02-25-15 Study Session MinutesYELM CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2015 5:00 P.M.
Mayor Harding called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers: JW Foster, Joe Baker, Jennifer Littlefield, Tracey Wood, Ken
Garmann, Russ Hendrickson. Staff: Shelly Badger, Grant Beck, Ryan Johnstone, Guests: Dr.
David Kopchynski and Brian Bunker, Parametrix
4a. Reclaimed Water Plant Update- Ryan Johnstone introduced guests from Parametrix
working on a Pilot Study at WWTP to address the plant challenges. Ryan provided a
ppt, explaining it is all about meeting the permit for producing Class A reclaimed water.
The many factors for making permit include, maintaining total balance of nitrogen,
ammonia, coli form and turbidity. All of which are essential to outflow into Centralia
canal, Nisqually river, mitigate current and future water rights. Investigating solutions to
address the increasing load into the plant and decreasing food supply for the essential
bugs needed to treat the wastewater. The pilot study is narrowing the solution options,
including sand filtering and introducing synthetic carbon. A menu of options and
associated costs will be provided at the conclusion of the study. Mayor Harding thanked
Parametrix for their stellar efforts evaluating best options to improve the production at
the WWTP, one of this state's oldest reclaimed water plants.
4 b. Thurston County, Draft County -Wide Planning Policies. Grant Beck provided a draft,
stating cities must be consistent with their Comp Plans and the GMA, and
accommodate growth by law. Councilmember Isom was able to bring in things that Yelm
wants to change, including balancing the documents so that policies for urbanizing cities
and rural development in the county are equalized. Public Hearing has not been
scheduled for the approval. Grant will provide additional materials to Council as
requested.
5. Mayor's Report:
State repair of the guardrail at Creek St and 103�d discovered abutment cracks to the
roadway bridge in need of repair. City will add this project to the Six Year Transportation
Improvement Plan.
Review of MOA from Olympia regarding discontinuation of the purchase or use of
products containing insect control neonicotinoids, considered to be contributing to the
diminishing populations of bees and other pollinators and impacting agriculture and food
security.
Grant provided, "Your City, Your Future" Comprehensive Plan Update 2015, in
summary format previous known as the Vision Plan. Beginning in March, several
venues for community outreach are planned to gauge if the Plan reflects what they are
hearing. Determine if this is still the direction and it captures the vision.
The PW Teamsters 2015-2017 contract will be presented to Council 03-10-15.
6. Council Initiatives
Councilmember Foster recommended following Tumwater's example to sponsor a
municipal government "Academy" for citizens". Mayor recommended that JW do the
legwork and add this topic to the Council Retreat.
Councilmember Garmann - street lights on West Rd go out at 8 PM and come back
on at 9 PM each night. Ryan Johnstone will follow up with PSE. Inquired about the
ownership of the Y-3 right of way.
Councilmember Baker - completion schedule of Mosman realignment. DOT seasonal
paving begins in April to coincide with the install of the traffic signal.
Councilmember Wood - potential hazard of the elevated sidewalk at the adjacent
parking lot. Expressed frustration with the power line install that cross multiple times on
McKenzie Ave SE.
Councilmember Foster inquired about petitioning the State to add a guard rail at 507
at Mill Pond.
Councilmember Littlefield asked for an update of the fuel tank removal from the old
PW Yard. /
Adjourn: 8:05 pmy I
arding,
Attest Ago(,
ine Schnepf, City Cler