Okay, everybody.
July 27th, 2026 at 6:30 exactly.
Finance.
Randy here.
Adrian here.
>> Hover
>> here. Moingham
>> here.
>> Nipper
>> here. Fredo
>> here.
>> Shaw
>> here.
>> Swore
>> here. Taylor
>> here.
>> Wilson
>> here.
>> Or
>> here.
I also like to know student rep Justin
Jacobs is here today also.
Okay. Um, if you'd like, we could stand
for the pledge of allegiance. The flag
is right over here.
» I aliance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under
God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
I'll also announce that our our other
student represent
agenda.
>> Seconded
by council person with this discussion.
All in favor say I. I
>> pass. Thank you.
Go right into public comments. Please
leave your comments to three minutes and
start off with your name and your board
or your city.
Anybody like to do a public comment?
Good evening, city council. Looks like
this is a really nice basis. Familiar
faces and new ones. My name is Katie
Catchman and I'm from Ward 3 and I
served on this council with some of you
um from 2020 to 2024 and I want to speak
in support of reducing the council from
12 seats to six. Like you
and I can tell you from experience that
more seats did not mean better
decisions. It meant longer meetings,
group think, and votes that took more
coordination to reach the same outcome.
A similar group could have reached
faster and more informed. And here's the
part I saw first hand. This council is
part-time. You're putting in evenings
after your regular jobs, meeting only a
few times a month for a salary that
doesn't pay many bills. A council that
size with that little dedicated time and
no personal staff does not use its extra
seats for deeper policy review. It uses
them for longer debate on the same
questions. 12 people trying to find
agreement on a volunteer schedule is
slower. Unfortunately, not more
thorough. There's also real risk that
comes with a body this size. It's large
enough to split into competing factions,
but way too underresourced to um tax to
manage that the way bigger cities do
with real committee structures and staff
support. I watch coalitions form and
shift on issues that have nothing to do
with the merits simply because with 12
people, there's more room for that kind
of maneuvering. Six member council with
a clear simple majority threshold would
still represent every ward fairly and
allow council candidates to show their
wards that they're the best candidate
when they're running for office.
Reducing our council to six seats would
not reduce representation. It would char
members each carrying
hold on.
So, council, I just want to end by
saying thanks for all you do and I know
that you truly care about our city and
want to see it succeed. So, I hope that
you'll support bringing this to the
voters and letting the voters decide.
>> Thank you.
My name is Patrick Paul. I'm
I live in W 4. I've been there for 35
years, but I'm here also to encourage
you to reduce the size of your city
council. I went to both of the community
forums that we hosted and thank you all
for those that participated. That was
very successful and we talked about it
there and the majority of the people
that presented there were very much in
favor or at least leaning towards doing
that.
Like like Kitty says, there's a lot of
research on effective work groups and
much of the Eric says, an effective work
group is between five and eight people
for all the reasons that Katie mentioned
and I won't repeat those and there's
others. The research is very clear that
smaller work groups are far more
effective. So I'm clear to you to
proceed with uh considering that and
hopefully you'll find in your favor city
council size. Thank you very much. Thank
you.
» Third board. And I agree with these two.
Um a couple years back, Shauna and I
were um helping a lady that was running
for a Senate up in Olympia. And I my job
was to go to all the council meetings
all over the state west coast is what
our district was. So from here to Port
Angeles to Long View and all that. They
all had six people on their council. We
have 12 and up until now none of you got
along. It was broken in half. Some
people couldn't think for themselves and
had to have somebody else think for
them. And having somebody, you know,
having six where there's not all this
bickering and backstabbing with you
guys, I think would be a lot better to
have six.
>> Thank you.
The other public comment
seems I'll close the public comment
period and we'll go on to our consent
agenda. Council President
>> Motion to approve tonight's consent
agenda which includes minutes from the
July 8th meeting.
>> Second
by council person. Is there any
discussion?
» All in favor? I
» mayor speak
a long here but I'll try
first off
got a letter here from the department of
ecology and I'd just like to read it to
I'll try to be quick honorable mayor for
city of Aberdine congratulations the
Aberdine wastewater treatment plant is
receiving in the 2025 wastewater
treatment plant outstanding performance
award. Approximately 300 wastewater
treatment plants statewide. Yours was
among the top wastewater treatment plant
operations. The 2025 ecology evaluates
specific domestic wastewater treatment
plant information for individual permit
compliance. Your plant is one of the top
performers for regularly meeting these
urban criteria, including monitoring and
data reporting. Ecology acknowledges the
exceptional level of effort required to
protect water quality and provide this
quick service to your community.
dedicated and proficient operators are essential
to successful plant operations and to
protecting the health of Washington's
waters. Thank you uh for your continued
excellent commitment that's from John
Kenny
water quality program manager for the
state of Washington. I'd like to thank
this group for what a wonderful job
you're doing. Congratulations.
Dear Mrs. Ruth Clemen,
the world that we live in is a loud and
boisterous place. I recognize that the
city of Aberine has received its fair
share of critical feedback from
stakeholders involved with homelessness
uh challenges in the downtown business
area. The hard work and efforts by the
Aberine Police Department to address
these issues to address these issues
however do not go unnoticed. I am I am a
partner with a law firm Ingrams Alaska
Goodwills LLP. Our office is located a
block behind city hall on First Street
and Kitty Corner from the site of our
city's infamous homeless encampment
before and after implementation of this
camp. We enjoyed many days at night with
those dedicating in our lawns, urinating
in our bushes,
and lighting up their crack in the
shadows of our office. No more. We've
seen clear, visible, and measurable
results. The area around our office and
surrounding streets continue to appear
safe, clean, and welcoming. Yes, more
can be done, but the conditions have
improved. Public spaces are enhanced.
community concerns do not go unnoticed.
These efforts reflect a meaningful
commitment to both the public welfare
and economic stability of Chief Dale
Green and his team. I get it.
Homelessness is a complex and sensitive
issue that requires a thoughtful balance
of compassion, accountability, and
collaboration. is encouraging to see the
city taking proactive steps towards
solutions that support individuals in
need while also safeguarding the
integrity of our business community.
Please extend my sincerest appreciations
to Chief Dale Dream, the entire police
department, staff and partners involved.
Sometimes it takes just a moment like
this to acknowledge all the hard work
around us and admit that we live and
work in a pretty great area. I look
forward to seeing continuous progress
and appreciate your time and
consideration
very
last going through it. Right. Thank you
chief. We appreciate you and thank you
Ruth for your hard work.
And the rest of this is oh here let's
just move on to these. So uh so I have
these uh three wonderful little council
people that have that have gone out of
their way and have have gotten their
leadership certificates and uh council
president swore got her advanced
leadership certificate and they get
these by achieving 30 points uh with the
association of Washington cities. they
have to uh look at videos or go to
seminars. there's an assortment of
things they could do and then one of
them was also to go to
their uh the meeting we just had at
Spokane their state state meeting and it
was a good meeting and so that pushed
some of these representatives
so they got their certificates and I
just wanted to give them their certific
What's that?
>> Oh, president.
the real good commitment of these
leaders that they for taking the time to
educate themselves and that's very much
appreciated.
Um, okay with a lot of this that I have
something here. Basically, it's just a
list of all the committees and things
that I did last since the last meeting.
The um our radio broadcast that Ruth and
I do in the mornings after council
meeting, day after went wonderful. It's
nice that um since we've been doing the
rere since we've been doing the ry has
gotten nicer and some of the haters
maybe are sleeping in late so they don't
I'm sure administrative plans have made
all the difference in the world coming
and join
um let's see I attended the Grace Harbor
well I I'm the chairperson for the Grace
Harbor Transit Authority they just did
to
logo that's going to be on the side. And
I unfortunately didn't give the young
lady's name, but it was there high
school student who submitted the artwork
and was selected as this event this
year. It'll be a 250 250th anniversary
logo
hardware bus. And I just want you to
know that when I was a kid in high
school, I entered the same thing and I
Let's see.
So, uh, downtown right now there is
aation
right kind of in front of 118, uh, the
build build or the maybe someday museum
building downtown that the city owns. I
plugged in one of our new Christmas
decorations down there so people could
get just an idea of what it's going to
look like. So, those will be going up. I
met this also our city electrician and we're figuring
out the locations and getting
electricity. So, we'll have some really
beautiful new decorations just for
Christmas. Hopefully, uh we'll have some
new shops downtown and speaking of new
shops downtown. Um I also attended the
ribbon cutting for Dedris downtown
Deli. I love their location over in
Oakland, but I'm so much happier with
them here in Aberine. And I think uh if
you haven't been there, they have
wonderful food. They're open
Tuesday to Friday. Have a chance. It's
free kind of limited hours, but their
food is really worth it.
Let's see. I also attended a award
ceremony for business of the quarter
from Greater Grace Harbor Incorporated
and their lawyer multimedia.
That young man has spent so much energy
showing our city in such a positive
light and he's really welld deserving of
that. His wife Amy Emma also are
celebrating their 40th anniversary so
you see him congratulated.
Then on the 17th uh we had our first
museum transition committee meeting and
I thought that went really well. I was
really encouraged to see that the group
of people that we have on that committee
are all excited and willing to work
together and I think I'm going to see
good things coming from that that group
in future.
Okay, that's it. Sweet guys,
for the council members, I have seven of
these and it's point of order
if you want it.
They're sticking.
Okay, that's the end of my report. Um,
so you have
council reports now and I guess just the
student. Yes, go. I think this is his
last name. Correct. Yeah. All right.
Just a few things tonight. Um, the free
summer lunches are still going on. You
can find the dates and times on the
Aberine School District Facebook or
website. Also, the I high school
football went to football camp about two
weeks ago in Waci. And currently the
cheer team is at cheer camp in Tacoma.
Last night they won a banana which only
one team wins a banana for being like
the most spirited and showing great
leadership. Um also later tonight you'll
be voting on the reading um regarding
city council. I'll share more about
that. Um also this is my last council
meeting. I want to thank you all for
listening to my ideas figuring out how
we can bring the youth closer. I also
want to thank the citizens of Aberdine.
I've enjoyed talking to you to learn
about the youth struggles and serving as
your representative on Aberine City
Council. And some of you may ask what's
going on next with me and in two weeks I
will be moving to Phoenix, Arizona. Um
so yeah, thank you.
>> Thank you
Council.
Um so
um on Wednesday I actually had two
committee meetings. Uh noon the ethics
committee met for the first time. Um and
Glender Misky and Lindsay Thur here but
um so we met on Wednesday and we'll have
something to bring before you later on.
Um this is brand new committee so we're
still kind of learning the ropes too. So
go easy on us. Um and then later after
uh in the evening um Justin Jacobs,
Michelle Nipper and I met and Deb Wilson
and Dev Hodkin had chimed in by email
and we went over all of the information
that I brought back from Associated
Washington City's office on setting up a
youth uh council and we created uh the
ordinance and changes that you will see
later on in the Those we based off of um
the city of Ridgefield's youth
commission and then made our own changes
for things like the size of that
council. Um it was important to a few of
us that we let the council themselves
choose their topic rather than us
assigning them one. So we made that
change and then also having their
president and vice president become our
representatives on council. So that's
what I was up to this week.
Thank you. Any other council reports
the
harbor council?
Uh unfortunately I was not able to
attend the three meetings I had last
week uh due to unemployment and need to
assist my family but I am looking
forward to the ENAP meetings this
upcoming Monday. We'll be taking a tour
around to discuss some potential
opportunities. Also coming up next week
is the grand opening for the B project
down the court. Uh this event is
expected to have nearly 600 attendees
from all over the world and I'm looking
forward to getting a new tour or a tour
of the new facility as
certificate leadership. I completed
those requirements after attending the
last conference in March for council
leaders and I'm just glad that they were
able to slow down long enough to
recognize the hard work of myself and of
the council members here today. I also
want to just take a moment to remind
everyone to share the community survey
with folks in your network so they can
complete it. The more answers we get,
the more data we have, the more we can
do. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other chance
staff reported by
>> Thank you, mayor.
Um, one of the things that we've been
working hard on is the uh alternative
response project. Um, the that one of
the things items on the agenda tonight
is for approval of the $145,000
that we received from AWC
um so that we can continue work on this.
And um we upped the date um the go live
date. We were hoping to make uh to
launch the program on October 1. Um our
partner CAP is very motivated and they
moved it up to September one. So um this
will keep us busy through the
legislative break. Um as mayor stated,
we met for the first time. The museum
transition committee met. Um I will be
facilitating the conversation and the
discussion and the building of the
project plan. Um, so if you have any
questions, please feel free to reach out
to me. As Sydney stated, um, or excuse
me, Council President Swore stated, um,
the Port of Grace Harbor does have a,
um, big event on July 31. I really
encourage all of you to be there if you
can to show support for this project.
is also kind of working in
tandem with the US Highway 12 project as
well. So, it's a good time to get some
facetime with other legislative um
elected officials there as well and
really get a um there on the
international lens. Um and in August I
will be at or the second week of August
I will be um at a city the statewide
city managers conference in Kenowick. So
um I will not be available during that
time but I think we're still on set on
break during that time. So, um, do you
have any questions?
>> Thank you very much. Hope yes.
>> Just going to ask for the T4 expansion,
is that a registration only event?
Correct.
>> Yeah, we I if you want if you haven't
registered, I can definitely check with
Kayla to make it is more about food than
anything else. But if you didn't
register and would like to go, we can
get Perfect. Okay, I'll let
Thank you very much.
now director's reports.
» Thank you. I just really wanted to thank
you and Justin for stepping up. Um it's
been an incredible experience having
both of you here and having the voice
and I I know the school appreciates us.
I really we appreciate it. We've learned
a lot from you. So I just really want to
say I appreciate having your involvement
and it makes a difference when you speak
up.
>> Thank you. any other directors like
>> um I'm going to give a quick uh second
quarter budget update. Um I did provide
a copy for each of you at your spots and
I'm just give me a minute if I share my
students.
Okay, so now we're we're halfway through
the year. So we're through the second
quarter, so we should be pretty close to
um 50% on the we're looking for for
revenues and expenditures.
We're actually a little bit higher than
in both of those categories. So our
revenue collections are coming in at 58%
for the end of the second quarter. Um
part of that is due to we receive a
large portion of our property taxes come
in in April and May. Uh so that has a
little bit to do with that. We're also
still up in sales time. So that's also
contributing um in we had a the HCA jail
re-entry grant was also a large
intergovernmental that we received in
the first part of the year. Uh we're
also a little higher in our
expenditures. We're at 54%.
And some of this is due to the um delay
of the EMS cost allocation change. So,
we were still subsidizing EMS out of the
general fund for that first quarter of
the year. We were able to add $985,000
to general fund reserves through the first two quarters of the
year.
We look at we'll look at some details.
So, as I mentioned, um our property
taxes is at 59% and that's because we
received a word version of that already.
sales taxes coming in at 55% and you can
see the intergovernmental news about is
167%.
I kind of already went through a few of
these because I talked about them in the
first slide. So this is basically just
talking about the uh intergovernmental
revenues why those are up and the
property tax and then overall general
fund is is up for revenues through the
works two quarters of the year. uh we
are up 12% over revenues from last year.
And then on our general fund
expenditures, this is just a breakdown
of the different types of expenditures
in the general fund through the first
two quarters.
And again, we're breaking down the grant
categories in the general fund. And
we're coming out at the 54% mark. Again
pointing out fire is at 82% currently
but that is due to again the delayed ENS
increase. So the allocation was delayed
as well. Our general fund reserves uh
the target for reserves is 90 days and
we are currently at 92 days in cash. Um
through the first quarter we were not
meeting that target. Uh we are meeting
that target now mostly due to receipt of
our property tax. Um and so we're
currently at on net und designated
reserves 5.4 million and that does not
include any of the um armory money
that's excluding all of that money.
Uh so our DMS just breaking down our EMS
special revenue fund
and um again this one's kind of a little
bit in the negative right now and that
is again because of the delay of the EMS
rate increase. So I do think we'll see
that come into the positive for the
source of um source or use of reserves
as we move through the year. It has kind
of caught up a little bit in this past
quarter. So and then we just break down
the utility funds. Um there's a lot of
details on here so I I don't want to
bore you too much.
We're doing we're doing well on our
utility funds. And then there's some
additional um revenue that are also
provided at the back of the packet that
have lots of information. So please let
me know if you have any questions about
any of that and I can answer questions
right now too if you have
and we are working through um 2027
budget right now. We have the worksheets
out to the directors. So they're
currently retire
budget numbers. those will come back to
us and then we'll be having a budget
workshop with with all of you on
September 2nd at so make sure you have
that on your calendar and uh you know
the last budget workshop was great so
we're looking forward to another good
one
any questions
thank you
>> thank you
any other
move on to a presentation we have
at Twin Harbor Water Keepers 6.
>> Hi. Hi everybody. I'm I'm Lee Hurst. I'm
your Twin Harbors water keeper.
>> I was really glad to get to Aberdeen
tonight because it was 30° cooler
where I was
um
Katie gets that going
is
>> Yeah. your name again.
>> Yes. Lee first.
I'm the Twin Harbors Water Keepers.
We're a nonprofit. We've worked in Grace
Harbor and other wersheds on the
southwest coast for the last nine years.
And Twin Harbor is one of 300 water
keepers all around the world that work
for fishable, drinkable, swimmable
water.
So, in addition, I mostly work in the
Shahalis wersheds and I live right on
the Shahalis River.
Um,
yeah. So, I'm I'm thrilled that I was in
invited to come tonight and I want to
thank Nick Bird for inviting me. Is he
here?
>> He's online. Okay.
>> He is online, so he he'll hear me. Thank
you.
>> Hi, Nick. Um, so we we have had six or
three different two-year grants from the
Department of Ecology called public
participation grants. And the purpose of
these grants is to educate the public
about contaminating sites and to
encourage people to participate in the
cleanup process.
Next
um and so kind of the the backbone of
our work is educating people about the
model toxics control act and that's like
the state version of super law. Um
there's over 14,000 cleanup sites in
Washington and about 141 are in Grace
Harbor County. Um
many of these are are the ones in Grace
Harbor County and across the state like
they can include small sites like gas
stations or you know places where
there's been spills. Um, but some of
them are large, complicated sites that
take years to clean up.
And so the goal of Washington's
Cleveland law is to protect people and
the environment and the animals
from contaminants in soil, groundwater,
and water and air.
Um, so what is a contaminated site? Um,
you guys probably know because you have
your share of them here, right? Um,
you know, in in the nine years that I've
been here, I've seen one complicated
site get cleaned up, and that was the
hungry whale in Westport. Oh, that that
site. Are are you guys familiar with
that? it it was a gas station
convenience store and they had a
gasoline tank leak and so it
contaminated groundwater and surface
water and so they went through the
cleanup process which is outlined there
um is a series of steps and and the the
little orange bubble thing is where the
public has an opportunity to comment.
And so most cleanups in Washington are
cleaned up using this process which
includes
um a remedial investigation where the
site is characterized with samples and
so so um I'm just going to mention the proposed wood power plant site. So
that that is is not going through this
formal cleanup process because the court
and the proponents have elected to do
the voluntary cleanup process there. And
so they still have to achieve the same
cleanup standards but but they don't but
there's no opportunity for public
comment.
Whereas at Cosmos Specialty Fibers, you
know, the state of Washington now is
trying to get the owner
to, you know, not only characterize and
remove and
sample and stabilize the site with all
the massive amount of chemicals that are
stored there. But they're also, you
know, the next big step at that site
once it's stabilized is to do a remedial
investigation. And that that's a process
with sampling that kind of characterizes
and maps out where the pollution is
because a lot of the stuff there we
don't know because it's not fully
characterized yet. And so sometimes this
process takes 25 years and I lived in
Bellingham for most of my life and there
was a large um
GP had a giant pole mill there that
closed and it went through the cleanup
process there and it took about 20
years.
Um and so you know the the reason that
there are
sever a half dozen or so large
complicated sites in Aberine and Opium
is that there was there were many
facilities that operated before the
Clean Water Act. And so then you know
there was no law no framework of laws
that prohibited discharges into water or
soil or ground for seven. So now we have
the Clean Water Act and it's illegal to
discharge pollution without without a
permit, a pollution discharge permit.
And so one of my favorite things about
this this work, which sounds kind of
nuts, is there's a really fascinating
um mapping tool
that Department of Ecology manages and it's called what's in my
neighborhood. And so if you use your
search engine and pull up what's in my
neighborhood, you get the whole state
and you get all these little dots
here and and so you can you can go to
the dots and click on them and then
you'll get the site that you're
interested in.
So um
I think this is Cosmo.
>> Yeah.
So um so so you can click on that and
then you'll get for Cosmo there's a lot
of documents you know you'll get 20 that have been written over the years
and and so you can look at you know
court orders um
past legal documents you know lots and
lots of reading
next
um and and So there's a new tool that
department of ecology was started to
use. It's called the sharp tool and
there's a hydrogeeologist staff at
ecology who ranks these sites using this
tool and it assesses the exposure and
the severity of the risk. And so if you
open up one of the little dots and look
at the documents up in the corner,
you'll or on on one of on on the site um
one of the main documents there you'll
see what the sharp rating is. Next
um you know I am very concerned about
the site.
Um, I have trouble sleeping at night
sometimes. I'm so worried about it. You
know, I
800,000 gallons of toxic chemicals in
leaking tanks
right next to the river. And then
there's another 1.7 million gallons of
stuff in improperly stored tanks and
buildings. And um, you know, I think
this is an emergency.
Thanks.
Um, and I go walk on the trail.
Does anybody here go walk on that trail?
It's Yeah. You know, it's pretty
interesting cuz you all know this.
There's no power, there's no water,
there's no security, there's no nothing
out there. And people are stealing wires
out there. And and uh and this is the
wastewater.
and it's supposed to be being airrated
as part of the treatment and it's been a
couple years since it's been airrated
and I'm a paddler. I paddle by the
outside of these things and the the the
BMS of these walls are eroded
and that that worries me. Next,
um
I don't know if I have time. Let's see.
But this is so Department of Ecology
issued a legal document last year, an
agreed order demanding that the owner
conduct a remedial investigation
instead. And he has not done that.
And and I can provide you guys this a
copy of of this agreed order. It's it's
really interesting because it shows, you
know, the names of all the buildings and
these are the primary treatment
tank or systems and then here's where
the outfall is. Um,
and I I didn't know that until I I read
the door.
Thanks.
And this is so and then more recently
the EPA came in and did a an analysis
and a site evaluation
that's called the renewable site
evaluation report and and they did a
pretty pretty good characterization
of where the tanks are and what's in
them gaps.
Um
and and so it's that I spent a whole day
reading 118 tanks long. It says there's
in addition to the 800,000 gallons of
toxic chemicals being stored there, are also 28 tanks containing over
1.7 million gallons of chemicals.
Um and the digestive tanks may be over
gallons of solid
and the possibility of the whole thing.
Um I'm sure you guys saw the article by
Wayneier
the thirst county commissioner. that
goes into the daily world and he's a
city of Aberine firefighter, right? And
I had a meeting with him last week.
Um,
and as part of our grant, we're we're
starting to organize a public meeting
about this. And so if if you guys have
ideas about who you would like to be on
a panel of seven,
I hope you'll let me know.
next.
Um
yeah, so this is just the headline you
see on the lines that I think this was
about two years ago.
Um and you know in addition to having
public meetings and and producing um
gasoline
site maps that we put out and we have
public meetings and we do presentations
um we do tours and so the last couple
tours that we've done from tours from
the public right away like you know we
can't go into hospitals or any of the
sites but from blue smooth roads. I find
it very concerning that the site is
flooding. Even when there's a low tide
and that's I think it's because of the
but you know having a site that's
contaminated
flooding is not a good thing.
Um and so back to this. So if you click
on on one of the little dots on the
what's on so this is another
um
this is what you get to see if you click
on the what's in your neighborhood map
or the interactive site.
I spend a lot of time looking at this. I
hope you at least take a look.
Um, so if if you click on Cosmos V5
Reserve, any one of the sites, you have
a little button right here, subscribe to
the site.
So if you subscribe to the site, you
know, they ask the for your email. You
can put your email in there and then
every time there's an update, you'll get
it, which is kind of handy. Um, and then
I want to show you it says the D
download the site report.
It'll give you that star rating
about whether the rest of the site is
high, medium or low.
Yeah,
you know, these are some of the other
sites that are big complicated sites
that are this is this one is in the
cleanup process now.
Um there's a remedial investigation
that's underway
and um there was a public meeting
about a year ago
and um I find it very interesting that
during upsets of this plant there was an
underground pipe that piped the effluent
to Reedi Island
to an unlined lagoon.
um you know that's just the way things
were done before the three moder but
that that's not the way things were done
now.
Yes.
Um this this is another site that I find
very concerning because
nothing has happened here in a really
long time
and I think we need to to
let department of ecology know that we
are concerned about these sites and try
to push for more cleanup
more and faster cleanup. I mean here
they sand blasted boats
for a long time before the clean water
act was which is was common but all the particles zinc copper and things
like that that are used in boat paint
are in the center there
next
and then there's the warehouse or sill
aine you know this is also undergoing a
cleanup process but it's proceeding at a
very slow
So, um, I had a really good experience
with your pollution prevention or your
pollution hotline. I was walking by the
Avenue by the lock pavilions during a
very low tide about 10 days ago and I
looked down in is it Joe Creek?
Detroit that's right by the Avenue
» and the tide was like a minus three foot
tide. I looked down and there's a derel
vessel in the bottom of the of the creek
and so we called
>> your guys's hotline and you came the
next day and took it out. It was amaz
I think it's a shopping cart that was
there.
Well, well, I you know, to me, shopping
carts are not a big deal
>> compared to this other shop, but it I
really do I really appreciated that you
guys took that Darl and Bess and I think
I only have one more.
Yes. So, um we'd be happy if you guys
stayed in touch with us. I'm retiring in
a week, but Maya Ronwat is our new water
keeper and she's online now.
And um
so Oh, okay.
Yeah. And everybody, thank you guys for
letting me come talk.
>> You have any question?
» I just like a copy of your PowerPoint if
you could.
>> Yeah.
>> Make sure to get that. you can
» um
>> will it be the process if like Pauly
declares like a citywide emergency or
the state does like a like a state of
emergency type thing? Well, I'm really
glad you asked that because I neglected
to say so. So, the the um Department of
Excology
um issued the the thirsty county
superior court has issued a an order for
them to uh that includes a restraining
order that they have to start following
the steps of the agreed order that was
issued a year ago. And then EPA has also
stepped in and according to my
understanding and the EPA won't engage
with with me for some reason. and they
don't answer my questions, but
they they've told me that they're giving
Richard Basset 6 months to comply with
the agreed order. And if he doesn't,
then EPA and ecology will go in and
either remove or stabilize all those
toxic gallons of chemicals.
And if if it would be of interest to any
of you, I I did a public disclosure
request and and and I have all those
documents if anyone.
» Yes. John,
>> wait. What is the city of cosmopolics
doing in legislative positions like
that?
>> I think they're not able to do much. You know,
they don't have a fire department. They
That's a good question. You know, I I
talked to Linda Stringer
because I told her that we're organizing
this public meeting
and she said that she wants to wait
because some information is going to
come out
from ecology and the EPA.
And I I don't know what she's talking
about. you know that he I don't know if
she's actually read those documents that
say he has six months to comply
but um yeah
I can try to find out
>> I'm just curious where they are is
they're back here.
>> Yeah I think they're for you know for a
generation. So I I think when we look at
it from Aberdine, we need to be well
aware of where where Cosmopolis.
>> Yeah,
>> they seem like they're in the first
chair.
>> Yeah, I think the EPA andology need to
come in and
stabilize, you know, but it's going to
be very complicated and removing all
those chemicals is going to be a major
ordeal.
>> Thank you. Yeah.
Okay.
Are the chemicals do they still hold
value? Are they
>> Well, yes. And well, according to
Richard Basset, yes. So, he wants to
restart it.
And the reason that he's held on to the
chemicals is they'd be worth
money to him if he was able to restart
it. I think the chances of him being
able to restart it are almost zero.
But, you know, don't take my word for
it, you know, because he's under these
orders to remove it. And he doesn't have
investors
and you know, we all see the condition
of the place, right?
» Yeah. We know that that does affect that
there is a pipeline going for our city
to those settling funds. Yeah,
>> they also said,
>> right, that yes, there's the the
Woodstay pipe that goes under South Aine
three miles. This leaks it's had 17
leaks over
the last 15 years and Yeah.
So, we are going to organize a
meeting and maybe um Maya can work with
you, Doug or
Rick or Nick to see if from
or you would I don't know if you'd be
interested in being on the panel.
Um
yeah so we're looking for people to be
on the panel and Autran who's the
engineer from ecology she'll she'll be
on the Wayne for
still working on the details for the
date but it'll probably be in October
>> thank you so much
>> thank you.
» Oh, that's me.
I don't know why I thought. Okay. Wait.
Okay, so we met earlier and I have a
couple of things to share. Um, the
Emergency Preparedness Expo is coming up
on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
It's going to be over at the Olympic
Gateway Plaza by Tractor Supply. There's
going to be all kinds of stuff going on
there. Um, so if you are around, stop by
and check that out. Um, and then also
National Night Out is coming up on
Tuesday, August 4th, and that will run
from 5:30 to 7:30. And if anyone is
interested in hosting a block party and
would like um the police and fire to
stop by, then you need to get a hold of
Ross Lampy and let him know and then
they will make a list for everyone to
stop by. Um, last year Deb and I went to
um all of the ones in our ward and I
highly recommend that to everyone and
you can get the list from Ross and he
will meet happily share with you and
then you can go to all the ones in your
ward and and meet all the people that
you are serving. Um, for requests, we
have
a request recommending city council host
a public hearing to receive public
testimony on the ordinance amending AMC
chapter 12.04 to establish new sections
related to a temporary alley alley
closure program for protection of public
health, safety, and welfare. And that is
bill number 2609.
And I move that we accept this request.
Second
>> and seconded by council.
Is there any discussion on this?
All in favor of public hearing.
>> I
post
public hearing. If anybody would like to
comment on this request
to close the public hearing
>> salute second
approve this hearing discussion on this
all in favor of closing the public
hearing
>> I
thank you.
Okay, we have a second reading
recommending city council approve the
ordinance amending AMC chapter 12.04 to
establish new sections related to a
temporary alley closure program for
protection of public health safety and
welfare bill number 2609
and then acceptance.
All in favor of accepting the second
reading recommending city council
approve the ordinance amending AMC
chapter 12.04 04 to establish new
sections related to the temporary
closure program for protection of public
health, safety and welfare built dash
bill 26-09.
Say
>> I
thank you.
I was like
that was the next reading as the third
second.
>> Seconded by council person
make the second reading the third
discussion.
All in favor say I.
Ramsey,
» yes.
>> Hodkin,
>> yes.
>> Hover.
>> Yes.
>> Moingham,
>> yes.
>> Fredo,
>> yes.
>> Rick,
>> yes.
>> Shaw,
>> yes.
>> Taylor,
>> yes.
>> Wilson,
>> yes. Motion passes.
>> Thank you very much.
Next, we have a request recommending
city council authorized city
administrator to enter into an agreement
with the association of Washington
Cities approving the acceptance of the
funding for the ACT program. And I move
that we accept this second
by council person.
discussion on this
request of the city council to the city
administrator to agree with the
association of Washington cities
including the acceptance of the funding
for the act program say I
>> IO
public works with chairperson person
were met earlier today.
So, let's get into it. First, we have a
request recommending the city council to
public hearing to receive public
testimony
section
number 26-13.
Second. It's
>> been second to open the public hearing.
Any discussions?
All in favor say I.
>> Any oppose?
7:28
public hearing. Anybody would like to
talk and have any comments about our
vacant.
I'll take motion to close
>> second.
>> Seconded by council person.
Is there any discussion on this?
>> All in favor of public say I. I.
» All right. Thank you. Uh we've got three
reports tonight. The first one is the
second reading. So first recommend the
city council approved
building section
bill 26-15
second
and seconded by council person.
Is there any discussion on this?
All in favor of accepting their second
reading request recommending city
council approve approval on the amended
vacant city state building section of
the municipal code bill number 26-13
say I
» I
There we go.
» Is there any discussion?
» Yes.
>> Kagan,
>> yes.
>> Hover.
>> Yes. Moingham,
>> yes.
>> Member,
>> yes.
>> Fredo,
>> yes.
>> Bradic,
>> yes.
>> Shaw,
>> yes.
>> Sword,
>> yes.
>> Taylor,
>> yes.
>> Wilson,
>> yes. Motion passes.
We have a request recommending city
council approval of the US buildation
agreement number six
associates including
» second by council person. Is there any
discussion?
» North
very rich. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other discussion?
All in favor request recommending city
council approvement of the US Highway 12
rail separation supplemental agreement
number six with David Evans and
Associates Incorporated. Say
» the request recommending approval of H
Street
Construction.
Second
by counc.
Any discussion?
All in favor of request recommending
group H Street Sanitary sewer
construction awards say I
resolutions. Our first one is a request
recommend
resolution setting beyond
proposed location
number 2026 stat
by council person. Is there any
discussion?
All request recommending approval of
resolution setting the date for public
hearings on the proposed vacation of an
alley driveway within block one of the
flag Hopkins edition of North Aine
resolution number 2026-29.
Say I
» a second resolution. It's a request to
recommend approval of the resolution of
each city and distributed to the street
closure for spring national events.
Jesus
» seconded by council person.
All in favor of request recommending
approval resolution and authorizing the
city administrator to wave street
advance resolution number 2026-30.
Say
>> I
pass this.
Okay. Next item is discussion.
two weeks ago
to approve the forest fiber franchise
agreement and it was voted down um
because there was a lack of information.
uh because it was voted down now it has
to start over table we would have been
able to stop and restart with the
questions that been answered. So tonight
we have in we just we couldn't bring it
forward at the last meeting because we
didn't have anything on the agenda or
you guys can ask actual questions of the
people that are the experts in the
field. So tonight we have Lisa Marshall
from Canyon Descent, which is our our
attorney, uh, who wrote the franchise
agreement, and Liz Walker from Wireless
Policy Group, which is the
representative from Forge Fiber online
to answer any questions that you might
have. I know one thing that that
Councilman Shaw had was he was
questioning uh the list of the
infrastructure and I know that they're
working on that. They told me that
they're working on that. Part of the
problem is is they not everything has
been transferred yet. They don't even I
don't think they even know exactly what
they have at this point. They're but
they're in that process. So, um anyway,
u Liz and Lisa are available for any
questions you might have and and please
take advantage of because they are the
experts on this and and I am not I did
not write the fringes agreement. We had
our our attorney write the fringes
agreement. So, anyway, thank you.
>> Anybody have any questions? We also have
um I don't know if Tiffany Perez is she
also a representative.
» Hi I wanted to talk about church. Um
second we'll come to the second public
comment period. Okay.
>> Okay.
>> Thank you.
and I want to spend the rest of my life.
» Well, I Rick mentioned it and uh as I
brought up last time when we looked at
it, there were questions uh that came up
about what the inventory um was, what
they had, what they didn't have. And I
think my push was that whatever they say
they have included in ask them and I
understand from that they're working on
creating that be included in the
contract in the back contract of the
franchise or if if there is not any then
that's stated that there isn't any uh
what I hear is that they're trying to
find out what they have and that was the
push that was the caution from my
discussions with the IT people at the
PUB was that quite often we have a gray
area or lack of understanding of what
exactly is included with franchise
agreement and it leads to significant
problems down the road in time and
money. So as we go forward sounds like
they are working on creating an
inventory what was passed down and if
that all comes together I have no
difficult
during this discussion um per Robert's
rules of order this would need to come
back by someone who voted no um when
this was originally brought forward. So
once we have these answers to these
questions, just please bear that in
mind. This cannot be brought back to the
table for the council to vote on unless
someone who voted no is going to bring
it back to the table. side.
Um, so this conversation with the PUBG
that
um
I I just um a little so the PUB advised
and like gave you advice to
>> I took I I read it I read it in depth. I
asked a few people and I found that the
people that were expertise on this issue
or had some expertise that we deal with
are our friends with the community and I
sat down and talked to them about things
that we should look at when they look at
this topic and it stuck out to me the
fact that this could you couldn't tell
from reading this agreement initially
whether it was a new agreement or
whether it was a series of transfers.
That was that was not clear in reading
the agreement. And then in asking that
question back to our city attorney, it
was stated that oh no, there are no
transfers. This is a they asked for an
entirely new thing. So just trying to
avoid the issue of
what are ghost polls, what are un
undocumented closets, who
what assets might go with this
franchise. Now, as I understand how
franchise agreements work, and I'm not
an expert, but I know how to ask the
question, um
are if there's no asset or no transfer
from these previous u agreements that go
back through
um these other companies, it's really
easy to state that in the contract and
the franchise agreement that this
reflects no past or existing. And if
there are past or existing assets, those
are in the contract so that they
reflected what we're giving franchise
for.
Hope I'm not making it complicated, but
it was just it's it's a form. It's a
question of contract.
» So go back. Yeah, I was really hoping
that you would bring up what you were
mentioning during public works about the
how sometimes to solve this they do
what's called location the lo the
locating process we just basically it
was on basis of the franchise to go out
and try to find
>> yeah honestly the people we should be
talking to are the ones that are
spending their online
but yes the uh the lucky process will
identify where They you know they all
participate and pay in the service when
we go out the right way and we want to
know what's on the ground. We don't call
the PD call locate service and they come
out and they locate all the utilities in
the ground. They they know where they
know where things are better than than
or knows where they are. Right. So um
that's how we locate uh and and it's the
responsibility of whoever calls that
locate that's doing that work to ensure
that we know where the utilities are. Um
I I don't I'm not even sure we are
really clear on what drivers buy. So
there's there's like um you know they're
not buying all of assets or they're
buying the end user. they're not buying
the main buy agreement and I I really
encourage either Lisa Wolf to give us
some background of the the franchise
agreement or Liz to give us some
background on
this is not new. They they've gone
through this process all over the state
of Washington. He has written a number
of franchise agreements for other cities
in the state of Washington as they were
Cambridge just said which represents a
lot of different cities. So this is not
a new agreement. this is the same order
type of agreement that's been given to
us. So, um I'm sure that they can answer
these questions really clearly and uh
more
so my question for her would be is this
something that's usually documented in
these transfers? We usually have full
inventory list or is this something
that's just kind of undocumented?
Is is it is this unusual that we're
asking for this type of information just
a lot more information than we're are we
asking for
>> can I respond to that Liz?
Yeah, and I'm happy to I just want to
give her a chance to speak
>> again. I'm Lisa, sorry. I'm Lisa
Marshall. I'm Alex Kenyon's partner um
Kenyon Decent and I do a lot of
franchise agreements. What I would like
to do is just give you the guard rails,
what we can ask for, what we can't ask
for, and then I'm going to turn it over
to Liz to um answer technical questions
about the infrastructure itself. Um,
oftentimes when franchises expire, there
isn't a real solid understanding of
where that infrastructure is. That
infrastructure location comes becomes
critical when construction is going to
proceed. So that's when 61 locate is
called. That's where we figure out where
the um where the infrastructure is so we
don't hit it. But it is not normal to
know exactly where everything is when
the franchise is drafted or when it's
executed. We define a franchise area. We
define the right ofway. And within those
definitions, we do not engineer the
location of the infrastructure. That
said, in all fairness to council member
Shaw, I do think it's um a legitimate
question to ask the carrier whether or
not there is infrastructure on the in
the ground or not. And if there is no
infrastructure on the ground, what the
plan might be. Um, I'll also add that locate um question does come up
from councils from time to time and this
is typically the way we answer it and we
also explain that when construction
comes um you know when it is imminent
then we do get all the information we
need. So I'm going to turn it over to
Liz at this point.
>> Okay. Good evening mayor, members of the
city council. My name is Liz Walker. My
address is 7436 South Ivy Way in
Centennial, Colorado. And I'm here
tonight on behalf of Forged Fiber. Um,
and I'll just give you an the very brief
version. Um, and I apologize if I'm
repeating anything, but Forge Fiber is a
subsidiary or an entity created by AT&T
to hold assets that they are purchasing
from Lumen. Um, and council member Shaw,
your question um is a good question
asking about um the the maps and the
locations of those assets that are being
purch purchased. And I have requested
that information and I've been told that
they're just trying to make sure
whatever I give over to you is as
accurate as possible. And so
unfortunately it's taking a little bit
longer and I apologize. some um for some
jurisdictions they've asked for maps and
I've gotten them right away and been
able to provide them and um I asked
again today right before the meeting and it's just they're they're just
trying to make sure that they that what
I give you is accurate in terms of the
location of the fiber that they are
purchasing. Um just to expand a little
bit um on on what they're purchasing
what Forge Fiber is purchasing from
Lumen um from uh it's technically Lum um
Lumen AT&T or Forge Fiber is purchasing
the F2 fiber which starts at the
neighborhood cross connect and ends at
the customer premises. So they're taking
a part of it and then Lumen is keeping
the part um called the F1 fiber which
starts at their central office and goes
to that first cross connect panel. So
one of the questions that I was asked
which was a really a question we've had
before is you know why is it just an
assignment of of a franchise or or why
does Forge Fiber need their own and they
need their own for that reason because
they're not buying the whole thing
outright. they're they're buying certain
a certain portion of the assets. Um so
and again just a I apologize for not
having uh the map. Um like I said, it's
something that we've provided to other
jurisdictions when asked and what I was
told today is that they're still um
reviewing the information to make the
determination um and just you know vet
the information I'm giving you so that
we can have accurate information
provided. But as soon as I have that um
I will have that over to um uh Rick uh
Sanger and um I'll send it to Lisa too
so that you guys will have that
information as soon as I get it and I'm
happy to answer any other questions.
>> This is John. Thank you very much.
That's very helpful.
» Any other questions?
» Thank Thank you very much. We appreciate
your time. Thanks for staying up.
>> No problem.
>> Happy to.
» We're still discussing this.
>> Oh, you want to discuss it?
>> Yeah.
>> With with John after
that we're getting the map.
Would you be willing to entertain
bringing it back in?
>> Oh, I I'm going to have to listen to
what the proper form is. I I'm assuming
that they're going to update contracts
and include the maps.
>> Yeah.
>> And as appendices to the contract that
come in that answers the question, we
know what we know where we're starting
from and we find I I'm in no way against
moving forward. This is just about I
think an obvious and I think you can
hear that it's not a comment they have
since you don't have to vote down
>> because that I'm happy to do well
>> we have but we need
>> a legislative break to get their
documents in line and then I can help
John with the proper motion for bringing
it back in at the end of August. I'm
just looking at from a business
standpoint. I'm assuming that what I'm
hearing is Liz at all is going to come
up with details that go to Rick and
Arley Center and be included in an
update of the franchise agreement that
then we're all going to be having to
>> Yeah.
>> The point I'm coming from is that from
what I understand that you're not
worried about what the information is
going to happen and you're just worried
more about that the information just
appears to be. I think in listening to
some other people having uh having a
bakery and uh and the absolute
uncertainty of what the assets are, what
they're getting, what's on the ground,
especially right now as I'm we're
having, you know, we have multiple fiber
optic links coming through town. We have
a lot of stuff like this that's going to
be happening and we really know where
everybody lives. So, not that not that I
kind of wanted to undermine it at all,
but I asked I asked them do they see
issues and they're very positive. They
absolutely you got you know we need to
do this and support it. But it was about
when we see problems, it's because
somebody forgot to include somebody.
didn't know something and it
takes months and months to sort out uh
something that could have easily been in
the contract at the beginning.
uh who who belonged to what especially
when I was listening to the full version
of
them going from Lumen to another company
to begin with AT&T and now I understand
they want to take some of those assets
into forging vibrant so I really want to
make sure you understand I'm not
negative about it I just see it as you
need to have the inventory or or not or
an understanding that there is stuff I
do am I answering Yeah. Yeah.
>> And I'll do whatever we need to do.
» Everybody else before legislative break,
but if it's not necessary
>> and I doubt that they got a clock going
on on this course is going to worry
about whether we're done by August.
>> I just think we'd be doing a better time
when are diligence. So we had the
updated contract on there. It has the
map with the list of everything or
something that says we don't have a list
and here's why.
>> It just like not having again not trying
to persuade it at all but like not
having the franchise agreement just kind
of limits what they can do right away.
So um I don't think that will create a
problem. It sounds like we could wait
until after the legislative break. Is
that so? Um I'm not hearing any urgency
item. This would take three readings,
right?
>> I'm sorry.
>> This approval of the agreement would
take three readings. Is that right? An
ordinance, not a resolution.
>> Mhm.
>> So, we even if we did the first, it's
just it's just an agreement. It's just
one rating.
» Special committee items. Council
president.
I'd like to make a motion to approve the
first reading of bill 26-14 allowing the
creation of a youth council.
>> Seconded
by council person discussion
is there any discussion? I just want to
say I'm looking forward to this and I
hope that we get applications to really
build this out and let it be the success
story.
» Yes.
>> I actually was just I I know that Justin
had some interactions with youth about
this already and I wanted him to share
with us what he told me earlier.
>> Yeah. So, uh, for this council, it
there'll be like five members and two
alternates. Um, and it'll be ages, I
believe, 14 to 20.
>> Yes.
Uh, which opens the door to so many
more people honestly. And I've talked to
a few of my friends and about three of
them have interest in joining this
council. Um, so we'll see if they
actually do once we get it all moved
along. But I think this will really
allow the youth to have more of a voice.
Um, I know I'm limited and Aiden is
limited, but when there's five kids
altogether, stuff can really happen.
» Okay.
>> Um, does that include um eighth graders?
>> Yes.
Any more discussion? Yeah.
Um so
like on the council the youth council um
there will be a chair and a vice chair.
The chair will be the main student rep
and then the vice chair will be the
alternate student rep.
>> Yeah. So you won't be chair.
» All right. See no more discussion. All
in favor of the first reading request
foundation recommending the city council
approve the use
to approve the use council bill number
26-4
say I
>> oppose.
Thank you.
Next, we have a request recommending the
city council approved for the mayor to
appoint two individuals to the library
board. Accept this request.
» Is there any discussion?
» Typically, when you have appointments on
the agenda, their names are listed. I
understand that it's in the pocket, but
you know, I'm off the top of your notes
on the two meeting.
» It's uh Beverly Wilkinson and Kaitlyn.
Hi.
A motion to approve resolution 2026-28
submitting a proposed trial for the
qualified voters of the city for their
approval or rejection. Approval or
rejection
» second.
All right. Um, so the decision for you
tonight is likely one of the most
significant votes that you'll make as
members on the council. The yes vote
does not mean does not decide the future
of the council. It simply gives the
people to you represent the opportunity
to decide themselves. This is about
allowing the residents of Aberine to
have a voice. As elected officials, your
role is to represent the community and
ensure their voice is heard. Voting yes
allows that process to happen. If this
measure does not move forward and you
personally oppose it, I encourage you to
make your case to the public and explain
why you believe they should vote no.
That's how democracy works. Let let the
voters hear both sides and make their
final decision.
Yeah.
>> Any other discussion?
Um well I just feel like it was kind of
something that I would like to discuss
as a council of which we really haven't
done before um you know giving it to the
city to vote on it. I'm a little
concerned about group think as of as
opposed to u disagreement within the
council. I think, you know, more heads
prevail sometimes with putting in some
other ideas and, you know, representing,
you know, the different factions within
the city. Um, we can let the city vote
on it, but sometimes their vote is un
educated. You know, they don't really
know for sure. They just think it's a,
you know, a good idea to limit it. But I
see some cities that have, you know,
moved into this um particular kind of
sixperson vote and they get into group
think and the city kind of just goes one
direction.
Um so I would like to discuss it as the
council and put our, you know, our um
ideas out there for, you know, for me um
you know, I've enjoyed my time on
council. I don't really intend to run
again, but I like the fact that, you
know, there's a lot of people that are
not a lot of people, but more people to
kind of put their opinions in and to
share, you know, thoughts and concerns.
I think we've saved the city some money,
um, from making some, you know, mistakes
maybe that we could have made. But, um,
anyway, that's my thought on it.
>> Person
shop.
>> Yeah. Um, I'd like to speak on this. Um,
as someone who has been here 38 years,
and for all 38 years, there's been a
discussion in Aberdine and Oakland about
reducing council size for efficiencies
and different reasons. And I'm I'm told
by some historically minded friends,
better suited than I, that it goes back
50 to 60 years. We there have been
various discussions of reduction. This
isn't to me anything about the current
council. This is a this is a topic
that's been going on for quite a while
during the election campaign and in
recent years has been discussed
regularly and I think it really comes
down to letting this go to the voters.
We have developed a habit here at the
city to uh create um new polls to create
basically we're going to the public all
the time asking for their opinion on
everything from what our budget should
look like to how to what we should be
prioritizing at the city. And I think um
I think it is in good form and walking
the walk to ask the citizens of this
question that's been out there for a
long long time. And I think it is a
mistake to not allow it to go for
citizens vote. And again I I came into
this I'm new on the council. I've
watched this exhibition for a long time.
And this is just about giving Aberdine a
chance and the voters to have a say. We
ask them all the time. We got QR codes
on the wall when we're asking people how
we should do things. We can't be afraid
to let this go to
>> Thank you.
Uh, I just want to second what council
member Shaw was saying and while I was
campaigning and also just talking to
people, this has been a topic that comes
up almost every time I'm talking to
somebody. Um, the the voters in our city
care about this topic a lot. And for me,
it just comes down to letting people
decide how they want to be represented.
And I just can't see any reason why we
wouldn't let people decide the number of
people they want represented them.
>> Thank you.
» Um I have prepared a pretty long
statement but I'm going to try my best
to summarize it as most of what I had
planned to say has already been shared.
Um but just a couple key elements I want
to make sure that we are pointing out
there. Um, this isn't changing the board
boundaries. This specific proposal
doesn't shorten anyone's term.
Most importantly, we are not voting to
reduce it. We're voting to allow the
voters to have that decision. Um, I
think, you know, as a council member,
you don't have to personally support the
reduction of council um
to allow someone else to allow the voter
to vote. Those are two very different
decisions.
I understand there's some legitimate
arguments for keeping 12. So they
believe that, you know, two forward
provides you with some greater access or
perspectives of the dis. And I I do
respect that position.
This choice about representation should
belong to the voters. Those who voted
for us and elected us to represent them,
not those of us sitting up here. That's
why this has been brought forward. This
is why I've pushed so hard for it since
I've been on council and that's why I
will be voting yes and
pass this through.
>> Thank you. Any other discussion?
like this new idea of it being devoted
to people,
but I think the timing is at a very
stressful point and allows a lot of us
work really hard to get here. And at the
end of my four-year term, I would like
to rewrite to keep those same ideas and
programs and process that I've been
doing now for since 2018 is when I
started.
And for me, just to hand over everything
I've worked for and everything that I am
pushing for is to I still need to go
bathroom. That was our first
conversation.
» That's something we can all agree on. So
I mean
I see it's very there's a divide right
now. If we were a vote right now, it
would leave it to where
six people be represented by one. Six
people
have no voice in the council. I think
this is a good time for I think it would
be a reduction Sunday would be good. But
now
it puts too long of a gap where there's
a huge portion of the vote that was
recently voted on and we're greed by by
the people but our voice will be unheard
for that period until we have a chance
to run again
and I think that's unfair that's the
only thing I that's unfair
strange catalyst the world
Um,
» yeah.
Is there is there any other
way?
>> I was going to say I've been a proponent
and spoken publicly about drinking the
council since I was running. I've had
multiple people come to me as as I was
campaigning beforehand even even now
it's just like still this discussion
continues to come up and come up. So I'm
putting this to a vote for to the people
to vote for this.
My second point just
» okay that was my second point is all
sweet council with all of the senior
members who have been fighting for close
to a decade now
it'll be all fresh blood and all the
things we've been fighting for sweep on
the road
and that is being is not fair. It's it's
not very
it takes all of our work and all of our
voice. It's this community.
It's not they're not voting reducing the
council. They're voting voice
and that
not
you'll fail as a super majority.
again.
>> No.
>> I have to say no.
>> Yes.
>> Nipper.
>> No.
>> Fredo,
>> yes.
>> Ragic,
>> yes.
>> Shaw,
>> yes.
>> Swore.
>> Yes.
>> Taylor,
>> no.
>> Wilson,
>> yes.
Motion does not pass with points.
Go ahead.
>> The last item on the agenda for special
committee items
on the ethics committee findings
regarding ethics and conduct violation
complaints. We'll look forward to
discussing.
» I suppose it remains here.
We haven't discussed that. together.
» There's nothing within the code that
says that we need to recuse yourself
discussions.
» So, are we open for discussion?
>> Yes, we're open for discussion. Would it
be better if you find something a little
shocking or disconcerting to present it
in a,
you know, email or letter? I mean, we're
not supposed to send something out to
everyone, but rather than just say it,
you know, in public meeting, but it' be
better to just share your concerns and
be emailed.
» Oh, sure.
I'm just wondering, you know, if you
find um something a little shocking or
disconcerting, would it be better to
rather than just to say it publicly in
the in the moment to share it in an
email or a letter? We've had, you know,
people do that. So, um
is that what is that what we prefer?
I think that would be up to the Are
>> you talking about this particular issue
or
>> Yeah, this particular either this
particular issue. Would it have been
more appropriate to share the concern in
an email or a letter to the council?
>> My concern?
>> Yes. Your concern with the fact you know
that um people were voting against
people who wanted to volunteer their
time.
>> Oh, if I would have calmed down or wrote
something more eloquently, I see if I
can defend myself. I wasn't meaning to
discussing wasn't the word. I just meant
that I felt it was unnecessary.
» Yes, it wasn't due to their
qualifications for the position. It was
a personal noble in my opinion in my
opinion.
» I just I just I felt it was unnecessary.
There's been a lot of other committees
where the people that were
the opposing side has pushed through
without a single link or non
as a representative
It's supposed to be part of something I
feel and that's why I try to keep it
as
saying that express my opinion on what I
felt was unnecessary but was not a big
sanction publicly
lack of
choice of words and
I'm sorry.
>> I'll just I'll just add that my concern
with the ethics committee was that it
would be used as you know it would be
weaponized and and I've seen that I've
seen that go on and that's disconcerting
to me. I think it creates a lack of
trust. So that's my opinion.
I have every right to vote how I feel on
the appointments to a thing and I can
repeat some conversations I had with one
member uh that we voted for and I don't
think you would be surprised that I
voted against them. And if you bothered
to ask why, you might have found out
instead of telling me I'm disgusting.
That's all I have to say.
I want to ask David. Dave, uh, something
that catches my ear is our side. You
explain that because to me that's really an important discussion.
I don't see any sides and I'm done with
fine. No, there's no sides. You're
right. There is. Okay. So, can you tell
me what you mean by that? It's kind of a
straight question.
>> Let's see if we get any physical signs.
Some of them would be destroyed. Some of
them wouldn't even though they're
sitting side by side that show the
direct compositional sides. It shows
that there's a
and that's that's what you're thinking
when you say our side.
It's an honest question. I want I want
to learn because I I'm on here and I
have I don't have any interest in sink
sites. I want that to be really funny
when I share it. I want to know I want
to know where this is coming from.
>> John being involved.
>> Oh, I've been watching this council for
a while so I think I know.
And so I offense to to me saying that I
feel like I'm being targeted by by an
opposition.
I'm not part of me. I'm not there's an
organized group that is targeting me.
>> I don't feel that way. I mean,
>> okay, we'll have a discussion. Let's you
and I get together. We'll have a
discussion about that in
I'd like to see if we have something
going on in this city and in this
council under this chamber where someone
feels targeted,
we have to deal with that. And I'm not
that that's a serious issue and and
let's talk about it.
Okay. It's unfortunate where that that's
a discussion, but yes, I am bringing
that to the table. So, why don't you and
I get together? Get together.
>> There's
ever since the rally card
making a vote to remove our president
time knowing
that we do have a post ambassador.
very similar circumstances to the way
that the doctors
can.
So if there was no as you're saying no
targeting the three people that were
picked who ran for that you
» act thank you
those three if it was three other ones I
am darn sure it would have passed with
no problem
so you can't tell me that it's not I've
sat here for many years and I've watched
it and over and over and over it's
specific groups specific people and you
can't deny that
>> and if you don't see it
>> well then you have blinders
>> I got to tell you
>> I voted for the people that were brought
forward through the process and that's
as simple as that and that's how we need
business and carrying this stuff forward
you know and basically dropping this
baggage in front of the safety
and maybe getting in the way of doing
the business of the city which is what
this is
um concerns me. So, we need to sit down
and put that stuff away. I agree.
There can't be a division like that
going forward.
>> I I I fully agree with you that there
shouldn't be a division, but there is.
>> And and you know, the other side is just
let's just remember that when we come
here, this is a nonpartisan.
>> Absolutely. You know, just remember that
it's a nonpartisan body and you can you
are all made up of your personal
opinions. We understand you're free to
have those.
Go ahead.
>> Sorry. I just wanted to reiterate that
we all can vote independently how we
want to vote and as expressed by council
person Fredo that his reason for voting
no was specific because he had been
engaged with one of those people who had
very negative comments to say in public
forum. So I can fully understand that if
I had someone out here who was calling
me some sort of names or something I'm
not going to bug them in. Why why would
I do that? So you're right. You should
put yours aside. Shouldn't you? Or
should you not put that negative and
look at
>> Yes.
» Sorry.
>> I I know this is on me and I want to let
people know that I in no way intended my
vote to be political. It was not. I
looked at what the results might be of
certain people being on the committee
and I'm looking at the best outcome for
the city had nothing to do with none.
But I must say that when you said that
people that uh voted no were disgusting,
it made me think twice about should I
ever vote against him again?
you know, should I always wait and hear
what he's going to vote so that he
doesn't turn around and they
>> But I
that I'm just saying I that was not my
reasoning. It was not political. I did
not do anything. I prompted that was not
security.
>> So I So first I I would like to say I do
not believe that Mr. called any bud
disgusting. He called the action,
not the people. I've just heard twice
from two people on the council that they
took it personal was they were called
disgusting. That was not the intent. I
can clearly see that cuz I was sitting
here. Secondly, we do need to put aside
our personal feelings, how we feel about
somebody,
and vote on the ability for them to do a
good job, not how we personally feel
about somebody.
And and and in my opinion, this is my
opinion, I believe that that's what Mr.
Gay was saying.
I remember more as to not discourage
people from applying from the position
of we start trying to pick favors when
there's only three out. It's not like
there was an actual vote being presented
as who was going to win over who who was
prepared by by choice. It was it was
just a it was a it was a technicality
breaking them through because they're
the only ones that apply and by saying
no it was just a slap in the face to to
how things should operate. So,
» so I I've been waiting to let everyone
have their their things so that I could
address some of these um concerns. Um
when the ethics committee met, we were
very sensitive to all of these concerns
and we shared them. We discussed the uh
fear that had been expressed to we've
heard previously about the um ethics um
being weaponized and um and we discussed
all this at length and the reason that
we came to the conclusions that we did
is we found that um a couple of the
issues were not not supported. Um but
the tone of voice and um calling
someone's votes in a derogatory manner
that that was that was supportive.
Whether you know you are allowed to
disagree certainly um but we just felt
that um by calling somebody's choice of
votes disgusting that was crossing the
line of the letter of being professional
and working in a professional way. That
was why we came to the decision that we
did and it was unanimous.
>> Do you guys
get to that?
>> I just wanted to also
» and we take the vote as a as a council.
We're not always going to win. It's not
always going to be the vote that we
want. Everyone just happened tonight.
But I was just very happy.
But as a council, whether we whether
we're on the winning side or not, we're
obligated as a council to stand by that
decision as a group, as a unit, and our
individual opinions.
Isn't is that's not the point. The point
is as a group, we've come together and
we've made a decision in democracy. That
decision wins. It doesn't mean that we
attack people who didn't agree with us.
That's
I'm not saying one way is right or the
other. I'm just saying in a democracy in
this council
we make a decision. We as as a group
have made that decision whether it's the
one that we chose or not and we must
stand by it. In the past this council
has not stood by decision and that was
completely wrong and unethical.
moving forward, we need to stand by the
decision of the council and whatever the
vote is, we all need to
swallow whatever anger we have inside
and stand behind that vote because we
are a council. We we're we're united and
we are of course united, but
individually we're not
sorry. No, that's my my
when you were 11, I invoked
Have I ever feel uncomfortable?
» I have a couple of comments.
>> Yes.
Excuse me. I need to go get to either.
>> My only
this is, you know, I feel like this is a
discussion.
We're not here to make words and
discuss, you know, what decisions have
been getting in the past or how votes
have gone in the past, how we've acted
after voting. We're here to talk about
this one instance. And what this one
instance comes down to is support,
an obligation that each of us holds, to
have disagreements with respect, to
speak with each other with respect, have
attack,
and just a little bit of kindness.
So
that that's all I all I have to add to
that.
» Go ahead first.
» I
Oh gosh. If somebody's yelling at you on
screen, cursing at you, does your
personal opinion, what they're saying
really affect what they're yelling at
you? Because you can look
up these people and look at their
comments about our council or see
actions and they're not like you know
from mind
decision
process not just kind of
this wasn't party affiliation
by the people
seeing their friend groups
to make decisions.
Um I can I say something
really?
>> Yeah.
>> Um
we spent I Katie uh finance director
Katie Williamson and I spent many many
hours um trying to follow reading
through code um trying to follow
everything to to a tea because we knew
how important this was. This is our
first time dealing with this.
We spent hours with our attorney getting
advice, figuring out steps that needed
to be made, ensuring cross, you know,
dotting our eyes, crossing our tees, all
of the things. And the result is
probably tens of thousands of dollars
collectively that we spent just handling
this issue
because
of like maybe there was a a way to talk
about this or to deal with it at a lower
level. I understand that this is
this exists
and that feels disrespectful.
Um,
I understand that these rules exist to
keep people safe and to provide a a
process and way a procedure for all of
you to to do this to to to be able to
air out your grievances. But I just want
you also to be aware
of the money that goes and the time that
pulls her away from the budget process
handling making sure our payments are
made, you know, utility bills, all the
things that go into it. So, I just I
also want you to be aware I'm not trying
to discourage you to not pursue this,
but I just want you to be aware of the
operational impact to the city that this
has. So, thank you.
Oh
Counc.
The amount of money and the time
is nothing if everyone hears sharing
their voice the way that they should be.
And accountability is the number one
thing that we should all be building
ourselves up to. Whether it's
accountability to each other,
accountability to the staff for
accountability to the people that voted
us up here and accountability to each
other comes up real quick when we look
at the fact that we just approved this. So yes, it might have taken a long
time this time. Yes, it might have cost
that much money which never came up in
our conversations and I wish it had but
nevertheless
it's the same thing I I shared with you
before. I mean accountability is
everything. So we can't be accountable
to one another. How can you ever build
trust? It's not going to be advertised
to break down this concept of us being
on two two sides, two teams.
And I'm not going to sit here and
pretend like it doesn't exist. But I'm
also not going to sit here and pretend
like I haven't spent the last two years
as council president trying everything I
can to break that down, trying to get
people on that other side to have
conversations with me, to meet with me,
to read an email and respond to it.
I can't make you work together.
So, there's one side or two sides. Maybe
we should all start looking in the
mirror.
» Thank you for the discussion.
One point if I could, but like I said,
Josh is upset. Josh since we were young
boys.
Josh, when I'm speaking at I honestly
didn't even know you voted. No, you
weren't even in my thoughts like even I
that's why I honestly I hadn't even
consider you as part of I didn't hear
you voted and I honestly didn't even
when I made that statement you weren't
even in my mind as one of the people at
all.
Sorry if you miss I honestly Dr. all of
those and I didn't even have you already
process
I apologize to you
that would not feel good
outside you and I got to have a nice hug
after this I'm sorry
» for a motion
>> are we ready for a motion
there's any more discussion
>> I'd like to make a motion to approve the
findings and conclusions of the ethics
committee specifically that AMC 2.2430
A12 A and B were not sustained and that
AMC 2.2430 2430 A12 and P was sustained.
» Second
discussion.
» All in favor say I.
>> We need to do the house.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Francancy. Yes,
» we're voting on sustaining the findings
of the ethics committee.
>> Oh, should I even vote yes on this? I
should learn how to use better language
than not describing my displeasure.
» I have to say no because I think I'm
going to a little bit of a neuter but
that would be my coverage.
>> Yes.
>> Point.
>> Yes.
>> Nipper. Yes,
>> Fredo.
>> Yes,
>> Raj.
>> Yes,
>> Shaw.
>> Yes,
>> Taylor.
>> Wilson.
>> Yes.
Motion passes with 10 yeses of
>> like to make a motion to approve
administering the recommended verbal
admonition under AMC 2.24
050D.
I think we already you already
second
to get on
say no.
Yes.
No.
punishment. I'll say yes, but
you see there was three clues. Sorry,
David.
That's territori.
» The committee recommends that the
council approve and deliver the
following verbal admonishment.
Council member Gen, the city council
recognizes that the council members may
disagree on matters before the council
and may express differing views
concerning motions, appointments,
policies, and other official actions.
Such disagreements should remain focused
as coming to the subject issue action
decision under consideration and should
not become persevering demeaning towards
council members who hold a different a
different view or cast a different vote.
The council finds that characterizing
the votes of individual fellow council
members as disgusting in delivering that
comment in a confrontational and
disagreeable tone did not complain the
personal workplace standards required by
AMC chapter 2.24.
Council admonishes you and reminds you
that disagreement must be expressed with
professionalism, due respect, and
civility.
public comments.
Is there anybody else in the audience?
Um, what I was saying earlier, it was
just what happened.
This guy has not been here physically in
how many months? He's been online. He's
been on Zoom. This is the first time
I've seen him in forever.
Um there has been a lot a lot of mint
and bashing on the internet and that's
okay. That's you know that's everybody's
hearing his speech.
Um but I have brought up to other
council members why he hasn't been here
physically because I remember last year
you guys all got upset cuz Liz missed
three meetings. Is this word
physically?
So just keep that in mind.
>> Thank you. Before we move on to public
comments also can make a motion meeting.
>> I was ready. I'd like to make a motion
to extend the meeting to no later than
9:15 p.m.
>> Seconded
by council person. All in favor say I.
Hi
to speak.
So I have to say that this is the
beginning people
and I thought oh my gosh I should have
talked in the beginning
realiz
because it didn't make a difference.
So I I've lived here my whole life. I
just recently been involved with city
council and I found out there were 12 of
you. But I do know one thing life is my
neighbor. He's on the city council. Wait
signs. He didn't come in my door. I
don't even know what he stands for. It's
because he ran out of the hopes
and I only had one choice. I'll knock
out. Don't vote for him. it matter. So
don't
I feel that happens a lot in our state.
I feel there's too many there's not
enough there's too many positions for
people
and what I heard here tonight was my
mind my voice
my
people voted you
maybe maybe they didn't vote for you but
you still
is it takes away the choice of your
constituents
because we don't we don't have any
competition.
They don't care platforms. We don't have
to make a decision. Like it just happens
a lot here. And um and I for me that was
the main point having fewer people. So
then I had no choice.
That's
so maybe next time it comes to discuss
again.
Maybe we'll think about giving the
people choice to hear the people
competition.
See some things besides the name and the
heart seat that we know nothing about.
Thank you.
War. Some of you may know me. Like,
first of all, thank Mr. Bradley for
meeting with me the other day. He was my
opponent that we saw eye on some of the
things in our board. And
I think you guys really need to know
some of this stuff because some of you
are new to the council and got voted in
before you. And talking with Mr. Rajie,
he didn't know that there's a roundabout
proposed and it's been on in the works
for a long time and it is part of the
overpass
to go over the trains.
Mr. Rajic also didn't know that our
award is a there's a small section out
at Aberdine Lake.
I think that when people are brought in
after winning, they need to be updated
on a lot of this stuff, not just thrown
in willy-nilly,
because it's hurting us, the people.
And you guys, I've been coming to
meetings, you are my fifth council,
and you guys have always backstabbed
each other. I've seen small groups
ousted people that was on the council
for years
and then they got ousted because they
didn't want them there. They didn't vote
their way. You guys need to work
together to help us. I don't know if
going down in size is going to help, but
this council I saw it tonight. I haven't
been here for a while, but you guys are
doing a little bit better than the last
counc. I'll give you that. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Any other public comments?
Close public comments. Is there anything
for the good?
Want to shout out our public works team?
I was doing some work around my
property. called a couple pretty dig
guys who were out there. They missed the
water by about 18 in, which I think is
in the margin of error, but nonetheless,
I I nicked the line and it was an old
steel pipe and the public works team,
the the truck was out there seriously
within 25 minutes and were ended up
being a little bit more involved than I
think they thought, but they were there
and at least patched the leak and now
everything's fixed and I have a new well
the city has new water line that goes to
my neighborhood. So, just want to shout
them out because they were great in
professional and figured they need to
shout out.
>> I got one out recently. Um, I reported a
Sorry. Um, I reported a few weeks back.
They repaired it.
Okay.
All right. Um, so I won't be here for
August, but I want to challenge all you
guys during that break to go around and
talk to at least 15 people in your board
and come back to the next meeting and
share what they had to say. I'll join in
on Zoom and I'll maybe say something,
but I want to hear what your people in
your board struggle with, how we can
help them. So that's kind of a challenge
I have for you guys during this August
break.
any other
um
was looking
in Q.
necessarily
don't really need to be
going outside and breathing air.
I personally use a filter vent. I take a
square fan and put on a square duct
filter that is rated to reduce
and such air that way
out the air in the house.
Good advice.
I have one little
saw this. It's like a map of the city.
It's put on by a company that um they
sell the advertising, but the map has
all the highlights that um you'd want to
go to if you're visiting the city. Ocean
Shores does something like this. And um
if it's all right with you guys, I'd
like to pass this company if they'd come
and look at our town. And if they'd be
will it doesn't cost the city anything.
It's just uh they'll create a map
that'll have our trails and our bike
trails and anything our highlighted
things that we want tourists to be able
to
>> they go to the businesses and sell
advertisements. Then then we have
something we can give to all of our
businesses downtown so that they can
stay here when a tourist asks them
what's what to do.
uh as someone who owned a business that
operated in city of Evergreen that did
not have a storefront to continue to
rely on advertising such as a map like
that. If we pursue this and we go
forward, I mean this company is then
contacting businesses in our city asking
them for advertising space. I cannot
stress enough the importance behind a
press release because there are several
companies like that that are scams and
then our small business owners are
paying anywhere from $200 to $600 for an
advertisement that is then not purchased
by the municipality or whichever
business those are to be displayed at.
So if you do need to do this, please
consider a press release so that we are
helping our small businesses and
operating. Yeah, we we did something
like this with the bands that are out
right now throughout the city and that
company um asked me to do a video so
that they could send and use it as a
selling tool. So that showed that we
were legitimately behind it. So yeah, I
think a press release is
» very different from like
different.
» Yeah, this this would have five trails
our lake
walking trails or parks. That's our
average doesn't do any of that. They
just show hard work which is important.
» Given the times that we're now
» Yes, we would.
>> Second.
>> I didn't There are legal requirements.
Please let me back up.
>> Okay. I'd like to make a motion for us
to go into our executive session
according to RCW4230.110
for consideration of second selection or
application of grant safe purchase
and likelihood that disclosure within
price for no more than 30 minutes with
no action expected after the session.
>> Second.
>> All in favor say I. Excuse
me.
I need to go through
probably
Yes, ma'am.
Or is that
stole mine? I stole my
English.
We have
does.
So I still
need a like recommendation or reference
or anything.
down there.
Nice.