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Great. Thank you. It is 6 o'clock. So I'm going to call to order the Limwood City Council business meeting for Monday, April 13, 20, 26 at 6 p.m.

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At the city of Linwood is located on the traditional lands of the homeless people and

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this confederation of toilet tribes and their families for generation.

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These indigenous communities have lived here on this land and

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we recognize support and advocate alongside them.

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We also acknowledge the forced removal of indigenous communities from their homeland.

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As a result of the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott, we understand that the land acknowledgment are not only the first steps in our efforts to support coastish,

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Snosh, Snosh, tribes, and educate non-natives about their lived history.

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We strive to achieve this through building relationships with indigenous communities,

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supporting indigenous commerce, government to government partnerships, and

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lifting indigenous voices to create equal equality for all.

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Through these actions, we hope to not only pay respect to the past but

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that also collaborate in creating sustainable future, hand in hand with the first process,

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sorry, our shared environment.

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All right, thank you.

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Councilor Executive Assistant, Rokall.

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Mayor Hurst.

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I'm here, thank you.

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Council President Kuehlo.

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Here.

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Council Vice President Eskamea.

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Here.

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Council Member Lutweiler.

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Here.

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here. Council Member Mata, here. Council Member O'Links.

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Here. Council Member Partial.

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Ready. Council Member Wright.

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Present. All present, Mayor.

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Thank you. Council President.

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Thank you, Mayor. I have a note here. I move to amend tonight's agenda item 12A,

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federal priorities with lobbyist partner Mark Dietrich to be moved to follow item 7B,

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Proclamation Volunteer Week.

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second motion's been moved in second in any discussion I'll just speak to

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it really briefly our lobbyist is in DC where he should be and it's a little

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late there so we wanted to just move it up out of respect to that all those

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in favor say aye aye any opposed motion carries we'll go to message and papers

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members from the mayor as far as messages.

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Some things from last week.

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I was happy and honored to have a young man be my job shadow on Wednesday, Thursday.

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Ismail Elbibari, we did it together and I think he made some great connoisseurs, how you

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smell.

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He's right there.

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And we're able to pop their way ground breaking,

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properly bridge ground, ground break breaking, can't talk.

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And then towards some of the facilities, the ground breaking was great,

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because it got to meet a lot of representatives, both state and federal.

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So it was really a good Wednesday of Thursday.

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I learned a lot, I hope, is melted too, yes.

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And then over the weekend, I heard on the news that Katie Wilson, the mayor, Seattle, had her first 100 days, and then I sat there and went, oh, me too.

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So April 10th was my 100th day in office.

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I sent out, or email was sent out to staff and counsel this morning, and we'll go out to the public tomorrow.

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and really all I want to say is this is the best job I've ever had and I'm very

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honored to be able to serve the City of Linguine. Also over the weekend I watched

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a movie called Nuremberg and it talked about how it showed a couple of

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things. One, it's how easy fascism can get into a government and can just

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in a date the society. And part of that was there was some really disturbing film from some of

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the concentration camps during the Holocaust during that movie. So then I realized that tomorrow April

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14th is holocaust martyrs and heroes remembrance day. And we just will never forget because if we do

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history will repeat. With that I then go to a where there are papers for the

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mayor's I don't think there were.

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And then we'll go to written communications and

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petitions.

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City Clerk.

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Good evening. We had one public comment. One community

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member reports frequent speeding on 188th Street Southwest between 48th Avenue

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any west and 52nd have any west that poses a safety risks and requests traffic homing

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measures and next steps.

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All right, thank you.

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Now we'll go to item 7, a proclamation for our per day and council vice president Derrick

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Eskimo will be approaching the dius and any of those who are to attend for that proclamation

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can join her up front.

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Thank you.

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Okay.

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I would like to thank everybody for joining us here on Arbor Day. Today's

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proclamation will be Arbor Day. As we all know April we celebrate Earth Month. I'm

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also an environmental scientist and so these things are near and dear to me and so

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I am honored to be giving this proclamation with all these beautiful people

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behind me. So here we go. Whereas in 1872, Jay Sterling-Morton noted

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politician, editor and courticulturalist proposed to the Nebraska board of

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agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees and whereas

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this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed in 1872 with the planting of

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more than a million trees in Nebraska and whereas Arbor Day is observed each year

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throughout the nation and the world on the last Friday in April and whereas

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as Arbor Day is observed in the state of Washington

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on the second Wednesday in April.

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And whereas, trees reduce the erosion

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of our precious top soil by wind and water,

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cut heating and cooling costs,

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moderate the temperature, clean the air,

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produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife.

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And whereas trees beautify our city,

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increase property values,

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and enhance the economic vitality of business areas.

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And whereas trees, wherever they are planted,

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are a source of comfort, joy, peace, and spiritual renewal,

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whereas the city of Linwood in collaboration

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with Linwood Elementary School students

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and local descendants of the Snohomish peoples

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will celebrate Arbor Day by planting native trees

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and providing education about our urban forest

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at the South Linwood Park on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026.

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Now, therefore be it resolved that we, the Mayor and the City Council of the City of

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Linwood, do hereby urge all Linwood citizens to celebrate our everyday and to support

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efforts to protect our trees and woodlands and further.

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We urge all citizens to plant trees, to glad in the heart and promote the well-being of

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this and future generations.

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Signed Mayor George Hurst and Council President Nick Cuello.

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Receiving this proclamation from the city of Linwood,

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we have, and there may be others,

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but I have Quinn Van Order on our Parks and Recreation Board.

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We are gonna take a picture altogether.

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I'm in the front, David Barber.

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I write's care of our parks.

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We've got Katie McCown also on our part.

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And Holly Hernandez.

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and Darwin's stuff.

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I guess mine. All right. Thank you, guys, let's all go up.

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Can I say something? Oh yes, yes. If anyone has anything to say, sorry, I forgot that part. Thank you.

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Good evening, Mayor, Council members and members of the community. My name is

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Darlene Stokes. I'm the education and outreach specialist with the Environmental and Surface Water Division in Public Works.

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On behalf of the City of Linwood Environmental and Surface Water Division, we sincerely thank

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you for recognizing Arbor Day and for your continued commitment to celebrating and protecting

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our urban forests.

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This proclamation highlights the importance of trees in our community not only for their

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environmental benefits such as improving air and water quality and reducing stormwater impacts,

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but also for the beauty, shade, and sense of place they provide throughout

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Linwood. We are especially grateful for the opportunity to connect this

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recognition with local efforts like the City of Linwood's Tree Voucher Program

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which empowers residents to actively participate in expanding the city's

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tree canopy. Programs like this make it easier for our community to invest in a

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appreciate your support in raising awareness about the value of trees and inspiring residents,

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students, and local organizations to take an active role in caring for our natural resources.

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The City of Linwood remains dedicated to responsible stewardship of our urban forest,

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and we are thankful for your partnership in recognizing Arbor Day as an opportunity

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to reflect on and invest in the future of our environment.

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Thank you again for this meaningful proclamation

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and for helping promote a greener,

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more resilient, Linwood.

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Howdy folks, equipment order, 98036.

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I know it's not enough to do that, but it's a force of habit.

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I'm here today with a great honor of speaking on behalf

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of the Park's Recreation and Cultural Arts Board.

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I'm gonna keep it short,

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a lot of what I was gonna say has already been covered

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and I don't wanna keep being a dead horse,

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But I really appreciate y'all taking the time to recognize this important day.

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As already mentioned, Jay Sterling Morton started this holiday in 1872.

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What everyone shortens it to is Jay and the Jay stands for Julius. Now you know.

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Now the importance of this day has been made very clear by previous people.

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But for me, it was driven home the day I moved to Washington.

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I moved to Washington the day of the Oslo landslide.

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But that was an interesting day, and what we saw was by cutting down a lot of trees, a

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lot of land decided to be elsewhere.

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Trees are very important for maintaining the integrity of our soil, to say nothing of

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their protection against the heat islands that come when we carve out broad spots of trees.

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We're now on the 27th year of being tree-city USA, and I think that is an amazing accomplishment

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that we should continue to pursue.

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I wanted to highlight that we're going to be having an event and Scriber Lake Park.

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That's going to be this Saturday at 9.30 a.m.

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Come help us pull out some invasive species, plant some cool new stuff,

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to say nothing of our upcoming event on the 22nd in Southland with Park.

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So, got lots of fun stuff coming up. Also, as a reminder,

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everyone, please plant a tree, we want to give you trees.

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We will give you trees for the low low price of zero dollars.

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We've got tons of tree trees, so hit us up.

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We'd love to give you trees to plant in our beautiful city.

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So thank you all for your time and have a wonderful day.

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Okay, time for a picture.

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Now, we'll go to item 7B, Proclamation on volunteer work and Councilor President Coilo is approaching the podium and all those who are here to celebrate that Proclamation. Please come forward also.

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You don't have to be on a special list, guys. If you're a volunteer in our community and some capacity, feel free to stand up, join us.

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Okay.

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Okay. Having memories of state of the city. All right. Whereas volunteering, no matter how big or small,

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can affect positive change with an entire community and whereas volunteers can

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connect with their local community with service opportunities through

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hundreds of community service organizations and whereas the giving of one

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self-in-service to another empowers the giver and the recipient and whereas the

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week of April 19 through the 25th is National Volunteer Week. A time to

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recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society's

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greatest challenges to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world.

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Whereas the city of Lindwood wishes to express our sincere appreciation to our city volunteers

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and those that volunteer in our community and recognize their commitment to service.

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And whereas millions of volunteers working in their communities utilize their time

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and talents daily to make a real difference.

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And now, therefore, be it resolved that we,

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Mayor George Hurst and the Linwood City Council,

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proclaim April 19th through the 25th, 2026,

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as National Volunteer Week in the city of Linwood.

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And we encourage our fellow community members

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to volunteer and light the way in their community.

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And at this time, do I have any volunteers

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to come and speak about volunteering?

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Maybe something you've done in the community

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that you're proud of?

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This is awkward. Well, no, I'll just add that volunteering is very

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special to me. I kind of consider myself a humanist and one of the most selfless things

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you can do is just volunteer. It's just acknowledging that we all live in a little blue dot

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in the galaxy and we're all in it together. So, I appreciate you guys and so does everybody else

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here. So picture time? Okay. Oh, there we go.

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I get the applause before I speak. Thank

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you.

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Somebody had to say something. It sounded very grand the way you put it. But I think

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that if any of the rest of the volunteers are like me, we're all kind of just quietly doing

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something to help out here and there. I was impressed a long time ago by the words of

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someone named Ashley Brilliant. Yeah, so his real name, believe it or shut up. And what

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he wrote was right in the corner where you are. That's it. I'm not meant or destined for

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great things all I can do are small things and all I try to do is brighten the

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corner where I am and I think everybody here kind of feels that way awesome

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well

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let's go get a picture and I have a lot of these bad boys to hand out

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yeah

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scootch it if you just scoot in just a little bit you're

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covering up your

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volunteer right there let's not do that there we go perfect all right okay see all

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Council Member, see all the volunteers.

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Three, two, one.

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One more time.

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Volunteer.

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Awesome.

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Thank you so much.

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So council executive assistant, do we have Mr. Dieter?

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Okay.

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All right.

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So we're going to move to item 12A, which was changed at the beginning of the meeting and

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moved into this time slot.

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I'm going to talk about federal priorities with lobbyist partner Mark Dietrich.

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And he's there.

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And so federal lobbyist Mark Dietrich was somewhat strategies will give the City Council an update on the federal government and explain everything that's going on in DC and counsel will discuss federal priorities and engagement strategies. Thank you, Mr. Dietrich.

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Thank you, excuse me, thank you so much, Mayor and Council, and I also appreciate you all agreeing to move me forward in the program.

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Definitely makes my quality of life better, so thank you so much.

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And I'm going to go forward and try to share my screen here.

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Are you all seeing in hearing this?

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Yes, we are.

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Perfect.

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I never know with technology exactly how well it's working out.

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So just,

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first of all, again, thank you for giving that community talk with you all today.

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It's always a pleasure to be speaking with you all.

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I hope to have the opportunity to do so in the next couple of months out in person.

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I always enjoy trying to get out into your city at least once per year

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and would love to, very much looking forward to having the chance to do that relatively soon.

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It's been, I've been your federal lobbyist since the beginning of 2018 and it's always

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a pleasure to be in line with just period, but it's always also just very incredible

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to see all the different kind of positive changes in developments and such that happen

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from each time since I'm there, not every single day to see all the changes each time that

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I'm in there that happen to the city.

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It's always just wonderful to see and all the wonderful projects and things that you are looking for.

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For those of you who don't know me and aren't familiar with with me and our team in my work,

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my name is Mark Dendrick. I'm a partner at Summit Strategies. I work with my colleague,

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Enez Neavis, on your behalf. And we, as I said, have been working on behalf of the City of

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would sense the beginning of 2018.

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Summit strategies is a small boutique federal lobbying firm that has offices in Washington,

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D.C.

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And we also have one in Portland, Oregon.

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We specialize primarily in transportation infrastructure and economic development work.

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That's kind of one of the through lines throughout our work across all clients.

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Because of that, we do a lot of work with cities, counties and public governments.

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that includes public ports, regional transportation, organizations and authorities, transit agencies,

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like said cities, counties, a number of other different sorts of public entities like that,

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including the city of Lindwood, Washington. We work very closely with the Washington Congressional

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delegation and we do a like, given our office in Portland, we do a lot of work in the Pacific

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the northwest in general.

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For myself, I'm originally from a small town in Oregon

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about an hour south of Portland.

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I moved to Washington, DC in 1997.

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I did 10 years on Capitol Hill and Sensein have worked

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as a federal lobbyist initially

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with the government affairs practice group of a law firm

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that was headquartered in Portland, Oregon.

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And then in 2015, several of my colleagues

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that I spun off from that law firm

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to form some of the strategies.

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and shortly after that, started working with the city.

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Some of the stuff that you were kind of initially hired to work on with you all and kind of

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are the core things that we're working on kind of day-to-day with the city is to develop

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and improve relationships in Washington DC.

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I think the city has excellent relationships right now with your federal delegation, but

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there are always new relationships.

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There are always new members of Congress and new staff that are coming on board.

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They're always way to kind of continue to improve and make sure it can date you increase the

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the visibility and the status of the city back in Washington DC to make sure that when the city is making necessary federal

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question, which we'll talk about here in a little bit, and they need the delegation to step into place.

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We're never introducing ourselves for the first time.

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We have these established relationships back there and are able to call on them when needed in order to try and help out the city.

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We're brought on to kind of seek federal grant opportunities.

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And then as kind of a later core goal because he's in existence in 2018 when we began our work with the city to collaborate with the city on what I

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being an old timer referred to as earmarks, but which right now either referred to as

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congressional directed spending or CDS if you are on the house side or community funded projects or CFP if you are on the center side.

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But some of our work in these areas over the last number of years, and one of the first

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projects that I was made aware of with the City of Linwood was basically the two main projects

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that were on deck when I was brought on board were one to try and help shake loose the funding

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for sound transit for the Linwood link.

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The administration was holding that up, which at the time was very new thing because that

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was the, um, during the first Trump administration, and they were specifically holding up this

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sound transit your mark to, uh, let the money flow for the Linwood link. Um, we were hired

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to kind of help try to shake that, that lose more part of the team. Um, I can't claim

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anywhere near sole credit for that. We're part of the team, part of the effort to shake

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that money and lose from, um, the administration, since then a lot of other grants have gone

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on to be held up in the second administration this time around.

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We're also hired to work on the popular bridge over I-5.

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So among our work has been working with the city to secure the raised grant for the

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multimodal bridge.

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And then very recently during the government shutdown at the end of last year, there was

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actually a hold put on the funding right at the very end is the city is

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going to go to bid on the project and we kind of jumped in and worked with you

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all and your staff to get that that project kind of even during the

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government shutdown moved up to the secretary or to the general counsel's desk

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and then actually get that project pushed out the door and from what I

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I understand when we worked on the inside, it was the only grant during the government shutdown that actually was moved through the process at that point in time.

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But it was able to get the project begin moving towards going to bid and keep things on pace to where you all had a groundbreaking, I believe, a couple days ago.

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We've also worked with the city and the staff to secure commercial directed spending, including a couple of

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different earmarks for Scribord Creek Trail, as well as funding for the 44th Avenue West underpass under I-5.

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Looking at kind of the outlook for this coming year, I've kind of listed out some of the big bills that are out there that

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that we're going to be looking towards.

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I do just want to start in general by saying that last year was one of the more kind of

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singular years that I've worked on when it came to congressional schedule in the way

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that the Congress and the administration interacted during my time in Washington DC.

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I think we all were always kind of saying, oh, we as if we get through this thing and then

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We go into regular normal order and then that's when we kind of start moving on this bill or that bill or we're working on the funding and the appropriations process, working on this authorization bill, we're kind of doing whatever, whatever it is that we kind of do during a normal session of Congress and last year, it really felt like there was no end to the once we get through this thing, it was, we're finishing up the FY25 budget which lasted well in the

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March before they got that finalized.

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We're doing a kind of large reconciliation bill.

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We're trying to increase funding or do you differently just spending for this administration's priorities? We're doing do's where they're actually cutting, trying to cut workers from the federal workforce are doing different things there. It was not, it just was one kind of large thing after the other that was really sticking up all the options in the room, which really kind of affected the way that the Congress worked. And I think that's one of the things that work curious about, I'm curious about for this year,

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is if that sort of pattern continues and we end up doing a lot fewer piece of legislation than we might do during a normal congress,

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maybe in kind of larger bills, exactly how it's going to affect the congress.

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This was last year or so, get from anything that we've kind of experienced before.

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I kind of try to use my experience and my understanding of kind of what's happening and what needs to happen and what bills kind of need to pass and what needs to move to figure out the session's going to work.

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But there's a lot that I think is really just kind of unknowable about this session, and we'll just kind of kind of see as we go and adapt as we go to what happens and to what is happening.

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The appropriations process, so I will say even though the, I mean, we're still in a partial government shutdown right now, the DHS appropriations bill has not been signed into law.

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It's still, still hanging out there, there's still some federal workers who are not being paid.

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But despite that, and despite the fact that the FY26 appropriations bills were unfunded into this, this calendar year,

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the process for FY27 is moving right along kind of as if this were a normal year.

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The House and the Senate have both collected their CDS or CPF requests from their constituents

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and are submitting those into the committees.

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The committee process and the House they released today, their schedule for when they're

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going to be having markups on the different bills about the subcommittee and the full committee

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level over the next month and a half.

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So they're moving full speed ahead as if this were, you know, as I was saying, it appears that everything is kind of on normal pace by what they've at least announced what their intentions are.

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So, um, that seems to be moving along, which is important because even though it kind of feels like we're still early in the year and we've kind of earlier in the calendar year, the fiscal year ends at the end of September.

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And if the bills are not moving very soon in the house,

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there's no way in the world they're going to get finished or close to finished by the end of September when the fiscal year is over.

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Although I will say, and it comes to quote unquote normal order of the last time all the bills were passed as individual bills.

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And by the end of the fiscal year and signed into law, was in 1994, which is three years before I actually arrived in Washington DC.

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So I'm not really sure if we're going to refer to that as a normal order when it comes to the way the appropriations and the spending process in Washington, you'd see works any more.

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There are a couple of other kind of big several other and I listen to them here, big infrastructure bills that are out there, which your member of Congress Rick Larson who represents you all is ranking Democrat on the House Transportation Committee.

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Both these bills, the Service Transportation Reauthorization Act and the Water Resources Development Act would go through his committee, also a portion of the Service Administration Reauthorization Act would go through the committee of Senator Cantwell, who is the ranking member on the Senate Congress committee.

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These bills, the Water Resource Development Act tends to go in a two-year cycle where it happens in the even years.

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These are primarily the Army Corps of Engineers projects and are mostly authorized projects and funding.

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For when it comes to things like dams, levees, jetties, locks, projects along those lines, kind of major infrastructure.

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That bill seems to be moving along as if it's going to pass again.

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And I know that on the House side, the Democrats and Republicans are currently kind of in final negotiations with their bipartisan bill.

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The T&I committee has been a real kind of bastion of bipartisan shift even in what's often been a polarizing Congress with a lot of on kind of both sides.

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The outer edges of the caucus is kind of pulling them apart.

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The larger bill is the Service Transition Reauthorization Act, which was also this last time

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around, known as the I-I-J-A, or oftentimes the bill, or the bipartisan infrastructure

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law.

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That bill also expires at the end of September at the end of this fiscal year.

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Again, the committees are working on trying to reauthorize that.

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It's a much more challenging and tricky bill.

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They also, I don't think since the early, I think it's since in the mid 1980s, they've

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actually done a service transition reauthorization with that at least one extension.

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So I'm a little skeptical of their ability to get one done by the end of this fiscal year.

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But that's a large bill that funds highways, bike ped, transit, some rail, and it includes

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actual kind of real dollars into a lot of these programs.

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There's a lot of the formula funding that goes through wash dot to the city or to local

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regions and individual projects throughout the state of Washington.

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Those are federal funding, that those are federal dollars that are authorized through

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this bill and the formulas by which that money is pushed out are authorized in this bill.

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The chair of the committee, Sam Graves, on the house side is retiring at the end of this year.

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He's very motivated in order to get a bill done.

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He and Congressman Larson worked very well and very closely together.

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So I'm hopeful they're going to be able to reach a consensus and actually move a bill

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this year.

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It's also one that in the past has often included earmarks for specific projects.

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And so that's another one that we're kind of monitoring as we move through this and even

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if it does not happen this year, it's one that I'm confident will be happening probably first

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year of the next Congress and next year, which could have a different makeup than what this

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Congress is right now.

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We've been working with the city to submit a couple of different

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appropriation requests, including the popular way bridge trading and some additional dollars

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for that as well as a park project.

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And I just kind of want to wrap it. I wanted to leave

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definitely plenty of time for any questions that anyone may have. Again, I know our job here in

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and Washington disease kind of be your voice

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and to be able to advocate for you all out here in DC

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and your staff has always been wonderful to work with

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and whenever there have been issues

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with individual grants coming out

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or hangups or problems there had,

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they've always been quick to notify us and notify me.

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We stand ready to kind of help you out

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on not only proactively searching for new dollars

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as we are doing every day as we're looking

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at different federal grant programs and notice the funding opportunities that are put out there

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on the street. But any kind of other issues you'll have in the federal government, we kind

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of stand here ready to kind of help and assist you as best we can and kind of look forward to

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continuing to do so into the future. So again, thank you so much for the opportunity to chat with you all

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and look forward to answering any questions anyone may have.

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Very good. Thank you, sir. Any council members have any questions for our lobbyists?

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Council member Luw Weiler.

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We have just a quick question for you, Mark, and thanks for the presentation.

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I think a lot of us have seen in the news that the Department of Transportation at the federal level

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has, they've talked a lot about shifting to different formulas and priorities that are very much around

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and the automobile, accounting for family household sizes

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and communities, moving away from multimodal sidewalks,

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bike lanes, that type of infrastructure,

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which is where a lot of our planning has obviously been

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going as a city.

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So is it too early to see how much of that

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is gonna be a reality, or can you share any thoughts

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on that?

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Yeah. So it's a really good question. It definitely did get a lot of coverage

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and understandably because a lot of it was definitely were some different and newer

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ways of looking at how you might choose to spread the dollars around.

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I think it is definitely too early to tell. I think it also can be too easy to somewhat overreact.

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I think it's most tools in nature when you see someone like to overreact some of the what's been coming out on that the vast majority of the transportation dollars that are

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Provided by the federal government are pushed out the door either to

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roads or transit via formula

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Those formulas are set in law on the authorization bill and DOT is

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Primarily a pass through on that and the money goes to washed out and in some cases is sub allocated down to

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individual cities or MPOs

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Again, depending kind of by formula and by law on how that money moves out or in the case

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of transit is sent out again by formula when things go out where DOT can have an impact

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on something like that is on the discretionary grant programs.

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There were a lot of those that were kind of created or dramatically expanded as part of the

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IJ and we've seen a little of that on some of the novos that have come out right now in terms

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terms of definitely prioritizing, you know, safety, freight mobility, you know, and highways

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and kind of work along those lines.

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As opposed to some of the priorities in the previous administration, what I've seen

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so far has not really been that different than I would say kind of a transition from a typical

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democratic to Republican administration, like from Obama to, well, to the first Trump administration

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or form Clinton to George W. Bush or something kind of like that. They've been very much

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kind of in lines with, we're administering the grant programs the way that they're outlined in

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law, so with the requirements that are in the law there. And we're just going to use a slightly

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different lens on it, which is often meant that you could submit the same project as a city

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just highlight different aspects of that project. And highlight different elements of it.

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Maybe push the transit and the bike-ped elements to the front on a democratic administration

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and push the increased freight mobility, safety, decrease in congestion to the forward

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00:41:16,760 --> 00:41:19,000
under kind of a Republican administration.

438
00:41:19,380 --> 00:41:23,200
So I think we haven't really seen a lot in terms

439
00:41:23,200 --> 00:41:26,760
of the discretionary grant, new discretionary grants go out.

440
00:41:26,800 --> 00:41:29,200
The first round of build grants went out.

441
00:41:29,340 --> 00:41:34,820
The NOFO on that came out kind of the tail end of last year.

442
00:41:36,820 --> 00:41:38,300
We haven't seen the awards yet.

443
00:41:38,420 --> 00:41:39,280
Until we kind of see that,

444
00:41:39,360 --> 00:41:40,360
we won't really get a real sense

445
00:41:40,360 --> 00:41:44,880
of I think exactly how far they're gonna be trying

446
00:41:44,880 --> 00:41:45,480
to push things.

447
00:41:46,140 --> 00:41:51,940
And my sense from talking to people inside the building inside DOT is I don't think when

448
00:41:51,940 --> 00:41:58,220
it comes to the like family size and you know increase number of child bursts and things

449
00:41:58,220 --> 00:41:58,580
like that.

450
00:41:59,000 --> 00:42:02,580
I don't think they really have something set up right now to try and deal with that and

451
00:42:02,580 --> 00:42:04,340
if you're at a factor that into what is they're doing.

452
00:42:04,540 --> 00:42:06,560
So I don't, that was when they got a lot of attention.

453
00:42:06,620 --> 00:42:08,460
It's definitely one that caught my eye.

454
00:42:09,600 --> 00:42:13,160
But I'm not, I don't think that they, that that's something they're going to be moving

455
00:42:13,160 --> 00:42:13,520
on soon.

456
00:42:13,520 --> 00:42:17,880
but I'm again we'll see as they roll out more of these grants. I hope that answers the question.

457
00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:20,520
It does. Thank you very much. Absolutely.

458
00:42:21,380 --> 00:42:22,720
Great. Council Vice President.

459
00:42:25,270 --> 00:42:31,250
Hello. Thank you for your presentation and update. More than anything, just thank you.

460
00:42:31,550 --> 00:42:38,010
It is, I think we're really fortunate here in Linwood in the most of the stuff that we would have been,

461
00:42:38,270 --> 00:42:44,750
you know, hoping and praying and in line for, you know, we got the light rail here. We've got

462
00:42:44,750 --> 00:42:50,130
So we're so I think bless and fortunate in that at this point in

463
00:42:50,890 --> 00:42:53,250
budgetary federally and state we kind of

464
00:42:53,250 --> 00:42:59,830
You know are on the other end of some of those and thankfully we don't have like 10 ask, you know

465
00:42:59,830 --> 00:43:02,770
So if anything I just wanted to say thank you

466
00:43:02,770 --> 00:43:07,710
We appreciate everything that the federal government has done up to this point

467
00:43:07,710 --> 00:43:13,370
We're also fortunate here in Linwood and that we're at the you know, we're at the crux of 405 and 5

468
00:43:13,370 --> 00:43:20,990
And so it really is super, super important to keep up with the infrastructure here.

469
00:43:21,210 --> 00:43:27,610
And with that in mind, I know here in Washington State, there was a push towards infrastructure spending.

470
00:43:27,970 --> 00:43:33,470
And there's going to be a focus on like dilapidated bridges and

471
00:43:33,470 --> 00:43:36,670
overpasses and that kind of stuff fairies.

472
00:43:37,350 --> 00:44:02,770
On the federal side in the transportation kind of world, and luckily for us, you know, our reps are on the committee, do you, can you see if they're going to be kind of focusing more on urban areas or suburban areas like where can you see in this market and fiscal kind of uncertainty, where do you think the government is going to go with infrastructure monies with what, where you're at right now?

473
00:44:04,450 --> 00:44:22,770
Yeah, absolutely. Good question. I think, I mean in terms of the urban rural pull push that's that's kind of a constant theme going through. I think the one thing is right now with the way that Congress is set up and it, you know, there's a relatively narrow margin in the Senate.

474
00:44:22,770 --> 00:44:27,290
about, you know, the need to get 60 votes in order to break a filibuster, and that always,

475
00:44:27,610 --> 00:44:32,150
you know, creates something extra burden when it comes to passing stuff out of the Senate.

476
00:44:32,910 --> 00:44:38,230
The margin of the house are closer than in the Senate, especially in percentage terms right now.

477
00:44:38,990 --> 00:44:44,550
And the way that the house is functioning, it's not that they are 60% of the votes in order to pass

478
00:44:44,550 --> 00:44:50,590
things. They really need, for anything at all, contentious, 67% or 66 plus one vote,

479
00:44:50,590 --> 00:44:59,770
So, percent of the house in order to actually pass something through the technique they've been moving.

480
00:45:00,780 --> 00:45:28,500
So, you need an actual kind of bipartisan approach and a bipartisan bill in order to do that. And so, I think that whatever kind of thing, whatever kind of bill they're able to move forward, it's going to be kind of in line with what we've seen in the past. There's going to be some stuff that's good for rural areas. There's going to be some stuff that's good for urban areas, but I don't really see the pendulum swinging that far one side or the other, which I think is good for the city of London.

481
00:45:28,500 --> 00:45:34,780
And what I know when, in the previous Trump administration, initially when the discretionary

482
00:45:34,780 --> 00:45:40,720
grant programs, they swung the pendulum very far back towards rural areas receiving an

483
00:45:40,720 --> 00:45:44,660
overwhelming percentage of like the bill grants, for example, which we were applying for

484
00:45:44,660 --> 00:45:49,700
popular at that time under that bill, under that grant.

485
00:45:50,720 --> 00:45:55,500
And the Congress actually, in a bipartisan way, changed the law in order to say it can't

486
00:45:55,500 --> 00:46:02,280
more than 50% rural grants awarded in a given cycle for that build grant.

487
00:46:03,080 --> 00:46:08,520
So I think on some of the stuff you mentioned, I know Chairman Graves in the House, the

488
00:46:08,520 --> 00:46:09,940
bridge program is a top priority.

489
00:46:10,060 --> 00:46:12,740
I think money for bridges is definitely something that's going to come through.

490
00:46:13,300 --> 00:46:17,920
I think the number of discretionary grant programs is going to decrease.

491
00:46:18,160 --> 00:46:23,900
I think everyone, I think there's a general feeling that there were too many different grant

492
00:46:23,900 --> 00:46:31,740
programs, which were really taxing the ability of local governments, especially kind of smaller local governments to apply and

493
00:46:31,740 --> 00:46:36,220
left them overwhelmed by kind of what was out there. So I think the number is probably going to decrease.

494
00:46:36,440 --> 00:46:43,820
The size of some of those grant programs may increase as a result. And more of that money may go into formula dollars and

495
00:46:43,820 --> 00:46:52,940
even formula dollars that I moved down into local and regional governments. But I think the bill that any bill that

496
00:46:52,940 --> 00:46:57,780
actually get signed into law is going to need to be one that has bipartisan support because

497
00:46:57,780 --> 00:47:00,600
that's what you're going to need to pass both the House and the Senate. There's just no way

498
00:47:00,600 --> 00:47:05,460
to do it all with one party, the way that Congress currently set up.

499
00:47:06,380 --> 00:47:10,920
No, thank you very much. I was asking for that exact reason because in the past there has been

500
00:47:10,920 --> 00:47:17,900
monies kind of, and I'm like, with this regime like, you know, what do we do? Where should we be at?

501
00:47:17,900 --> 00:47:20,740
Where do you want us? Where should we be paying attention?

502
00:47:21,560 --> 00:47:29,000
And what we've been telling our other lobbyists is how can we be a good supportive partner right now in that we're not asking?

503
00:47:29,300 --> 00:47:32,980
We're just, you know, tell us how we can be good partners and be paying attention.

504
00:47:33,520 --> 00:47:39,260
And where the things are trickling down so that us and the staff can be ready to rock and roll when it's time.

505
00:47:39,900 --> 00:47:40,240
Thank you.

506
00:47:41,120 --> 00:47:41,560
Absolutely.

507
00:47:42,120 --> 00:47:43,720
Great. Council President.

508
00:47:44,360 --> 00:47:46,700
Thank you, Mayor, and thank you, Mark.

509
00:47:47,200 --> 00:47:56,000
I know we pay you, but, and I was a huge skeptic of lobbyists coming into this role, but I have seen the value that you guys bring to our city.

510
00:47:56,900 --> 00:48:03,960
That's at the federal level or at our state level, and I just really appreciate what you do for this community, these.

511
00:48:04,540 --> 00:48:07,400
The dollars and the successes we've seen, these are real dollars.

512
00:48:07,700 --> 00:48:10,680
I mean, what, three million dollars, we're hoping to get some more.

513
00:48:10,680 --> 00:48:13,760
but millions and millions of dollars in our community

514
00:48:13,760 --> 00:48:16,780
that would otherwise be taken out from programs

515
00:48:16,780 --> 00:48:18,840
that our community depends on.

516
00:48:19,140 --> 00:48:22,280
So on that note, it is election season,

517
00:48:22,460 --> 00:48:24,800
and we're starting to see our congressional representatives

518
00:48:24,800 --> 00:48:29,760
in our community more, and I've been able to talk

519
00:48:29,760 --> 00:48:31,040
to them occasionally.

520
00:48:31,800 --> 00:48:36,120
And I wanted to ask, are there any do's and don'ts

521
00:48:36,120 --> 00:48:39,740
that you would kind of advise for me and my colleagues

522
00:48:39,740 --> 00:48:46,860
when we do encounter our representatives and inevitably get stuck into some kind of moment of advocacy.

523
00:48:48,580 --> 00:48:51,940
Absolutely, and that's a really good question I appreciate you asking it.

524
00:48:53,360 --> 00:49:00,200
Number one, I think any time you can start your conversation with a thank you, even if it's something that's from several years ago

525
00:49:00,200 --> 00:49:03,560
or something like that, that they worked on the better.

526
00:49:03,560 --> 00:49:09,860
I mean, the fact that you, again, you have so many kind of different projects that your

527
00:49:09,860 --> 00:49:13,220
different members of your delegation have been involved in, there are a lot of different

528
00:49:13,220 --> 00:49:17,420
things you can thank people for, Rick Larson has been very involved in.

529
00:49:17,940 --> 00:49:26,560
As we're both senators in the popular race grant application, the light rail, the scriboard

530
00:49:26,560 --> 00:49:32,880
creek trail, there's a bunch of 44th underpass, there's a lot of things that they've been involved

531
00:49:32,880 --> 00:49:37,220
and helpful and so anytime you can kind of thank you open up with thank you for your help or we

532
00:49:37,220 --> 00:49:41,580
or even just we appreciate the work you're doing on transportation infrastructure funding or you

533
00:49:41,580 --> 00:49:46,620
appreciate the work you're doing on parks or something like that I think everyone always likes to have

534
00:49:46,620 --> 00:49:51,540
that as an opening so I think that's always a good a good starting point and then I mean I think

535
00:49:55,100 --> 00:50:00,440
they're telling them what kind of the needs are in your community and what matters to you all I think

536
00:50:00,440 --> 00:50:02,680
is also, you know, the right, the right thing to do.

537
00:50:03,280 --> 00:50:05,420
I mean, we're taking our, we back here and you see

538
00:50:05,420 --> 00:50:07,360
we're taking our direction from you all and kind of

539
00:50:07,360 --> 00:50:10,880
what your priorities are and what the needs of the city are

540
00:50:11,420 --> 00:50:12,980
and how the federal government can help.

541
00:50:13,300 --> 00:50:17,360
So I think if there are areas where you're really seeing an issue,

542
00:50:17,640 --> 00:50:20,660
I think bringing that up and talking about what matters to you

543
00:50:20,660 --> 00:50:21,660
is important.

544
00:50:24,600 --> 00:50:25,280
Okay, thank you.

545
00:50:27,370 --> 00:50:28,250
Any other council members?

546
00:50:32,110 --> 00:50:33,450
So I have a question.

547
00:50:34,030 --> 00:50:39,870
All excited about the $3 million ask for proper way bridge and the $750,000 for road park.

548
00:50:40,530 --> 00:50:42,650
When do you think we would know anything about that?

549
00:50:43,970 --> 00:50:48,390
We should know very soon I think on that kind of a where things are.

550
00:50:49,070 --> 00:50:58,630
The announcements have to be made, well the committee process starting on the house very soon I think.

551
00:50:58,950 --> 00:51:02,330
And on the center side they have another deadline so she submit the request yet.

552
00:51:02,330 --> 00:51:14,170
but in the house they're required by a certain date to post those requests so we should know I think I have any day on the house side whether our projects are kind of alive or not and the Senate will be a little bit later than that.

553
00:51:14,670 --> 00:51:15,010
Okay.

554
00:51:15,490 --> 00:51:15,650
Great.

555
00:51:16,250 --> 00:51:21,930
And in the spirit of we do thank you for your service for the city. We really appreciate it.

556
00:51:22,590 --> 00:51:22,770
All right.

557
00:51:22,770 --> 00:51:28,890
All right, with that, I know you're three hours ahead of us, so we're going to let you go.

558
00:51:29,430 --> 00:51:30,070
Thank you, sir.

559
00:51:30,610 --> 00:51:31,090
Appreciate it.

560
00:51:31,250 --> 00:51:32,310
Thank you so much.

561
00:51:32,470 --> 00:51:33,090
It's great to see you all.

562
00:51:33,130 --> 00:51:33,910
I'm great to talk with you.

563
00:51:34,390 --> 00:51:34,550
All right.

564
00:51:38,950 --> 00:51:41,910
Right now, we're going to go into the public comment.

565
00:51:42,710 --> 00:51:49,510
I'm going to ask Councilor Exhaustion Assistant, has anybody from Zoom registered?

566
00:51:50,650 --> 00:51:51,230
Oh, okay.

567
00:51:51,530 --> 00:51:51,630
Good.

568
00:51:52,490 --> 00:51:52,730
All right.

569
00:51:53,010 --> 00:51:54,270
Let me get through this script, then.

570
00:51:54,270 --> 00:52:02,070
The public comments segment of our agenda provides an opportunity for community members to give their comments to the mayor and council members.

571
00:52:02,630 --> 00:52:06,770
We're here to listen to your comments and there will be no response or debate with you.

572
00:52:07,350 --> 00:52:11,130
Comments should be related to the city of Limwood or agenda items only.

573
00:52:11,890 --> 00:52:14,550
You may also provide comments through the city website.

574
00:52:15,510 --> 00:52:20,510
We set aside 30 minutes for individuals to have an opportunity to speak up to three minutes each.

575
00:52:20,510 --> 00:52:25,990
First, we will call on those who signed up to speak on the list outside of Council Chambers here at City Hall.

576
00:52:26,810 --> 00:52:32,390
After that, we will call on anyone present that did not sign up prior to the meeting and wish to speak in person.

577
00:52:33,330 --> 00:52:39,010
Individuals providing public comment must not disrupt or otherwise impede the orderly conduct of the meeting.

578
00:52:39,530 --> 00:52:43,030
This is not a form for hate speech and it will not be tolerated.

579
00:52:43,550 --> 00:52:49,270
People seeking to use this form for that purpose will have their mic turned off and or be removed from the meeting.

580
00:52:49,830 --> 00:52:53,630
We ask that the audience refrain from clapping, cheering, or booing.

581
00:52:54,130 --> 00:53:03,890
Comments for the purpose of assisting the campaign for election of any person to any office, or the promotion of, or opposition to any ballot proposition are not allowed.

582
00:53:04,550 --> 00:53:16,590
When you're called upon to speak, if you are in person, which is what we have, please come to the podium, confirm the microphone is on, and state your name in zip code for the record and make your comments.

583
00:53:17,630 --> 00:53:21,190
When your three minutes are complete, you'll be prompted to conclude your remarks.

584
00:53:21,250 --> 00:53:26,230
If you do not conclude your remarks after the three minutes, the chair, which is aye.

585
00:53:26,690 --> 00:53:28,530
May I ask for your mic to be turned off?

586
00:53:29,150 --> 00:53:32,330
Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your comments with us.

587
00:53:35,640 --> 00:53:42,160
So the first person who signed up to speak is Philip Lipson.

588
00:53:49,840 --> 00:53:50,560
Thank you, sir.

589
00:53:50,560 --> 00:53:51,240
Hello,

590
00:53:56,220 --> 00:53:59,200
my name is Philip Nixon, 98036.

591
00:54:01,280 --> 00:54:06,460
In June of last year, Limit Pride was the first Pride event ever in Lindwood, and still

592
00:54:06,460 --> 00:54:13,060
has not been acknowledged as such, requested the city ordinance be revised to allow Pride

593
00:54:13,060 --> 00:54:15,740
Flag to be raised at Wilcox Park.

594
00:54:16,880 --> 00:54:22,440
At that time, we were told the city cannot appoint any written policy of excluding the Pride Flag,

595
00:54:22,440 --> 00:54:24,780
and even has a non-American flag,

596
00:54:24,940 --> 00:54:26,140
GW flag flying.

597
00:54:26,980 --> 00:54:29,340
We encourage the city to see there is no reason

598
00:54:29,900 --> 00:54:31,720
to exclude the pride flag from flying

599
00:54:32,360 --> 00:54:34,860
on a public flag pole and to recognize adversity.

600
00:54:36,020 --> 00:54:37,680
It may have last year, Joel,

601
00:54:37,880 --> 00:54:40,180
Favorite Director of Parks and Rec told us,

602
00:54:40,980 --> 00:54:43,020
I looked into whether local municipal code

603
00:54:43,020 --> 00:54:45,720
restricts flying any flag other than the American flag

604
00:54:45,720 --> 00:54:46,500
in our parks.

605
00:54:47,120 --> 00:54:49,680
After a thorough review, I found no such regulation.

606
00:54:50,420 --> 00:54:56,900
So we were shocked to discover that September 9th, 2025, the former mayor established a policy

607
00:54:56,900 --> 00:55:03,980
that stated, the city's flag was not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by

608
00:55:03,980 --> 00:55:04,440
the public.

609
00:55:06,940 --> 00:55:11,780
And so as far as we could tell, Linwood Prie was never informed of this policy, it was never

610
00:55:11,780 --> 00:55:17,200
voted on by the City Council, and it seemed to be hurriedly put together in a sense to

611
00:55:17,200 --> 00:55:21,920
to cover themselves and to keep us quiet and directly contradict our request.

612
00:55:22,880 --> 00:55:28,240
So again, many requests that in order to be established by the council to allow a price like a Wilcox park.

613
00:55:29,300 --> 00:55:33,040
During June, which is considered pride month, thank you very much.

614
00:55:34,780 --> 00:55:35,480
Thank you.

615
00:55:42,900 --> 00:55:45,340
Indeed, the next person is Charlotte LaFever.

616
00:55:46,000 --> 00:55:46,280
Thank you.

617
00:55:46,560 --> 00:55:47,680
Thank you.

618
00:55:49,540 --> 00:55:53,040
My name is Charlotte LaFever, 98036.

619
00:55:53,040 --> 00:55:56,700
districts, Founder and Director Lumewood-Preg.

620
00:55:58,780 --> 00:56:01,020
And just like my colleague mentioned,

621
00:56:03,190 --> 00:56:06,810
and I would like to sit there and remind every city council person.

622
00:56:08,310 --> 00:56:25,720
And our mayor, that it was last year, last year in May that we recrested two members of the city council, that they enact an ordinance.

623
00:56:26,540 --> 00:56:37,360
not a policy, an ordinance that we may raise a pride flag at Roll Cox Park and we have

624
00:56:37,360 --> 00:56:38,060
not heard back.

625
00:56:40,350 --> 00:56:44,790
And I want to remind City Council it was exactly two weeks ago we were

626
00:56:44,790 --> 00:56:56,750
here again requesting a city ordinance to raise simply a pride flag in Linwood's public

627
00:56:56,750 --> 00:57:01,050
part that even by the city's own

628
00:57:01,050 --> 00:57:05,750
admittance has a public flagpole of

629
00:57:08,370 --> 00:57:08,530
no

630
00:57:08,530 --> 00:57:13,410
today we're really glad to sit there

631
00:57:13,410 --> 00:57:17,030
in here that Stonewall this current

632
00:57:17,030 --> 00:57:19,870
administration is allowing the pride

633
00:57:19,870 --> 00:57:24,570
flag to be flown again at Stonewall so

634
00:57:24,570 --> 00:57:26,450
I wonder line as you know it's very

635
00:57:26,450 --> 00:57:30,550
important for the community to have this

636
00:57:30,550 --> 00:57:33,290
flag it is representative is

637
00:57:35,790 --> 00:57:41,310
important for all communities and you as elected officials

638
00:57:41,620 --> 00:57:50,070
are elected and it's taken in oath of office to represent. And that means everyone.

639
00:57:54,490 --> 00:58:01,110
So I'm again here today to ask you specifically for

640
00:58:04,370 --> 00:58:06,330
an ordinance to

641
00:58:08,410 --> 00:58:09,990
allow for the raising

642
00:58:09,990 --> 00:58:13,390
of a pride flag, simple requests, simple ordinance.

643
00:58:16,450 --> 00:58:22,290
Seattle and other cities, they have no problem, no problem at all raising a pride flag.

644
00:58:24,540 --> 00:58:25,300
It's Pride Month,

645
00:58:27,780 --> 00:58:37,040
June 1st, many cities, Seattle, Edmunds, we have been asked and

646
00:58:37,040 --> 00:58:42,600
have attended and spoken at Everett's, Snomers County Pride flag raising in Everett.

647
00:58:45,320 --> 00:58:52,860
So, again, we're asking you to, again,

648
00:58:54,910 --> 00:58:56,790
please remember our request.

649
00:58:57,570 --> 00:58:59,490
Please answer our emails.

650
00:59:00,930 --> 00:59:03,790
Please respectfully respond in some manner.

651
00:59:05,880 --> 00:59:08,380
And again, is to our disappointment.

652
00:59:13,050 --> 00:59:20,770
As many times as we have visited the City Council in this very room, over the last three years,

653
00:59:20,770 --> 00:59:21,710
that

654
00:59:26,670 --> 00:59:34,090
our former mayor actually enacted a policy September 9th of last year,

655
00:59:36,540 --> 00:59:43,420
directly contradicting our request and restricting the raising of a pride flag.

656
00:59:46,070 --> 00:59:56,370
I would ask this city council and this city to sit there review the legality of that as a violation of expressive rights.

657
01:00:00,530 --> 01:00:09,990
And I would specifically ask this city council and mayor to do as much as they can to help support the community.

658
01:00:12,100 --> 01:00:24,540
And again, I want to thank you for all that you have done, but I really want to encourage you to do more communication. And please respect our request.

659
01:00:26,810 --> 01:00:27,290
Thank you.

660
01:00:30,740 --> 01:00:33,900
Thank you. Next to signed up is Allen.

661
01:00:33,900 --> 01:00:34,400
Charlie.

662
01:00:42,830 --> 01:01:01,590
Good evening, Alan Ternley, 98036. So a few weeks ago, I heard from some of my former students at Lendale Elementary who evidently found a old bike pump in Lendale Park when they were picking up trash as part of their efforts and also remembering me always picking up trash out from the playground.

663
01:01:01,590 --> 01:01:06,270
so they've turned that bike pump as well as old soda bottles they found in the

664
01:01:06,270 --> 01:01:11,630
park into rockets that they can shoot with it and are hoping to have

665
01:01:11,630 --> 01:01:15,930
demonstration soon so that they can have things either for Earth Day or

666
01:01:15,930 --> 01:01:20,450
something else in the summer to celebrate not only environmental stewardship

667
01:01:20,450 --> 01:01:26,310
but also just how looking after your own community and so unfortunately they are

668
01:01:26,310 --> 01:01:30,910
still in the phase where they're not feeling comfortable with wanting to say

669
01:01:30,910 --> 01:01:35,950
this so they ask me to speak on their behalf. But as soon as they do they want to invite all of you

670
01:01:35,950 --> 01:01:41,570
to come see their demonstration most likely at Lindale Park and I will definitely be happy to

671
01:01:41,570 --> 01:01:47,910
be there conduit in any shape or form but I am very proud of them and actually council member

672
01:01:47,910 --> 01:01:51,770
partial spoke to some of them last year and they definitely remember that so they definitely

673
01:01:52,350 --> 01:01:58,230
feel the city council will be receptive to their ideas and these are just some amazing elementary

674
01:01:58,230 --> 01:02:03,370
students and I'm very proud of them but I'm looking forward to seeing what they do because they

675
01:02:03,370 --> 01:02:09,850
also don't want to show me yet but the fact that they they've shown me the parts what they've been

676
01:02:09,850 --> 01:02:13,610
doing just they have not shown me any of their demonstrations according to one of their parents

677
01:02:13,610 --> 01:02:19,610
but farthest any of these bottle things have shot is about only nine feet but they do like the idea

678
01:02:19,610 --> 01:02:26,030
of using this as a way to just promote a healthier and cleaner community. Thank you very much and

679
01:02:26,030 --> 01:02:34,310
have a wonderful evening. Great, thank you. Anyone else wish to speak now? Yes, sir.

680
01:02:52,730 --> 01:02:57,790
Excuse me, David and council, hope you're doing well. Judith from 98037. First of all,

681
01:02:57,830 --> 01:03:02,910
go ahead and ignore everything that that lady said about the pride flag. It is not an inclusive flag.

682
01:03:03,050 --> 01:03:08,010
It is an ex-coup of fact to Christians like me who do not find that behavior to be moral because it's

683
01:03:08,010 --> 01:03:13,630
not the flag that we all pledge to this very evening is in this room. It's the American flag.

684
01:03:13,630 --> 01:03:18,270
That is the United Flag, so if you want to find unity, please pledge yourself to that,

685
01:03:18,410 --> 01:03:22,710
not to who you have sex with. That's just gross to celebrate that and felt like it's indecent.

686
01:03:23,290 --> 01:03:27,870
So in light of that, speaking of God and morality, happy belated Easter Monday,

687
01:03:28,590 --> 01:03:32,550
especially to the two of you who share my conviction that Jesus Christ is Lord.

688
01:03:33,210 --> 01:03:37,910
Today is a day as good as any to celebrate the hope we have in Christ because he rose from the grave.

689
01:03:38,670 --> 01:03:42,270
And everyone who hasn't done so should repent and believe the good news that we can know with

690
01:03:42,270 --> 01:03:47,310
certainty from Scripture. Since the Gospel of Jesus Christ compels Christians to preach the good

691
01:03:47,310 --> 01:03:52,670
news to all who have years to hear, that includes the city where my family and I live and where we meet

692
01:03:52,670 --> 01:03:57,750
for church, the city of Linwood. Less than there be any doubt that Jesus died or that he rose,

693
01:03:57,870 --> 01:04:02,410
I'd like to take this opportunity to review the evidence we have from Scripture on this question.

694
01:04:03,090 --> 01:04:08,090
John records in chapter 19 that the legs of the robbers crucified with Jesus were broken

695
01:04:08,090 --> 01:04:14,190
so that they would suffocate and die quickly, did Sabbath. John then writes the following

696
01:04:14,190 --> 01:04:14,970
in verses 35.

697
01:04:17,090 --> 01:04:20,270
But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they

698
01:04:20,270 --> 01:04:25,890
did not break his legs. Instead one of the soldiers pierced Jesus's side with the spear, bringing

699
01:04:25,890 --> 01:04:30,590
a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony and his testimony

700
01:04:30,590 --> 01:04:35,910
is true. He knows that he tells the truth and he testifies so that you also may believe.

701
01:04:36,630 --> 01:04:41,290
Verse 34 here says that both blood and water flowed from the side of Jesus.

702
01:04:41,690 --> 01:04:46,670
We can know with certainty today that this means Jesus was already dead when the soldier

703
01:04:46,670 --> 01:04:47,090
stepped.

704
01:04:47,490 --> 01:04:51,950
The flowing of water from the side of Jesus indicates that his heart had stopped, resulting

705
01:04:51,950 --> 01:04:54,350
in water collecting in a sack around the heart.

706
01:04:54,930 --> 01:04:59,210
He didn't faint or pretend to die, he really died, publicly and shamedfully.

707
01:04:59,710 --> 01:05:03,750
As the evidence that he rose, all you have to do is read the Gospel accounts for which

708
01:05:03,750 --> 01:05:09,470
include nine separate appearances of the risen Jesus to various witnesses, not to mention

709
01:05:09,470 --> 01:05:16,370
Paul's inclusion in 1 Corinthians 15 or 6 that says the risen Jesus appeared to 500 brothers

710
01:05:16,370 --> 01:05:23,150
at one time. Most historians date that passage within two years of the crucifixion. That's

711
01:05:23,150 --> 01:05:27,330
nothing. Can we all remember when Trump was elected in 2016? That was 10 years ago. We're talking

712
01:05:27,330 --> 01:05:32,770
about two years within the crucifixion. Scripture is directing clear on this point.

713
01:05:32,770 --> 01:05:38,110
Jesus died and rose again three days later just as Jesus himself said that he would.

714
01:05:38,510 --> 01:05:42,930
Denying this is just copium. This is historical facts and it's time to confess

715
01:05:42,930 --> 01:05:47,290
believe the good news. In conclusion, if Jesus can predict his own death and

716
01:05:47,290 --> 01:05:53,090
resurrection, he's him. He must be whom he says he is. He got himself in the flesh.

717
01:05:53,570 --> 01:05:58,850
So we ought to obey his commands. He is risen. Hallelujah. Thank you.

718
01:06:01,180 --> 01:06:02,800
Okay. Any other

719
01:06:02,800 --> 01:06:04,580
public comments. Yes sir?

720
01:06:15,200 --> 01:06:20,220
Luke Deaderman, 90-036. I just want to comment that the

721
01:06:20,220 --> 01:06:25,680
general lady made earlier about fascism and how, oh my pardon me, I guess it was the

722
01:06:25,680 --> 01:06:31,940
mayor, but the point is fascism can creep into government absolutely. One thing

723
01:06:31,940 --> 01:06:38,060
implicit in fascism is the idea that one idea is correct and to heck with the

724
01:06:38,060 --> 01:06:46,540
others. The pride flag is an idea that is fascist in nature. It does not represent me, nor

725
01:06:46,540 --> 01:06:52,560
my family. I appreciate that you folks I guess so far have kind of ignored the issue.

726
01:06:53,140 --> 01:06:58,880
I encourage you to continue to do so. We have a perfectly good flag up there. It unites

727
01:06:58,880 --> 01:07:04,440
all of us as Americans. So let's continue to just use that one. Thank you.

728
01:07:06,040 --> 01:07:08,720
Thank you. Any other public comments?

729
01:07:11,800 --> 01:07:14,880
Seeing none, public comment is closed. Thank you.

730
01:07:15,880 --> 01:07:21,300
We'll now go to council comments, and let's start with council member Moda.

731
01:07:24,940 --> 01:07:25,460
Woof.

732
01:07:27,680 --> 01:07:31,140
I don't have any comments today.

733
01:07:31,660 --> 01:07:34,780
If you don't have anything nice to say, shouldn't say anything at all.

734
01:07:35,700 --> 01:07:36,700
I'm going to say nothing today.

735
01:07:38,810 --> 01:07:38,970
Okay.

736
01:07:41,200 --> 01:07:42,040
Council member partial.

737
01:07:42,040 --> 01:07:48,340
Thank you, I do want to depart from my prepare comments

738
01:07:48,340 --> 01:07:54,340
briefly and harken back to the volunteer comments about small things.

739
01:07:54,840 --> 01:07:59,880
I really struck a chord with me because I have such a background in teaching and coaching.

740
01:08:00,540 --> 01:08:05,900
One of the things we always try to teach are players that small things lead to big things.

741
01:08:06,860 --> 01:08:09,380
So don't underestimate the importance of small things.

742
01:08:10,480 --> 01:08:16,920
Set a good screen, make a good pass, communicate with the teammate, that will lead to a basket.

743
01:08:18,000 --> 01:08:23,220
Basket will lead to winning a game, winning a game, will lead to making playoffs.

744
01:08:23,660 --> 01:08:28,940
So never underestimate the value of small things. I think that's really important for everyone.

745
01:08:29,280 --> 01:08:31,920
And it really goes hand in hand with our volunteers.

746
01:08:34,200 --> 01:08:36,580
Back to regularly scheduled comments.

747
01:08:36,580 --> 01:08:44,140
I wanted to recognize a couple of days that I missed because we had a Monday off and it's been a while since we've got a business meeting.

748
01:08:45,840 --> 01:08:51,420
I want to recognize that April 2nd is International Autism Awareness Day.

749
01:08:52,900 --> 01:08:55,020
And this is also Autism Awareness Month.

750
01:08:56,120 --> 01:09:05,600
So to all my friends, family members and everyone out there that is touched by Autism, happy Autism Awareness Month.

751
01:09:07,560 --> 01:09:18,340
March 31st was transgender day of visibility, and I want to say the same thing about that to my family, extended family village, we see you, we love you.

752
01:09:20,280 --> 01:09:22,480
I want to thank some staff members as well.

753
01:09:23,540 --> 01:09:32,800
From DBS, thank you to Director Walters, Community Planning Manager Ongren, the city center planning manager, Cho, and then I also wanted to thank

754
01:09:32,800 --> 01:09:45,440
a court administrator, Dean Morale, I just, I never take it lightly when staff members take some time to help me learn new things, so I appreciate, I appreciate their support and everything they do for the City of Loonwood.

755
01:09:45,920 --> 01:09:47,280
That's all for today, thank you.

756
01:09:49,120 --> 01:09:51,300
Thank you, Council Vice President Esquamiya.

757
01:09:53,660 --> 01:09:55,620
Thank you everybody for being here.

758
01:09:56,580 --> 01:10:04,400
More than anything, I just want to thank everyone for their comments, and I guess we're not supposed to address anything specifically,

759
01:10:04,400 --> 01:10:16,080
and I'm not, but I want you to know that you're heard, Charlotte and Philip, and I personally apologize for not responding.

760
01:10:17,180 --> 01:10:32,200
But I do want you to know that your comments haven't fallen upon deaf ears, and we have discussed what you came forward to in leadership, and the Mayor immediately brought forward the resolution

761
01:10:32,200 --> 01:10:37,180
or whatever it is that the mayor did last year that we weren't really intimately familiar with.

762
01:10:37,880 --> 01:10:43,120
So I apologize on my behalf for not responding and letting you know that not only were you heard

763
01:10:43,120 --> 01:10:49,420
but that we're working on it. I know that that can go a long ways especially when you're frustrated.

764
01:10:50,480 --> 01:10:56,460
So I just wanted to say thank you for coming and reminding us and as soon as we have an update

765
01:10:57,240 --> 01:11:01,420
we will bring one back to you. A lot of times it happens to us, too.

766
01:11:01,640 --> 01:11:09,920
We're not always aware of things that are happening in the background with the city departments and the directors, but it doesn't mean that they're not working on it.

767
01:11:10,120 --> 01:11:15,240
And so we just have to give ourselves grace and make sure to remind people and ask.

768
01:11:15,860 --> 01:11:21,920
And you've always been heard, young lady and young man, okay? So thank you. That's all I have for tonight.

769
01:11:23,360 --> 01:11:24,900
Councillor Preston, go ahead, though.

770
01:11:26,340 --> 01:11:27,120
Thank you, Mayor.

771
01:11:27,400 --> 01:11:32,700
Just again in the spirit of the Volunteer Week coming up and Arbor Day and Earth Day,

772
01:11:32,900 --> 01:11:34,900
we do, again, have Earth Day in the park.

773
01:11:35,580 --> 01:11:40,560
This Saturday, it is the best, in my opinion, the best volunteer day of the year.

774
01:11:41,020 --> 01:11:44,940
We're going to be in Scriber Lake Park, removing invasive species, beautifying the park, and if

775
01:11:44,940 --> 01:11:47,780
you haven't been there, it's gorgeous with just daffodils everywhere.

776
01:11:48,700 --> 01:11:57,340
There's going to be hands-on, sustainable crafts and activities for kids and more information on how to get involved and become a steward of that park.

777
01:11:57,520 --> 01:12:01,520
We have an incredible urban forest or with our city for a few more years.

778
01:12:02,100 --> 01:12:08,040
One of the things she's charged with doing in the city is building a sustainable volunteer kind of a conservation core program.

779
01:12:08,740 --> 01:12:11,320
And she's done an incredible job in South Linwood so far.

780
01:12:11,320 --> 01:12:17,460
I would love to see us as council members get out there and help her canvas the neighborhood

781
01:12:18,480 --> 01:12:23,460
around Describer Lake Park over the course of this week. I'll be printing out some flyers and

782
01:12:24,680 --> 01:12:28,580
Recruiting people people in these neighborhoods. They want to get out. They want to volunteer

783
01:12:28,580 --> 01:12:32,700
They want to know what they can do to help out their city and those small acts that

784
01:12:33,580 --> 01:12:37,920
Councilmember partial mentioned and we have the ability to show them what they can do

785
01:12:37,920 --> 01:12:50,900
So some of the longest running volunteers we now have in that park stewardship program have come from last year when then vice president Benda and councilmember lootweiler helped me canvas and neighborhoods around Southland would park.

786
01:12:51,620 --> 01:12:58,280
And so I would love to see that precedent continue every year and more information to come but look forward to that.

787
01:12:59,820 --> 01:13:02,060
Thank you, Council Member Wright.

788
01:13:04,400 --> 01:13:05,360
Thank you, Mayor.

789
01:13:06,220 --> 01:13:14,020
Just a few things, I do want to thank the folks that came out for the Aruday recognition and as well as volunteer week.

790
01:13:14,680 --> 01:13:20,960
Volunteer week is extremely important to me and I am incredibly grateful for all of our volunteers and

791
01:13:20,960 --> 01:13:24,720
how they contribute to our little big city that we love so much.

792
01:13:25,360 --> 01:13:30,840
A few people have talked about a few things, but the theme this year was igniting volunteerism.

793
01:13:31,440 --> 01:13:35,740
And individuals have the power to spark positive and real change.

794
01:13:36,180 --> 01:13:41,260
We can build a community infrastructure and create something that's long lasting beyond our years.

795
01:13:41,580 --> 01:13:47,640
So thank you for every hour and every minute, every second that you've spent loving on this city.

796
01:13:49,040 --> 01:13:51,380
April is National Minority Health Month.

797
01:13:51,380 --> 01:14:01,160
This recognizes and focuses on strengthening efforts to advance health equity and reduce disparities among racial and ethnic minority populations.

798
01:14:02,280 --> 01:14:07,640
Linwood is one of the most diverse cities around, and I appreciate that.

799
01:14:08,340 --> 01:14:13,860
We want to be the source for better health, so I wanted to shut out National Minority Health Month.

800
01:14:15,980 --> 01:14:24,140
Thank you for your comments, everybody who has listed them, such a diverse group of comments.

801
01:14:24,820 --> 01:14:29,920
I'm excited to see Rockets get shot from Mendoza Elementary School students.

802
01:14:30,960 --> 01:14:35,520
I understand the frustration of wanting something and not getting it and having to deal with

803
01:14:35,520 --> 01:14:38,540
time and slow moving things.

804
01:14:40,000 --> 01:14:41,580
I am thankful for my faith.

805
01:14:41,580 --> 01:14:43,640
So I thank you for your comments as well.

806
01:14:45,020 --> 01:14:49,420
No other comments other than I'll be attending the history and heritage board meeting tomorrow,

807
01:14:49,420 --> 01:14:53,120
as well as the future of light rail in so much county.

808
01:14:53,460 --> 01:14:55,080
So I will report on that on Wednesday.

809
01:14:55,500 --> 01:14:55,860
Thank you.

810
01:14:57,460 --> 01:14:58,160
Thank you.

811
01:14:58,780 --> 01:14:59,560
Councilor Murray, a little weather.

812
01:15:00,940 --> 01:15:29,380
Thank you, Mayor. You know, earlier today, I had been thinking how it's the 250th anniversary for our country. And I think there's this sense of, you know, from some people, do I want to celebrate? Are there even events happening in the city or in the region? You know, everyone's just maybe in a different vibes that they're going through right now.

813
01:15:30,360 --> 01:15:34,900
And, anyway, to be honest, I had a really kind of just downer attitude just thinking like,

814
01:15:35,160 --> 01:15:40,620
what's going on? And sitting here tonight, I was just thinking, all the stories we've

815
01:15:40,620 --> 01:15:47,800
heard about volunteering, like, put a great way to honor the 250th anniversary is seek out

816
01:15:47,800 --> 01:15:55,200
volunteer opportunities. And then plan a tree. Get a free tree from the city, and then with

817
01:15:55,200 --> 01:16:01,460
if your friends or family plan it in honor of whatever you want, maybe pick the 250th anniversary

818
01:16:01,460 --> 01:16:06,820
of our country as you add some more greenery to our city.

819
01:16:08,720 --> 01:16:13,620
And I will see, I might miss the park events on Saturday because I'm donating blood.

820
01:16:14,500 --> 01:16:19,060
They need platelets desperately and if you've done that before, it's like a two hour process.

821
01:16:20,140 --> 01:16:22,420
I'm trying to force myself to do it again.

822
01:16:22,920 --> 01:16:36,440
But I look forward to the transit event tomorrow, and I hope to see Councilmember Wright, and I believe Councilmember Partial, so you've got maybe some friendly faces, familiar faces if you go to that event tomorrow night and Everett. Thank you.

823
01:16:38,350 --> 01:16:40,590
Great. And finally, Councilmember Owens.

824
01:16:42,530 --> 01:16:57,530
I have fond memories as a child planting trees for Arbor Day, so I appreciate seeing that grow from a lot smaller of a thing to being larger now.

825
01:16:58,190 --> 01:17:02,250
It was also very touching to see all the people that volunteer here in person.

826
01:17:02,250 --> 01:17:06,790
So I want to extend thank you to not only them, but everybody that

827
01:17:07,570 --> 01:17:15,370
Donates their time to the city to to keep things going honestly. It's the volunteers that really keep things going around here and

828
01:17:15,370 --> 01:17:23,710
I think it's good that we're taking the time to honor them. I think that it's oftentimes forgotten. That's really all I have to say today. Thank you

829
01:17:24,590 --> 01:17:30,230
Very good. Thank you. All right, so we're going to move on to item 10 which is approval of the minutes

830
01:17:33,110 --> 01:17:35,290
and with for that council member, right?

831
01:17:37,300 --> 01:17:38,020
Thank you, Mayor.

832
01:17:38,780 --> 01:17:41,680
Does any council member have any changes to the minutes?

833
01:17:42,320 --> 01:17:49,480
If not, I move to approve the minutes of the February 21st, 2026, City Council Special Work Session.

834
01:17:50,060 --> 01:17:59,800
The March 17th, 2026, City Council Finance Committee meeting, the March 18th, 2026, City Council Work Session.

835
01:17:59,800 --> 01:18:04,000
and the March 23rd, 2026 City Council business meeting.

836
01:18:04,700 --> 01:18:05,260
Second.

837
01:18:06,760 --> 01:18:08,540
Motion's been moved and seconded.

838
01:18:09,160 --> 01:18:10,300
Any other further comments?

839
01:18:12,340 --> 01:18:14,240
All those in favor of proving the minutes?

840
01:18:14,440 --> 01:18:14,800
Say aye.

841
01:18:15,180 --> 01:18:15,360
Aye.

842
01:18:15,720 --> 01:18:15,840
Aye.

843
01:18:16,280 --> 01:18:16,740
Any opposed?

844
01:18:18,260 --> 01:18:18,680
Motion picked.

845
01:18:20,020 --> 01:18:22,560
Now we move on to the item 11.

846
01:18:22,920 --> 01:18:26,800
Your none of us consent agenda and for that we have Council President Coilo.

847
01:18:26,800 --> 01:18:29,640
So, thank you mayor, does,

848
01:18:33,640 --> 01:18:37,540
you're making sound effects, that's cool, all right, I think

849
01:18:37,540 --> 01:18:43,440
the comment is, it's a lot there, oh yeah, okay, I'll get my water in, okay, please do.

850
01:18:45,760 --> 01:18:50,300
Does any council member wish to remove an item from the consent agenda and I'll wait

851
01:18:50,300 --> 01:18:50,740
this time?

852
01:18:52,890 --> 01:18:56,110
Okay, if not, the following will be approved by unanimous consent.

853
01:18:57,070 --> 01:19:09,930
A, voucher approval 1, approved claims in the amount of $3,604,468.36 for the period of March 16th, 2026 through April 2nd, 2026.

854
01:19:10,490 --> 01:19:20,130
2, approved payroll in the amount of $1,772,955 in 82 cents stated March 20th, 2026.

855
01:19:20,130 --> 01:19:30,490
six, three approved payroll in the amount of $1,793,418.21 since dated April 3, 2026.

856
01:19:31,590 --> 01:19:36,790
And then, B, approve the request for public works to purchase side-corp international's

857
01:19:36,790 --> 01:19:45,850
biologic sludge deodorizing agent for continued use at the wastewater treatment plant at a cost

858
01:19:45,850 --> 01:19:50,290
of $126,720, not including tax.

859
01:19:52,140 --> 01:19:57,350
See, approve the request for public works to enter an agreement with combined construction

860
01:19:57,350 --> 01:20:06,590
to perform the requested updates at the wastewater treatment plant in the amount of $125,206,

861
01:20:07,320 --> 01:20:09,090
not including tax.

862
01:20:09,090 --> 01:20:17,190
D, authorize the mayor to sign the six remnant settlement Washington Statewide Opioid Settlement Agreement Participation Form.

863
01:20:17,810 --> 01:20:26,170
E, grant final contract acceptance of the work performed under the 40th Avenue Water Tank Improvements Project Construction Contract,

864
01:20:27,090 --> 01:20:35,390
subject to appropriate state and federal agencies and ultimately release of retainage to the contractor if any.

865
01:20:35,390 --> 01:20:55,390
F authorize the mayor to enter into and execute on behalf of the city a contract with BHC consultants LLC for design services related to the Scriber Creek corridor sewer main improvements project and an amount not to exceed a total contract value of $460,000.

866
01:20:55,390 --> 01:20:56,550
Thank

867
01:20:58,600 --> 01:21:03,300
you, and since this is the unanimous consent agenda, there's a proof that's read.

868
01:21:03,960 --> 01:21:17,380
So we're going to now go to business item 12b, I hope, which is an interview and appointment of DEI Commissioner applicant.

869
01:21:17,780 --> 01:21:20,840
Boy, they ship the ready cura,

870
01:21:25,710 --> 01:21:27,250
human service coordinator Kyle Ward.

871
01:21:27,870 --> 01:21:34,150
That's me. Hi, Mayor. Hi, Council. And Nicky should be joining us on. Oh, wonderful. I have to look this way.

872
01:21:37,540 --> 01:21:40,520
All right. Good evening, Council. Thank you for having us this evening.

873
01:21:40,900 --> 01:21:48,040
Of course, y'all know my name is Kyle Ward. I'm the Human Services Coordinator and the staff liaison to the Human Services Commission and the DEI Commission.

874
01:21:48,520 --> 01:21:54,120
And today I am introducing you all to our newest DEI Commission applicant, Nick Chippa, ready, Kura.

875
01:21:55,000 --> 01:22:05,520
Nikki interviewed with the chair and one of our members of the DEIC about like a month and a half ago and then also interviewed with Mayor Hurst not too long ago.

876
01:22:06,880 --> 01:22:17,180
I am impressed by Nikki's experience working within community groups and nonprofits in particular her work serving women and minority small business owners.

877
01:22:17,180 --> 01:22:22,380
She also brings a great deal of experience coordinating with volunteers and outreach

878
01:22:22,380 --> 01:22:22,960
efforts.

879
01:22:23,540 --> 01:22:27,360
And I believe that those things along with her perspective as an immigrant will serve

880
01:22:27,360 --> 01:22:28,700
the DEI commission well.

881
01:22:29,400 --> 01:22:32,320
Nikki, would you like to introduce yourself?

882
01:22:33,420 --> 01:22:33,740
Yes.

883
01:22:34,460 --> 01:22:41,460
What evening and I really wanted to be in person today somehow plans changed and something

884
01:22:41,460 --> 01:22:43,700
came up and I have to join virtually.

885
01:22:43,700 --> 01:22:53,000
but very good to see you all, and as mentioned, my name is Nick Ship that I do, but I go with

886
01:22:53,000 --> 01:23:00,240
Mickey, which is easy, and I am a community leader and a founder of Swachia, an organization

887
01:23:00,240 --> 01:23:06,420
focused on empowering women and creating inclusive community spaces.

888
01:23:07,300 --> 01:23:15,820
And as an immigrant, one thing I have personally experienced is what it feels like to enter a new space where everything is unfamiliar,

889
01:23:16,540 --> 01:23:23,540
from culture to communication and how meaningful it is when even one person makes you feel like you belong.

890
01:23:24,580 --> 01:23:29,380
And that small sense of inclusion can make a huge difference is what I believe in.

891
01:23:29,380 --> 01:23:36,320
and that experience stayed with me and shaped the work I do today creating spaces where people feel

892
01:23:36,320 --> 01:23:42,160
seen, heard and connected through my community initiatives. I have been able to bring together

893
01:23:42,160 --> 01:23:50,060
like people from diverse backgrounds and foster the sense of belonging. I'm really excited about

894
01:23:50,060 --> 01:23:56,780
this opportunity to contribute to the city and support its efforts in building a more inclusive

895
01:23:56,780 --> 01:23:58,220
and connected community.

896
01:24:02,110 --> 01:24:02,870
Great, very good.

897
01:24:03,110 --> 01:24:05,590
And thank you for applying for this important commission.

898
01:24:06,410 --> 01:24:10,690
And we will go around to council members

899
01:24:10,690 --> 01:24:14,050
and see if they have questions or any clarifications.

900
01:24:14,810 --> 01:24:17,590
So let's start at, we'll go on reverse or here.

901
01:24:17,830 --> 01:24:19,130
Council member Owens.

902
01:24:20,050 --> 01:24:20,530
Any questions?

903
01:24:22,670 --> 01:24:25,630
I just want to say thank you for interviewing with us

904
01:24:25,630 --> 01:24:26,490
and taking it this time.

905
01:24:26,490 --> 01:24:29,390
I don't have any questions at this moment.

906
01:24:29,970 --> 01:24:31,690
I just wanted to say I appreciate you.

907
01:24:33,050 --> 01:24:33,590
Scout?

908
01:24:34,050 --> 01:24:35,370
Yes, Councilmember Littleweather?

909
01:24:37,610 --> 01:24:39,130
No, you've got a great background.

910
01:24:39,370 --> 01:24:43,490
I'm particularly excited from your experience,

911
01:24:43,490 --> 01:24:46,690
not just working in the nonprofit and community space,

912
01:24:46,950 --> 01:24:50,710
but some of the stuff you had on facilities management

913
01:24:50,710 --> 01:24:52,970
and more of the event logistics.

914
01:24:52,970 --> 01:24:55,950
I think we've got so much excitement going on right now

915
01:24:55,950 --> 01:25:02,410
with events we're talking about, doing events we got on the books, place making, community

916
01:25:02,410 --> 01:25:10,570
building, so just very excited to have you apply and hoping we can get you on the commission.

917
01:25:10,870 --> 01:25:11,130
Thank you.

918
01:25:12,150 --> 01:25:12,990
That's true.

919
01:25:13,810 --> 01:25:14,570
Councilmember Wright.

920
01:25:15,810 --> 01:25:16,690
Thank you, Mayor.

921
01:25:17,350 --> 01:25:19,610
Thank you, Nikki, for applying.

922
01:25:20,070 --> 01:25:22,770
I was very impressed what I read.

923
01:25:22,770 --> 01:25:36,050
I have such a space in my heart for the DEI commission because that's where I started here, and I am super excited for this opportunity for you and I'm very excited to meet you.

924
01:25:36,670 --> 01:25:37,210
Thank you.

925
01:25:37,930 --> 01:25:38,590
Thank you.

926
01:25:40,450 --> 01:25:44,530
Thank you, Nikki, for volunteering. That's what we were talking about all day.

927
01:25:44,530 --> 01:25:48,170
And I just echo everything that's already been said.

928
01:25:48,170 --> 01:25:55,190
I think you'll be an enormous asset, especially to this commission, which is the way I've seen it before is largely a member driven.

929
01:25:56,250 --> 01:26:02,390
And so I think you'll have a lot of space to bring your passion into that commission.

930
01:26:02,630 --> 01:26:03,770
So excited to see what you bring.

931
01:26:04,210 --> 01:26:04,530
Thank you.

932
01:26:05,770 --> 01:26:12,870
All right, so now these are really hard-hitting questions, so we're, so council vice president.

933
01:26:13,830 --> 01:26:15,850
Thank you for applying.

934
01:26:16,970 --> 01:26:25,910
I saw that you applied all the way back in January, and so I'm really happy that you're still available and ready to volunteer.

935
01:26:26,630 --> 01:26:42,530
I'm really excited with everything that you wrote in your application, the fact that you're like everything about you is very exciting for this commission, and not only that we've been talking about in leadership how to get our commissions and boards feeling like they're doing something.

936
01:26:42,530 --> 01:26:43,530
and they're not just there.

937
01:26:43,930 --> 01:26:45,430
And so something that we've been talking about

938
01:26:45,430 --> 01:26:47,990
is how do we get them to get more involved

939
01:26:47,990 --> 01:26:49,670
in the proclamations and whatnot.

940
01:26:50,370 --> 01:26:51,890
And so as we've been adding members

941
01:26:51,890 --> 01:26:56,930
it's just really exciting to see the new DEI commission

942
01:26:56,930 --> 01:26:59,130
and the different kind of just backgrounds

943
01:26:59,130 --> 01:27:02,650
that everyone has so that as we're kind of growing

944
01:27:03,270 --> 01:27:05,410
and refreshing all of our boards and commissions

945
01:27:05,410 --> 01:27:06,990
we have really good representation.

946
01:27:07,810 --> 01:27:08,750
So thank you for joining.

947
01:27:12,370 --> 01:27:18,510
Thank you for being with us tonight as we're celebrating volunteers and thank you for volunteering for the city.

948
01:27:19,510 --> 01:27:31,570
I'm always curious when people come in as volunteers, what was that moment where you were sitting at home, you're very busy, but you decided I need more things to do.

949
01:27:32,630 --> 01:27:36,130
And so you decided I'm going to volunteer for the city of

950
01:27:36,130 --> 01:27:38,010
Illinois. So what was that moment that led you to

951
01:27:38,010 --> 01:27:40,030
violence here for us here at the city?

952
01:27:41,630 --> 01:27:45,530
Yes. This doesn't mean a question. I mean, this is not a

953
01:27:45,530 --> 01:27:49,890
new question for me because I've been asked by so many

954
01:27:49,890 --> 01:27:52,210
people about this because as you've had seen in my

955
01:27:52,210 --> 01:27:58,130
application, I work full time like five days a week and then I

956
01:27:58,130 --> 01:28:02,330
I have a baby, she's like 15 month old now.

957
01:28:03,030 --> 01:28:04,810
And apart from that, I run an organization

958
01:28:04,810 --> 01:28:07,850
and I also contribute to various nonprofits.

959
01:28:08,890 --> 01:28:13,370
And maybe I would start it like personally,

960
01:28:14,390 --> 01:28:17,090
as I mentioned earlier,

961
01:28:18,430 --> 01:28:21,490
like Washington has been my home since 2017

962
01:28:22,030 --> 01:28:24,050
and community service has now,

963
01:28:24,150 --> 01:28:26,110
I think it's part of my family,

964
01:28:26,110 --> 01:28:31,510
like my dad, my mom or part of various community organizations and charity stuff that they have done

965
01:28:31,510 --> 01:28:39,890
and I think that had some sort of impact on me too and while I was raised I've seen them serving

966
01:28:39,890 --> 01:28:50,810
and that could be one reason I feel but also personally and practically it's always I always feel like

967
01:28:50,810 --> 01:28:57,950
it has been a lived responsibility of mine and moving to a new country taught me first hand

968
01:28:57,950 --> 01:29:04,450
like what inclusion truly means and as I already mentioned like being seen heard and supported

969
01:29:04,450 --> 01:29:10,750
and you know given equitable access to opportunities regardless of where one comes from

970
01:29:10,750 --> 01:29:18,330
along with that and all of those experiences that I had shaped my desire to consistently give back

971
01:29:18,330 --> 01:29:27,990
and advocate for spaces where, you know, some diverse voices are not only welcome but valued

972
01:29:27,990 --> 01:29:37,210
and over the past several years in Seattle area, I have actively served through like a number of

973
01:29:37,210 --> 01:29:47,270
In fact, whenever I have time, I feel like that is what something like that makes my day

974
01:29:48,290 --> 01:29:48,930
complete.

975
01:29:49,550 --> 01:29:56,850
At least do something before I go, but that's been there and I think I practice it overall.

976
01:29:56,850 --> 01:29:59,650
and also I applied for CDO fluid even.

977
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:29,180
I'm glad that I'm able to, like, get interviewed and go through all these processes now. Maybe, yeah. So this passion, it also led me to found a switcher, which I was talking about. And through switcher, I've been like supporting small and minority-owned businesses and creating some sort of inclusive platforms for storytelling, leadership, and collaboration. So since moving to limber in 2022,

978
01:30:29,180 --> 01:30:36,520
and begin to see it not just as a place I live, but as a community I want to actively serve

979
01:30:37,100 --> 01:30:42,900
and Linwood's growing diversity. It presents a meaningful opportunity to strengthen

980
01:30:43,660 --> 01:30:49,480
about equity driven initiatives that reflect the live experiences of its residents.

981
01:30:50,060 --> 01:30:55,720
So I believe this is the right time for me to contribute my perspective. So that's what made me

982
01:30:55,720 --> 01:30:59,580
to apply and serve for the City of

983
01:30:59,580 --> 01:31:01,520
Landwood through the DIA commission,

984
01:31:01,700 --> 01:31:02,460
which I am always,

985
01:31:04,600 --> 01:31:05,280
you know,

986
01:31:05,420 --> 01:31:07,920
that's what I look into and my

987
01:31:07,920 --> 01:31:09,740
interest in serving on this commission

988
01:31:09,740 --> 01:31:12,780
from comes from a general desire

989
01:31:12,780 --> 01:31:16,000
to listen, learn and also collaborate.

990
01:31:16,280 --> 01:31:19,580
That's what, yeah, I feel.

991
01:31:20,440 --> 01:31:22,520
Well, thank you for letting me draw

992
01:31:22,520 --> 01:31:23,840
some extra detail out of you.

993
01:31:23,840 --> 01:31:24,980
I really appreciate that.

994
01:31:25,560 --> 01:31:30,880
I think you're going to get this, but if you need extra points, bring that baby in.

995
01:31:31,220 --> 01:31:35,660
We can give you some cute baby points if you think you need some more for your application.

996
01:31:36,060 --> 01:31:36,460
Thank you, Nikki.

997
01:31:39,120 --> 01:31:40,120
Tell us where we're at.

998
01:31:41,040 --> 01:31:43,500
Thank you again for offering the serve, for applying.

999
01:31:43,860 --> 01:31:47,360
I think that you'll be an amazing addition to the DEI team.

1000
01:31:48,500 --> 01:31:51,540
With that, I moved to a point.

1001
01:31:51,540 --> 01:32:00,680
Nick Sheepza, ready, Cura to the DEI commission for position number five for a term ending December 31st, 2029. Do I have a second?

1002
01:32:00,900 --> 01:32:01,280
Second.

1003
01:32:05,450 --> 01:32:06,290
I don't care who did.

1004
01:32:07,430 --> 01:32:11,350
But it's been moving to the second end by several people. Any other comments?

1005
01:32:12,870 --> 01:32:15,390
All right, here we go.

1006
01:32:16,430 --> 01:32:22,450
All those in favor of appointing Nicky, ready, Cura to the DEI commission? Say aye.

1007
01:32:22,450 --> 01:32:30,950
Hi. Hi. Hi. Any dare to oppose. Very good. Welcome to the DEI commission of

1008
01:32:30,950 --> 01:32:41,750
language. Thank you. And then yeah. Thank you, Council. Thanks, Nikki. Thank you.

1009
01:32:42,350 --> 01:32:47,270
All right. We've come to the point in the, we usually take a break here, but I think

1010
01:32:47,270 --> 01:32:47,770
I think we're okay.

1011
01:32:49,610 --> 01:32:53,150
Any new business, any new business?

1012
01:32:54,250 --> 01:32:56,210
Oh, hi, Councilor Ramana.

1013
01:32:56,790 --> 01:32:57,950
So I have two things.

1014
01:32:58,310 --> 01:33:02,030
The first is one I forgot to mention in my council comments.

1015
01:33:02,650 --> 01:33:08,570
Linwood DEI Commission is so excited to announce that the applications are now open for the

1016
01:33:08,570 --> 01:33:11,090
Spring 2026 neighborhood equity grant.

1017
01:33:12,120 --> 01:33:17,070
It's a grant that offers monetary wars up to $1,000 for local projects, service improvements

1018
01:33:17,070 --> 01:33:21,570
events or initiatives that support DEI efforts and serve Linwood residents.

1019
01:33:22,070 --> 01:33:25,610
Our project should align with the City of Linwood's strategic plan of being a diverse

1020
01:33:25,610 --> 01:33:29,610
and welcoming and equitable, livable city, as well as the city's goals of pursuing and

1021
01:33:29,610 --> 01:33:32,010
maintaining collaborative relationships with the community.

1022
01:33:32,510 --> 01:33:41,210
You can find all of the information on our website at the DEI kind of page, so LinwoodWa.gov,

1023
01:33:41,390 --> 01:33:44,530
just search diversity equity inclusion commission and you'll find it.

1024
01:33:44,530 --> 01:33:48,490
It's a simple application, so I encourage everybody to apply.

1025
01:33:49,170 --> 01:33:52,990
The applications for this round closed June 1st, so that's important to note.

1026
01:33:54,410 --> 01:33:57,850
My second new business, it's more of a question clarifying.

1027
01:33:58,710 --> 01:34:04,630
We've talked this year about potentially raising the minimum wage in Linwood and having

1028
01:34:04,630 --> 01:34:06,650
an ordinance or a resolution for that.

1029
01:34:06,950 --> 01:34:12,310
So my first question is, I think for the mayor, if anyone is currently on the executive team

1030
01:34:12,310 --> 01:34:18,610
already working on this. If not, I would love to bring it to the table and kind of start

1031
01:34:18,610 --> 01:34:19,250
that process.

1032
01:34:21,530 --> 01:34:23,850
No one is currently looking at that yet.

1033
01:34:24,210 --> 01:34:29,550
Okay, so I think the process would be that I need to have two others in support of this

1034
01:34:29,550 --> 01:34:33,830
so that I can work on a resolution and get it on the agenda. So at this time I'm looking

1035
01:34:33,830 --> 01:34:39,630
for two people to back me up on hopefully creating this ordinance.

1036
01:34:45,730 --> 01:34:48,350
I don't know if I need a task group so much, but what's your question?

1037
01:34:48,930 --> 01:34:53,930
I was just thinking I know we have the group that we set up just recently that was going

1038
01:34:53,930 --> 01:34:57,370
to look at a lot of labor related items.

1039
01:34:57,530 --> 01:35:02,050
I don't know if is this similar enough that that group would take that on or do.

1040
01:35:02,290 --> 01:35:04,850
I think they're two separate things from the conversations I've had.

1041
01:35:05,430 --> 01:35:05,610
Okay.

1042
01:35:05,610 --> 01:35:05,650
Okay.

1043
01:35:06,430 --> 01:35:12,170
I'm remain on board with discussing this, so I'm putting my name forward for that.

1044
01:35:12,310 --> 01:35:12,430
Cool.

1045
01:35:12,570 --> 01:35:13,090
Is there anyone else?

1046
01:35:15,380 --> 01:35:16,940
I think we, I think we had not.

1047
01:35:17,200 --> 01:35:18,560
I think you had a height now, that's sure.

1048
01:35:18,920 --> 01:35:19,080
Cool.

1049
01:35:19,480 --> 01:35:20,060
I can join you.

1050
01:35:20,420 --> 01:35:20,640
Awesome.

1051
01:35:21,260 --> 01:35:27,780
So I'm going to work on a resolution that would ask the mayor to direct staff to work on

1052
01:35:27,780 --> 01:35:28,380
an ordinance.

1053
01:35:28,720 --> 01:35:31,820
So I'm going to just start that process and go from there.

1054
01:35:32,600 --> 01:35:32,800
Okay.

1055
01:35:33,320 --> 01:35:33,380
Nick.

1056
01:35:33,380 --> 01:35:40,400
Just so we're clear, what you just did is you're requesting that I put an item on the agenda within 45 days.

1057
01:35:40,520 --> 01:35:40,700
Yes.

1058
01:35:41,140 --> 01:35:41,340
Okay.

1059
01:35:42,260 --> 01:35:45,600
And I did not say those words, but that is exactly what I was asking.

1060
01:35:46,200 --> 01:35:48,760
So I don't think a resolution is needed, correct?

1061
01:35:48,820 --> 01:35:52,360
Is it a resolution or should I just get, do I just work on an order resolution?

1062
01:35:52,620 --> 01:35:56,180
Okay, cool, thanks.

1063
01:35:59,470 --> 01:36:00,610
Any other new business?

1064
01:36:04,920 --> 01:36:07,320
With that then, we are adjourned.