Yes.
» See them.
Are you ready, city manager?
>> We're ready, may we? Thank you.
» We're ready, may we? Thank you.
>> Perfect. It is now 6 pm. I will call the
» Perfect. It is now 6 pm. I will call the
August 11th, 2026 city council meeting
to order, and council member Gobieski
can lead us in the pledge of allegiance
this evening.
Leah, roll call, please.
>> Mayor Vigny,
» Mayor Vigny,
>> here.
» here.
>> Mayor PMDuk,
» Mayor PMDuk,
>> here.
» here.
>> Council member Cavaleri.
» Council member Cavaleri.
Council member Steckler,
>> here.
» here.
>> Council member Allison
» Council member Allison
>> here.
» here.
>> Council member Paddock,
» Council member Paddock,
>> present.
» present.
>> Council member Bobki
» Council member Bobki
>> here.
» here.
Council member Cavaleria told us that he
would be on vacation this week. Do I
have a motion to excuse?
>> So moved. Second.
» So moved. Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
» I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Any against? Any abstensions?
» Any against? Any abstensions?
Motion passes 6.
Next up, I'll move on to audience
communication. Is there anyone in the
chambers who would like to speak?
Is there anyone online who would like to
speak this evening?
All right, with that there will be
another opportunity to speak at the end
of the council meeting.
Next, we will move on to presentations
and we have a financial and investment
report for the period ending June 30th,
2026
and finance director Lumbad is going to
speak.
>> Thank you, mayor. Good evening, council.
» Thank you, mayor. Good evening, council.
Um, you haven't heard from me in a
while, so I have three items for you
tonight. But, uh, to start off, we are
reviewing the financial and investment
report for, um, the 18-month period
ending June 30 of, um, 2026.
Let me just um get my Oh, may I just uh
Okay. But anyway, um so to start off, we
are um going to review um two economic
indicators. And the reason why I um
we're reviewing them is because for one,
the consumer price index um is, you
know, a measure of price or it's the
index of price and this affects our
sales tax. So when the CPI goes up, our
um sales tax revenue generally tends to
grow as well. Um but also because it is
price it's the cost of goods that we buy
then it also impacts the cost for the
city including our M. And then for the
federal so for a consumer price index um
as of June 2026 the consumer price index
for the city of for the Seattle and
Tacoma area which is the orange line is
at about um 4.1% and then the one uh in
blue which is the national average is
right around 3.8.
And then for our federal funds rate, now
this indicator is the cost of um money.
Um and again it's um helps helps us
understand why our investment is
growing. So as that rate goes up um then
the investment return uh is also higher.
Um on the flip side of that, when the
federal funds rate goes up because of
this cost of money, the borrowing um
that affects the our rate revenue, which
is for mortgage, would also tend to go
on the opposite side, right? Because if
mortgage if the 30-year mortgage is
higher, then there's less um activity in
the real estate. And so since um
since let's see June of 2024
um that rate has been um elevated and
primarily because uh the federal funds
of the finance open market committee are
trying they're trying to set the policy
to influence the economy so that we can
hit the 2% target for our CPI. Um but as
of today um in their last meeting they
have not changed the federal funds rate.
It is still between 7 excuse me 3.5 to 7
to 3.75%.
Um now for our benchmark we are at 18
months. So over the 18month period we
our benchmark would be 75% 75% collected
or 75% spent. For the general fund
revenues, we are at 70 almost 71% and
our expenditure looks as if we are
spending less, right? Because we are now
at about 60 um 69% right here.
Um if we dive deep into the general fund
revenue um majority of our uh sources of
revenue are above um or at or above the
benchmark except for um our interfund or
intergovernmental revenues which is um
collected only about 40 um 46%.
Um
and the
see our in uh excuse me fines and
penalties and this includes our um
traffic um infraction collections. Um if
you recall um a couple of meetings ago
uh police chief provided you with
quarter 2 of 2026 and it shows um a
decline in traffic contacts. That's
about about 9% or 192% in traffic
contacts. So that has also reduced um
started to see a decline in our um
collections. Um let me just go back to
the intergovernmental revenue. Recall
that
a few months ago um council uh
authorized the grant for the DOC for the
climate change. So that increased the
budget numbers but we it because it's
reimbursement based that the timing of
that is the one that's causing us to
show us if we are not truly or up to
speed with our benchmark. And then the
other thing um that's lagging in our uh
general fund revenue is the interfund
transfer. So recall that um the uh when
we received the ARPA funding, we said
that we were going to transfer any
interest from the ARPA fund to the
general fund. But since um March or
April of last year, we have fully
exhausted or dispersed all of the ARPA
fund. So there are no um principal
amount to be invested in. So there's no
future transfer of interest from ARPA.
our sales stacks.
Okay, one second.
So, moving Oh, there we go.
For our sales tax, we were about um a
little over uh about 76% collected. Um
but year-over-year between um 2025 and
2026 the highest um increases in sectors
would be from construction as well as
from information. Um so you might say or
what we could say we could tell from the
um data is that for the construction
because there's not a lot of movement in
real estate market we are seeing a lot
more expenses on um DIY projects or
improvements home improvements. So we're
see we're seeing some of that numbers
come through around this time. But also
for the information um sector this
increase is primarily um because of the
change in law. So sometime in July of uh
2025 after the legislation um session
ended um they authorized or they RCW was
revised such that now certain services
are now uh subject to sales tax retail
retail sales tax and that would be for
information that could be
um services such as advertising on the
internet um data processing for
information uh subscription
um
services or IT services including
webinars or live presentations. So those
are now taxable uh services.
So overall we are um our sales tax is um
growing. Again this is a factor of the
the um inflation because of CPI is
elevated but at the same time there was
a change in in law uh relating to the IT
services or the um advertising on the
internet. So overall, um whether it's
outside or within the city of Mil Creek,
uh both um collection from these
locations are um are up.
Now on our general fund expenditures, um
I noted earlier in summary that overall
we are about 69% spent. Um and this um
by type we have about 22 million of
general fund spending of which 62% is
related to salary and benefits. That's
about 18 months of it. And our
maintenance and operations about 34%
um and this includes this number
includes our jail cost, our district
court, our legal cost
and any other consultants that we may
have. And then our debt service of about
1%. Um this is just a uh presentation
regarding um the uh the change in how we
report our leases as well as our um
subscriptionbased um information
application tech applications. Um and
then for capital which is 3% this
includes the um RPB purchase of the snow
plow. Um on the right hand side by if we
look at the same set of data which is
the $22.1 million um it shows that
uh again we are 69% spent but this
number both the the the the budget and
the actual numbers includes certain
items like uh RPB and the climate
change. If we remove the RPB cost and
budget as well as the climate change
grant and the cost related to that, we
would be at um about 21 million spent or
72%. So, a little bit closer than um
than what we than what it looks like
right now.
Um for the this the um following slides
I'm I'll be talking about the
departments that are above the benchmark
and one of them is the city manager's
office. You could see the blue line is
the projected budget or spending over
the 12-month period and the green line
is the actual number and the um overage
is primarily from um city attorney cost.
So, u majority of the city attorney
costs uh are reported under the city
manager's office and that may include um
any of the initiatives that the city has
done over the past um 18 months
including any annexation
um legal advice that we needed, anything
related to the TBD, to the utility tax,
any code compliance might be in here as
well. Um on the HR side, it's the same
thing. Um the uh we are also over the
benchmark and that's primarily because
majority of legal costs related to
employment um items are reflected in
this department including um and just
also recall that in 2025 we had the
labor negotiation with um police guild
and so that is in here as well as the um
employment settlements that we um had in
the past year.
And then for non-EP departmental, non-EP
departmental includes um you can see the
spikes here at the beginning of the year
and sometime in January again of 2026
when we uh pay out the annual um
insurance liability to WC WCIA as well
as some of the annual payments for our
membership and dues for various
organizations. But specifically for the
month of June, um this included um two
dues that um just because of timing it
it showed up and those are the uh
payments that we or assessments paid to
the Puget Sound Clean Air as well as the
Puget Sound Regional Council.
Okay, I will skip then this next slide
for a bit. I'll just keep going on on
our other um funds here. Um for the
citywide legal fees, as of June 30, we
are about um 1.4
million spent or about 91% of our by
annual budget. Um however, if we back
out [snorts] because this cost again,
this is citywide cost. So that includes
our city attorney for Ballard's bar as
well as the um public defense and the
indigent um prosecution. Um they're all
in here. Um the impacts of these um
would include the um change in the
standard of of case loads for our
indigent defense. So recall that within
the next um 10 years starting 2026 we
have to start reducing the workload per
defense attorney from um 90 to now to a
100 to 40 case loads and then the one
for misdemeanor is substantially also
going to change from 300 to 400
currently down to I want to say 100 case
loads. So instead of having one um
defense uh attorney uh we now have to
contract out more of that.
Okay. Um now moving on to our REIT fund.
So REIT um revenues uh we've collected
71% it is still below the benchmark um
but that includes both um this number
includes both the investment as well as
the read. Um, if we look at the read for
the six-month period, uh, we've
collected 402. And if we compare that
number over a five-year period, um, it's
about 39%
um, below the average. So again, that's
a factor of because the federal funds
rate are high right now. So as of today,
um, the average 30-year fixed mortgage
is about 6.76%.
Um, but in 2019, right around this time,
it was at um 3.15%.
Yes, Council Member Stler.
>> Quick question. I was noticing the um
» Quick question. I was noticing the um
regrowth in 23, 24, 25.
Um those are obviously full year numbers
and I assume your 26 number is just a
six-month number,
>> correct? Correct. What fueled the growth
» correct? Correct. What fueled the growth
in 23 24 25 when the market was still
pretty soft and interest rates are still
pretty high? Why was the re up on a
trend upwards? So I think uh around this
time our um I think it would just be and
this is just an assumption for me um
without looking at the underlying data
because when I looked at the data I was
looking more earlier years in 2019 and
in 2020 2021 but not further down here.
Um but I believe right around here even
though the um interest rate was high
there were still volume um a lot of
volume. Um but I want to say that
sometime in between among these three
years there was one big um transfer of
uh a real estate transaction. So,
anything above a a $10 million real
estate transaction is really going to
bump us up, right? As opposed to like,
you know, um um just a million dollar
transfer versus um let's say a 50
million transfer. And that um in 2019
and in 2021, we saw those transfers.
There were two transfers. Um in 20 2019
the self storage um was a transaction
and then in 2021 it was the Monta
property.
» Okay. And then so for surface water uh
they're both below the benchmark. Uh
revenues are at 4 uh 2% and then our
expenditure is only 21% spend or 2.9. Um
but we anticipate that um since the
start of the summer the um repairs the
big projects that we uh that we've uh
moving forward with uh I think it's the
cash basin. So remember that's a $7
million project over a two-year period.
They have initiated or started the
project as well. Um so we anticipate
that in the next couple months we're
going to see a big jump in here. Um,
and then let me just go back to the RPB.
So, in your packet as well, I provided
um a summary of what we've spent so far
on RPB. Um, and so that we've spent
about one almost $2 million of it. Um we
anticipate to carry over about 1.5
million and the projects that will be be
carrying over into 202728
um bianium budget will be in the last
column right here about 1.5 million.
Um if there are no questions I'd like to
move to the investment um item.
>> Yes, Council Member Stler.
» Yes, Council Member Stler.
Actually I I I see my answer on this
chair. Thank you.
>> Okay. Thank you. Okay. So um for our
» Okay. Thank you. Okay. So um for our
investment, so as of June 30, uh the
excess um money that the city has about
42.5 million is invested between LGIP uh
about 93% and then US obligations about
7%. Um to date we have received about
696
or 86,000 of interest from LGIP that's
has been reinvested um into the fund
whereas for our US um obligations these
are we have three separate um sec US
securities that are held in safekeeping
um and we received about 60,000 of
interest from that we did not have um
any new activities there was a maturity
um in the last six months, but we didn't
reinvest or buy any new obligations for
that because we needed the cash flow to
get us through this six month. Um mayor,
that concludes my report. If there are
any other questions,
>> does anyone have questions?
» Everybody seems quiet. Um I actually
have a question. Um if you could go
back, I should have said something when
you had it up. I have just a quick
question for my memory on um like the
second back. I was just curious on the
line items when it comes to the flock
cameras. Um so the next one is that
money that we've already allocated
because where we spent the um we went
ahead and paid up front.
>> Is that what that Okay, that's what I
» Is that what that Okay, that's what I
thought. But I just wanted to make sure.
>> So there's still remaining the second.
» So there's still remaining the second.
So you authorized a 2-year trial. It's a
two-year subscription for it. The 97,000
that you're seeing would include the
installation cost plus the first year of
subscription. Okay. The second year of
subscription, which is the remaining
86,000, has not yet been paid out.
>> Okay, perfect. That's what I thought,
» Okay, perfect. That's what I thought,
but I just want to make sure that I was
thinking right. Did anyone else have any
questions then?
>> Nope.
» Nope.
All right. Thank you, Arina.
Let's see. I guess you don't get to go
anywhere because now we're up to new
business. [laughter] And we have a
resolution related to US bank custody
account application and custody
agreement.
>> Thank you, mayor. Um so again, I am here
» Thank you, mayor. Um so again, I am here
tonight because um we're asking council
to authorize us to um execute a um US
bank custody account application and
custody agreement. So currently um the
investments that we have with US banks
so again we have three US securities and
according to our um financial management
policy 300-5
um any securities that we have must be
held by an independent third party and
this in this case it's the US security
excuse me US bank safekeeping
operations. However, in April, they told
us that effective April that they will
transition us to a new service um
operations which is the investment
advisory services group um that has a
better uh uh or an expanded um services
for investment as well as they are
supposed to be streamlining their um
their operations for for that.
Um now so uh we have RCW35A.4.05
that authorizes the investment of any
excess cash on um um on various um on
various types of or vehicles and then
supplemented by the city's investment
policy. It also note the this policy
provided how diversified or how we can
um what types of investments we can have
and so in which case this um policy
authorized us that hey 100% of your
excess money you could put it in the
Washington um state uh local government
investment plan or you could continue to
do your own investment you using your US
Treasury obligations if you were such a
big agency you could actively do the
investments. Um, and then all the other,
um, it could be a combination of of any
of these other investment types.
Um, and so I wanted to, um, show you as
uh, I think that says July 31. Um, we
have $40 million of, um, excess funds.
Um, and I'm showing you LGIP, we have
37.4 million. US Bank we have three
million with LGIP according to their um
reports their as of July 31 their in
their portfolio so not just the city of
Mil Creek but all of their other
investments that are in there are they
have diversified or they have
investments um allocation as noted here
so they have um agency 30% you know cash
and cash equivalents 9% they have
repurchase agreements um US treasuries
is 9%. Um and so the interest we're
asked uh for our safekeeping again we
have three that's equal to you know 3
million um in in cash and then for 2025
we have a almost a 1.6 earnings um on
LGIP and 131,000 in US Bank. So if we
compare it's almost the same. it's about
you know about 3 4% um return in
investment and the annual fees of
between the two is also you know 01% of
the value of the investment. So in 2025,
not an issue. They're kind of like
similar. But now when we go to 2026,
um we have um almost exa again exactly
the same. And so if nothing changes
with shifting from safekeeping to the
investment advisory services, there's no
issue. But however, because of the
shift, the cost structure or the fee
structure is also now different. So with
the safekeeping, we were only paying $20
a month or about $400 a year plus a $15,
you know, for every transaction. But now
with the investment with a shift to the
investment advisory, it'll be about
1,500 a year. Um, but it would be
inclusive of all the transactional fees
that we're paying and that's about a
273%
increase of the 2026 estimated fees, but
it would include all of these services.
Um so our next steps is we are asking
that you authorize your finance director
which is the designated treasury of of
the city to uh authorize to one complete
the account um application for this
change as well as to enter into the
custody agreement. Um but we are also
recommending at some point to phase out
the individual holdings from um US bank
securities by 2027. So the three
investments uh vehicles that we have are
going to mature if they're not called
earlier will mature in 2027 at least I
want to say September all of them would
have matured and so at that at that
point then we are recommending not to go
out and invest um separately for
diversification purposes because LGIP
provides the diversification anyway for
the city. Um and then if we do not
diversify and we continue to pay the
higher cost, it will not be
uh I I because the the cost would be 01
with LGIP, but with this new fee, the
cost would be 06. So it's a little bit
higher. Not a lot, but it's still
higher. Um and then we continue to just
invest 100% with LGIP.
Um and so for our proposed council
motion is for um council to authorize
the um application to the investment
advisory services.
That concludes my report. Mayor, I'm
happy to answer any questions.
>> Sure. Any questions?
» Council Paddock,
>> clarification question. So just to be
» clarification question. So just to be
clear,
moving the funds cost us less. we get
more divers diversification.
Um
do you mean after we um after all the uh
after all the investments that we have
now after they mature if we move them to
LGIP it would be neutral to us because
LGIP already provides the
diversification that we have so there's
no additional benefit or even increase
in the um uh as it in the return because
it's the same but the cost is the one
that's making it now more costly for us
to continue with the individual
investments.
>> Got it. So, it's cheaper for us to go
» Got it. So, it's cheaper for us to go
into the more diversified area.
>> Okay, that's what I was asking. I just
» Okay, that's what I was asking. I just
wanted to confirm I heard that right.
Okay,
>> thank you.
» thank you.
>> Any other questions?
» Mayor, I'll make a motion. I
>> Okay,
» Okay,
>> it does right
» it does right
>> adopt uh I make a motion to adopt a
» adopt uh I make a motion to adopt a
resolution authorizing the finance
director to execute the US bank custody
account application and custody
agreement.
>> Second. I have a motion and a second.
» Second. I have a motion and a second.
Would you like to speak to the motion,
council member Stackler? I
>> think it's pretty self-explanatory and
» think it's pretty self-explanatory and
and Armenia has done a great job. Our
finance director explained that to us
the benefits of this.
>> Thank you. All right. Would the would
» Thank you. All right. Would the would
council member goes like to speak to the
motion? All right.
Would anyone else like to discuss the
motion?
All right. All those in favor say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Any against? Any abstensions? Motion
» Any against? Any abstensions? Motion
passes. 6. Thank you.
Next up, we have a study session for
code enforcement staffing discussion.
Did I skip something? I'm skipping
straight down. Sorry. Next up, we have a
resolution related to amendment number
one to the building official plan review
and inspection services contract with
Safeuilt Washington LLC. Jeff Ryan, our
community development and planning
director will lead us in that
presentation. Sorry, I jumped straight
down to Jeff but in the wrong spot.
>> Thank you, Mayor. Um, good evening,
» Thank you, Mayor. Um, good evening,
council, Mayor, Mayor Pert. Um today I'm
going to be bringing forward you a quick
um presentation on our building services
professional services agreement. Um we
have to which we'll dive into. Um so the
goal today is to understand how we
outsource our building services to
through safeuilt and um and go through
the amendment that extends the amount of
um not to exceed amount as part of that
contract.
So, just as a quick reminder, um the
city of Mil Creek does not employ a
building official and we do not have
plans reviewers. Um and so that means
all these critical functions that uh
have to be performed by state law, um we
have someone else do it for us. So,
every time there's a someone opens a new
business and they have to go and make
sure that everything is built safely,
that's a building official. Every time
someone wants to put in a water heater
and make sure it's installed correctly,
we have to send an inspector to do that.
Every time someone wants to build an
ADU, um, someone has to review the
actual blueprints to make sure that that
is being built to, you know, safe
standards. It's not going to blow up in
the event of an earthquake or something.
Um, so that's what the plan review,
building official, and inspection
services are. Um in 20 the uh earlier
this year as part of 2026 1984 we
entered in a contract with Safeuilt who
has been our contracted provider for oh
I would say five seven years now. Um,
and the original amount was purposely
kept at a small level because we weren't
really sure at the time what was going
to happen with this possible code
enforcement/insspector position that
might have impacted the safeu contract,
which we'll go into in the future study
session. Um, and then the other reason
why that we blew through the initial
aotted funds for this is inspection
costs have been significantly higher
than expected. Um and um we we can kind
of go into more about that. Um and the
other thing to know about this is um
this is necessary work. Cities are
required to do permitting. They're
required to do inspections and stuff
like that. And we have no one on staff
that is certified to do that work. Um so
escalating cost. So just a quick note
about this. Um since Q1 2025, um plan
review fees kind of bounce on a pretty
predictable basis. Usually you get a lot
of plan reviews in the spring because
people want to build in the summer. Um,
but you would normally expect your
inspection services to kind of bounce
delayed like that, right? Where they're
going to be more busy in the summer when
everyone's doing their roofing work and
less busy in the winter because no one's
building. But what we're seeing actually
is a consistent climb in our overall
inspection costs. Um, part of this is
because of um, safe builds building
practices. They've changed the some of
their niches of their contract. Some of
this because of higher fees with current
scheduling. Um and then also growing
demand for building code administration.
By that I mean um you know every time
there's a change of use for a building
um we have to have a building official
look at that and every time they look at
it that's you know 140 bucks. Um so
that's something um that drives up those
inspection costs. Um without further ado
um so the fiscal impact on this um no
budget amendment is is required for this
is already budgeted and also just a
thing to keep in mind with building
services all costs are always offset by
revenue. Um this is taking like for
example plan review when we pay safe
bill 65% of all of our plan review
checks that we take so for every dollar
that we send safe that we collect from a
plan review check safe bill will take 65
cents um and the inspection the ratio it
is about for every dollar we make on
permitting they take about 30 cents um
for the actual inspections part. So, um,
all this to say is that all costs are
offset by building permit revenue. So,
this isn't necessarily a a net negative
to the city and that everything is
budgeted for. Um, with that, happy to
entertain um any discussion or answer
any questions and um hopefully a motion.
>> Any questions?
» Any questions?
>> No questions.
» No questions.
I'll move to adopt a resolution
authorizing the city manager to execute
agreement number one to the professional
services agreement with Safeuilt
Washington LLC increasing the contracts
not to exceed amount $100,000 for
building official plan review and
inspection services.
>> Second. I have a motion and a second.
» Second. I have a motion and a second.
Would you like to speak to the motion?
No. Would you like to speak?
Would anyone like to comment on the
motion? We are chatty this evening. All
those in favor say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Any against? Any abstensions? Motion
» Any against? Any abstensions? Motion
passes. 6.
Thank you. Now we will move down to the
exciting study session. Um code
enforcement staffing discussion.
>> Sure. Thank you, mayor. Um again, Jeff
» Sure. Thank you, mayor. Um again, Jeff
Ryan, uh director of community
development planning. Um so this is
probably the fourth time I've come to
talk to you about this issue. Um
hopefully the last um the last time few
couple times we talked about it the main
kind of the cliffhanger we kind of left
it on is we do a part-time position, do
we do full-time or do we just do
maintain the status quo. Um so the the
ultimate aim of today's study session is
to um seek direction from council on
what kind of position you would like to
have considered as part of next year's
as part of the benium budgeting process.
So it's not necessarily you'd be
authorizing the creation of the new
position tonight but rather you would be
directing us to in conclude it in our
budget deliberations and our forthcoming
budget deliberations. Um, so on the
agenda today, we'll be understand
hopefully reviewing how code enforcement
in Mil Creek works and review ways to
improve code enforcement outcomes by
reviewing the background status quo and
then what exactly would be the jobs of
these part-time position and this
full-time position? How does the RPO,
the rental registration impact this? And
then what would the costs be?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Yes, sir.
» Yes, sir.
>> Quick question. Um,
» Quick question. Um,
why would we need to approve your adding
a position into the budget? Isn't that
your you're right when you put together
your budget to present to us that we're
going to add these positions here and
here? Why why do we need to approve this
one? Is there something special?
>> Um, I would just like to get your input.
» Um, I would just like to get your input.
I would like to have a a strong
understanding of what council's desire
is and how he would like for me to plan
for addressing code enforcement and
potentially inspection services. Um,
mostly, you know, I just want to make
sure that when we bring forward that
position as part of the banning budget,
I've done so at your direction and had
your opportunity to have your formal
input and guidance.
>> Okay, fair enough.
» Okay, fair enough.
>> Um, just as a quick reminder, um, we've
» Um, just as a quick reminder, um, we've
had an increased volume of permitting
134% since 2023. Um, planners are acting
as stop gap field enforcers. Um and then
um every time we have planners working
on that um it's um also displacing our
statuto permitting work and also
planners are not trained in code
enforcement um in any sense of the word.
Um inspection services also contemplate
as we discuss this is inspection
services. We just talked about safe
built and how they provide that
inspection services. Um, the issue that
I wanted to flag to the council, as I've
previously discussed, is that, um, the
guy that comes to your house to make
sure the AC is installed correctly is
often the city's first point of contact
with the public and the residents. Um,
that's someone that you want to be under
your control fully in terms of customer
service, expectations, training, stuff
like that. And um you know there is some
um risk that comes with off outsourcing
the person who is going into our
resident's homes. Um also there is a
significant res um loss revenue that
happens. So like I said before about 30
cents to the dollar is paid roughly for
every building permit that we issue um
is diverted to this third party
provider. Um, and you'll see that's
where our cost savings come when we talk
about the full-time versus the part-time
inspection. And then also there is
service gaps. I mentioned before that
there um having no house no in-house
inspector means that we don't have
anyone on hand that can answer questions
about the the the building code or
attend preapp meetings for that. By that
I mean, you know, Justin and Serena, my
my planners are terrific at answering
questions about zoning, right? We can
tell you all we can talk all day about
setbacks and where buildings are
supposed to go on a site plan, but we
cannot tell you what kind of nut is
required to secure a water heater
safely. No idea. I cannot tell you what
kind of joist is required for what kind
of roofs. Not our bag. That is something
that's a special training and
requirement we do not have. And
presently, every time we get those
questions, we have to refer to our our
um thirdparty provider, which I
mentioned before. One of the changes
that we've had and why you're seeing an
increase in cost is um they used to have
a good old just put it plainly, there
used to be a different person in safe
who would answer a lot of these
questions just out of the goodness of
his heart. And that's changed now. Um
and they've changed the way that they're
counting service questions and stuff
like that. So that means every little
question like that is available now. Um
so that means that also um there are
also other ancillary issues like for
example um visibility on certain
business licenses and for like being
able to ensure that when someone says
that their their business that might be
originally have a certificate of
occupancy for a cafe that ensures that
the new business in there has the same
kind of occupancy status and not like I
don't know a church or something that's
going to change the way that everything
has to be sight and so that's and so
whenever we get those we have to refer
those also to the third party provider
by not having someone on h inhouse on
staff to be able to answer those
questions instead of just saying hey you
know hey John can we um can this guy do
this no okay okay that's it that process
now is um you know billable hours um so
that does u create a bit of a service
gap for us the other issue this is
important is pre-applications. I
gravitate on that is preapps in the
development process are very important
because what that means is let's say
someone let's say you really want to
build an ADU in your backyard. What that
means is
instead of just rolling the dice and
submitting your application and hoping
everything is good, you can just have a
meeting with the city and we'll tell
you, oh no, no, no, no. You need to have
this report, you need to have this
things, this things. you can have all
the documents lined up so that when you
submit your application, you don't have
to worry about it getting kicked back
and that creates a significant amount of
time for developers and for for
homeowners they're looking to get their
projects done. Um, every time that we
have a preapp and we want the building
official to be there, again, it's a free
service we offer to the community. Um,
but it ain't free to us. Um, so that is
something that comes with not being able
to have that in-house expertise.
that is difficult to calculate in terms
of like um overall costs and
quantifiable hours. Um there's also
operational considerations. Like I said
before, a lack of dedicated code and
building staff creates operational
efficiencies. You know, being able to
say, you know, hey Mark, is this cool?
No. Okay, that's a lot faster than
formally going through reporting
channels and stuff like that. And being
able to have people in the right room in
the meeting, it's creates efficiencies.
Um there's also no single point of
contact for complaints or building code
questions and that requires a lot more
coordination from our permit cores to
figure out ah who's who's who who can
answer this question and like things
like that. Um but again there's also
information gaps. Um every time we have
to answer that question we have to go
through a code that we're not familiar
or qualified to answer and so it takes
us a lot more time just to be able to
answer basic questions. So that being
said, that's the quote, that's kind of
the background on um why inspections are
factoring into this. Currently, our
current code enforcement.
Um there's kind of four four buckets.
The way that we do it right now, um
there's the type of there's the parts of
the Mil Creek code that the community
development department handles. That's
what's often called the land development
code stuff. Title 14, 17, 18. That's the
zoning. You know, you can have a
business. The good example of this would
be yes, your business is allowed to sell
cars at this location. Um, public works
is the public rights away. This would be
no, you're not allowed to sell your car
on the side of the street or no, you're
not allowed to park your car on the
driveway on the sidewalk. And then the
police function on this would be no,
you're not allowed to sell stolen cars
or no, you're not allowed to have dog
fighting rings and stuff like that,
right? like that's the code that the
police enforces or um and then then you
have some stuff that has multiple
departments that might be involved,
right? Title business title 15 is a
great example. Title 15 is um no, you
can't dump your raw sewage into a city
municipal storm water system, right?
That would be a public works issue. But
also in title 15 is you can't build this
without a permit. That would be a
planning department function or um
health and safety. This is one where you
know some of the like abatement of some
like health issues could fall under
public works. Sometimes some they can
fall under the police. There's a lot of
different enforcement when it comes to
these multiple department ones. Um as of
right now, safe bill only covers
violations of title 14 and some titles
of 15. So that means all other code
enforcement here is covered exclusively
by city Mil Creek staff. Um the other
thing I wanted to bring your attention
before we go into these job descriptions
is rental registration and inspection.
Um so we have a draft language we'll be
presenting if you guys like it. We will
present the formal draft ordinance to
you at a later date. But just to kind of
give you a preview of what's going to be
established by this should we see
proceed with the rental registration is
it would require CI rental registration
um it would require annual registrations
for um uh for the property and at a
perunit basis we would establish the fee
on a annual uh as part of the master fee
schedule. We would use our existing
online portal so there's no new software
acquisitions or anything like that. we
already have the technical chops to be
able to build the program inhouse. So
there's no necessarily big cost
associated with onboarding the system.
Um it would include some inspection
requirements. Um so you know making sure
that properties are safe and maintained
and well maint and wellkept. Um, the
ordinance will include enforcement
language and this ordinance would also
be comprehensive enough to include
short-term rentals as well as long-term
rentals. So, just so we can make sure
that we have visibility on all
short-term rentals and we can also use
that as the platform for um creating
additional requirements for short-term
rentals like requiring on street like
requiring off- streetet parking versus
on street parking. Again, this rental
registration isn't necessarily part of
today's presentation in full, and I'm
excited to bring that full ordinance to
you at a later date, but I just wanted
to bring you um your attention that
depending on how we define those
revenues, it could generate between 62
and $94,000 a year based on the amount
of rental properties we have within the
city. Um so, the positions, what would
these positions include? Um obviously, I
won't talk about status quo because
that's already where we're at. Um, but
for part-time staff positions, uh, this
would be someone who would work, you
know, up to whatever the maximum, I
think, 24 hours or something. Um, so it
would be proactive code enforcement
based on that workload. Uh, they might
be able to do title 17 and 18. So
they'll be able to do all the planning
stuff and then be able to do a lot of
the title eight stuff. So like graffiti,
um, shopping carts, that could all be
within the um, this part-time component.
Another part of their job duties would
be public education. They would be, you
know, when they're not doing code
enforcement and stuff like that, they
would be working on letter campaigns and
doing public education on what code
enforcement is and what the expectations
are just so we can have better outreach.
Um, the cost of this new staff would be
estimated around $70,000 per year. Um
but when you layer that on top of the
inspections that we pay safe built
roughly we pay 70,000 and then 72,500 in
plan review um the all-in cost here is
about um yeah about 215 grand. Um
however with an RPO that would be
reduced to about um if you were to adopt
an RPO it would be an additional
$140,000. The cost would be $140,000.
Um,
for the full-time position, there are
some cost savings that come here by
being able to shed our cost that we're
sending safe bill every year. Um, so in
uh, but we'll get into that later. The
actual position itself would be focused
on proactive enforcement of titles 8.
They'd be doing some right-of-way
enforcement. They'd be doing everything
14, 15, 16, 17, 18, everything. Um, so
they'd be doing all the dip codes.
They'd also be doing public education.
And then finally, they would also be
doing some building inspection services
as well as building code customer
service. Um, we do not think that there
is enough work for full-time code
enforcement, just doing only code
enforcement stuff. We also don't think
that there's a full workload to do only
inspections. However, if you combine
these two positions, which is a common
thing in a lot of cities, that your
inspector is doing code enforcement and
inspections, um, it's a natural uh,
combination of these two things. Um, and
then once you factor in the full cost of
this position at 130 and then you factor
in the plan review um, cost, the
subtotal is 22,000 which is a increase
over a status quo. However, if you
adopted the RPO, we would actually be
saving money relative to what we're
currently paying now because again,
we're able to shed that uh, safe built
um, cost.
Um, so here's just a comparison of all
the numbers. Um, you see them all
stacked together.
um you have this part-time position that
you will get, you know, there is a
potential for some like a slight cost
savings um if you adopted an RPO, but
then you'd have a more substantial cost
savings if you adopt an RPO at the
full-time. Um but the part-time is only
focusing on code enforcement proactive
and then full-time would also be able to
realize um some savings by providing
limited building services and um as well
as the code enforcement. Um, I threw a
lot of numbers at you guys. So, if you
guys want to ask any questions, I'm
happy to. Or if you want me to, um,
shoot me a shot and go to the staff
recommendation, happy to.
>> Council member Gobies has a question.
» Council member Gobies has a question.
>> I have a couple questions. Um, the first
» I have a couple questions. Um, the first
one, I just want to make sure I
understand this item versus the last
one. So, we just approved an increase
because this obviously isn't happening
right away. So, when is our current
contract with Safeuilt up that we could
cancel it?
>> December 31st, 2026.
» December 31st, 2026.
>> Perfect. Okay, that was question one.
» Perfect. Okay, that was question one.
Question two, if if we go with this
full-time inspector, code enforcement
person and we cancel the safe contract,
is there a plan B if all of these jobs
don't mesh together to make a full-time
and like there's more than they can do
in their week? Mhm.
>> We wouldn't have that like backup of
» We wouldn't have that like backup of
being able to use the other service.
>> Yeah. Okay. I think I understand your
» Yeah. Okay. I think I understand your
question. Um in the event of um oh my
god, there's a lot of stuff we got to
do. We don't have we got one guy. Um we
have two options. Either we come back
and we talk about position or we still
have to subcontract out with a third
party provider. Okay.
>> Right. Um right now it's safe built.
» Right. Um right now it's safe built.
There's a number of other companies that
could be um potential alternatives that
we're exploring too. Um, it could just
be a small contract and used for
overflow. Um, it's interesting if you
look at the history of Mil Creek in the
history of the building official
position. There used to be a building
official in Mil Creek um, like in 2018
and before that there was always a
building official here, but they had
issues filling the position. And when
Safe Built was brought on as the
building official services, it was
brought on as a stop gap measure until
they could secure a building official.
And then um you know code enforcement
happened and um some former leadership
philosophy on staffing kind of had some
impacts on some of this stuff and so but
this used to be a thing that we had.
Okay.
>> And it was originally it was when it was
» And it was originally it was when it was
they created the safe bill contract it
was never anticipated to be a a
full-time thing. And even in the event
that we do bring on a full-time
inspector um and the workload is too
much, again, all revenues are offset,
all expenses would be offset by revenue.
>> Is there some sort of like ad hoc
» Is there some sort of like ad hoc
inspecting service that you could use
that wouldn't requ.
» No. Well, so that's the way it works.
The way that the contract works is it's
an on call contract. Okay? it's as we
get work we send it to them but because
we have no one else to do the work all
the work goes to them. So um we could
certainly maintain a small a small
contract or you know some contract of
some sort will be maintained but um
again all extra cost would be offset by
revenue.
>> Thanks.
» Oh um council member Allison and then
council member Suckler.
Yeah, I'm looking for that slide that
showed the the dip
and how that would be alleviated by
having somebody or or managed
by having a full-time person on board.
So if there were let's say
the building services
volume was really high would that mean
the code enforcement would have to you
know be less
the lesser of the two buckets of work.
>> Right. Well I think that's a that's a
» Right. Well I think that's a that's a
good consideration and I think that's a
policy determination would have to be
determined by the city. I think from my
view, I would see the um if you have a
contract available to handle those
overflow situations, I would still want
to prioritize code enforcement as the
primary issue because um clean and safe
is one of the city's key priorities. Um
it's, you know, it's in our strategic
plan. It's in our core values and
missions. So I think for me to meet that
clean and safe expectation, I would
still in the event if you have x amount
of workload and we have to choose one or
the other, I would prioritize code
enforcement and then use that overflow
contract to provide those inspections as
needed for in those in those events.
>> Okay. And if you're looking at the
» Okay. And if you're looking at the
volume of those two,
you know, how likely is it that we would
still need to have a contract and have a
considerable spend with that service
provider? Well, the we will always have
to have a contract um for two reasons.
One, we still don't have a plans
examiner. We don't have anyone on staff
that can review things for, you know,
review the actual blueprints. That's
something that we don't have on staff.
So, that's something we still have to
outsource. And this would be outsourcing
only the people who are actually going
out and checking to make sure that the
joists are correct and the building
structures are being physically built
correctly. Um and the second element it
would be we wouldn't we would still have
to maintain some contract with them
because this person would be an
inspector but not a full building
official. a full building official would
be um a much higher would be not a much
higher but it would be a higher salary
cost. And so what we're trying to do is
thread the needle between um what can be
done by getting a full-time inspector
and still balancing our code enforcement
needs and be able to get a good chunk of
our building official costs out of the
way. but recognizing that there at the
end of the day to sign off on a complete
certificate of occupancy, it needs to be
a building official. Um, and so we
wouldn't be able to be free of it fully
yet. You know, maybe, you know, if I
know Thomas, maybe there's a way that we
can figure out a way to get there, but
until then, this is the um the way that
we could find the best way to maximize
savings to the city um while still
dealing with the staff that we have. So,
hypothetically, the the contract would
maybe be half as expensive as it is
today.
>> That's the idea.
» That's the idea.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Instead of asking for a $200,000
» Instead of asking for a $200,000
contract, we'd only ask for a $100,000
contract.
>> Um, yeah.
» Um, Council Member Stuckler and after
him, Council Member Paddock.
>> So, one quick question, then I have a
» So, one quick question, then I have a
thought, you know, study session, maybe
some impact. Um the the cost that you
have here of 7130 I assume the 70 is a
fully loaded because part-time no
benefits but how about your full-time is
that a fully loaded number?
>> Yes, that would be this that's what we
» Yes, that would be this that's what we
estimate to be the fully loaded.
>> Really? Okay. So this person would be
» Really? Okay. So this person would be
somewhere in the 80 85. Okay. Um you
know when I when I look at this um
there's two thoughts that come to my
mind. I look at our current situation
and I look at what's going to be coming
down the road with regards to
inspections.
There is no question that coming down
the road with all the plans that we're
putting in place that we're you're going
to have this huge onslaught and there is
no question in anybody's mind that
you're going to need a person, you know,
at at that point. The question is trying
to justify the position at this point
before all that development kicks in. It
looks like we're still better off with
this safe build contract. Even if with a
part-timer, it's going to cost us more
because we don't know enough. We don't
see enough to say, "Hey, we need to take
care of these pieces are coming down.
This information is coming down." We
don't know that. So, you know, when I
look at this and if you wanted to know
and you could help more more time to
help educate me as to why right now with
a little bit information and a little
bit of mind that I've got, I would say
it doesn't make sense to approve a
position like this now.
>> Knowing full well we are going to
» Knowing full well we are going to
approve a position like this when we
start kicking up Southtown Center, we uh
the uh all that all that development is
is going to we might need two three
people. Who knows? because the the
volume and stuff. Right now, you can't
really point to that for at least a few
years. So, I don't see the the the
reason we went with safely I thought
back when we did it was we had developed
all the land in Mil Creek and we weren't
expecting a lot of development costs to
come in anymore and that's why we didn't
want to replace the position and why we
went with a vendor that could be on call
and it looks like we're still kind of in
that that position based on the little
bit information I see today.
>> Right. So if I could respond to that
» Right. So if I could respond to that
please. Um so when that transition was
happened there were a lot of things that
stopped occurring that needed to be
done. For example um like reviewing of
business licenses and um in-depth review
of of uh certificates of occupancy and
stuff like that. There's a pretty large
record gap that we have where that kind
of work and services wasn't being
performed. um and that's necessary. Um
that also relates to like other kinds of
just other kinds of projects like that.
The other thing I would also note is
that during this pro during this period
we also had have seen a substantial I
would say loss of visibility on
permanent activity and stuff that's
happening in the community that we don't
even know about we you know a potential
increase of unpermitted activity because
we don't have that visible presence
that's proactively looking for work. So
there's potentially a an iceberg, right,
of you don't see, you know, what's
dangerous about an iceberg is what you
don't see. And I think that's so I guess
what I'm trying to say is um more
succinctly is we might be seeing a
little bit of survivor bias where right
now we're seeing only the influence uh
the impact on permits that are being
permitted uh correctly and we're only
seeing the charges of things that are
being tracked by building officials that
should be tracked but that are currently
being tracked. But what we're not seeing
is all the activities that haven't been
happening that need to happen or should
be would be better if we were doing it.
>> Was that our responsibility or is that
» Was that our responsibility or is that
safe build's responsibility?
>> Um little bit of column A, a little bit
» Um little bit of column A, a little bit
of column B. Um and that's that's why I
was saying that they have the increase
of inspection costs because as we're
identifying these tasks that need to be
performed, it's only increasing those
costs um annually. And that's why you've
seen the substantial increase in
inspections despite, as you say, you
know, we didn't expect Mil Creek was
fully built out, but um we're still
seeing you're still seeing a constant
quarterly increase of inspection
services regardless of that. And I'd
also um point out that it's true that
there isn't a lot of green field
opportunity, but a substantial green
field in the development world means um
a development track where there's
nothing on it. It's just a patch of
grass, right? And that's that's a green
field development. It's the best it's
the best thing in the world because you
can build whatever on it and you don't
have to do anything with it.
>> But what you do also have in Mil Creek
» But what you do also have in Mil Creek
is a substantial number of buildings
that are over 40 years old, which in
real estate world means that they're
past their useful life. And that hurts
me to say because I'm turning 40 this
year. Um, so
>> yeah.
» yeah.
>> So, but I hate to think about myself as
» So, but I hate to think about myself as
an example. But what that means is it's
true that there isn't a lot of green
field sites, but there is a lot of
redevelopment sites in the city. And
that I think also reflects in our
buildable lands analysis that was part
of the 2024 comp plan. The final thing I
would like to point out is that the
primary the primary thing that we're
pointing talking about here is code
enforcement and how um
even if we accept that the idea that
there's nowhere to build and there's not
a lot of permit volume, there is still
an increasing need for code enforcement
need. And the way that
um in my mission to council, as I
understand it, is to find ways to save a
dollar in as many ways as humanly
possible um so that we can meet our core
services and still be good fiscal
stewards to the community. And the way
that um we were able to find the most
fis like fiscally forward way of doing
that is if we got it if was if we
thought about the positions and we're
like well if we can get rid of this
element of this contract and couple that
with code enforcement then we can
provide this service that's needed right
code enforcement where no one's doing it
really to the level that the city
deserves and you can couple it with
savings found in the safe bill contract
and then together that's how you're able
to fine. I think you know a you are able
to find a pathway forward to finding
savings at least if you adopt an RPO.
Keeping in mind this desire to save
money obviously would it not make more
sense to better manage the safeuilt
relationship and consultant agreement
and you know understand from them what's
happening what's out there what are we
missing so that there's data specific
examples of why we need to we need to do
this ourselves in house I I still don't
see the desire to do this inhouse uh the
I see the desire to do this in house I
don't see the the the data to support
doing this in house. That's why I don't
see
>> um well as it relates to code
» um well as it relates to code
enforcement um safe bill does not do
code enforcement. Um it is not in their
contract. It is not within their
services. We have been talking
>> I'm sorry but I was talking about the
» I'm sorry but I was talking about the
stuff that you mentioned
>> the actual inspection services.
» the actual inspection services.
>> You said there's there's stuff out there
» You said there's there's stuff out there
in inspections and plant briefs that
we're not aware of.
>> Correct. because that's under I'm sorry
» Correct. because that's under I'm sorry
to interrupt you but that was that
that's under their regalia and we're not
privy to that or we're not aware of that
or we're not where we would be if we had
our own person in there. Is that
correct?
>> So Safe Builds contract is only to
» So Safe Builds contract is only to
respond to when we schedule an
inspection. Um they do not have a dude
on a truck that's driving around looking
for anything. They're they're they're
they are an on call contract. Um, we've
priced out models to have someone just
sitting in our office and um
it's not
>> I seem to remember that
» I seem to remember that
>> it's not cost effective.
» it's not cost effective.
>> Um, at least compared to the models that
» Um, at least compared to the models that
we're looking at now.
>> Now the model we've got now is the most
» Now the model we've got now is the most
cost effective. True. Agreed. Um, not
the one for the future. Yeah. just to,
you know, kind of having that dialogue
in a study session of, you know, if I
came back and asked you what would I
need to bring you back to win you over
to my side to bring us an inspector.
Now, that that's kind of the point of
what I wanted to bring on is that I I
don't think we're there yet,
>> but um you and I and I think just but we
» but um you and I and I think just but we
do need to take real good care of of
managing that that that safe asset. Make
sure we collected all the data. we know
what's going on. Uh so that that might
give us a better path to where what's
the justification for hiring a position.
>> Sure. Um I think one last point if I
» Sure. Um I think one last point if I
could uh is also um
every year we don't have this in-house
service. When we do stand up the
in-house service, that's a year lost of
institutional knowledge.
>> Sure.
» Sure.
>> And there is an institutional knowledge
» And there is an institutional knowledge
piece that that can be considered as
well, especially as we pivot towards the
future and look at different models.
» Council member Paddock and then after
that, Mayor Prom.
>> Thank you. Uh, first of all, I really
» Thank you. Uh, first of all, I really
appreciate the deliberative and detailed
process that you've kind of walked
through with us. I think you said four
times and and it it shows and I just
riffing off of I think a response you
actually had about the tip of the
iceberg and there's there's too much
that we we're not seeing and that's not
getting done because Safe Build isn't
doing it. um has been something that
stuck in my mind and I think I mentioned
this in the last discussion that we had
and I and I still feel the same way that
there is a significant
need and opportunity to have that
proactive enforcement that proactive
um engagement with the community that
that that is just not what Safe Build
does. At the same time, I I do have some
similar concerns that have been um
voiced and I again I think we brought
this up in the last uh discussion on
this that jumping straight to a
full-time
ties our hands a little bit if we find
out that that's actually not what we
need or that it's more expensive than we
thought etc. And I would look at maybe
there's a middle ground of let's try
this as a part-time, which again you've
you've you've laid that as an option.
Let's try this as a part-time for all
the benefits that part-time and
flexibility give us. It's not the best
long term, but to me it would be the
best iterative step to say, "Yep, we
validated the the assumptions. let's
let's bring that person or another
person full-time and go versus waiting
to see what happens and we probably
wouldn't actually see what happens
because that's not going to be until
Southtown Center gets going, etc. So,
that feels to me like an iterative
middle ground that I could that I could
get behind as as feedback and just
sharing with my peers.
» Mayor Patton,
>> thank you so much. um the background of
» thank you so much. um the background of
the type of employee you're looking for
for full-time um versus part-time. I'm
assuming it's not entry level. I mean,
what's the kind of um what what's the
what are you looking for?
>> Um early to mid career.
» Um early to mid career.
>> Early to midcareer. Yeah.
» Early to midcareer. Yeah.
>> Okay. So, early is
» Okay. So, early is
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> potentially that I would I wouldn't say
» potentially that I would I wouldn't say
entry level, but I wouldn't say senior.
I guess I would say probably mid-level
career maybe.
>> That's what it sounded like when you
» That's what it sounded like when you
were talking about it. So, I was just
curious about it. um because based off
of years of experience um in your
looking into this because I know you
mentioned other cities um how many
cities have uh this type of role still
because the you've explained clearly
that the we had a building
we had we had a building official.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> I don't know if we had a code
» I don't know if we had a code
enforcement specific person. Did we have
that as well?
>> I had code enforcement.
» I had code enforcement.
>> So it was two separate positions that
» So it was two separate positions that
were here in the city of Mil Creek. How
many cities um in your and maybe you
don't have this information today, but
how many of these cities currently have
so those two types of positions?
>> Um I would say that a vast majority of
» Um I would say that a vast majority of
all cities have both a building official
and co and code enforcement officers.
Your typical planning department is
comprised of um maybe you have three or
four plan like of of a city of 20,000 of
Mil Creek size. Typically, you have a
building official, you have a couple
inspectors, a a couple plan reviewers,
and some permit techs. That's your
building services. And then you have
your planners, long range planners, and
current planners. U Michael Tio, for
example, has about eight or nine
full-time FTEEs. Um half of those are a
mixture of building officials,
inspectors, and um permit techs. Um
using the Mil Creek model and our our
staffing model and stuff like that. Um,
I think we could still provide
outstanding service to the customers um
by providing some things like full-time
inspec, like having inspection services
be in house, but some things you could
probably delay on sharing like a plans
reviewer. But to answer your question
specifically, um, many cities will often
have your inspectors or your building
official do both code enforcement and
um, inspections. Um, but most most
cities of our size and um you typically
have a building official as a full-time
position and a code enforcement as a
full-time position. as a full-time
position. And I really appreciate you um
sharing that information cuz you know
for me obviously we're talking about the
the building and the and the official
you know in terms of inspections and all
that but I've been really
keeping an eye on this because for me
the importance of the code enforcement
that's kind of been you know like I in
an ideal world would like a full-time
just code enforcer enforcement whether
that's um financially available for
where we are all that but there's so
many things that we get constantly asked
about or worked on or you know any of
those things in terms of what makes Mil
Creek the city that it is would be under
that and so I I I definitely think code
enforcement as its own position makes a
lot of sense why sharing um what council
um had mentioned for me I because I see
it as a full-time position I can get
behind a full-time that has half um
building inspection responsibilities and
half code enforcement because maybe we
don't actually as like an an in an
introduction into this is maybe we don't
actually need that much code enforcement
as I keep hearing that we do or seeing
you know where we are in our path. So I
could see like well then there's the
part-time plus we're also doing this
which is also another need. So I find
that is my kind of happy medium which
sounds like a full-time position here.
So I I thank you for um providing that
background.
>> Thank you Mayor Berten. Um I guess one
» Thank you Mayor Berten. Um I guess one
comment I would have to that is um
there's also a good conversation that we
can have as a community of you know to
put it um as seriously as possible. Do
you want code enforcement?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Or do you want code enforcement?
» Or do you want code enforcement?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> You know like there's there's a way you
» You know like there's there's a way you
know for example in our code you can't
have a hedge that's greater than the
height of a fence.
>> Yeah. um
» Yeah. um
[laughter]
>> how many properties
» how many properties
>> would we
» would we
>> yeah I don't want
» yeah I don't want
>> be going after right and so I think
» be going after right and so I think
there's a question of you know there's a
science there's an art form to code
enforcement in terms of how you apply it
how you don't apply it and there's some
some considerations that we want to have
in terms of how aggressive we get on
code enforcement and what are the things
we're aggressive about
>> I I really appreciate that um that
» I I really appreciate that um that
example if it's okay because for me I
would also see the code enforcement
person saying looking at what we have
and saying we just don't this isn't okay
or just questioning like do you know
that we have this we should bring this
to council with a recommendation of like
how we need to do or the planning
commission you know like whatever the
right um avenue is I think that's an
important part because we just don't
have the bandwidth for someone to take a
look at those things um and I think it's
important to do so before we start
adding on all the additional annexation
and additional areas of people and
population or businesses that are you
know that we're hoping to attract here
is that we actually have all of our
stuff nice and clean and to the point
where we can adapt as new things are
coming, but we're not tracing back to
something from 1998. And
>> and to your point, the um the subtotal
» and to your point, the um the subtotal
without the RPO, a full-time position,
what you're contemplating is still
cheaper than just bringing on a
part-time person. It would still be a
less cost burden to the city to go
full-time.
Um, city manager would like to speak.
Has I'm assuming speak, not a question.
>> Yeah, I have a comment about uh just the
» Yeah, I have a comment about uh just the
fact that we're we're talking about
full-time and part-time. Just to keep in
mind that the full-time, we're not
talking about just 20 hours a week.
That's what we're referring to right
here. [clears throat] But also just
considering that
is there an actual need out there in our
community for a full-time or a part-time
uh existing right now. The reason why we
have claims we're in litigation, we have
complaints about junk cars or septic
tanks is because we don't have code
enforcement. Somebody out that was
proactively addressing a lot of these
issues. Um,
Director Ryan did did talk about in
itself the full-time is without the RPO
is less expensive. That's another
comment I I wanted to make and and
reinforced. Um the part-time is 20 hours
a week and it's further limits the
ability to provide code enforcement,
plan review and inspections. Um you got
to think about what this person will do.
Not only drive around and look at
enforce code and update director Ryan,
but this person will also write letters.
This person will make phone calls. this
person will do the whole scope of
services um
that that person's responsibility you
know will will be and and right now a
lot of staff we're taking on those types
of roles we're talking about letters we
have our management analyst right now
writing letters about graffiti and
encampments um that cannot transfer yet
to director's Ryan team until we have
that code enforcement person um I'm
trying to capture the scope of kind of
what this person will do I've talked
about litigation Um,
I've talked about the existing things
that are out there already and I think
that's pretty much kind of the um
comments that I want to make in terms of
I what I believe that this this we've
already talked about this we've been
talking about this for over a year now
um about the need and as we continue to
wait on this type of full-time position
um the issues continue to grow and uh we
haven't done anything about it just
because We we don't have that full-time
position. I do not believe a part-time
position is going to handle uh the need
out there. Thank you.
» Um I have a question. Um and I
I have a migraine so things are not
clicking I think. So when you explain
can you go back and explain to me the um
the full time is 130. Well that's
obvious but why? So they're taking on
the inspections, right? So that's why we
don't have the 725 there. It's going up
into the 130 basically.
>> Correct. So um the reason why this is
» Correct. So um the reason why this is
less is because you're removing the
inspections charge. And the other thing
to note is that these these this
contract amount is based on the 2025
2026 allocations for um safe built um
and in the next budget and you know
we'll go through that process but those
numbers could be higher too.
>> And so the part-time person we'd have to
» And so the part-time person we'd have to
hire the part-time person and they would
be handling
code enforcement.
>> Correct.
» Correct.
And then we'd still be needing to pay
safe bill for the inspections and the
plan review. Okay, I do understand. I
just want to make sure I did understand
since yeah,
>> I've got a migraine and I wasn't sure if
» I've got a migraine and I wasn't sure if
it was clicking. Perfect. Thank you.
>> Any other questions?
So, I think you want direction from us
tonight um on which direction we would
like to go um whether or not we
recommend a full-time or a part-time
budget. So, I think as as discussion
bared out, um staff recommendation is
for a full-time position. Um and um to
be and again, we're not asking for
authorization of the full position
tonight, but we're asking for a
recommendation to have this further
studied and proposed as part of the 2728
benium budget process so that we can um
you know, just provide what is your
preference going into that? maybe not
preference, but what is if we were going
to do it, this is how we prefer to do it
and then we can provide that costing
model. Okay.
>> Um or if you prefer a part-time that
» Um or if you prefer a part-time that
whatever consideration that you have, we
would just like to have some formal
direction on picking one. Um or if you
want us to bring both forward, that's
fine, too. I just looking for direction.
» Um Council Member Goeski,
>> I just didn't know did you want like
» I just didn't know did you want like
each of us to chime in? Were we
>> or does somebody want
» or does somebody want
>> We're not We're not like voting on this.
» We're not We're not like voting on this.
>> No, not really. It was just a
» No, not really. It was just a
>> All right. Do you want each one of us to
» All right. Do you want each one of us to
make our to tell you how we feel about
it or
>> Yeah, that's fine.
» Yeah, that's fine.
>> However, Yeah. I think if you just want
» However, Yeah. I think if you just want
to each just tell me what your
preference was, that would be helpful
and then I would know um better.
>> All right. Um
» All right. Um
>> let's go this way. I know I was like not
» let's go this way. I know I was like not
to speak for them, but I think they've
told this, but um council member
Paddock,
>> again, I I wholly uh agree with what the
» again, I I wholly uh agree with what the
city manager the part-time is not going
to do the whole job, but it's going to
give us data to determine whether or not
we need a whole job and what that's
going to look like. So,
>> um all in for part-time.
» um all in for part-time.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Yeah. I don't feel we have I don't have
» Yeah. I don't feel we have I don't have
enough data to justify a full-time
position at this time. So,
>> but based on what's being said, yeah, I
» but based on what's being said, yeah, I
think a part-time position might make
sense because it could help us to
collect the data that we need to really
justify full-time position going
forward. But right now, I I I wouldn't
support anything more than a part-time.
>> Um, I would lean towards um the
» Um, I would lean towards um the
full-time position because it is going
to cost less than the part-time position
when we are looking at the budget and we
really do need some code enforcement
desperately. So, that would be my
preference to look at in the budget. Um,
Mayor Pam,
>> full-time position.
» full-time position.
>> Council member Allison, I'm torn, but
» Council member Allison, I'm torn, but
I'm leaning more towards the full-time.
Um, I think you've explained that that
full-time person could be
full up with statement of work and
the comment you made about the
institutional knowledge.
um before we consider annexations. That
means a lot to me.
>> Council member Gobies,
» Council member Gobies,
>> I'm definitely on board for a full-time
» I'm definitely on board for a full-time
position. I think the um the cost
savings is there. The customer service
element of having somebody that is a
city employee be the the face of both of
those aspects. Um I think as we move
into annexation,
that is a better position to be building
from. Um, additionally, and and I may be
way off base, I feel like it's a better
job position for to find somebody who's
good at it would want a full-time
position. And so, it feels like it would
be more likely to get a good hire, um,
to use their skill set correctly. Um,
and also that they would have this sort
of broad scope of things to do to fill
the time, whereas I don't really know
how a part-time
fluctuates, you know, as the things
fluctuate from week to week. So, I I
would I would say full-time.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> You're welcome.
» All right. Next up, we have the consent
agenda. Approval of checks number 70644
through 70688
and AC wire transfers in the amount of
[clears throat]
1 million6
Wait a minute. Yeah. Yeah. 1,6,593.81.
Um myself and council member Allison
were the audit committee. Um any
exceptions?
>> No exceptions.
» No exceptions.
>> No exceptions. And we also have the city
» No exceptions. And we also have the city
council meeting minutes of July 28th,
2026. Do I have a motion to approve the
consent agenda?
>> So moved.
» So moved.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> I have a motion and a second. All those
» I have a motion and a second. All those
in favor say I.
>> I.
» I.
>> I.
» I.
>> Any against? Any abstensions? Motion
» Any against? Any abstensions? Motion
passes 6.
Next up, we have um reports. City
manager.
>> Thank you, mayor. We have three reports,
» Thank you, mayor. We have three reports,
and I'll start off with the first one.
Uh yesterday our city clerk had the
opportunity to send you uh my report for
second quarter 2026.
It is lengthy. It's 12 pages. I'm going
to cut it short. I'm going to give you a
high level of the strategic plan and
cover some key accomplishments across
our department. So um just keeping in
mind that's a three-year plan 2025 to
2027. Um and I'll start with Southtown
Center. Um much of the weight in South
Town Center according to the rubric that
I put together on the report shows that
we are aiming for uh September 9th for
the adoption of the plan. Um some of the
key things that were moving in 2026 is
uh a strateg economic development
strategy. We have a draft now based on
the framework that you had seen in the
past u by director Ryan and we're going
to move that forward putting it on the
shelf until we get some direction on
annexation and um completion of the
master plans. Uh we'll continue
engagement with property owners uh
private property owners and uh and um
those types of partners going forward as
we start to uh move into the
infrastructure development down the
road. Um some of the next um things that
are going to advance with South is the
imple implementation of an overlay zone.
Those designations that are over and
above the existing uh zoning that is
within the 55 acres. Uh the other piece
is infrastructure planning. Um as if you
recall back on the draft that you had
seen on the 28th of CIP uh there was
about a million for each the
transportation component and the surface
uh surface water uh drainage. Uh that's
for the design um of both the
um surface water and transportation in
Southtown center. That might shift um
later on down, but it's on there right
now. Um uh just as a temporary plan.
This is a six-year project out to 2030
um for the engineers. Uh DRCC
and stop me if you have any questions.
DRCC um lot of moving parts here. We are
uh at the same time working on a lot of
things in parallel and not just concept
design but uh looking at components um
of that area based on council's
preferences. Uh we are
uh looking at the um how to fund the
project
and also we engaged initial uh meetings
with our potential partners. All these
things are going on at the same time and
we're going to start working with
council and in small teams uh before our
next presentation, Director Ryan and
Deputy City Manager and myself to keep
things moving forward and give council
an opportunity behind the scenes to talk
about all these different aspects of the
DRCC concept. And so when you come into
council, you have an opportunity to talk
about it in session. I'm not going to
talk about much about annexation. a good
meeting with 1961 to start bringing
forward um council's questions that you
had uh regarding the last discussion. Uh
we'll repackage some of those um areas
and then bring forward financials around
that. We'll bring forward GMA impact um
from annexation. you had asked about
maze pond fire impact um BRB
impact um and also uh mapping out
utilities and districts too and kind of
finding um how those are going to impact
annexation. Um not going to talk much
about uh recclarifying and meeting city
standards for one maintain public
outdoor spaces. Uh I'll go over that in
the operations piece when I talk about
the public works key accomplishments
increasing community engagement. Um that
uh keeping up with the creek uh has
about 2400 subscribers now. That was a
key program
uh deliverable for the Southtown Center.
I'm sorry for the uh um increasing
community engagement. But as you're
probably already aware, uh, community
development planning, um, I mean, I'm
sorry, um, communications and marketing,
um, has done a lot of things so far that
also is has to be considered as a
comprehensive
plan on how they're executing things
that also bring community engagement to
the community. So, um, I'm hoping to get
a little more hits on that u um,
newsletter, probably hopefully about
3,000 by the end of the year. Um so
that's really kind of very high level
the uh strategic plan everything's
moving forward. Um, with that, the only
concern I have right now is ensuring
that our um, asset management GIS
systems are continue to move forward and
we'll be working with uh, their public
works director and our city engineer to
see if we can budget some money and time
to to further implement that system or
enhance that system so we can start
using that before we start working on
long-term projects and and then keeping
start leveraging that system to uh, do
the daily maintenance and operations.
um key accomplishments across the city,
executive office, uh deputy city
manager, myself, we're really focusing
on uh strengthening leadership and
employee management, holding employees
accountable and ourselves as well u on
performance evals and we've made
significant progress on keeping those up
to date. Still a few um past too, but
we're keep trying to keep those current.
Um work plans is a big thing. having
employees uh really update their work
plans and ensuring that those are in
alignment with the council's five
priorities as well as um uh our other
long-term plans. Um some key highlights
from the executive office is our
management analysts who um initiated
meetings with Congresswoman Dell Benny's
office and Senator Patty Murray's office
started talking to them about grants and
so then now you know Mil Creek's on on
the on the landscape for grants going
forward. Uh 4 million asked with Senator
Patty Mary's office for cash basins was
denied. Uh the 4 million asked for North
Creek Trail with Senate uh Congresswoman
Del Benny's office. Um U got reduced
about 1.25 million. That's uh in route
with the feds right now. Hopefully
that'll be approved in October, but
we're waiting to see. Uh thanks to our
management analysts, we are now uh we
did receive approval the of the
completed 2021 title six report from
WASHDOT. Uh that's that's pretty it's
relevant for us to start to continue
applying for grants moving forward. Um
we're starting to build out the 500,000
for city hall north roof repair. Uh
that's about 95% complete and then also
the other money from uh Representative
Berg 350 for sidewalk repairs we're
billing out for that as well. So um good
work on the management analyst part. Not
gonna say much about communications,
marketing, about 100,000 hits, website
visits. Now, that does include staff.
Um, so, uh, we can't break that out
between who's external, internal, but it
gives you a sense that our website's
being heavily used whether it's internal
or both internal and external. I talked
about the quarterly newsletter hits. Um,
113 classes
right now, 884 program uh, enrollments.
Although um Jod and team are keeping up
on their recreation program. I won't
talk much about major events. Uh one new
one's a FIFA World Cup um event that
that Jod executed and thanks to PD who
supported her on that one. Um can't go
without saying how important Barb Idle
is. Um I meet her with her monthly to
get an idea of how the volunteer
program's going and uh 2026
uh 442 hours to date.
um from volunteers. So, it gives you a
sense of kind of uh you know, translate
that into dollars. They put a
considerable amount of time in aligning
themselves with our public works
department, keeping the city clean. Um
can't say enough about how much support
Jod gives uh our departments. And on
your on the report, you'll see a whole
list of of um
um areas where she's supporting all
departments to either get ahead of of
messaging on the projects that are about
to take place or just communicating with
even external parties like girls on the
run to make sure that um uh they're
executing the projects well. Uh
congratulations so far to the city
clerk. uh she's uh getting close to
moving clo uh to certification as a an
official municipal clerk. So um she's
advancing her career um that will
increase her credibility and and provide
us with additional knowledge on how to
move forward um
as she continues to support all of you
on the legislative side as well as all
of us on the executive side. Um
and one big uh big improvement is
improving the speed at which records are
released as well. So uh kudos to the
clerk's office. Uh on the police side,
you've already seen the report by Chief
White about the reduction in crime uh
direct correlation to how they're
managing the teams and and our kudos to
all our police officers as well. Um it's
reduced all across the board. So um
they've done a great job. Uh we've still
negotiating the police manual. Um still
working with uh guild's attorney and
we'll keep you updated on that.
Hopefully we'll shoot for by the end of
the year. Um the big ask for police uh
the other unfunded item unfunded item
besides code enforcement position is
body warrant cameras. Um, we've all
talked about false complaints, use of
force, evidence collection, prosecution,
holding both
uh
our community and our police accountable
for the actions that occur in those
inter, you know, when they when they do
interact. So, um I do think that's
important. Uh we're going to try and fun
find money in the budget to fund that in
the next bianium. Um you'll soon uh see
a presentation by either Chief White or
deputy director on on a study session on
on body warn. So you'll have an
opportunity to kind of weigh in on what
you think as well. Um, public works.
can't say enough about
uh public works with uh resignation of
director Todd and our interim uh public
works director who's doing an excellent
job
uh not only managing
uh engineers and maintenance operations
but
thinking about the fundamental shift
between just thinking about C CIP and M
and starting to think about utilities
transportation, parks and trails,
facilities,
garbage and recycling, and how
engineering supports all those different
divisions. So, it's a different way of
thinking, but it's it's it's a better
way to execute um public works
department. Um I'm not going to go over
the whole list of projects, but you see
them in the report. Um
yeah, everything's everything's moving
forward on this list. Um, one thing I I
do want to mention, shaving and panel
replacement, that's about 80% complete.
Um, I think 7 out of 10, 70%, but I
think it's a little further than that.
Uh, 70. Um, uh, keep in mind panel
contract is coming in 2027. Although the
team uh replaced 92 deteriorated
sidewalk panels, those were emergent
panels. Um, it take us probably 10 years
to finish all of them. So, we're going
to bring forward a contract to to handle
all the other panels across uh the city
that precision precision concrete had
identified as needing replacement. Um
uh let's see what else. Um Trillium
Design um significant comments from our
public and from uh council. We're going
to revisit uh and reassess um the design
of Trillium internally. We're talking
about that right now. So, uh more to
come there and uh um I think you'll um
we'll explore that and bring back um
some ideas we have in terms of how to um
just reassess that that design. So, um
but we're silly is in the works. Um uh
we're the consultant still out there
trying to I think I'm not sure where she
where they're at with the um assessment
of the public facility, but I know they
made contact with the owner. So um more
information is to come on that. Um
community development
trying to stay within my 15 so I'm I'm
trying to go a little bit faster but
community development planning. Thanks
for director Ryan for one of the few
who's actually put together an SOP to
improve the workflow of the permitting
process. Um it's in place, it's working.
Engineers are um doing their job and in
and um accomplishing their task and
timelines in terms of the perming that
it's been a big issue in the past about
how long it's been take to get a permit
issued. And so um that workflow is
improving. Um the Keslock property, the
planned residential development behind
Lowe's. Uh we're excited about getting
development revenues coming in for that
onetime revenues. Um just give you an
example of what those revenues
um what we can do with those revenues.
Of course, they're designated for
planning purposes, but there may be some
ways that it would help our budget. So,
just wanted to bring that up. um about
the onetime plans. Oh, we two vacancies
were filled, senior planner and the
planner. So, we're excited to have um uh
Justin upgraded to a senior planner and
then we have Serena as our new new
planner. Um information technology. I
don't know if you've noticed those
things sticking out of the ceiling in
some places, but we've improved the
wireless infrastructure and data um
wireless access points across the city.
And so, um, you can see them in in in
the office, but, um, kudos to our IT
team for doing that. We're we switched
from Verizon to T-Mobile. Um, uh, big
move based on quality of service and and
the cost as well. So, um, not
everybody's happy about iPhones, but,
uh, it's easier for our department to
manage. So, um, finance
um, kicked off, thanks to our finance
director, we kicked off the 2728 budget
discussions. Um
biggest challenges are not a surprise
attributed to significant increases in
in mainly three areas in our budget.
You're all familiar with the WCIA costs
of our um yearly premiums. Uh finance
director mentioned prosecuting attorney
fees and and jail cost too. Uh things
that we cannot control and you'll hear
more about that as we start talking
about the budget discussions uh coming
up in in a month or so. Um the finance
department also completed two reports
including the the state and local uh
fiscal recovery funds report and the
2025 financial report to the state
auditor's office. So thanks to to the
finance department. We're still working
on type plus executing that across
departments. Um and and so that that
that'll probably be done by the end of
the year. Um
financial condition uh just briefly
reserve levels about 8 million uh
including the 4.7 which meets that 15
minute minimum requirement. So there's a
surplus about 3.3.
Um bank capacity is about 2.3.
Um so just give you a sense of the
number of levers that we do have moving
forward uh to make financial decisions.
So we are in a good position I think
moving forward. Um, with that, I'll just
mention that just last Friday, we asked
our department heads to cut another 5%
of our budget. So, we're trying to be
responsible, ensuring that we balance 27
and 28. It's not easy to find, but we
will figure out how to do that. Um,
uh, so just a lot of moving moving parts
on the finance side of things. Um,
finance, future needs, and challenges. I
did mention bodywork cameras and the,
uh, code inspector position. Um, those
are the two key two key items that uh
that I'm focusing on for 2728 that are
not currently in the budget. Um,
and I think that's it, mayor. Um,
oh,
finance director will report on the
municipal adviser. But, um,
any questions on the on the
>> um, first, Council Member Kobesky,
» um, first, Council Member Kobesky,
you're still lit up. Did I just forget
to clear you? Okay. Just want to make
sure I wasn't um Did anyone else have
any questions?
Council member Stackler,
>> I just had one. Um and it was on the
» I just had one. Um and it was on the
DRCC. Um I I was a little bit unclear
about expectations at the end of the
year. You know, what what are we
expecting to have completed? And and
[clears throat] this might have been an
act of communication or it could be this
incredibly tiny type face that you have
in here that's almost impossible for old
people to read. But it looked like
at the I I was under the impression at
the end of this year we will have
reached a conclusion as to the um
concepts and and and planning for DRCC.
we would know exactly what we're going
to have and then in 2027 we can now move
forward and and and build and come up
with the money and that type of thing.
But when I was reading some of this in
here, it looks like there will be
development planning that will occur in
2027.
Um, and actual development will commence
past 2027. I assume that means 2028. So,
it seemed like DRCC is getting pushed
out again further. And I I was a little
concerned if that was my misinformation.
I thought we were going to be
moving forward next year in 2027.
You know, we would know what we want. We
know what it want to look like. We're in
agreement on the council and you know,
the next step is not planning but more
building financing.
>> Did I get that wrong?
» Did I get that wrong?
>> No, you did not actually. The most
» No, you did not actually. The most
significant challenge ahead is
developing a financing strategy that
aligns
your long-term projects with our capital
needs as well, infrastructure and
everything. Uh master planning will be
done by the end of the year and both
South Center and DRCC. Uh annexation,
you'll have a we'll have a decision on
that in October. uh DRCC originally was
planned there's one item on there on
that strategic plan in 27 where it did
say development to start in 27
>> that is not feasible um after we
» that is not feasible um after we
complete the master planning there has
to be a design stage of the actual
infrastructure where we would get it to
uh what we call development ready
>> I thought that's this year this year was
» I thought that's this year this year was
the design stage Uh well, it may have
been on that, but what we're trying to
do is look at the entire three years as
an opportunity to accomplish these
tasks. Uh not just um hold these tasks
to the year which they were written. Um
we have capacity strains across the
teams to try to maintain our daily
operations and we're working on. But um
I think it's a huge accomplishment to
stay within those three years. Um so you
are correct. It did say develop in 2027,
but um there has to be a design stage um
as it lists on the CIP plan for 27 and
then as we move forward, we'll start to
develop and maybe I'm guessing probably
late 28 2 and 29.
Go ahead.
>> The fact that this is this is our oldest
» The fact that this is this is our oldest
project, right?
>> PRCC.
» PRCC.
>> Yeah. Which
» Yeah. Which
>> that goes back over, you know, 10 years.
» that goes back over, you know, 10 years.
Yeah,
>> that is correct. So, it's it's the you
» that is correct. So, it's it's the you
know there shouldn't it be one that we
want to move forward with sooner rather
than later? I mean, Southtown Center,
yes, we've got 2040 deadlines of getting
that.
>> I recommend not looking at DRC in a
» I recommend not looking at DRC in a
silo. Um you're going to see that all
these projects going to have a
significant cost. Um it's important to
stage
um annexations at Southtown Center,
DRCC. Uh you want Trillium and Silver
Crest Drive uh done in all the other
projects, the public works facility. So
we're going to have to sit down. The
staff is already starting to discuss um
and we set up meetings to start to bring
forward a draft of what we think may be
a good staging for the city. Um we we we
live this every single day.
And uh but we will bring something to
council so you have an opportunity to
make a decision on what you think should
be staged and how it should be staged.
Um
so there has to be trade-offs. You have
to look at trade-offs. Our good bonding
capacity is 100 million. Now that that's
just the tip of the iceberg of what I
think we need to to move all these
things forward. Um
hopefully that gives you a sense is it's
a trade-off. It's really a trade-off
discussion. Um, and we haven't gotten
there yet. We're just not going to build
the DRCC and be done with it. We got to
think about the impact of of what
annexation could provide in terms of
bonding capacity going forward if we do
grow as well. And so, um, I know kind of
bit across the board on a lot of things,
but so there's the quick things that
come to mind at the moment.
>> Yeah. Um, deputy [clears throat]
» Yeah. Um, deputy [clears throat]
director wanted to say something or
deputy city manager
>> after our next meeting. There might be a
» after our next meeting. There might be a
little bit more consensus across council
on when DRCC moves forward. Um, just
because of the possible impact on taxes
with the bonding capacity and the funds
needed to execute DRCC. More than
likely, it would take nearly all of our
bonding capacity. And so that would the
bond payment for that would be a
substantial tax increase
>> of our current
» of our current
Mil Creek but not correct
>> the future annexed Mil Creek would be a
» the future annexed Mil Creek would be a
much higher bonding capacity. It would
be a higher bonding capacity if we
annex, but it's still going to be a
>> fairly
» fairly
high tax increase to make the bond
payment each year
>> just because of I think it's going to be
» just because of I think it's going to be
very eye opening when we see numbers.
I'm I'm just um yeah, I guess I'm I'm
I'm disappointed when we set goals and
deadlines and then we say, "Well, we're
we're not going to make them. We're
going to" and this is something we
discussed last year was when we didn't
move forward on DRCC that we wanted to
just move forward on DRCC and now we're
not not doing that. So, I'm
disappointed. I guess you'll have to
give me better information then maybe
our next meeting I'll understand better.
But I I've you know when when I look
back at all of the projects that we've
got here, yeah, they all need to be done
at the same time. I understand that. But
some of these have, you know, been on
the shelf for so long that, you know,
they're just definitely going to
>> die of old age before they ever get
» die of old age before they ever get
born.
>> We will be ready for development. The
» We will be ready for development. The
design has to happen first. And I think
one thing I want to make sure we put in
record is that for the future of this
city,
everybody made a decision that one of
the key principles is financial
viability.
>> And the truth is,
» And the truth is,
>> I'm sorry, what was the word?
» I'm sorry, what was the word?
>> Financial viability.
» Financial viability.
>> Financial viability.
» Financial viability.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> The DRCC is an important project. the
» The DRCC is an important project. the
Southtown Center as well. The Southtown
Center is more of an economic play. Um,
annexation provides
uh the needed net positive revenue to
move things forward. And so that's how
I'm thinking in terms of it's not what's
important, rather what is our financing
strategy moving forward to accomplish
all the things that you want to have
done. And so that's kind of what I'm
thinking in terms of um it's not
prioritizing
So pri prioritizing or putting something
after another does not mean it's less
important to me. It's making sure that
we have a game plan to to get there. And
so that's the way I'm thinking. It's
it's not that the DRCC is less
important. Um but it's just that's how
the cards are playing right now anyway.
But
>> will the DRCC
» will the DRCC
design be completed by the end of the
year? Can
>> I say something quick?
» I say something quick?
>> Forget the financial. Well, the design
» Forget the financial. Well, the design
and elements that we originally agreed
upon, will those those be completed by
the end of the year?
>> Yeah, we
» Yeah, we
>> can I say something real quick on this
» can I say something real quick on this
because I think
we're having a communication
complication
and I think
we are believing that a master plan
is possibly something that technically a
master plan is not.
And so
I think council
believes we're at one place
when we're really at somewhere
different.
And I think we're trying to have this
communication
and it's just not working. And
it's getting
this chasm is getting bigger
because I keep bringing up things and
we're not listening.
And I think what Council Member Steckler
is
bringing to light is that we think we're
doing one thing. And so I really think
that we need to make sure that we're
talking to all of council and getting
everybody on board with where where
we're at and what we're looking at
because I really don't think that we
have a clear picture of what's going on.
So we need to fix that communication.
Would it help if we gave in uh just a
quick overview of what master planning
is going to accomplish or
what?
So, yeah. So, we're on the same page as
uh
what is going to be accomplished by the
end of the year.
That's probably a great first step
because that's what brought up my
question
>> was we had agreement as to what would be
» was we had agreement as to what would be
done by the end of this year for DRCC
and now for the first time I'm hearing
that's not going to happen by the end of
this year or may not happen by the end
of this year. It may double over to next
year and there'll be more planning in
the next year and that's the first time
I've heard that. So that's why I'm
bringing it up now at this update. Um, I
I don't understand why we can't We've
hired a consultant to put together this
plan to help us with that. Why can't we
get it done by the end of the year?
>> The master plan will be done. That
» The master plan will be done. That
That's clear. Correct.
>> Okay. The line in here that says
» Okay. The line in here that says
there'll be more planning in 2027. So if
I could um interject quickly. So I think
maybe one of the disconnects might be
what is a master plan and what is what
do we mean by like a site design, right?
Or like a design for a project, right?
So a a master plan per the RFP that I
presented to council and um brought back
with the contract. A master plan is
something that determines what are the
uses are going to go there and where the
buildings generally going to go and
where are the roads we'd like for it to
go. The actual design of those roads and
those sidewalks like what grade they
walk at, where the water technically
goes and get built, that's in the actual
engineering drawings and that's in the
actual arch architectural drawings.
That's a technical process that is part
of the entitlements process of a
project. Um, if you recall the Southtown
Center, same thing. The master plan
determined where is the road alignment
going to go, where are the buildings
going to type, and what's the uses
there. But the actual technical design
of the storm water system is something
that is developed after you adopt a
master plan. And it's same thing with
the DRCC. We this process is developing.
Okay. Well, we're going to put X, Y, and
Z uses there, and the buildings are
generally going to go right here. But in
terms of that doesn't mean that we've
designed the actual architectural plans
that are going to be built as part of
that process. That's um that's in the
next phase of the development. Um, and I
believe that's consistent with that's
with uh what was previously brought
forward in uh
with when I when we brought forward the
RFP and then uh also the contract with
Elellman. Does that answer your
question, Councilman Steckler?
>> No. No, not at all. I'm I'm still very
» No. No, not at all. I'm I'm still very
confused as to what we said we were
going to have and what we now say we're
going to have and the fact that we you
know what I what I think I'm what I'm
starting to hear me personally one
person from the council is we've done
such a great job of planning here over
the next you know 101 15 years of what
we're going to be doing here in our city
that it it almost creates a paralysis of
being able to move forward and you know
what what I would like to see is you
know I wanted to see us move forward on
one of our projects. And I wanted to be
DRCC because granted, yeah, the
economics of Southtown Center, what
that's going to be are wonderful for our
city. I'm worried about our citizens
right now moving forward, giving giving
back to them and creating that community
that, you know, we want to try to
create. Um, and I I thought we had
gained when I heard master plan that
includes the utilization, what it's
going to be, what the components going
to be, that's what I understood maybe.
Yeah. Okay. not an architectural drawing
of the square footage and you know uh
but it was going to be the questions
that are still up here. We still are not
in agreement as to what is going to be
in DRCC. What is it going what is DRCC
going to be comprised of? we still
haven't moved forward on that and to be
at this stage seems to be um extremely
frustrating to to me and I thought I was
holding true on by the end of this year
all those questions will be asked the
only thing left is going to be to
develop or andor find the money and
again finding the money first is always
going to be the the one thing that will
stop us from moving forward always and
we said that way back in the beginning
when we started
All those years ago, remember Mayor
Holtzclaw said, "If we if we if we focus
on the funding first, we won't build
anything. There's just too much money
and there's no way, you know, first we
got to find out what we want, then we
find out how to fund it."
>> Council member, if I may, um I don't I
» Council member, if I may, um I don't I
didn't disagree with the single thing
you just said. Um part of the master
plan process is going to do that exact
thing. Um that's by December of this
year. We're going to have a resolution
adopting a master plan on what are the
preferred uses, what are the what's the
overall site plan going to look like,
what it's what's going to go there, and
then the next phase of the project is
the technical engineering stuff and like
the and the stuff that's required for
the actual like entitlements and
permitting. So what we're saying is this
I think maybe we're talking about the
same thing that that's the actual
conversation about what uses are going
to go where, what are the partners, all
that stuff is part of the DRCC process
that will be completed by December this
year. That is correct.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
That's not what I saw on this piece of
paper. That's what caused me a concern
or I was confused.
Okay.
Any other questions?
» No. All right, then we will Oh, do you
have something else, Clinton?
>> Yeah, I'll just make one last comment.
» Yeah, I'll just make one last comment.
And when we get together in these little
groups, it'll give you an opportunity to
kind of weigh in on what you're what
we're talking about right now, these
components, the financing piece, the
concepts, and that's the reason why
we're bringing council, as I mentioned
earlier, bringing you together. So you
we're all on the same page because this
project is moving faster than we we we
have about four months left. And so we
want to make sure we start to speed
things up which means that we have to
meet with all of you um on like a two on
two on two basis or two on three basis.
So um that's yet to come and then I'll
give you an opportunity to kind of see
how we're move progressing. So hopefully
that helps a little bit. Um next I'll
forward this to our um deputy police
chief to report on national night out
and rescheduling that. Thanks.
Thank you, city manager, council, mayor.
Um, well, yeah, we had to cancel
National Night Out because of the air
quality. Uh, and being an outdoor event,
it was not the right thing to do. We
thought to be out outside and exposing
everyone. So, we made that difficult
decision, but because of our great
detective Sergeant Fleming and our
volunteer Barb, um, they were able to
get it rescheduled for the 18th. So, we
will be having it on the 18th at Buffalo
Park from 5 to 8. Um, the majority of
our vendors will be there. There'll be
hot dogs from the chambers and ice
cream. Um, uh, the South County Fire
will be there as well as, uh, the
Department of Fish and Wildlife.
We'll have barb dancing and, uh, a bunch
of activities that'll be, um, good for
everybody. I believe um we will be
taking donations um for school supplies
and uh the Mil Creek Food Bank will be
accepting donations as well. So again on
the 18th 5 to 8 at Buffalo Park.
Hopefully it's a beautiful night. Thank
you.
>> Just a follow up to that. Kowanas also
» Just a follow up to that. Kowanas also
has 300 bottles of water in my garage
ready to be given away free at that
event. We're ready to go.
>> Excellent.
» Excellent.
Thank you.
And the last report is the finance
director will report on uh the contracts
we will be executing uh financial
municipal related contracts that will
help us advise us on the projects that
were we've been speaking about. So
finance director
>> thank you city manager Yamamoto. Um so
» thank you city manager Yamamoto. Um so
we just I just wanted to advise council
of the three contracts that we are
working on to help us with the uh
surface water financing. So recall that
um earlier this year um council
authorized an inter fund loan from the
reed fund to surface water so we could
um fully fund the catch basin project.
Um but that's primarily because when we
do when we did the projection the
surface water will not have enough funds
to support that project. And so to
advance that um we have already executed
a contract with um the financial
consulting solutions. Um they will do
the rate um study for us. Um they were
the same um consultants that did the
2018 rate study for surface water. Um,
and so we're ready to move forward with
that contract. That's about a $43,000
contract. And then we are also
finalizing a bond council contract as
well as a municipal advisor contract.
Um, so with the financing, we anticipate
um some type of recommendation for
either a bond or a private placement. Um
and so the this work is um both the uh
bond council and the mun municipal
adviser are both about 50,000 um and
those um contracts will be paid out of
the bond proceeds. Um that concludes my
report, city manager. Thank you.
>> We have no other reports, mayor. Thank
» We have no other reports, mayor. Thank
you.
>> Thank you. Um I just have well two
» Thank you. Um I just have well two
things. So, one brief thing I am going
to personally send a letter um over to
council member me this evening ahead of
their discussion tomorrow on the public
um safety tax um council tax that they
are discussing and having public comment
tomorrow. Um, and specifically, I'm
wanting to ask that, um, they consider
pausing on this vote and considering it
in with their budget. Um, and maybe
consider doing some things such as not
raising jail costs if they're going to
do the do this tax. Um, so I just want
to let you guys know I'm going to do
this and then ask you, do you want me to
do it on behalf of the whole council or
do you want me just do it for myself?
Yes, please.
>> Council. Okay, perfect. I will do that
» Council. Okay, perfect. I will do that
and I did speak to um council member me
this afternoon about it as well. So, um
second thing was just that um I don't
remember the exact date yet, but be on
the lookout because the SCT general
assembly is going to be um in September
this year. I think it's the 26th, but
that might be wrong. Um so, keep an eye
out. Normally, it's in December. So,
they've moved it up this year. So, we're
having the general assembly and we'll be
going through and presenting and talking
about all the things the exploratory
committee has been going over and where
we're at and what's been implemented.
So, just wanted to let you guys know
that. And that's it. So, mayor Tim, I
have a little bit uh the first I just
want to say um uh save the date for
September 15th. If you are available,
please let me know for the Mil Creek
Chamber of Commerce's lunch and learn
from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Um, I
wanted to flag the wonderful speaker
that will be there um that Tuesday and
that is Jeff Ryan over there. [laughter]
Um, and I had up and then it went away
the discussion. So, it is to Oh, there
it is. Um, uh, he'll be this is the
title of it. Improving sign regulations,
a business community conversation. join
the city for a collaborative discussion
as we begin work on updating our sign
regulations. The round table will focus
on how current signage rules affect
business visibility. But I share this
with you because it's definitely
something that the business community
and our city has asked for over and over
again um about just understanding better
rules and and language like that. So I
really appreciate um Jeff Ryan's um
opportunity to come and speak and make
it not just a speech speaking like at um
members. we've really got great feedback
from the two um kind of government
events that we did last year with them
with the lunch and learn um and so I'm
really thankful for um his insight and
um and his um willingness to make it a
conversation. So, thank you very much to
him. So, if you're available um please
um sign up to the chambers uh lunch and
learn meetings. Uh earlier today I had a
meeting with it's the South Snomish
County Mayor Promss and Council
Presidents um that we do via Zoom um not
in person like the cool mayors do. Um
[laughter]
um and I had two things I wanted to talk
about it that I thought would be helpful
for for everyone. One actually the mayor
just talked about her request for it. Um
the city of Lynwood um they motioned to
authorize their council president to
provide testimony at tomorrow's uh
county council. Um they're specifically
asking just just flagging we're
different. We asked for a hold I think
is what she's u mentioning including
with the budget but they're asking to
make an amendment so that the money goes
um um to cities and and there's and I
can forward with you like the full
thing. Um, council president Nicole had
a lot to say about it in terms of, you
know, proposing the jail fees and he
talked about what happened at the
meeting and so I just did want to flag
that there's a lot of there there, you
know, we are all trying to um, do
something with it. Um, and so flagging
and I'm very thankful for the mayor
being able to um, because he he will be
in attendance. So if anyone else is
available, I want to say it's 10:30 a.m.
public hearing at the county this
Tuesday. So, uh, or not Tuesday, sorry.
But, um,
tomorrow, yeah, he wrote Tuesday and
then I read it and I was like, nope,
today's Tuesday. So, if anyone's around
or interested, not you don't have to
provide testimony. We have a letter
being written, but you know, if you're
there for support in whichever way you
do, um, I just wanted to flag that cuz
that was definitely a point of
conversation about jail costs and on
those increases. Along with that though,
we definitely did talk about budgets and
how everyone's doing. um all the cities
around and the one highlight I wanted to
flag there was many things is I got to
flag that we have a very strong um
financial city staff um obviously we
have an amazing Arina and then we have
our deputy city manager and we also have
our city manager that are really focused
on it because a lot of the conversation
that you know it's a it's a little bit
of like why are we in this kind of place
or where we are there's a lot of changes
in in different um cities there
financial directors or not having people
are leaving or coming back or things
weren't, you know, getting together.
It's it's, you know, uh, one of the
cities like everyone's gone from their
financial team, so they're all getting
new people who are, you know, maybe the
only ones left are more junior than, um,
executive level. And so I I flag that we
have as we're having these hard
conversations about budget and financial
uh, viability um, of the city and moving
forward, we are um, really well um, um,
directed by our staff. So, I did want to
say that because I, you know, I did flag
like, oh, we have a really good staff
and I felt good about being able to
share that. Um, and the third thing I
did want to flag, I don't know if you
guys will end up hearing um from, but I
did uh speak to um uh a city resident uh
today who wanted to talk about the Penny
Creek Natural Area again and was um
voicing their frustration that they hope
that this doesn't um we actually used
DRCC as um
a point of comparison in terms of like
that it just never gets anywhere because
it seems like well we haven't so we
don't need to do anything with it. we
already have like we already have it and
said it's like let's get this done.
Let's make this um um ownership happen.
Just flagging for all of you. Thank you
very much.
>> Um Council Member Stler,
» I think everybody's heard enough from me
today. I have no report. Mayor,
[laughter]
» Council Member Allison,
>> thank you. Um just a huge thanks for
» thank you. Um just a huge thanks for
cancing and then rescheduling the the
night out activity. Um that smoke that
night was horrible. So thank you for
doing that. No more reports.
>> Council member Paddock.
» Council member Paddock.
>> No report.
» No report.
>> Council member Mobeski.
» Council member Mobeski.
>> No report.
» No report.
>> Wow. All right. With that we will move
» Wow. All right. With that we will move
on down to audience communication. So is
there anyone in the audience that would
like to speak? No report from the
audience either, huh? All right. Is
there anyone online that would like to
speak this evening? All right. There is
no executive session. So with that, the
meeting will be adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Have a good evening, everyone.