janine Schnepf reported that any county, city or town that has imposed the
hotel/motel (lodging) tax and has a population of 5000 or more is required to
establish and maintain a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee per RCW 67.28.1817.
This is a requirement established in 2013 for 2014 reporting requirements. The
committee's membership must be a minimum of five members confirmed by the
Council and made up of equal number of business members of the community
that collect the tax and eligible agencies that request funding from the revenue
collected from the tax, including any municipality, used directly or indirectly
through convention, visitors bureau or destination marketing. One member shall
be an elected official of the municipality who shall serve as chair of the
committee. Ordinance No. 993 would establish the Lodging Tax Advisory
Committee and define the duties and functions of the committee. Councilmember
Littlefield asked what events the money could be used to promote. Ms. Schnepf
stated there are specific criteria established in RCW 67.28.1816. Councilmember
Isom expressed concern regarding the allocation of funds and the criteria of the
committee since there is only one business in Yelm that contributes to the
Lodging Tax. Ms. Schnepf stated there are specific requirements for the
application and the process outlined in the RCW. Mayor Harding stated since Yelm
only has one business contributing to the Lodging Tax that if there were two
employees from the business, the statutory requirements would be met.
Councilmember Wood asked about the amount of revenue we have collected.
$167,000 has been collected over the last 10-12 years and not expended, and
$15,000 is budgeted for 2015. Councilmember Woods has concerns regarding the
language in the RCW concerning the requirements of two members who are
representatives of businesses required to collect the lodging tax since Yelm only
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has one business currently. Ms. Badger stated we would talk with the City
Attorney regarding his interpretation of the law and the requirements.
15-003 MOTION BY BOB ISOM ADOPTING ORDINANCE NO. 993 ESTABLISHING A
LODGING TAX ADVISORY COMMITTEE, DEFINING THE DUTIES AND
FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
CARRIED.
9. Old Business —none scheduled
10. Mayor and Council Initiatives
Councilmember Foster is unable to attend the upcoming Nisqually River Council
meeting. The meeting is this Friday at 9 am at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge for
anyone interested in attending. Councilmember Foster had the opportunity to
witness the Secret Santa program around Christmas time. An anonymous donor
gave $5,000 to The Yelm Police Department to give out to citizens in $100 dollar
bills that they felt could use the money. Councilmember Foster thanked the
anonymous donor for the generous donation to our community and stated it was a
nice thing that the Police Department were able to do for the citizens. Mayor
Harding stated it was a well received and appreciated program.
Councilmember Isom attended the Thurston Regional Planning Council meeting
and their 2015 Legislative Priorities are Transportation, fix I-5 near JBLM (improve
intersections and add capacity); preserve and maintain the Multimodal System,
maintain and increase Regional and Rural Mobility Funding, maintain and grow
public transportation services, create a Facilities Replacement Account to allow
money from sale of WSDOT properties to be banked for WSDOT facilities projects,
homelessness & affordable housing, shared revenue options, liquor & marijuana
and sewer conversions.
Councilmember Littlefield attended the Thurston County HOME Consortium and
reported there will be a Homeless Connect event January 29th at the Yelm
Community Services facility from fpm - 4pm. They will be compiling homeless
census numbers, giving free haircuts, free adult flu shots, medical screening, and
free food and making connections for people that are in need of assistance.
Councilmember Littlefield also brought a big red bin to be placed at City Hall for
gently used hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, sleeping bags and warm coats that will
go to persons in need at the event.
Councilmember Wood attended the Intercity Transit Board meeting for
Councilmember Baker. Karen Venezuela was recognized for her time spent on the
board and there was a presentation on the Bus Buddy program. Councilmember
Woods attended the TComm 911 Admin Board meeting where they set up an
evaluation process for the Executive Director position.
Councilmember Garmann followed up on the report he gave last December
regarding the Thurston County's Account Restitution Center (ARC) building in
Thurston County. There was an article in the Seattle Times stating it costs 1/2
million dollars to maintain the empty building which was built four years ago. The
building was intended to be a replacement for the existing jail so there is no new
capacity. Mayor Harding stated it is a difficult issue because Thurston County is not
offering any new funding to maintain and operate the ARC building. Mayor Harding
suggested a meeting with the Sheriff so that Councilmember Garmann could better
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understand the issues regarding the ARC building. Mayor Harding will arrange the
meeting and even attend with Councilmember Garmann.
Councilmember Hendrickson attended the Yelm Emergency Operations Board
meeting today but the meeting had been cancelled. Councilmember Hendrickson
then met with Chief Stancil and discussed emergency meals for staff that work
during emergencies. They also discussed fuel alternatives. Councilmember
Hendrickson also attended Orval French's Retirement party from the Fire
Department and the Chamber Luncheon where Andy Wolfe spoke about the
upcoming School Bond.
Mayor Harding has been working closely with several Legislatures who are
prepping for this year's session. The City of Yelm has a couple of Capital requests
for the upcoming session. The City is also supporting a request made by Yelm
Senior Center and the funding for the SR510 Bypass. Mayor Harding has
expressed the importance of these issues to the Legislatures in hopes those
requests will be granted. Mayor Harding will be attending the Association of
Washington Cities Mayors Exchange this week and tomorrow will be attending the
Thurston County State of the City address where he will be presenting a
condensed version of Yelm's State of the City presentation.
Councilmember Baker thanked Councilmember Wood for attending the Intercity
Transit Board meeting in his absence and thanked him for the great report.
11. Executive Session - none scheduled
12. Correspondence included -
Thurston Regional Planning Council Pre -Agenda Friday, January 9, 2015
Nisqually Watershed Salmon Recovery Newsletter Winter 2014/2015
Thurston County Chamber of Commerce Voice Jan/Feb 2015
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Project update December 2014
13. Adjourn 6:30 pm.
L/ Attest: Yea ft,lvz_�
R Hardi Mayor Lori Mossman, Deputy City Clerk
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