2026-09-01 Pullman City Council Meeting

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[3:12] Good evening. Welcome to the Tuesday,
[3:14] September 1st regular city council
[3:15] meeting. Dy Elliot, will you please
[3:18] please call roll?
[3:19] » Mayor Benjamin,
[3:20] » Present.
[3:20] » Council member Fjarn,
[3:22] » Present.
[3:22] » Council member McDonald,
[3:24] » Here.
[3:24] » Council member Parks,
[3:26] » Here.
[3:26] » Council member Schmus,
[3:27] » Here. Council member Vance
[3:29] » Here.
[3:30] » Council member Weller
[3:31] » Present.
[3:31] » Council member Wright
[3:33] » Here.
[3:34] » So for community announcements, uh first
[3:37] things coming up just as we're going
[3:39] into the Labor Day weekend. We have a
[3:40] number of Labor Day type things. First,
[3:43] Powman City Hall, Pullman Administrative
[3:44] Offices, Pullman Recreation Center, and
[3:47] Neil Public Library will be closed on
[3:49] Monday, September 8th for Labor Day.
[3:51] Emergency services will remain
[3:53] available. uh related to Pullman airport
[3:56] service. Pullman transit is changing our
[3:58] airport bus service after Labor Day
[4:00] weekend. So be beginning September 8th,
[4:03] the new Pullman airport will require
[4:05] reservations at least 24 hours in
[4:07] advance for service to and from the
[4:09] airport. You can call 5093326535
[4:14] or visit pullmanheywah.govporter
[4:18] to schedule your ride. Um, we have
[4:21] coming up then the following weekend
[4:23] after that, uh, the 20 26 community
[4:27] table. City of Pullman will be hosting
[4:29] the Pullman picnic on Saturday,
[4:31] September 12th, uh, from 5 to 7:00 p.m.
[4:34] on Kamikin Street. So, between uh, Maine
[4:37] and Olsen, a pack a picnic or pick up
[4:40] your favorite to go and come eat with
[4:42] your community at this familyfriendly
[4:44] event featuring live music from local
[4:46] band maybe Tuesday. If you'd like to get
[4:49] involved as a table host, volunteer,
[4:52] sponsor, or participating business,
[4:54] please visit pullmanheywah.gov/pullman
[4:58] picnic to sign up. It's going to be a
[5:00] great event. I hope to see everybody
[5:01] there. Uh and then the weekend after
[5:05] that, uh come uh join WSU Downtown
[5:09] Pullman Association and the Chamber of
[5:10] Commerce uh and the city of Pullman for
[5:13] an unforgettable kickoff to the football
[5:15] season at the First Down Friday Street
[5:17] Fair. and Cornhole Tournament. The first
[5:19] event of the year is Friday, September
[5:22] 18th from 5 to 8:00 PM on Olsen and
[5:24] Kamakin Streets next to Neil Public
[5:26] Library. Register for the Cornhole
[5:28] Tournament at the Wshu booth between 5
[5:30] and 5:45. Uh the winners will receive
[5:33] two tickets to Wshu versus Dukane on
[5:36] September 19th.
[5:38] Um and we have a dumpster survey, not a
[5:42] dumpster fire, but a dumpster survey
[5:44] going on. Uh the city of Pullman is
[5:46] trying to assess how much of the
[5:47] community knows about the dumpster
[5:49] management and its impact on our storm
[5:51] water system. If you live or work
[5:53] somewhere with a dumpster, please take a
[5:55] few minutes to complete a short survey
[5:57] at pullmanwah.gov/dumpster
[6:01] survey. Uh and then on to parks and
[6:03] wreck. Uh registration began last week
[6:06] for Pullman parks andrec fall
[6:08] activities. You can visit
[6:10] pullmanwah.govrec
[6:12] /wrec to see the activity guide and find
[6:15] something fun for you and your kids to
[6:17] do this fall. And the Pullman Fire
[6:20] Department now offers a blended
[6:22] learning, adult, and pediatric first
[6:24] aid, CPR, and AED class. Each
[6:27] participant will complete an online
[6:29] portion before attending an in-person
[6:31] skills day at the Pullman Fire Station.
[6:34] The next available class is on Tuesday,
[6:36] September 22nd. Registration is only $55
[6:40] and it's at pullmanhew.govfirst
[6:44] class. Uh and then last with the Neil
[6:47] Public Library, the ESL conversation
[6:50] club at Neil Public Library is taking a
[6:51] break for the month of September. If you
[6:54] want to attend Conf conservation
[6:56] conversation club when it resumes,
[6:58] please fill out a short questionnaire at
[7:00] pullmanw.govslub.
[7:04] Uh to see more listings of other
[7:06] community events such as si visit the
[7:08] city's tourism page at
[7:10] visienpullman.comvents.
[7:13] So a lot of things going on. I I hope
[7:16] that you you everyone can find something
[7:18] to do. Uh the next item on our agenda is
[7:22] community comments. This agenda item is
[7:24] the opportunity for the public to bring
[7:26] comments to the attention of the elected
[7:28] officials. Specifically, this item is
[7:30] reserved for public comment, concerns,
[7:32] or other information not related to a
[7:34] specific to a previous public hearing.
[7:37] This agenda item for comments will not
[7:39] exceed 30 minutes in total. Comments are
[7:41] not to be directed to the mayor or the
[7:42] city council as a body. No comments
[7:45] should be directed to an individual
[7:46] council member. And in compliance with
[7:48] Washington campaign laws regarding use
[7:50] of public facilities during elections,
[7:52] no speaker may support or oppose a b a
[7:55] ballot measure or support or oppose a
[7:57] candidate for an election. uh which
[7:59] includes your own campaign. With that,
[8:01] is there anyone who would like to
[8:02] provide community comments tonight?
[8:08] Seeing none, we'll go on. Uh so the next
[8:12] up is uh city council member comments
[8:14] and I'm going to uh start down with
[8:16] council member Schumus uh as it relates
[8:20] to city council member comments. So with
[8:22] that, council member Schumis, do you
[8:23] have any comments?
[8:24] » Thank you. I don't have any tonight.
[8:25] With that, Council Member Parks,
[8:28] » No comments.
[8:29] » Council Member McDonald,
[8:30] » No comments.
[8:31] » Council member Weller.
[8:33] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just wanted to uh
[8:36] let everybody know that the Whitman
[8:38] Recovery Community Center event, the
[8:41] overdose awareness event, was really
[8:44] very successful. It was very nice having
[8:46] people there putting names on the board
[8:49] of people they've lost. Um, I've had
[8:52] other people reach out to me and explain
[8:55] that they are remembering people in
[8:58] their own hearts and minds. It can be a
[9:00] difficult thing. So, anyways, just
[9:03] wanted to say that was a very good event
[9:05] and uh, thanks Whitman Recovery
[9:08] Community Center for putting that on.
[9:12] » Council member Wright,
[9:13] » No comment.
[9:14] » Council member FAR,
[9:15] » No comment.
[9:16] » Council member Vance,
[9:17] » No comment.
[9:20] Uh, next item up is future regular
[9:23] agenda item requests. Is there anyone
[9:24] who has a future agenda item request?
[9:30] Seeing none, moving right along. Our
[9:32] next item up is is
[9:36] uh getting into presentations. And the
[9:38] first we have two proclamations and I'll
[9:40] go and uh I'll read each one and I'll
[9:43] start with our proclamation uh related
[9:47] constitution week for 2026.
[9:50] Whereas the constitution of the United
[9:52] States of America, the guardian of our
[9:54] liberties embodies the principles of
[9:56] limited government in a republic
[9:58] dedicated to rule by law. And whereas
[10:00] September 17, 2026 marks the two 239th
[10:06] anniversary of the drafting the
[10:07] Constitution of the United States of
[10:09] America by the Constitutional
[10:10] Convention. And whereas it's fitting and
[10:13] proper to accord official recognition to
[10:15] this magnificent document and its
[10:17] memorable anniversary and to the
[10:20] patriotic celebrations which which will
[10:22] commemorate the occasion. And whereas
[10:24] public law 915 guarantees the issuing of
[10:28] a proclamation each year by the
[10:30] president of the United States of
[10:31] America designating September 17th
[10:34] through the 23rd as Constitution Week.
[10:37] Now therefore, I, Francis Benjamin,
[10:38] Mayor Pullman, do hereby proclaim the
[10:41] week of September 17th through 23rd as
[10:44] Constitution Week and ask our citizens
[10:46] to reaffirm the ideals of the framers of
[10:49] the constit the framers of the
[10:51] Constitution had in 1787
[10:54] by v by vigilantly protecting the
[10:57] freedoms guaranteed to us through this
[11:00] guardian of our liberties, remembering
[11:02] that lost rights may never be regained.
[11:06] And and with that, we do have uh a
[11:08] member uh from our community who's also
[11:11] Daughters American Revolution uh Miss
[11:15] Dylan Dilman, which I'll bring forward
[11:17] to give you the the proclamation.
[11:34] » [applause]
[11:39] » And she would like to make one quick
[11:42] statement. [laughter]
[11:48] A great heritage that you have.
[11:51] » Uh I represent the Daughters of the
[11:53] American Revolution Alice Whitman
[11:55] chapter which is headquartered in Lewon.
[11:58] Uh you uh Pullman uh joins with 12 other
[12:03] cities, uh one county in this area, uh
[12:08] two school districts, four city
[12:10] libraries,
[12:11] uh four school libraries, and classroom
[12:14] presentations by at least five teachers.
[12:16] Uh so we spread the word. Uh if you want
[12:19] to join uh and read the Constitution out
[12:22] loud, join us at Washington State
[12:25] University in the uh u atrium and uh we
[12:30] read it uh from 12 to 1 and usually we
[12:34] get it all through the all of the
[12:36] amendments as well.
[12:37] » Great.
[12:38] » Thank you.
[12:38] » Thank you very much.
[12:49] And our next proclamation, this is
[12:52] designation of September as library card
[12:54] signup month. Whereas libraries are
[12:57] foundational to educational,
[12:59] imagination, and opportunity, offering
[13:01] everything from early literacy programs
[13:03] to digital tools that support lifelong
[13:06] learning and personal growth. Whereas
[13:08] libraries welcome all people serving as
[13:10] inclusive and accessible community hubs
[13:13] that connect individuals across
[13:14] cultures, generations, and experiences.
[13:17] Whereas libraries curate collections and
[13:19] design programs that reflect the
[13:21] diversity of the population they serve,
[13:23] ensuring equitable access to
[13:25] information, technology, and culture for
[13:27] all. Whereas libraries help individuals
[13:30] navigate life's challenges by providing
[13:32] trusted information, digital access, job
[13:35] search support, and connections to
[13:37] essential services. Whereas libraries
[13:40] contribute to thriving local economies
[13:42] by equipping job seekers, entrepreneurs,
[13:44] students, and and creators with tools
[13:47] and training to succeed. Whereas in
[13:49] times of both crisis and calm, libraries
[13:52] and their staff remain steadfast in
[13:54] supporting and strengthening their
[13:56] communities. Whereas library resources
[13:58] help households save money, reduce
[14:01] waste, and make sustainable choices, all
[14:03] through the simple power of shared
[14:05] public good. Whereas a library card
[14:07] offers a front row seat to everything
[14:09] the library offers from books and
[14:11] technology to lifelong learning and
[14:13] imagination. Whereas libraries,
[14:15] librarians, and library workers across
[14:17] the country are joining together to
[14:19] celebrate library card signup month
[14:21] under the theme, a library card hits all
[14:24] the right notes. Now therefore, be it
[14:27] resolved that I, Francis Benjamin, Mayor
[14:29] of Pullman, do here hereby proclaim
[14:31] September 26 as library cards sign month
[14:35] in Pullman, Washington, encourage all
[14:38] all residents to be sharp as opposed to
[14:41] a flat. Um, and sign up for a library
[14:44] card. And with that, we do have a
[14:47] library director here that I've
[14:49] introduced.
[14:58] » So Stacy and if you wanted to say
[15:00] anything and I know.
[15:03] [applause]
[15:06] » All right. Thank you. We are so excited
[15:08] to be part of this community and we
[15:10] really hope that all of the residents of
[15:12] Pullman come and visit us at the
[15:14] library. Get a library card and open the
[15:17] world to yourself. Thank you.
[15:22] [applause]
[15:34] And now next is boards, commissions, the
[15:37] 2026 annual reports. Uh and within the
[15:40] agenda you see that the boards and
[15:42] commissions provided uh their annual
[15:44] reports uh to the council and then some
[15:47] of them actually asked if they could
[15:49] also uh be able to provide
[15:51] presentations. Do we have everybody here
[15:54] that said
[15:59] I'm trying to see is Desiree here?
[16:04] » Okay.
[16:06] is um so the first presentation was
[16:09] going to be from the arts commission.
[16:12] Is there a representative from the arts
[16:13] commission here?
[16:15] Okay. I'm not seeing that you have you
[16:17] have it in your board packet. And what
[16:19] we'll do is that we'll uh what I'd like
[16:21] to is take the presentations and then
[16:22] after that we can talk talk through uh
[16:25] the ones that didn't present uh if we
[16:27] have additional comments we want to make
[16:29] related to those. Uh so if we move next
[16:31] to the Environmental Resilience
[16:32] Commission. I did see Larry Clark here.
[16:35] So, Larry,
[16:37] thank you for chairing the board.
[16:41] » Certainly. Thank you very much. Um,
[16:43] pleasure to see everybody. I'll keep my
[16:45] comments very brief and then ask if
[16:48] there are any comments or questions. Um,
[16:50] at this time, uh, you have the report in
[16:54] hand looking at the past year as well as
[16:56] the goals of the Environmental
[16:57] Resilience Commission. We consider this
[16:59] commission extremely important at this
[17:02] time for the city of Pullman as well as
[17:05] the world. We're seeing all kinds of
[17:07] climate extremes, floods, the wildfire
[17:10] smoke we've all had to deal with and
[17:12] other aspects of of the climate that are
[17:15] shifting rapidly. And so this commission
[17:18] has a few goals that are hopefully
[17:21] aligned with everything that the city of
[17:23] Pullman is aiming for as well. Our first
[17:26] uh highlight that I'd like to point out
[17:28] is partnerships across the community.
[17:31] Whenever you have a broad um effort like
[17:34] this, you really need those
[17:36] partnerships. So, we've been reaching
[17:37] out to a lot of different groups. Um
[17:40] Citizens Climate Lobby for example,
[17:41] Paloo Base and Aquafer Committee, WSU,
[17:45] um they've been rebuilding their
[17:47] sustainability commission and so we've
[17:49] reached out to them and in particular
[17:51] the school district. they've really um
[17:54] done some good work with putting
[17:56] together their sustainability committee
[17:58] and one of our commission members goes
[18:00] to those meetings as well. So they will
[18:03] help us build that plan and the plan is
[18:06] the major work we're working on. This is
[18:08] um has a lot of different pieces that go
[18:11] into it and we're going to be doing a
[18:13] lot of outreach. That's the other
[18:15] highlight that I want to mention.
[18:17] reaching out to service groups, service
[18:20] clubs, other community members, get
[18:23] their input and really build something
[18:25] that is practical and that can help the
[18:29] community and really benefit all of us.
[18:33] A couple of other um details that I want
[18:36] to bring up. Uh one is something I've
[18:38] brought be for the council in the past.
[18:42] There's a group called Icky which is a
[18:44] local environmental local government um
[18:48] organization that is working on
[18:50] environmental initiatives. They have a
[18:52] whole suite of tools for measuring
[18:55] climate impact of local governments,
[18:58] cities and counties, other other local
[19:02] governments. We propose that Pullman,
[19:06] you know, if the if council would
[19:07] consider at some point that Pullman
[19:10] join, our colleagues over in the city of
[19:12] Moscow have benefited a great deal from
[19:14] joining Eckley. That's in the report.
[19:16] So, you could take a look at it, perhaps
[19:19] do a little research on it. And if we do
[19:22] put in the the cost for the membership
[19:24] fees, I think we would gain quite a bit.
[19:26] They have some valuable tools as well as
[19:28] best practices for local government.
[19:31] Um, the other thing that I'd like to
[19:34] point out from this last year and that
[19:36] we will continue to do is a uh analysis
[19:39] by WSU and University of Idaho
[19:42] architecture, landscape architecture
[19:44] students who are learning GIS tools and
[19:47] they're taking on very specific aspects
[19:50] of our local community and applying
[19:53] their knowledge and expertise of GIS to
[19:58] help us out with some data for our
[20:01] environmental resilience report that
[20:04] we'd like to put together and then put
[20:05] forward for the council to consider. And
[20:08] we're very excited about that. We're
[20:09] fortunate one of our commission members
[20:12] is a professor up at WSU has helped
[20:14] organize this effort. And we've got
[20:18] these wonderful students and academics
[20:19] up at WSU. So, let's take advantage.
[20:24] » Um any questions,
[20:26] comments?
[20:27] » Yes. So with that, open up for any
[20:28] questions uh either for later or related
[20:31] to the goals that they're they're
[20:34] proposing. Um and and the thing for us
[20:38] today, part of it is is as a council,
[20:40] you set your two-year goals. Uh we then
[20:43] passed those to uh the various boards,
[20:46] commissions uh and committees and asked
[20:48] for them to look and how are they uh
[20:52] align with what what are the goals that
[20:55] and priorities the council set up. Some
[20:58] of them you're going to find their
[21:00] specific RCWs that are separate from uh
[21:04] working under the direction of the
[21:06] council. some some some of them are
[21:07] separate where they have duties that are
[21:08] specific assigned by an RCW as opposed
[21:11] to just the council. So you'll you'll
[21:13] get a mix of that like when we get to
[21:14] the historic preservation committee um
[21:17] in that way. So with that, any questions
[21:20] or or comments that you have related to
[21:22] what was presented?
[21:26] Council member Schumis. And then
[21:28] » I don't have a [clears throat] question.
[21:29] I just had a comment. I didn't know what
[21:32] to expect really going into this. It's
[21:34] like I kind I looked at these, but I
[21:36] just think it's really amazing the way
[21:38] that you spent the time writing every
[21:41] how it comes back to our goals like
[21:44] really outlining that for us to see and
[21:46] I really appreciate that very much. That
[21:49] was probably a whole extra night's worth
[21:50] of work. Um, but I think these are
[21:53] amazing. I think environmental policies
[21:55] are really amazing and I just wanted to
[21:56] thank you.
[21:59] If I may,
[22:00] » Go ahead.
[22:00] » Uh, I would, uh, put a just a note out
[22:04] about the wonderful city staff that we
[22:06] have very supportive and very helpful in
[22:09] producing this kind of report.
[22:11] » Council member Waller.
[22:15] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[22:16] [clears throat and cough]
[22:17] I will say um, I'm very impressed with
[22:20] how
[22:23] everything has come along in your group.
[22:25] You know, back in 2012, Derek Scog, uh,
[22:29] past city council member and I had
[22:31] fought very hard to try and, um, get
[22:35] some sort of environmental
[22:37] um, committee at the city. Um, and
[22:43] as many of us will know, it sometimes
[22:46] takes many takes many many years, uh, a
[22:50] decade. Um but what has come from that
[22:55] is a very dedicated group, a very
[22:58] trustworthy
[22:59] group and um
[23:03] you know instead of me having to look
[23:06] through is this being done right? Is
[23:07] this being done right? Because as you
[23:09] know spending spending some time over at
[23:13] NASA Langley on on environmental
[23:16] satellites, it's something that's very
[23:19] uh near and dear to my heart.
[23:21] Um, but it does seem like I I don't need
[23:24] to be concerned at all. So, I appreciate
[23:26] your hard work, your dedication, your
[23:28] passion. I do have a question. Something
[23:31] that has come up especially um I see
[23:36] ASWSU some rep representatives here.
[23:39] Appreciate that. Um, in the last couple
[23:42] of years, I've had some conversations
[23:44] with some uh, representatives and their
[23:48] questions have come around dark sky
[23:51] initiatives and whether that is in the
[23:55] purview of an environmental resilience
[23:59] commission. That would be my question.
[24:03] I don't have an answer for the dark
[24:04] skies initiative or those types of
[24:07] efforts. It's something actually we've
[24:09] mentioned in the commission meetings
[24:10] before.
[24:12] » Um, and I think we had the same question
[24:14] that we weren't entirely sure if it was
[24:15] in the purview of the of the commission.
[24:19] It is a quality of life issue and it
[24:22] could be. Um, so hopefully we can get
[24:25] back to you with an answer on that.
[24:27] » And just so anybody uh here, I don't
[24:29] have the initiative right in front, but
[24:33] some people may say, what is this? Is
[24:35] this a conspiracy thing? dark skies
[24:37] initiative. It's really reducing um
[24:41] light pollution and uh you know light
[24:45] pollution leads to um migratory uh
[24:49] disruptions, bird disruptions. Also, of
[24:52] course, we're able you know to see more
[24:54] of the um sky, the beautiful sky, you
[24:58] know, as it gets dark if we have less
[25:00] lights or lights that are facing, you
[25:02] know, more towards the ground. And if
[25:05] you've ever really wanted a close spot
[25:10] to see
[25:12] how amazing the night sky is that's near
[25:15] and close to close to home,
[25:18] [clears throat] take a little walk or a
[25:20] drive up to the Jedit Observatory
[25:23] and turn your back to the observatory
[25:27] more towards the horse where they take
[25:30] the horses around your back to the
[25:32] stadium and just look up and it's
[25:36] phenomenal what you can see. So anyways,
[25:40] thank you. I would at a future time love
[25:43] to discuss dark skies with yourself and
[25:46] the ARC. Thanks.
[25:48] » Great. Thank you,
[25:49] » Council Member Fjarn.
[25:53] » I I thought I saw if I if I if I missed
[25:55] it,
[25:56] » You probably did. I'm just going to pile
[25:58] on the compliments, Larry. Thank you so
[25:59] much to you and uh your committee for
[26:01] the work that you're doing. I know you
[26:03] mentioned uh future outreach and
[26:05] collaboration with WSU, but I was really
[26:07] excited to see a youth advisory council
[26:09] as well in the in the goals. Uh could
[26:12] you expand a little bit more what the
[26:14] committee has planned for that?
[26:20] » I think yeah, I don't know what kind of
[26:22] details I might I might add to that. um
[26:25] just that you know we want to build
[26:27] we're actually more I'd say in kind of a
[26:29] factf finding and and getting the
[26:31] thoughts and opinions of other groups at
[26:34] this point so I think that's really the
[26:35] key to it
[26:40] any other comments questions
[26:44] great thank you very much Larry
[26:46] and I see Desire's been able to join us
[26:48] so we'll go back to the arts commission
[26:51] so Desire Greystone Stone,
[26:58] » My apologies. I I had it in my calendar
[27:01] at 6:00. So, [laughter]
[27:04] » We we we I I heard a few grumblings as
[27:07] people were coming in earlier [laughter]
[27:09] about about challenges. So, you're not
[27:12] the only one that had challenges getting
[27:13] here.
[27:14] » Thank you. Um so, we Oh, my phone.
[27:18] Sorry. Um, we sent over um part of our
[27:22] our annual report. Is are we doing the
[27:24] annual report? I just want to make sure
[27:26] I'm doing the right thing.
[27:28] » Okay, good. [laughter]
[27:30] Just want to make sure I'm doing the
[27:31] right thing. We're doing six different
[27:32] things. So, our annual report basically
[27:35] um encompasses all of the things that
[27:37] we've been doing, which includes um
[27:41] making sure that the community
[27:42] understands the importance for art for
[27:44] all and how it um provides for the
[27:47] economic and community development.
[27:50] We're also um in a involving um starting
[27:54] to work with thanks to the mayor um
[27:56] registering part of our uh Pullman as
[27:59] the creative district within Washington
[28:02] state. We're in the very beginning plans
[28:04] of that. Um we've also are working on
[28:07] encouraging the use of parks and open
[28:09] spaces for live performances. Um looking
[28:12] at culinary as part of the arts,
[28:14] developing a rotating art exhibit here
[28:16] at the city buildings showcasing various
[28:19] arts. um and themes and age groups and
[28:22] all of that. And then also um creating
[28:25] and maintaining an online data database
[28:28] for the visual arts community, looking
[28:30] at all city art and then also starting
[28:33] to add into that some of the private art
[28:35] so that if somebody walks around they
[28:37] can they could look and see what that um
[28:40] what is that art, who was the artist,
[28:42] where did it come from, that kind of
[28:43] thing. And then we're also um working on
[28:46] the next part of of asking for a 1% um
[28:50] for the arts pro program incorporated
[28:52] into the capital improvement plan so
[28:54] that we can continue to work on adding
[28:57] art into Pullman. So those are the big
[29:00] things that we've done. Um and
[29:04] um I welcome any questions that you
[29:07] might have about where we are with all
[29:09] of that. Um, part of the reason that I
[29:12] know that one of the things that we want
[29:14] to do is continue what started a few
[29:17] years back with the wraps of the utility
[29:20] boxes, but right now we have no budget.
[29:23] So, that's one of those things that we
[29:24] would put that put that toward. Um, and
[29:27] then also part of the creative district
[29:29] itself because that also takes a little
[29:31] bit of funding to to move forward. So
[29:36] » So with that any Council Member Weller?
[29:40] » So I love that this is getting started
[29:43] again and you're the perfect person.
[29:46] So I'm I'm very glad uh because I know
[29:49] your passion and I I feel it all the
[29:51] time and I love the building and seeing
[29:53] Anyways, I could go on and on about your
[29:55] your space. Um, my question is, are
[29:58] there collaborations in the future
[30:00] looking with uh looking at working with
[30:03] uh I'm gonna get the name wrong. Schnitz
[30:07] Schnitzer
[30:08] » Schnitzer Schnitzer Art Gallery at WSU.
[30:12] » Yeah, they're part of they're part of
[30:14] both the arts commission. Cara's on the
[30:16] arts commission with me and then they're
[30:18] also a part of the um creative art
[30:20] district. So they're also well part of
[30:24] this because you know they're part of
[30:25] the community.
[30:26] » Yeah. And the the Great. I'm glad to
[30:28] hear it. Um and the other question is
[30:31] you know we have a lot of retaining
[30:33] walls and those so and I always harp on
[30:36] it when when it comes around the one
[30:40] right diagonal to the library. You know
[30:44] there's the retaining wall with the
[30:45] parking lot and everything like that.
[30:47] And then as you're going up to WSU,
[30:50] you know, way back I had talked to
[30:53] Joanna Bailey, the director for the
[30:55] library, um, and she was working with
[30:58] the arts commission, and I thought a
[31:01] green art type of, you know, the moss,
[31:04] the green green art green graffiti.
[31:08] » Yes.
[31:09] » That, uh, you know, other cities have
[31:11] used and things like that. But are there
[31:14] future plans for doing something with
[31:17] some of those retaining walls?
[31:20] » I think that we would be open to
[31:22] anything that involves art, honestly.
[31:24] Um, and that's not one that has come up
[31:27] in in our purview, but but as you say
[31:29] it, I'm like, yes, let's do it.
[31:31] [laughter]
[31:32] Um, yeah. So I think part of the whole
[31:35] idea of not only the the um the creative
[31:38] district is to invite as many different
[31:40] kinds of art as as possible and it's a
[31:43] creative district not just art. So the
[31:46] creativity of um being a brewer that
[31:49] could be a part of creativity um
[31:52] culinary arts um the um performing arts
[31:57] but but so much more than just art but
[31:59] just being creative. What are the
[32:01] different ways that we that our
[32:02] community can be creative, including
[32:05] with the design of where the creative
[32:07] district is? [laughter]
[32:10] » I'm I'm I'm getting all excited. So, uh
[32:13] Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm loving where your
[32:14] mind is is going on this and you're
[32:16] perfect. Great. Thank you.
[32:18] » Thank you,
[32:18] » Council Member Parks.
[32:20] » Just a follow-up question about what you
[32:23] just said. That was my question. is have
[32:25] the
[32:27] do you know the perimeters of of the are
[32:31] a creative district yet? Would it be
[32:33] primarily in downtown or what would that
[32:36] » So we just had our second meeting for
[32:38] that um last week and one of the things
[32:42] that we talked about was looking at all
[32:44] the different places where we do have
[32:45] creative um parts of this community.
[32:49] Um and what
[32:51] » [clears throat]
[32:51] » Um the mayor said was that a lot of um
[32:54] communities get really um creative in
[32:56] how they create their creative district
[32:59] and so it looks like a really weird
[33:00] animal. Um so that we could go up to
[33:03] include schnitzer and down to include um
[33:06] PCT and you know those kind so we could
[33:09] make it part of the um creative district
[33:11] is it has to be accessible
[33:13] » And so there has to be a walkability
[33:16] part of it. So that is one of the the
[33:17] criteria and um so that so yes but we
[33:22] haven't we haven't like put a map out
[33:24] and yeah so we're still looking at all
[33:27] that.
[33:28] » Um you mentioned funding for being able
[33:31] to um start this project or you know for
[33:35] this project. Is this something that DPA
[33:37] could help with at all?
[33:39] » I think that they're they are they would
[33:41] be a partner in all of this. Yeah. Um,
[33:44] one of the one of the another criteria
[33:46] that has to happen for the creative
[33:48] district is we have to have um a and
[33:50] mayor help me if I if I misspa speak,
[33:53] but it's you have to have um a a
[33:58] oh my gosh words. um you have to have a
[34:01] um some kind of a committee or an
[34:03] organization that has 20,000 um not
[34:07] necessarily for the the um arts for the
[34:11] creative district, but it has to but it
[34:13] has to show that there is a um that
[34:16] there is a um community request for it,
[34:21] that there's buyin. And so having
[34:23] somebody having somebody behind you that
[34:25] has that 20,000 um helps show the state
[34:29] that the community is serious.
[34:32] » You're you're you're doing great.
[34:34] » Am I doing okay? All right. [laughter]
[34:36] » You're doing you're doing great. Um uh
[34:39] what she's describing is uh as a part of
[34:41] the the creative district you would have
[34:44] uh one entity that is kind of the lead
[34:46] entity that is is recognized it goes to
[34:49] and that entity h needs to have a budget
[34:52] of at least 20,000 just to show that the
[34:54] entity is a viable entity. It's not that
[34:56] that money goes to the creative
[34:57] district. Um and in other cities when
[35:01] we're talking creative districts uh
[35:03] sometimes the city is that entity
[35:05] sometimes it's the downtown association.
[35:07] Sometimes it's the chamber, uh, a main
[35:09] street program, um, sometimes the arts
[35:13] commission,
[35:13] » Right? It could be a single, it could be
[35:15] a a a nonprofit of its own that they
[35:19] pulled together and have that. So, yeah.
[35:21] » Yeah. So, that that's just part of the
[35:23] process is that this being worked on and
[35:25] and and
[35:27] right now what it is is is and this is
[35:30] going to be the biggest challenge is
[35:32] coming up. What is what is the vision
[35:34] that everybody can agree on? And and if
[35:37] you think about our our creatives uh
[35:39] have very creative visions and so how do
[35:41] we get them all to agree on this is the
[35:43] vision [laughter]
[35:44] and it's going to be good.
[35:46] » It's going to be fun and um yeah, it's
[35:48] going to be great. So, any other
[35:49] questions?
[35:50] » Any other questions?
[35:52] » Thank you all.
[35:53] » If not, thank you Desiree. Uh next up
[35:55] for the Historic Preservation
[35:57] Commission, Ned Warick.
[36:00] » Good to have you here.
[36:12] Thank you for this opportunity to
[36:14] address the city council and possibly
[36:16] increase your awareness of the historic
[36:18] preservation commission. Um the report
[36:21] that was provided does a good job of
[36:23] summarizing our goals, how they align
[36:25] with the city council's goals and along
[36:28] with some of our accomplishments. So, I
[36:30] won't try to actually go through what's
[36:31] included in the report, but I'll try to
[36:33] highlight a few of those things. Um, I
[36:36] think I've probably told the council
[36:38] prior, but there are new members on the
[36:40] council. The Historic Preservation is uh
[36:42] commission is made up of seven
[36:44] commissioners. It is distinct in that I
[36:46] believe it's the only commission that
[36:48] has required expertise in the membership
[36:50] of the commission. And so at least three
[36:53] of our uh members have to have some
[36:55] association with architecture,
[36:57] archaeology, history, folklore, things
[36:59] like that. Um I am blessed with having
[37:01] an amazing commission that sits beside
[37:03] me. We do have two new members in the
[37:05] past year and I was very fortunate with
[37:08] who we we were able to add and so thank
[37:10] you to the council for confirming those
[37:12] people and thank you to those
[37:13] commissioners. Another big shout out to
[37:16] the city staff. Ariel Maderas is amazing
[37:19] and there can her contributions to the
[37:22] city specifically to the historic
[37:24] preservation commission but in so many
[37:25] other ways cannot be overstated. She is
[37:28] an amazing staff member and I appreciate
[37:30] her every month actually all the time
[37:32] that that we are working on historic
[37:34] preservation issues. Um couple of the uh
[37:38] accomplishments that have happened over
[37:40] the past year or so for the historic
[37:42] preservation. We've added two more uh
[37:44] properties to our historical register. A
[37:47] big another shout out to Tonnie in that
[37:50] we now have a building downtown that is
[37:52] on our historic register. And so Pullman
[37:54] is a little unique. A lot of towns and
[37:56] mosque is an example of this is where
[37:58] the historic district starts in downtown
[38:00] and then spreads in Pullman. It has
[38:02] started up on College Hill and it's
[38:03] starting to spread down. And so Pioneer
[38:05] Center and now Rico Smokehouse and also
[38:08] moving up the hill towards Gladish is
[38:10] the uh telephone exchange building at
[38:12] 125 Northeast Olsen. Um we did uh accept
[38:16] two special tax valuations which is some
[38:19] of the RCW assigned duties that we have
[38:22] is we have the power as a commission to
[38:24] grant a essentially a tax freeze for 10
[38:27] years for comm for properties that are
[38:29] on the register that are preserved. Um,
[38:33] two items in conclusion here that I hope
[38:36] that the council is aware of and that
[38:37] hope that you'll see in the future. Um,
[38:40] we are the recipient, the city is the
[38:42] recipient of a certified local
[38:43] government grant from the uh, state
[38:46] DAHHP department and that is
[38:49] investigating the viability and
[38:51] providing the underpinnings for
[38:52] potentially developing a historic
[38:54] district in downtown Pullman. Um this is
[38:56] thanks to a lot of momentum that DPA has
[38:59] generated but also in terms of looking
[39:01] at some of the individual property
[39:02] owners downtown looking at this as being
[39:04] a positive thing for the city. And
[39:06] [snorts] the other is the Red Brick
[39:07] Roads Monument which is something that
[39:09] you may or may not be aware is on the
[39:11] CIP. It is included in the CIP process.
[39:13] It's just unfunded um through uh
[39:17] essentially passing the hat among
[39:19] different city organizations and members
[39:21] of the commission. We are up to $5,000
[39:24] that have been raised on the private
[39:25] side in donations for that. It is not a
[39:27] terribly large budget item and we do
[39:30] think it would be one thing that would
[39:31] be if we had friends that came in from
[39:34] out of town. Wouldn't it be nice to walk
[39:35] up on the bluff, look at the the view of
[39:37] downtown from up there and be able to
[39:39] marvel at the National Historic Register
[39:41] plaque and the local register plaque
[39:44] that we have sitting in a closet wishing
[39:46] that it had some place to be displayed.
[39:48] With that, I'd be happy to answer any
[39:50] questions the council may have.
[39:53] With that, Council Member Schumis,
[39:55] » Again, I don't have any questions. I
[39:57] would just like to thank you and the
[40:00] whole commission um and the DPA,
[40:03] although they're not here, for their
[40:05] commitment to
[40:07] uh helping to make downtown a historic
[40:09] area. I think that's amazing and I'm so
[40:12] excited to join you guys in that. And I
[40:14] just wanted to thank you for your
[40:17] contribution to Rico's as well. Much
[40:19] appreciated. Thank you.
[40:20] » Thank you. I I am thrilled that we have
[40:22] a downtown property and I enjoy that one
[40:26] just because the story to be told is so
[40:27] good.
[40:31] » Um, one thing I wanted to point out is I
[40:34] very much appreciate your annual walking
[40:36] tour that you do and and the fact that
[40:38] you also had a special one for seniors.
[40:42] Um, and so that was something that I I I
[40:44] I appreciated that not only did you have
[40:46] the tour, but then they also thought
[40:48] about for those that might have some
[40:50] mobility issues. Is there a way to be
[40:52] able to still have them experience that?
[40:54] So, and if you wanted to say more about
[40:56] that. I I did skip that in my notes, but
[40:58] a big shout out to my the the vice chair
[41:01] of our commission who you'll hear from
[41:03] as the chair of the planning commission,
[41:05] but John Anderson is who spearheads our
[41:07] senior walking tour and he does that
[41:10] single-handedly without much support
[41:12] from staff or commissioners and I very
[41:15] much appreciate that and I think that's
[41:16] one of our highlights. As a commission
[41:18] as a whole, we do host a walking tour
[41:20] every summer. It kind of bounces around.
[41:22] We keep trying to fine-tune it to find
[41:24] the right weather and the right mix of
[41:26] buildings. But if you watch in the
[41:28] summer, June or July, um we will do an
[41:31] evening, usually a Friday night walking
[41:33] tour and we'll touch on five to seven
[41:35] properties around town. And we have a
[41:37] good time in learning about the history
[41:39] of those and then being able to talk
[41:40] about it with people on a beautiful
[41:41] summer evening. So, it is one of those
[41:44] things. We don't we don't get huge
[41:45] attendance, but it is one of those fun
[41:47] things you can do in Pullman that you
[41:48] get to learn more about our community.
[41:50] So, thank you for that reminder.
[41:53] » Council member Vance,
[41:56] » Thank you for your presentation. Um,
[41:59] with the 5,000 that's been raised
[42:01] privately, um, I guess how much total
[42:04] needs to be raised for that ballpark.
[42:06] » Well, the longer we wait, the more it
[42:08] costs. The most recent estimate is in
[42:11] the $ 35 to $40,000 range. And so, I I
[42:14] maybe we can pass the hat often enough
[42:16] and fast enough that we would catch up.
[42:18] Um, there is hope that this would be
[42:20] identified as maybe a tourist attraction
[42:23] or as a parks and wreck property or
[42:26] project. Um, it is, like I said, it's on
[42:29] the CIP. It is a minor project. You have
[42:31] much bigger budget
[42:34] demons to wrestle with than that, but it
[42:36] is one that is near and dear to the the
[42:38] commission's heart, and we will continue
[42:39] to try to press for that.
[42:41] » Thank you, Council Member Schumis.
[42:44] » Can I just piggy back off that question?
[42:45] Where does a person go to donate for
[42:47] that?
[42:48] » Um, actually that's a great question.
[42:53] » Uh, where do you donate to the uh
[42:56] » The front desk?
[43:00] » Yes.
[43:00] » U So, Kurt, do you know within the parks
[43:04] and wreck with the different donations?
[43:06] Is it listed in that? It's not there.
[43:08] Okay. I was just trying to think if it
[43:10] was there.
[43:12] So it's a So that's where you you would
[43:14] go to donate.
[43:15] » Ask Eric.
[43:16] » We'll have to highlight that in the
[43:18] next.
[43:19] » And so for those watching at home, you
[43:21] can donate in the city at the at the
[43:24] front desk. [laughter]
[43:27] » Any other with that? Ned, thank you very
[43:30] much.
[43:30] » Thank you.
[43:32] » Uh and then the last presentation
[43:34] tonight uh with committees and then
[43:35] we'll go back through the ones that
[43:36] didn't present. So planning commission
[43:38] John Anderson. John, good to have you
[43:41] here.
[43:48] » U my name is John Anderson. I'm uh here
[43:50] as chair of the planning commission. I
[43:52] do want to say if you think you have a
[43:53] good time on the historic walking tour,
[43:56] those of us on the commission really
[43:57] look forward to it. It re really is a
[43:59] good time. Um [clears throat]
[44:02] I'm here as chair of the planning
[44:04] commission. Uh we typically communicate
[44:06] with you folks on paper. You get lots
[44:09] and lots of paper from us at various
[44:11] times, but I'm taking this opportunity
[44:13] to address you to show that the planning
[44:15] commission consists of real people who
[44:17] consider issues very carefully before
[44:20] making recommendations to you. The
[44:22] commission consists of seven people just
[44:24] like me who are nominated by the mayor
[44:26] and approved by you, the council. I
[44:28] assure you that whenever you have
[44:29] something from us in your packet, we
[44:31] have read everything carefully. in
[44:34] particular when people write letters or
[44:35] messages to us. Uh we all seven members
[44:41] of the commission have read every letter
[44:43] and listen to every presentation. The
[44:45] people who write or speak to us expect
[44:47] us to take their opinions seriously and
[44:49] we do. They also expect that when we
[44:52] make a recommendation to you, not only
[44:55] will we consider their opinions, but
[44:56] that the council will hear their voices
[44:58] as well through the planning commission.
[45:01] It isn't only the loudest voices that we
[45:02] hear, but the ones expressing the most
[45:04] careful judgments accompanied by the
[45:06] rationale for those judgments.
[45:09] I urge you to consider carefully which
[45:12] voices you will hear, especially when
[45:14] people take advantage of a council
[45:16] meeting to be the last voices that you
[45:18] hear. In many cases, when the planning
[45:20] commission has heard from the first
[45:22] people to speak or to write, the
[45:23] commissioners are remembering those
[45:25] voices when we make a recommendation. I
[45:28] hope you also consider those same people
[45:30] who were the first to speak. And I hope
[45:32] that you will remember that seven
[45:34] volunteers from the community who are
[45:36] making recommendations to you based on
[45:38] the most careful deliberations.
[45:40] That's all I have to say. If you have
[45:42] questions for me, I'll be glad to try to
[45:43] answer them.
[45:46] » Council Weller.
[45:47] » Thank you, M. Mayor John. I I so much
[45:50] appreciate what you just said. I think
[45:53] that gets to the heart of
[45:58] I mean really I I
[46:01] you all all of the commissions
[46:04] um put in your your time, your passion,
[46:07] your energy.
[46:09] You are the ones that [clears throat]
[46:12] and I've met with a quite a few
[46:14] different commission members from
[46:16] different, you know, over the years. We
[46:19] rely on what you go through. we get a
[46:23] small snippet
[46:25] and all of you have and take so much
[46:29] time and I think that often gets lost
[46:35] on us as a council and not just not just
[46:38] just the current council but even in the
[46:40] past. So, I I just wanted to make sure
[46:43] to take some time and and tell you thank
[46:45] you and to all the commission members
[46:48] because it's
[46:50] they're not getting paid
[46:52] and you know they're not doing it to,
[46:57] you know, have some ulterior motive or
[47:00] agenda. You're doing it because you care
[47:03] and that that
[47:05] is really amazing. So, I want to just
[47:06] say thank you so much and thank you for
[47:09] putting that out there because that's
[47:10] very important.
[47:16] Any others?
[47:19] If not, thank you very much, John.
[47:23] Um,
[47:25] so what I'd like to do is go back and
[47:27] kind of is touched on any that we didn't
[47:31] have presenters for and and you'll see
[47:34] Pat was going to present, but she said,
[47:35] "Hey, I presented not that long ago
[47:37] about lodging tax, so she deferred her
[47:40] time." But
[47:41] » Mayor, um, Kate Watts from the library
[47:43] board would like to present as well. I
[47:44] missed her in the report.
[47:47] » Oh, I
[47:49] I sorry I did. I missed it.
[47:51] » Okay, so Kate,
[47:56] » We we we we do love you. [laughter]
[48:00] » Thing things get lost in translation.
[48:01] It's okay. We're good. We're good. We're
[48:03] good.
[48:04] » Um so, good evening. I am Kate. Um I'm
[48:07] the chair of the Neil Public Library
[48:08] Board of Trustees and um I'm just
[48:12] honored to serve on the board. Um really
[48:15] given the importance of access and
[48:17] information and resources as Mayor
[48:18] Benjamin noted um in his proclamation
[48:21] earlier. Uh before I talk about the
[48:23] board's goals for 2026 and beyond, I
[48:25] want to recognize two things we are
[48:26] particularly grateful for. First, the
[48:29] board is deeply appreciative of our
[48:31] library staff. They've continued to
[48:33] provide excellent service to our
[48:35] community while adjusting thoughtfully
[48:37] and creatively as necessary in response
[48:39] to budget reductions. So to Stacy and
[48:42] the crew, we're just really really
[48:44] grateful for the work that you put into
[48:46] finding solutions. Um we really do
[48:49] recognize the work that that that takes
[48:52] and we are enormously grateful for the
[48:54] staff's ongoing commitment to both the
[48:56] library and the people that it serves.
[48:58] Um we are also grateful and frankly um
[49:01] still very amazed by the generous gift
[49:05] from Elellanar Makowsky's estate to the
[49:08] library. It is a remarkable investment
[49:11] um in the Pullman community and the
[49:13] library's future and what a lovely
[49:16] surprise it was. Um the future is very
[49:19] much what the board has been thinking
[49:20] about as we developed our goals. Um this
[49:23] is to my knowledge and the best I could
[49:25] find the board's first formal set of
[49:28] goals. So that was an exciting process
[49:30] and I think a very important exercise
[49:32] for us to begin. Um we see the goals as
[49:38] priorities for us to begin an ongoing
[49:40] process of planning, evaluation, and
[49:42] improvement. Our goals focus, as you can
[49:45] see um in the document, on maintaining
[49:47] excellent library services,
[49:49] strengthening community partnerships,
[49:51] increasing access and engagement,
[49:53] improving our facilities, demonstrating
[49:55] both responsible stewardship and the
[49:57] library's value to the community, and
[49:59] strengthening the board's own
[50:00] governance. We did our best too to
[50:02] intentionally align our work with the
[50:03] city's strategic priorities. We do
[50:06] recognize that some of these are
[50:07] immediate goals and others require
[50:09] longer term planning. One of the things
[50:11] that we want to do is become more
[50:13] intentional about that planning rather
[50:15] than treating these goals as simply a
[50:16] list we revisit once a year. So, as this
[50:19] is our first set of goals, we're trying
[50:21] to think very carefully about setting up
[50:23] a pattern moving forward that will set
[50:25] up future board um for success. Um, and
[50:29] so, um, Ariel Maderos has agreed to
[50:32] spend some time with the board hopefully
[50:33] in October to talk about strategic
[50:35] planning and helping us think about how
[50:36] we can build a sustainable process for
[50:39] setting priorities, evaluating our
[50:40] progress, and looking ahead. Thank you,
[50:42] Ariel, for being willing to work with
[50:44] us. We appreciate it. Um, ultimately
[50:46] these goals reflect what we see as the
[50:48] board's responsibilities to support the
[50:50] library staff, be thoughtful stewards of
[50:51] the library and its resources, advocate
[50:54] for excellent and sustainable services,
[50:56] and to help ensure that Neil Public
[50:57] Library continues to be a welcoming and
[50:59] valuable community resource for all of
[51:01] Pullman. Thank you for some time to
[51:04] speak tonight. And if there are any
[51:06] questions or comments,
[51:09] » Any any for the library? I start with an
[51:12] I. I know Ann's going to want to say
[51:13] something. So, thank you. Council member
[51:15] Parks.
[51:16] » Well, thank you. This is wonderful. Um
[51:19] that we all I mean I witnessed this, but
[51:21] to see its final form is really really
[51:24] good. I just want to make the um these
[51:28] goals really address more than just
[51:30] being a welcoming place or a place of
[51:33] resources. It addresses the place in the
[51:36] community that our library holds, which
[51:38] is a gathering place, a safe space,
[51:42] um a welcoming space, a a space for
[51:45] everybody, no matter who they are or
[51:48] what they want to do, access in the
[51:51] library or or just be in the library to
[51:53] to work. I just told my husband not too
[51:55] long ago because he said something
[51:57] about, you know, he was in a coffee shop
[51:59] or something and I said, you know, you
[52:01] can buy a coffee and go sit in the
[52:03] library and work and he was like, "Oh,
[52:05] yes." You know, without having worrying
[52:07] about taking up too much time. So things
[52:09] like that, too. Um, and just and also
[52:11] the conduit within the community, the
[52:13] conduit with downtown, with with WSU,
[52:15] with the schools and with local
[52:18] entities, with art, things like that. So
[52:20] when we think about the library, it's
[52:23] it's really much more than just a
[52:25] building with books and media in it. It
[52:28] so it's I support obviously its
[52:30] importance.
[52:32] » Thank you. An
[52:32] » Council member Weller.
[52:36] » Well, you know, of course I had to say
[52:38] something.
[52:40] Um
[52:42] I grew up in the library. It was my safe
[52:45] space. Um, as a kid being bullied, that
[52:48] was where I went. Safe in the books, in
[52:52] the, you know, bookshelves,
[52:55] kind of hiding. Um, but always made me
[52:59] feel welcome. Um, okay. [snorts]
[53:03] [clears throat and cough]
[53:05] I'm so impressed about how it's grown
[53:08] and how under, you know, new leadership.
[53:12] Um, it continues and
[53:16] it is
[53:18] a place. It's a community jewel. I've
[53:20] always felt that
[53:22] and um it continues to be. I'm I'm so
[53:25] impressed. I'm a little angry at Ann for
[53:28] taking my spot on library board, but I
[53:30] did give it to her. Um,
[53:34] I miss you all, but I really appreciate
[53:36] the place that the library has had for
[53:39] people like me and and others. And, you
[53:42] know, keep doing a great job.
[53:44] » That means a lot. You know, I didn't
[53:46] grow up in Pullman. I grew up in a
[53:48] different small town, but the library
[53:49] was that for me. And so, I yeah, I can I
[53:52] can really relate to that. I think it's
[53:54] I think it's a truth for a lot of
[53:55] people.
[53:57] » Kate, I appreciate it. you talked about
[53:59] this is the first time we've gone
[54:00] through this process and and one of the
[54:03] things as we were going through the
[54:04] goals and priorities from the council
[54:06] side, we were saying, do our boards and
[54:09] commissions actually line up with the
[54:12] vision of where we're trying as the as a
[54:14] council where they're trying to take the
[54:16] community? And that was why we said,
[54:18] well, let's pass these down to the
[54:21] boards, commissions, and committees and
[54:23] have them take that look at this and
[54:25] look at with that concept to see um and
[54:30] also to help each of the boards,
[54:32] commissions, and committees have a
[54:34] vision for the future that it's not
[54:37] that, oh, I'm just doing busy work
[54:39] because this is the busy work I do, but
[54:42] instead, what is it that you're building
[54:44] and and whose lives are you impacting?
[54:46] acting and and how you're how you're
[54:49] growing our community. So, I appreciate
[54:52] how you you talked about seeing that
[54:54] because that was what we were hoping was
[54:56] going to get portrayed down is to
[54:58] understand that we wanted we wanted you
[55:01] to see that you're part of the process,
[55:03] not that you're just off doing, you
[55:04] know, this busy work type of a thing.
[55:06] So, thank you.
[55:07] » Thank you. I thank you for saying that.
[55:08] I I think that it creates a place for
[55:10] that to be sustained and to not feel
[55:12] like it is just a one-off here or there,
[55:15] but that there is a process that we are
[55:17] a part of and and in communicating back
[55:19] and forth between the board and the
[55:21] city. So, thank you.
[55:22] » Great. Thank you.
[55:25] So if we look at um the
[55:29] I just wanted to address we didn't have
[55:31] presentations from the cemetery
[55:33] committee the civil service the left
[55:36] board lodging tax uh parks and wreck and
[55:39] then the volunteer firefighters uh
[55:41] relief and pension board. Were there any
[55:44] are there any comments or questions
[55:47] council members have on any of those
[55:48] reports? Because part of this is the the
[55:51] boards are coming to us saying this is
[55:53] what they're wanting to work on and and
[55:55] so far what I've heard from council is
[55:57] you like the direction they're all
[55:59] going. You don't have any concerns or or
[56:02] want to pull anything back if if nothing
[56:04] else you want to expand their vision is
[56:06] what I'm hearing in some cases with
[56:07] that. Council member McDonald.
[56:10] So, I definitely appreciate uh this and
[56:12] I love the way that uh you all kind of
[56:15] aligned the our goals with where you're
[56:18] headed. I'm not sure exactly how we're
[56:21] supposed to respond to uh some of
[56:24] there's some specifics about like asking
[56:26] for additional headcount and that kind
[56:28] of stuff. Obviously, we're not in the
[56:30] best position to be doing that. just
[56:33] like do we just take that under like
[56:35] advisement [snorts] or like that's the
[56:38] only thing that makes me nervous is when
[56:39] there's like extra spending it's like I
[56:41] don't know if we have money for that.
[56:43] » Well and and that's so uh if you
[56:46] remember uh you set goals and policies
[56:49] and and then and goals and priorities
[56:52] those are used to inform the staff as
[56:54] they're working to bring a a proposed
[56:58] budget to you. this is another piece
[57:01] that's in there. Um, and so this is
[57:04] something that if it's something that is
[57:06] is important, it'd be good to
[57:08] communicate now as staff is working
[57:11] through this. Uh, but under but as you
[57:13] said, we're under this constraint. Um,
[57:16] in the process. So, so it's it's this
[57:20] fine line of yes, understanding the
[57:23] value, but at the same time, it's we're
[57:26] not flushed with a lot of revenue right
[57:28] now. Um, and I think that's I think
[57:30] that's what you were more more saying in
[57:32] that case.
[57:33] » Yeah, definitely. I like I love that a
[57:35] lot of you pulled in the we're in a
[57:37] unique community as a a university town
[57:41] pulling in the the ways to connect with
[57:44] uh with the university itself and some
[57:47] of the people that come with the
[57:49] university and I think just trying to
[57:51] find creative ways to keep traction on
[57:53] those things recognizing that we're
[57:55] under some constraints there.
[57:57] » Yeah. Other
[57:59] comments, thoughts? Council member
[58:02] Parks.
[58:04] » Uh, as a council representative on the
[58:05] left one board, I just wanted to
[58:08] highlight um the
[58:12] tenative future possibly of the funding
[58:15] for this from the state of Washington.
[58:17] Just like every single other thing, the
[58:20] funding is looking they're looking at
[58:22] cutting the funding significantly. And
[58:24] for those of you that don't know, this
[58:25] is a um this is a board that approves
[58:30] um the city funding um medical care and
[58:36] um hospitalizations and things for our
[58:40] uh left one
[58:42] like police officers and firefighters.
[58:45] And so, um, it's very important and it
[58:48] is very expensive because they are
[58:52] typically they're in a in long-term
[58:54] care. And so, anyway, I just want I
[58:58] would like to just make the council
[58:59] aware that as we're speaking, think
[59:01] about our legislative priorities. I
[59:03] mean, or if we're just meeting with them
[59:05] to um to kind of have this on their
[59:09] radar as well.
[59:11] » Yeah. and and we're having that
[59:12] conversation at the association
[59:14] Washington city's legislative committee
[59:16] because one of the things that the state
[59:18] is is doing is they're um basically
[59:22] doing a clawback of funds. So they're
[59:25] they're pulling funds to reduce the
[59:27] number of funds that's available. But
[59:29] there is a legal question that's going
[59:31] on because those funds were initially
[59:33] paid in by the individual and by the
[59:36] cities. But now the clawback is going to
[59:39] the state and so there's a question of
[59:42] should actually the money be returned to
[59:44] people or should it be returned to the
[59:46] cities that or the employers that paid
[59:48] into it. So there's there's some
[59:51] conversations that are happening because
[59:52] of that. Council member Weller,
[59:56] » Can I just say [clears throat]
[59:57] thank you Ann for sharing that. Um it's
[1:00:02] really disappointing that the state
[1:00:06] shame on them.
[1:00:08] » So
[1:00:13] » Yeah.
[1:00:14] » Anyway, but yeah, it's just
[1:00:16] » Yeah, I just want to bring it out.
[1:00:18] » It's not okay. Yeah.
[1:00:22] Any other council member Vance?
[1:00:25] » I just wanted to express my appreciation
[1:00:27] for all the presenters uh tonight. Those
[1:00:30] uh great reports. Thank you.
[1:00:32] » Yeah.
[1:00:34] And we didn't have a presentation with
[1:00:35] parks and wreck, but is it is a very
[1:00:39] hefty report as they talked about all
[1:00:42] all the parks and wreck commission is
[1:00:44] involved in and touches. It's it's
[1:00:46] important that way. Uh the last thing
[1:00:48] that I I did want to leave us with is we
[1:00:51] just heard uh from those that are
[1:00:54] serving on these uh boards, commissions,
[1:00:57] and committees uh and you heard their
[1:01:00] passion and and what they're doing. We
[1:01:03] do have some openings that are
[1:01:05] happening. And I want to make sure uh
[1:01:08] just once again put that plug in. We
[1:01:10] currently have openings on the planning
[1:01:13] commission, environmental resilience and
[1:01:15] the cemetery uh committees and the
[1:01:20] library has openings that is that's
[1:01:23] going to be happening at the end of the
[1:01:24] year. Uh and they'd actually like to
[1:01:27] start the review process because the
[1:01:29] board actually does part of the review
[1:01:31] before it comes to me. So the library
[1:01:33] board is also uh has o openings too for
[1:01:38] it. So, and you can go to the city's
[1:01:40] website in order to submit an
[1:01:42] application and and start that process.
[1:01:45] And did you
[1:01:46] » Yeah, I was just going to I was going to
[1:01:48] mention this tonight and then I thought,
[1:01:50] well, no, I probably don't need to. But
[1:01:51] I was on there yesterday because
[1:01:52] somebody was asking me about being
[1:01:55] involved in some city commissions or or
[1:01:58] committees and um I told them about
[1:02:01] police advisory and on the website they
[1:02:04] are listed as one that have vacancies
[1:02:06] » And and the police advisory isn't filled
[1:02:09] through the council. It's actually
[1:02:10] filled through the police chief.
[1:02:12] » No, I know. Oh,
[1:02:13] » But but um and so I I don't want to
[1:02:16] speak out of hand
[1:02:18] whether of
[1:02:22] because I know we had paused recruitment
[1:02:25] and I didn't know if we were ready to
[1:02:27] recruit again for the police advisory
[1:02:29] commission.
[1:02:30] » There are
[1:02:32] » If you can come to the mic,
[1:02:36] [laughter]
[1:02:37] sorry I'm putting you on the spot with
[1:02:38] this one. We
[1:02:41] um council No, that's why I'm here is to
[1:02:44] to help out when I can. uh the advisory
[1:02:46] committee, we do have some positions
[1:02:48] that are available and we're going to
[1:02:51] meet once a month. I highly recommend if
[1:02:53] someone's interested in joining the
[1:02:54] advisory committee, it is a public
[1:02:56] meeting that happens on uh the first
[1:03:00] Monday of the month, I believe it is at
[1:03:02] 5:30 um here in the council chambers.
[1:03:04] And they're welcome to attend and kind
[1:03:06] of get an idea of what what the the
[1:03:08] advisory committee is about. Um I won't
[1:03:11] use this time to do any recruiting, but
[1:03:13] uh please stop by. Thank you.
[1:03:17] » Great. And with that, thank you for uh
[1:03:20] th those who were here. We we appreciate
[1:03:23] your service, your your dedication to
[1:03:25] our community uh and how you shape our
[1:03:28] community and make it the welcoming
[1:03:29] community it is. And you really are the
[1:03:33] you you touch a lot of the community
[1:03:35] members before we even get to touch
[1:03:36] them. So definitely appreciate that.
[1:03:39] Thank you very much.
[1:03:41] Next item is the consent agenda. The
[1:03:44] items listed under the consent agenda
[1:03:45] considered to be routine in nature and
[1:03:47] will be enacted by a single motion of
[1:03:49] the city council without separate
[1:03:51] discussion. With that, I'd entertain a
[1:03:53] motion to read the consent agenda by
[1:03:55] title only.
[1:03:57] » Second.
[1:03:58] » Without any discussion,
[1:04:00] all those in favor signify by saying I.
[1:04:03] » I.
[1:04:03] » Any opposed? Motion passes. Uh that if
[1:04:07] you could please read the consent
[1:04:08] agenda.
[1:04:08] » Yes. Thank you, mayor. Uh, item A is a
[1:04:11] motion to dispense with the reading of
[1:04:13] the August 25th, 2026 meeting minutes
[1:04:17] and approve them as submitted. Item B, a
[1:04:19] motion to approve dispersements for
[1:04:21] electronic transfers numbered 872
[1:04:24] through 877 totaling $4,3.71.
[1:04:29] Item C, a motion to approve the
[1:04:31] dispersements for accounts payable
[1:04:33] checks numbered 2011
[1:04:35] 35351
[1:04:37] through 201135407
[1:04:41] totaling $259,288.
[1:04:45] Item D, a motion authorizing the mayor
[1:04:48] to execute an emergency medical services
[1:04:51] agreement WSU contract number SPC
[1:04:56] 0004109
[1:04:59] between Washington State University
[1:05:00] Athletics and the city of Pullman to
[1:05:03] provide emergency medical services
[1:05:06] in conjunction with uh Giza Field
[1:05:09] football games during the 2026 football
[1:05:12] season. Item E, a motion authorizing
[1:05:15] amendment number five to the law
[1:05:17] enforcement support agreement WSU
[1:05:20] contract SPC 002964
[1:05:24] between Washington State University
[1:05:26] athletics and the city of Pullman to
[1:05:28] provide police assistance for the 2026
[1:05:31] football season and other WSU events.
[1:05:34] Item F, resolution number R-45-26,
[1:05:38] a resolution authorizing the acceptance
[1:05:40] and exception, I'm sorry, execution of a
[1:05:44] universal transit access pass program
[1:05:47] agreement between the city of Pullman
[1:05:49] and Washington State University for the
[1:05:51] 2026 2027 school year. And finally,
[1:05:55] resolution number R-46-26,
[1:05:58] a resolution establishing locations in
[1:06:01] the city of Pullman where parking is
[1:06:03] prohibited. So, do any council members
[1:06:06] desire to have any items removed from
[1:06:07] the consent agenda to be discussed
[1:06:09] separately?
[1:06:12] Seeing none, I see entertain a motion to
[1:06:14] approve the consent agenda.
[1:06:16] » Move to approve.
[1:06:18] » Second.
[1:06:18] » Second. With that, any discussion?
[1:06:22] Seeing none. All those in favor signify
[1:06:24] by saying I.
[1:06:25] » I.
[1:06:26] » Any opposed? Motion passes. Uh, next on
[1:06:30] the regular agenda that we have R.J. Lot
[1:06:33] uh related to a resolution around
[1:06:36] housing. That
[1:06:38] » Thank you, mayor. Good evening, council.
[1:06:39] Uh, this item on the agenda this evening
[1:06:41] is a resolution in support of Catholic
[1:06:43] Charities. They are looking to conclude
[1:06:46] conduct a housing market survey for
[1:06:50] those who are unhoused or who have an
[1:06:53] income of 60% of the area median income.
[1:06:57] Uh Catholic Charities provides a wide
[1:07:00] variety of services. One of those is
[1:07:01] housing. Um they've got a facility here
[1:07:04] in Pullman at the intersection of
[1:07:06] Kamayakin and Mackenzie across the
[1:07:07] street from the police station.
[1:07:10] The Catholic Charities has offices
[1:07:12] throughout Eastern Washington in
[1:07:13] Spokane. Walaw Wala, Wanachi, Richland,
[1:07:16] and other locations.
[1:07:18] Catholic Charities would pay and
[1:07:20] contract for the study to evaluate the
[1:07:22] opportunity for them to meet a need here
[1:07:24] in our community. Catholic Charities
[1:07:26] would at the end of that study provide
[1:07:29] that conclusion to the city of Pullman.
[1:07:32] On August 17th, 2026, the city's housing
[1:07:35] work group, which contains council
[1:07:37] members for Jiren, McDonald and Vance,
[1:07:40] met to discuss and recommend a an
[1:07:43] approval of a the
[1:07:46] Catholic Charities doing the market
[1:07:48] study on housing. So before you is a
[1:07:51] resolution of support for Catholic
[1:07:54] Charities to just to do just that,
[1:07:56] provide a market housing study.
[1:08:00] So with that uh first is questions of
[1:08:03] R.J. and then we'll get into discussion
[1:08:05] related to that with that question. So
[1:08:07] Council Member Weller
[1:08:09] or questions or comments. All right. I'm
[1:08:12] going to say comments here. All right.
[1:08:15] Yes. Yes. Yes. This has been planned for
[1:08:20] since 2013.
[1:08:23] We have been trying to get Catholic
[1:08:26] Charities. Sorry R.J. I'm not like
[1:08:28] trying to get intense on you, but I am.
[1:08:31] All right.
[1:08:33] Past poverty awareness task force that I
[1:08:36] was chair on. We were trying to get
[1:08:39] Catholic Charities to come and look at
[1:08:41] Pullman and they said, "Ah, you know,
[1:08:44] we're not sure."
[1:08:46] So, died down, you know. Meanwhile,
[1:08:50] homelessness and those in poverty
[1:08:52] continued to raise rise. Um, fairly
[1:08:56] recently
[1:08:58] there was uh a group where
[1:09:03] I like to call them Herb's heroes and it
[1:09:06] was formed by Dr. Herb Hill from WSU
[1:09:12] to once again kind of reanimate the
[1:09:17] poverty awareness task force because we
[1:09:19] went down after CO. Um Trevor Vance
[1:09:25] was there with me when we were beginning
[1:09:28] to plan and strategize how to best bring
[1:09:31] this to the city. And I want to thank
[1:09:34] you so much for being there and and you
[1:09:39] know pushing forward with this and
[1:09:43] tend to get a little bit emotional about
[1:09:45] it, but I will say this is a huge step
[1:09:49] for us to help those that are homeless
[1:09:51] and those are in poverty. And um
[1:09:56] I just I want to thank you R.J. the the
[1:09:59] housing group for their work on this.
[1:10:02] It's very important. So, um, anyway,
[1:10:06] sorry about getting so excited and so
[1:10:09] passionate, but, uh, yeah, means a lot.
[1:10:12] » Council member FJarn,
[1:10:16] » Apologies. I have some words for the
[1:10:18] discussion portion, but I'll use my time
[1:10:19] to continually sing praise to R.J. for
[1:10:22] his support of the housing workg group.
[1:10:24] Thank you so much. We definitely
[1:10:25] appreciate uh you being there and your
[1:10:28] expertise in making affordable housing
[1:10:30] accessible to everybody in Pullman.
[1:10:32] » Council member Vance.
[1:10:34] » Uh thank you. I I do have one quick
[1:10:36] question and um you might have the
[1:10:39] answer. If not, that's okay. I believe
[1:10:40] that um it was specified that after
[1:10:43] Catholic Charities concluded the survey
[1:10:45] that they they'd come to council and
[1:10:47] present on it. That's correct, right?
[1:10:50] » I don't know if they would come to
[1:10:51] council, but they would provide that
[1:10:52] study to us.
[1:10:53] » Okay, gotcha. That sounds good. Thank
[1:10:55] you. Um, yeah, I just wanted to express
[1:10:58] um, you know, I've been involved with
[1:11:00] uh, the housing from a couple different
[1:11:02] angles. So, I'm also really excited for
[1:11:04] for this to be brought forward and um,
[1:11:08] that that group has an actual name, but
[1:11:10] I just know it as Herb's Heroes from
[1:11:12] Council Member Weller as well. So,
[1:11:14] [laughter]
[1:11:16] » Any other questions of R.J.? If not, I'd
[1:11:19] entertain a motion.
[1:11:21] » Move to approve.
[1:11:23] » Second. Second with that that if you
[1:11:25] could read the resolution.
[1:11:27] » Yes. Uh resolution number R-47-26
[1:11:32] a resolution providing support for
[1:11:33] Catholic Charities to perform a housing
[1:11:36] market study to provide housing for
[1:11:38] individuals who are unhoused or have an
[1:11:40] income of 60% of the area median income.
[1:11:45] » With that discussion, council member
[1:11:46] Fger.
[1:11:48] » Thank you. Just a few words from the
[1:11:50] housing work group. The housing work
[1:11:51] group supports this study. Uh but we'll
[1:11:53] continue to focus our work on the
[1:11:55] missing middle housing between 60 and
[1:11:57] 200% AMI. Uh we hope that Catholic
[1:12:00] Charities will look into working with
[1:12:02] existing stakeholders already serving
[1:12:04] houses households below 60% like the
[1:12:07] community action center Habitat and
[1:12:10] Hills and Rivers Trust. Um even though
[1:12:12] we are not currently pursuing uh rental
[1:12:14] options in that 60% bracket, uh our work
[1:12:17] group recognizes that this could be an
[1:12:19] important gap to fill for non-
[1:12:21] studentent families. And so, uh, with
[1:12:23] that, thank you, Catholic Charities.
[1:12:25] » Council member Weller,
[1:12:27] » Funny you mentioned that because
[1:12:29] Community Action Center was a part of
[1:12:30] the group, Herbs Heroes. Um, I'm we're
[1:12:34] still trying to figure out homeless work
[1:12:36] group, something along those lines. But,
[1:12:39] um, same with, uh, Dr. uh, Dublinsky.
[1:12:43] Steve Dublink. Uh, yeah, Steve. Dr.
[1:12:47] Steve. Yep.
[1:12:48] » Sorry. Father Steve, Father Steve,
[1:12:50] Father Steve Dublinsky,
[1:12:52] » And uh you know, Dr. Herb Hill. Um
[1:12:56] » Let's see, there's a lot of people, but
[1:12:58] I think it's really really important to
[1:13:00] mention um the person who started this
[1:13:05] going was uh Pat O'Neal. Um and I always
[1:13:11] feel it's important to give credit where
[1:13:13] where credit's due. And um also
[1:13:16] Christine Zacharias. Um, there are so
[1:13:19] many different people that I don't have
[1:13:21] the list in front of me that are
[1:13:24] involved. Beth Beth Retti, you know,
[1:13:28] » Mary Beth,
[1:13:29] » Mary Beth Revetti, um, who helped to get
[1:13:32] a warming center here in this council,
[1:13:36] you know, in this city hall in the
[1:13:38] basement and who helped to start this
[1:13:42] along with Catholic Charities.
[1:13:44] It's It's taken
[1:13:47] not a village, an entire city to do
[1:13:51] this, but we're finally there. So, uh,
[1:13:54] thank you, Housing Group. Thank you,
[1:13:56] Catholic Charities. Thank you, Trevor.
[1:13:58] » Any other discussion?
[1:14:00] » Seeing none, all those in favor signify
[1:14:02] by saying I.
[1:14:03] » I.
[1:14:04] » Any opposed?
[1:14:06] Motion passes. Next up under discussion,
[1:14:09] we have uh Ambulance rate increase. And
[1:14:12] with that, Chief Shanharst.
[1:14:19] » Good evening, council mayor. Thank you
[1:14:21] for having me. Uh discussion item
[1:14:23] tonight for your input. Uh obviously,
[1:14:26] it's on the ambulance billing rate
[1:14:27] increase. And uh a couple of slides to
[1:14:30] overview it and some of it's some
[1:14:31] educational stuff because it's just hard
[1:14:33] to understand the insurance industry and
[1:14:35] how it all gets build. Uh to but the end
[1:14:38] result will be to gather input from you
[1:14:39] and some direction so that we'll come
[1:14:41] back. I believe uh tenatively scheduled
[1:14:43] for the 22nd uh meeting for an action
[1:14:45] item.
[1:14:47] So getting into it, our last ambulance
[1:14:50] rate increase was back in 2018
[1:14:53] and uh since then uh depending upon
[1:14:55] which internet source you go to but CPI
[1:14:58] has increased by over 30% since that
[1:15:00] time and unfortunately the cost of
[1:15:04] providing that ambulance service the
[1:15:05] expenses has increased at a faster rate
[1:15:09] than that 30%. Uh, and the example
[1:15:11] provided is back in 2019, uh, the fire
[1:15:14] department budgeted $65,000 for
[1:15:16] expenses, uh, just related to providing
[1:15:18] the service that's not personnel,
[1:15:20] equipment, or apparatus. Uh, this year
[1:15:24] on our amended budget, we budget
[1:15:26] $100,000. So, there's a substantial
[1:15:28] increase in the cost of providing that
[1:15:30] service, while the rates have stayed the
[1:15:32] same since 2018. So, our proposal
[1:15:34] tonight as we walk through this is our
[1:15:37] ambulance rates. We want to increase
[1:15:38] them, but we can't we don't think it's
[1:15:41] prudent to jump to that full greater
[1:15:42] than 30% in one swoop. So, we're
[1:15:46] proposing a 10% increase over a
[1:15:48] three-year period to help catch us up
[1:15:49] and then uh CPI increases for the years
[1:15:51] to follow after that.
[1:15:54] This colorful slide, this is provided to
[1:15:57] us by our third party ambulance billing
[1:15:59] company, Systems Design West. And what
[1:16:01] this covers, if you're unable to read
[1:16:02] it, is August of 25 through July of 26.
[1:16:07] The red columns are the charges. So
[1:16:10] that's what we charge on every ambulance
[1:16:12] call. Those are going to be consistent
[1:16:15] and it's what our rates are set at. The
[1:16:17] green column is the good column. That's
[1:16:19] the payments and those are the the
[1:16:22] monies that we get in from the insurance
[1:16:23] providers, direct payments to the city,
[1:16:25] etc. The disallowed is the blue column
[1:16:28] and those are the funds that the
[1:16:30] insurance companies do not allow us to
[1:16:32] capture anymore on. Think of Medicare,
[1:16:34] Medicaid. they have ceilings that they
[1:16:37] will pay up to this amount. Doesn't
[1:16:38] matter what you charge, but you're only
[1:16:40] going to get this amount and that's it.
[1:16:41] You have no say further. And then small
[1:16:43] little gray cap on a lot of those blue
[1:16:45] columns is the uncollected. And that's
[1:16:47] due to timing. Sometimes it's coding
[1:16:50] errors. It's um underpayments that are
[1:16:53] made by either companies or individuals.
[1:16:56] And so, uh that's how we look on an
[1:16:59] annual basis. And it's a moving chart.
[1:17:01] The chart at the bottom is the average
[1:17:02] of all of those. There's a data set
[1:17:04] behind it. So, we have in there 111
[1:17:07] tickets average per month. And you'll
[1:17:08] see that 111 later on in the
[1:17:10] presentation, but the reason I put these
[1:17:12] numbers up there is the percentage
[1:17:13] columns. So, if you look at payments, we
[1:17:16] get about 52% payments back to the city
[1:17:20] for what we charge. We'll bill out, but
[1:17:22] we'll only get 52% back. 34% of our
[1:17:26] charges are disallowed. Uncollected is a
[1:17:29] pretty good percentage of at only 2%.
[1:17:31] And then the pending is 11. And those
[1:17:33] are the last three months on the right
[1:17:35] hand side of that chart because those
[1:17:36] take time to process mailings uh
[1:17:39] processing etc. So that's always moving
[1:17:42] and all those figures are rounded up to
[1:17:44] the nearest dollar.
[1:17:48] What we're proposing is on this simple
[1:17:50] chart here is our current rate for basic
[1:17:53] life support transport is $900. A 10%
[1:17:58] increase would obviously increase that
[1:17:59] to 990 year $990 year one.
[1:18:03] AL ALS1, ALS2, and the mileage are
[1:18:06] seeing that same 10% increase, and that
[1:18:08] would be the 10% year after year through
[1:18:10] year three. ALS1 is the charge that
[1:18:15] we're able to do for advanced life
[1:18:17] support uh assessment as well as one
[1:18:19] intervention. And ALS2 is just another
[1:18:22] medical billing code for higher, more
[1:18:24] in-depth skills, medications given uh
[1:18:28] etc. So if we give at least three
[1:18:30] medications, then medical billing says
[1:18:32] you get qualify for ALS2 charges.
[1:18:35] The mileage there, we're currently at
[1:18:37] $17 per mile. And mileage is only what
[1:18:40] we call loaded miles. That's where a
[1:18:42] patient is actively being transported.
[1:18:44] It's not to get there. It's from
[1:18:45] wherever we find and pick the patient up
[1:18:47] and to take them to a hospital, whether
[1:18:50] it be Pullman, Lewon, Spokane, wherever
[1:18:52] it might be, but it's actual miles with
[1:18:54] the patient in the back. And so that
[1:18:57] there uh you'll see the little line uh
[1:18:59] underneath can't read it says regional
[1:19:01] mileage comparisons are based on rates
[1:19:03] that were on average last updated in
[1:19:05] 2022. So four years ago we looked at a
[1:19:08] lot of the a majority of the ambulance
[1:19:10] providers in Eastern Washington and the
[1:19:13] average right now today is $17 per mile
[1:19:15] but that was four years ago when those
[1:19:17] that data set was compiled. So a lot of
[1:19:20] them have been adjusted or will be
[1:19:22] adjusted by the time we end up through
[1:19:24] the third year of this. And I should
[1:19:26] also note that mileage is based on the
[1:19:29] tenth of a mile is what we charge.
[1:19:34] So in the end at the end of year three
[1:19:36] we'll go from BLS rate of $900 to just
[1:19:40] under 1,200.
[1:19:42] ALS1 is from 1050 to,400 and ALS2 you
[1:19:47] can see that there. So it's the 10%
[1:19:49] annually for three years approximately
[1:19:51] 33% cumulatively
[1:19:57] financial impacts. So we reached out to
[1:20:00] systems design west who has a lot of our
[1:20:02] data set on what we've been doing and
[1:20:05] they go back I should make sure to
[1:20:07] reference my notes here because I wrote
[1:20:08] them down for a reason. Um, there's a
[1:20:11] service mix and what that means is that
[1:20:14] ALS1, ALS2, BLS, how many calls do we
[1:20:18] have that hit each of those billing
[1:20:20] rates? And then they compare that to the
[1:20:23] payer mix. So, how many of our payers
[1:20:26] are Medicare, Medicaid, commercial
[1:20:29] insurance, or private pay? And then they
[1:20:32] compared that and said if you went back
[1:20:34] to your 2025 actuals and applied this
[1:20:37] 10% increase for the next three years
[1:20:40] and as you can see year one would have
[1:20:42] estimated about a $31,000
[1:20:45] increase if everything was a-ok okay but
[1:20:49] unfortunately it's medical insurance and
[1:20:51] so we can't there's no guarantees in
[1:20:53] these figures but that's where it
[1:20:54] roughly would have landed on what it
[1:20:56] would mean for the city and it's not
[1:20:58] $31,000 to say hey we got all this money
[1:21:00] to spend. And keep in mind, we're trying
[1:21:03] to catch up from back in 2018 for the
[1:21:05] cost just to provide the service. And
[1:21:07] those funds have to come from somewhere.
[1:21:09] The ambulance service brings in about
[1:21:11] 1.2 million plus or minus in there um in
[1:21:14] 2025, which is great, but as those costs
[1:21:17] for services, we're pulling those funds
[1:21:19] from other areas of the general fund or
[1:21:21] the fire department budget just to
[1:21:22] provide that service. So, this is a
[1:21:24] necessary uh cost recovery for us. We
[1:21:27] don't want to leave that money sitting
[1:21:28] on the table that the insurance
[1:21:29] companies would be providing us
[1:21:37] when we when I come back later in the
[1:21:40] month. Uh in the addendum to the uh
[1:21:43] ambulance billing is a line in here and
[1:21:45] I didn't want to ignore it is
[1:21:46] extrication fees that is lined out in
[1:21:49] there that currently we charge $125 for
[1:21:52] extrication.
[1:21:53] I don't know when that was established
[1:21:55] or where it was founded at. Uh but my
[1:21:59] best guess is think of Jaws of Life,
[1:22:01] right? Everybody kind of knows what that
[1:22:02] means. But today's world is more
[1:22:04] technical. We have more specialized
[1:22:06] equipment. We have more specialized
[1:22:07] vehicles on the road. It takes a lot
[1:22:09] more of these components to keep the
[1:22:11] patient safe, keep our crews safe, and
[1:22:14] to respond efficiently. And so in
[1:22:17] looking at that, there's a small data
[1:22:19] set that's out there. Some a some
[1:22:21] agencies are charging say a hourly rate
[1:22:24] for extrication. I'm not sure how well
[1:22:27] that works out. And some are charging
[1:22:29] over $4,000 per call for extrication.
[1:22:32] Since we were at 125 for a number of
[1:22:35] years, I'm proposing a modest $500. And
[1:22:38] that's uh when applicable, when
[1:22:40] recoverable, it gets build back to the
[1:22:42] automobile insurance. And uh they are
[1:22:45] the ones who would pay that. When I was
[1:22:47] in Wisconsin, the fire department would
[1:22:48] send uh both if there's a two vehicle
[1:22:51] accident, they would send both insurance
[1:22:52] companies the same bill and make them
[1:22:55] fight to figure out who's responsible or
[1:22:57] who is at fault if there was that caused
[1:22:59] determination. But that's what
[1:23:01] automobile insurance is there for. And
[1:23:03] so that would go to that to help recover
[1:23:05] some of those fees because our equipment
[1:23:07] that we've been um graced with through
[1:23:09] CIP, it's expensive and we're still on a
[1:23:12] three-year cycle plan to change out all
[1:23:13] of our stuff to battery operated
[1:23:15] hydraulic equipment and rams. Those
[1:23:17] weren't available back in the day and
[1:23:19] all the stress and stuff. So there's a
[1:23:20] lot of expense to uh automobile
[1:23:22] extrication, but I didn't want to ignore
[1:23:25] that part too because that it will be in
[1:23:26] the fee structure in the months to come.
[1:23:29] So, before I get to question answer
[1:23:31] period, the options, there's a handful
[1:23:33] of them. Uh, you could do as staff
[1:23:34] recommended. Um, and this is for
[1:23:36] consideration. We're not voting on this
[1:23:37] tonight, but the 10% annually for three
[1:23:40] years to help catch us up and then we'll
[1:23:42] catch up that fourth year and CPI after
[1:23:44] that. An option would be do 15% for the
[1:23:47] next two years and then uh CPI catch up
[1:23:49] after that. We could do an all lump sum
[1:23:51] starting in 2027.
[1:23:54] And then uh there's other options. We
[1:23:56] could ignore it. we could you could send
[1:23:58] me back to the drawing board. Uh, but
[1:23:59] the reason this is coming before you
[1:24:01] tonight is Washington state rules say
[1:24:03] that uh we have to have our rates to the
[1:24:06] uh uh the state. I was going to say the
[1:24:09] name, but I'd probably mess it up. So,
[1:24:10] I'll just say we have to have the rules
[1:24:11] to the state by November 1st so they can
[1:24:14] go into effect on January 1st. So, it's
[1:24:17] a little odd timing ahead of other
[1:24:19] schedules, but that's just what the
[1:24:21] office of insurance commissioners have
[1:24:22] said. Uh, with that went through it
[1:24:26] pretty quickly, but I think I hit all my
[1:24:28] points and I'd be happy to entertain any
[1:24:31] questions, feedback or suggestions.
[1:24:33] » So, question. So, council member Vance,
[1:24:36] » I had a question about the uh Medicaid
[1:24:39] uh ceilings. Is that a percentage or a
[1:24:41] dollar amount for those ceilings for
[1:24:43] Medicaid? I don't know if your slide had
[1:24:45] it, but I was just curious.
[1:24:48] » So, state the question differently
[1:24:49] because I bet I have the answer. I just
[1:24:50] need to understand what you're looking
[1:24:51] for
[1:24:52] » When when [clears throat] billing like
[1:24:54] Medicaid.
[1:24:55] » Mhm.
[1:24:56] » You mentioned that there's a ceiling to
[1:24:57] what they'll pay. Is that a dollar
[1:24:59] amount or a percentage of the
[1:25:02] » The cost?
[1:25:02] » Medicaid
[1:25:04] specifically
[1:25:06] um has a strict dollar amount of $16843
[1:25:10] » That they'll pay.
[1:25:11] » Yes.
[1:25:12] » Okay.
[1:25:12] » And they're the one that um any
[1:25:14] remaining difference cannot be simply
[1:25:16] build back to the patient. So pretty
[1:25:17] much when once Medicaid is done with it,
[1:25:20] it closes it off and we're not able to
[1:25:22] uh go back after those funds.
[1:25:24] » Gotcha. Thank you.
[1:25:25] » All of those federally funded, the
[1:25:27] Medicare, Medicaid, they're they're the
[1:25:28] most restrictive. Uh and you the rate
[1:25:31] increase won't impact revenues coming
[1:25:34] back to the city because that's
[1:25:36] uncontrolled. We don't get to tell them
[1:25:38] to pay more. They they're set. Yeah. But
[1:25:40] it's the commercial insurance that would
[1:25:41] be paying more. Sorry to cut you off.
[1:25:42] » No, no. You're good. uh ballpark. What
[1:25:44] percentage of calls are build to
[1:25:46] Medicaid?
[1:25:48] » Medicaid represents 20% according to
[1:25:50] systems design wise.
[1:25:51] » Okay. Thank you,
[1:25:53] » Council Member Wright.
[1:25:56] » Thank you, Ryan. Nice presentation. Um
[1:26:00] I'm just going to call it a house call.
[1:26:02] What is the charge for a house call when
[1:26:04] a transport doesn't necessarily result
[1:26:07] like someone has fallen, they're not
[1:26:09] injured, but they can't get up on their
[1:26:10] own and they're by themselves? Does that
[1:26:13] fall under BLS?
[1:26:15] » Nope. Nope. So, if we don't transport,
[1:26:18] we're not um billing.
[1:26:22] It is a system of the rules and the
[1:26:25] permissions that we we operate under. Uh
[1:26:27] we will happily go anytime uh numerous
[1:26:30] times in some cases to do a lift assist
[1:26:33] into people's houses. Uh we will provide
[1:26:35] treatment. Uh we do not force people to
[1:26:38] go to the hospital. They are still in
[1:26:39] charge of their own healthcare
[1:26:40] decisions. And if they choose to stay at
[1:26:42] home, we have a simple form where they
[1:26:44] sign accepting the liability. Uh but uh
[1:26:46] generally speaking, they're not seeing a
[1:26:49] bill for those services.
[1:26:50] » Great. Thank you. And thank you for that
[1:26:53] service.
[1:26:53] » Yeah, Council Weller.
[1:26:56] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. [clears throat]
[1:26:58] First off, I dig the stash.
[1:27:01] » Feel like it just I feel like it just
[1:27:03] came up like yesterday. Just came up. Uh
[1:27:07] [laughter] I do have a question
[1:27:09] regarding I know a little bit ago well
[1:27:12] probably eight years um we had some
[1:27:16] challenges with um
[1:27:20] getting people to pay you know I mean
[1:27:22] there were a lot of bad debts that we
[1:27:24] were having to write off. Do you know
[1:27:27] how much um are we I know we were
[1:27:30] improving it. Do you know if we're doing
[1:27:33] better? Is it slipping back? Um,
[1:27:38] » I appreciate that question because I was
[1:27:41] looking for an opportunity all night to
[1:27:44] ask the man
[1:27:45] » Good minds
[1:27:46] » Come up and answer this because he was
[1:27:48] responsible for uh getting a majority of
[1:27:50] this under control in the last couple of
[1:27:52] years. Uh, we're doing very well.
[1:27:54] » Good.
[1:27:54] » We are doing very well. Andrew, do you
[1:27:56] have any comments in regards to that?
[1:27:58] » I agree. We're doing very well.
[1:28:01] » Great minds think alike. Okay. Well,
[1:28:04] that's really my only question. I'm more
[1:28:07] for option three, but I know probably
[1:28:11] two would be a better choice. So,
[1:28:14] » Council Member FJarn,
[1:28:18] » Uh, thank you, Chief, for the
[1:28:19] presentation and data. uh and for the
[1:28:21] conversation I would be um more
[1:28:23] supporting the at the 10% but my
[1:28:26] question which council member will kind
[1:28:28] of touch base on it is uh does the fire
[1:28:31] department have a um hardship or write
[1:28:36] off policy for folks who can't play or
[1:28:38] pay or unable to pay? Uh, that's an
[1:28:41] excellent question and please allow me
[1:28:43] the courtesy of shuffling through my
[1:28:46] notes because I want to make sure I
[1:28:48] state this accurately. Um, the city has
[1:28:52] an approach that will actually start
[1:28:54] with systems design west who does all of
[1:28:56] our medical billing. Um, they have a
[1:28:59] ability to um assist with payment plans.
[1:29:03] uh if there is a large um payment plans
[1:29:06] or a large amount then uh the finance
[1:29:08] director Jeff can uh assist with
[1:29:10] speaking with those uh individuals
[1:29:12] directly. Um he has pre-authorization
[1:29:15] for that but um the stance for the city
[1:29:18] is that there is no charity, no
[1:29:20] settlement and no negotiating pricing
[1:29:22] options. Uh so systems design west has
[1:29:25] full control over the billing and the
[1:29:28] unpaid amounts um after the all of their
[1:29:32] efforts and they they have a pretty
[1:29:34] strong history of um giving great effort
[1:29:36] to working with people um it will
[1:29:39] ultimately end up in collections if
[1:29:41] that's where it needs to go.
[1:29:44] » Council member McDonald.
[1:29:46] » Okay. I have a few questions. Uh the
[1:29:50] first one is you mentioned the mileage
[1:29:53] was pretty in line with other places in
[1:29:55] terms of what we were charging and
[1:29:57] likely going to continue to be that way.
[1:29:59] You said uh extra I'm going to say that
[1:30:03] wrong. You get pulling people out of
[1:30:05] cars. Um is like we're like way below
[1:30:08] the normal rate. Do you know what the
[1:30:11] other um like just the normal the $900
[1:30:15] ambulance rate is by comparison for
[1:30:18] others in the region?
[1:30:20] » Yes. Yes, I can um assist with providing
[1:30:23] that. Let me find that chart for you. I
[1:30:25] didn't throw it up there because it was
[1:30:26] pretty messy um if I wanted to share it
[1:30:29] all. And you know how sometimes the
[1:30:30] presentations say you should only have
[1:30:33] four words per slide presentation
[1:30:36] etiquette, right? So our our rates right
[1:30:39] now are um
[1:30:42] below the average in the region and by
[1:30:45] the end of year three on the 10% um or
[1:30:47] even if we jump today um they would just
[1:30:49] be slightly above that average and those
[1:30:51] are bound to go that average is bound to
[1:30:53] rise over the next three years as we
[1:30:55] move through this. uh the we're situated
[1:30:59] underneath it currently on that chart um
[1:31:02] that I would be happy to share with you
[1:31:04] offline uh just because I'm I don't have
[1:31:06] it in the presentation.
[1:31:07] » Okay. But that that's a good enough
[1:31:09] answer,
[1:31:10] » But I didn't skew the I didn't skew the
[1:31:12] chart by including the Spokane AMR um
[1:31:15] rate which is uh it takes it through the
[1:31:17] roof. So um but our mileage the lowest
[1:31:20] in the region is $10 per mile and the
[1:31:22] highest is $38 per mile. So depends
[1:31:25] pretty wide range what they've adopted.
[1:31:27] » The the other one I wonder I two more I
[1:31:30] think um the typical insurance coverage
[1:31:33] for like our major insurers for the
[1:31:36] region what do they cover like
[1:31:40] seals or WSUs.
[1:31:43] » So medical insurance right we each have
[1:31:46] individual plans that we get to choose
[1:31:48] from what's offered to us on a on an
[1:31:50] annual basis. Uh, I'm not going to be
[1:31:52] able to directly answer that question.
[1:31:54] We would be able to get to that answer
[1:31:55] if we sat down with our billing
[1:31:57] specialists and walked through what
[1:31:58] those options are. Uh, but that depends
[1:32:01] on the plan that you're underneath, the
[1:32:03] the co-pays that you've agreed to, etc.
[1:32:06] It's all um shotgun approach almost. So,
[1:32:09] » Like the thing I'm kind of wondering is
[1:32:11] the like basically the equivalent of the
[1:32:14] Medicaid's like uh we probably think it
[1:32:16] I don't even know how they come up with.
[1:32:18] We think it's probably worth $150 for a
[1:32:21] like a ambulance ride, which seems
[1:32:23] crazy, but whatever. That's beside the
[1:32:25] point. The um or whatever number you
[1:32:28] said. Um but like what what does another
[1:32:31] insurance think is normal? E co-pays and
[1:32:34] stuff aside.
[1:32:36] » So that's I think I understand your
[1:32:38] question better and I'll be able to
[1:32:39] answer it from the data systems design
[1:32:40] west because I would have no way to come
[1:32:43] up with this stuff. I don't see that uh
[1:32:44] what comes in what goes out. Uh they
[1:32:47] call that commercial insurance, the
[1:32:48] non-medicare and the non-federally
[1:32:50] funded and non uh private pay. Uh so
[1:32:54] average commercial charge um is uh right
[1:32:58] around $1,100 and the average commercial
[1:33:01] reimbursement is $995. So very close
[1:33:05] compared to what the federal's uh
[1:33:07] insurance rates are. So they um they pay
[1:33:10] more. Yeah, it's crazy that we're all
[1:33:13] paying for the Medicaid ones, you know,
[1:33:17] but whatever. That's beside the point.
[1:33:18] Uh the other question that I had is
[1:33:21] obviously we would we want to recoup our
[1:33:24] cost and I'm sure where you haven't
[1:33:26] raised your rates since 2018. You guys
[1:33:29] have put in a ton of work for cost
[1:33:32] savings um over the years. Like
[1:33:35] obviously we don't want to just be like
[1:33:36] ah just who cares how much it costs us,
[1:33:39] we'll just pass it on. like what what
[1:33:41] are could you give a couple examples of
[1:33:43] ways that you guys are trying to help
[1:33:45] make sure that that cost isn't more than
[1:33:47] it needs to be.
[1:33:50] So the ambulance business is the
[1:33:52] majority of our call volume and it takes
[1:33:55] a it was mentioned earlier it takes this
[1:33:57] village of dedicated professionals to
[1:33:59] make this happen and because they're
[1:34:01] dedicated to their craft it is because
[1:34:04] what makes that program so successful
[1:34:06] and so in regards to the cost savings
[1:34:09] that's one of the areas where
[1:34:12] I tell the gentleman who's in charge of
[1:34:15] procuring supplies just spend it because
[1:34:19] we have to have that if we're over in
[1:34:22] that budget, I'll have to find someplace
[1:34:24] else. But it's the most called upon
[1:34:26] service that we do, it has to be readily
[1:34:29] available 247. Those wheels have to roll
[1:34:31] and the care needs to be given. And so
[1:34:34] we are prudent. We do our research. We
[1:34:37] look for grants. We are doing GMT. We're
[1:34:40] procuring supplies from the best vendors
[1:34:43] available. Um all the prudent necessary
[1:34:46] measures that uh any responsible
[1:34:48] employee should be doing. Uh but when it
[1:34:50] comes down to it, um I'm not restricting
[1:34:53] the purchase of
[1:34:55] electrodes,
[1:34:57] IV solutions. I'm telling them to supply
[1:35:00] greater quantities so that we have them
[1:35:02] on hand should there be a hurricane on
[1:35:04] the east coast again and knock out the
[1:35:05] sailing plant. Um because we know that
[1:35:08] this community needs that regardless of
[1:35:10] where we're at. But um we're doing
[1:35:12] prudent measures uh all across the board
[1:35:14] when it comes to procuring those those
[1:35:16] items uh from various vendors and and
[1:35:19] moving those all the time in regards to
[1:35:22] what's the best option.
[1:35:23] » Thank you and thank thank you for what
[1:35:25] you do. Like I I'm on the emergency
[1:35:28] alert like if we get a 911 at seal like
[1:35:31] I get a slew of messages and like how
[1:35:34] fast you guys get on site. It's crazy.
[1:35:36] It's like really impressive. Thank you,
[1:35:39] » Council Member Parks.
[1:35:42] I don't know if you know the the the
[1:35:45] volume or the percentage of of
[1:35:48] automobile involved calls that you that
[1:35:51] that our that your department has like
[1:35:55] » So I did not come with that data
[1:35:56] tonight. Uh is I would hope fairly easy
[1:36:00] to acquire but thankfully we don't have
[1:36:02] a lot of those anymore.
[1:36:04] » Oh that's good.
[1:36:04] » Not like back in the emergency days. Um,
[1:36:07] but we I would say if I was going to be
[1:36:09] conservative, we we do about 24 a year.
[1:36:13] » Where um it could be any and I'm not
[1:36:15] really counting like the vehicle versus
[1:36:17] pedestrians in a crosswalk. It's the
[1:36:19] cars that have overturned on icy roads
[1:36:21] or the head-ons out on the highway or
[1:36:23] whatever may be around town. There there
[1:36:25] are a handful of them that require um
[1:36:28] specialized tools and equipment and
[1:36:30] training.
[1:36:30] » Sure. And you you alluded to Wisconsin,
[1:36:34] which is it sounds like an a no fault
[1:36:37] state as Idaho is. Uh but the uh but
[1:36:41] Washington is an at fault state. So
[1:36:44] insurance companies will assign blame.
[1:36:46] And I just want to put a little plug in
[1:36:48] for people to look at their car policies
[1:36:50] because there's a coverage an optional
[1:36:53] coverage called personal injury
[1:36:54] protection or PIP. That is the that is
[1:36:57] the line item that chief was speaking
[1:37:00] about when he said that the um the
[1:37:02] medical portion will be paid out of an
[1:37:05] automobile. And many people either
[1:37:09] refuse it or they choose the lowest
[1:37:12] which I believe is $10,000.
[1:37:15] But it's a really really good um
[1:37:17] coverage to have and it will cover
[1:37:19] things that come from the ambulance
[1:37:22] billing and things like that up to the
[1:37:24] limit that you have chosen. So I just
[1:37:26] wanted to put that out there.
[1:37:27] » Thank you. So as a part of this
[1:37:29] discussion he's kind of asking kind of
[1:37:32] some direction from council and we've
[1:37:34] had uh you know one at 10 one at 33. Uh,
[1:37:39] so it'd be helpful just to kind of help
[1:37:41] him provide guidance because he wants to
[1:37:42] bring something back that and and not
[1:37:45] have to rebring it back because it it's
[1:37:48] not the right numbers. Council member
[1:37:50] Schumis,
[1:37:50] » Sorry, I was trying to wait for uh
[1:37:52] questions to be done before I made a
[1:37:54] comment. Um, I would be in favor of the
[1:37:56] 10% over 3 years because uh getting in a
[1:38:00] car accident is the second worst day of
[1:38:02] your life and getting the bill is the
[1:38:04] worst day of your life and it's really
[1:38:06] expensive. Um, and everything is getting
[1:38:08] more expensive right now. And I just
[1:38:10] would hate to bury people in like a I
[1:38:13] know it goes to the insurance company,
[1:38:14] but you know, eventually these things do
[1:38:16] trickle down and I would hate to do that
[1:38:18] huge jump
[1:38:19] » Right off the bat. Thank you.
[1:38:21] » Okay,
[1:38:23] Council McDonald.
[1:38:23] » So, I was tempted to go with the number
[1:38:26] three. It's not like it's like you're
[1:38:27] saving for a trip to Hawaii and it's
[1:38:30] like I'm saving up for that ambulance
[1:38:32] visit. It's like when it happens, it
[1:38:34] happens. like um and hopefully it
[1:38:36] doesn't happen, right? Um but I feel
[1:38:39] like when when you shared the numbers
[1:38:41] and they were more in line
[1:38:42] insurance-wise with the 10% and they'll
[1:38:45] probably adjust over time, like I would
[1:38:47] vote for number one just because it
[1:38:49] seems like in line with that.
[1:38:53] » Other thoughts? I see council member
[1:38:56] Parks with that 10% also.
[1:39:00] I'm in favor of the 15 personally, but I
[1:39:03] could.
[1:39:04] » So, so we have mostly 10, uh, 111, I
[1:39:08] mean 115, 133.
[1:39:10] » So,
[1:39:12] Council Mayor Waller,
[1:39:15] » Well, I can just explain. The three was
[1:39:17] rip the band-aid off and things are
[1:39:18] going to get more expensive, period. And
[1:39:21] we're already behind. Eight years, we
[1:39:24] haven't had anything. Um uh but I said
[1:39:27] two because okay uh middle of the road.
[1:39:32] Um I just know that things are going to
[1:39:34] continue being more expensive and if we
[1:39:36] wait for three year three more years
[1:39:38] that's 11 years since we've done a full
[1:39:43] increase. So you know
[1:39:48] yeah that's that's the reasoning I will
[1:39:51] vote. I'm not gonna fight about it. You
[1:39:52] know, it's not a something to die on the
[1:39:54] hill for, but that was my reasoning.
[1:39:58] [clears throat]
[1:39:58] » Council member Fer.
[1:40:00] » Okay.
[1:40:03] Some people have very big hand waves and
[1:40:06] somes with very small finger movements
[1:40:09] at times. Um, Chief, do you feel you
[1:40:12] have enough information?
[1:40:14] I do. I appreciate that. I understand
[1:40:16] that uh if we jumped immediately to 33,
[1:40:20] it wouldn't impact all of us overnight
[1:40:22] because we're not calling the ambulance,
[1:40:23] but uh we wouldn't also be aware that
[1:40:26] everything is getting more expensive and
[1:40:27] maybe the more the gradual approach
[1:40:29] would be more palatable. So um just was
[1:40:31] looking for the feedback I believe I've
[1:40:33] received to uh compile the documents for
[1:40:35] action at the uh future council meeting.
[1:40:37] » Okay, great. And I and I know council
[1:40:40] members might hear some comments and
[1:40:42] might have some thoughts that they pass
[1:40:44] on in the next week too. So I
[1:40:47] understand.
[1:40:48] » Okay. Thank you very much. Appreciate
[1:40:50] » You very much.
[1:40:50] » Thank you.
[1:40:53] » Uh the next discussion item we had
[1:40:55] related to legislative priorities. Uh I
[1:40:58] put a hard copy at your desk of uh the
[1:41:02] latest draft that we've been working on
[1:41:04] and I apologize that we didn't get it
[1:41:06] into the packet. Um it's there's been a
[1:41:11] lot going on this week and this one it
[1:41:14] didn't get finished until yesterday. Um
[1:41:17] but within it what we did is we put put
[1:41:20] together that a common we're trying to
[1:41:23] keep it to one page uh with really a a
[1:41:27] common theme and then the four areas
[1:41:30] that were talked about where we talk um
[1:41:34] in a positive sense of how the state has
[1:41:37] support us in the past or or if there's
[1:41:40] been challenges in the past. So kind of
[1:41:42] to frame why we're asking what we're
[1:41:45] asking and then in bold are are the
[1:41:48] different asks related to uh financial
[1:41:52] sustainability, the infrastructure. Uh
[1:41:55] and we did a mix of projects is what
[1:41:57] staff's recommendation related to flood
[1:42:00] control, the sewer treatment and then
[1:42:02] also streets just because there's they
[1:42:04] they touch different aspects of people.
[1:42:08] uh the policing one uh related the the
[1:42:11] public record stuff that we see going on
[1:42:13] that's really an exploitation uh and
[1:42:15] then those economic development border
[1:42:18] issues that were addressed uh and we
[1:42:21] really worked to keep it to to a page.
[1:42:25] Obviously this is a draft for and you're
[1:42:28] seeing it tonight. Um, but I'm
[1:42:30] interested just in your thoughts. Are
[1:42:33] have we captured what as a council you
[1:42:36] are thinking relates to this? Um,
[1:42:40] yes. No thoughts.
[1:42:43] Coun. Okay. Uh, council member McDonald.
[1:42:48] » Uh, one thing I would add to the I I
[1:42:50] like it. I like it a lot. Um, one thing
[1:42:52] I would add to the border community with
[1:42:55] the building codes and the housing is I
[1:42:58] think uh
[1:43:00] maybe something about minimizing
[1:43:04] the impact of those regulations, right?
[1:43:07] It's like I mean the state is driving up
[1:43:11] the cost of doing construction here.
[1:43:13] Like like they could stop doing that.
[1:43:16] Like
[1:43:17] » We would we would appreciate that as one
[1:43:19] of the things.
[1:43:20] » Well, and and And and and
[1:43:22] [clears throat] and I will say, you
[1:43:24] know, I framed it in the state's past
[1:43:26] practices have hindered, I I actually
[1:43:28] had a much more stronger statement in
[1:43:31] there that I kind of pulled back from.
[1:43:34] Uh but if if it's if the stronger
[1:43:38] statement is what is a council you want,
[1:43:40] we can we could put a stronger statement
[1:43:42] in there related to they're part they're
[1:43:45] part of our problem right now.
[1:43:46] » Yeah. I feel like the more that they can
[1:43:48] hear the like the more they see help
[1:43:52] with the middle housing, including the
[1:43:56] decisions they make impact
[1:43:59] our ability to hit middle housing. I
[1:44:01] think just being sensitive cuz like you
[1:44:03] talk to anybody in Washington, they're
[1:44:05] going to be like, "Yeah, we want we want
[1:44:07] more people to have houses. We want
[1:44:09] houses to be affordable and we it's just
[1:44:12] okay. Well, then just be mindful when
[1:44:14] you make those decisions.
[1:44:15] » When you make
[1:44:17] Council member Weller.
[1:44:19] » Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just a thing right
[1:44:22] here. Policing exploitation of our
[1:44:24] vulnerable. Was there something else
[1:44:25] that was supposed to be there?
[1:44:27] » No, that
[1:44:33] » It's of our vulnerable, but we could say
[1:44:34] vulnerable population. So, this has to
[1:44:36] do with uh what what we're finding is
[1:44:39] people are doing public records requests
[1:44:42] uh related to um women that are drunk in
[1:44:47] order to put it out there and on paid
[1:44:50] sites. Um, and they're also doing uh
[1:44:54] public records requests for interviews
[1:44:56] of minors that have that uh had sexual
[1:45:00] issues and and so we're so I tried to
[1:45:04] use the term vulnerable.
[1:45:06] » Can we just put in our most vulnerable
[1:45:08] most just in there?
[1:45:10] » Um, and you know I I think it's
[1:45:14] important
[1:45:16] well two things. one with the
[1:45:17] infrastructure it it it helps investment
[1:45:21] in the future. So it will help with you
[1:45:23] know economy and so on. So I think
[1:45:26] saying something about you know
[1:45:29] investment in the future our community
[1:45:31] you know economy something along those
[1:45:34] lines that often gets uh lost. I think
[1:45:37] also what you were saying is I I think
[1:45:39] we do need to start being a little bit
[1:45:42] and I I appreciate what Brian was saying
[1:45:46] um a little bit stronger
[1:45:49] worded with the state. What they're
[1:45:52] doing especially for Eastern Washington,
[1:45:55] the smaller communities is just plain
[1:45:58] hurting us. And you know there's no way
[1:46:02] around it. and um they need to
[1:46:06] understand and I believe our
[1:46:09] representatives do, but others need to
[1:46:12] understand that this is this is not
[1:46:15] going to create a thriving economy and
[1:46:17] it's just going to continue to upset
[1:46:19] people. We need to have stronger
[1:46:21] language about it.
[1:46:23] » Okay, we'll add that in. Council member
[1:46:25] Schumis.
[1:46:27] Yeah, actually I 100% agree with them.
[1:46:29] And I also just wanted to say that I
[1:46:31] whoever did this, I was really impressed
[1:46:34] after last time coming in and seeing it
[1:46:36] all on one page like this. This looks
[1:46:37] really awesome. Very visually, I think
[1:46:39] pleasing and easy to read. So,
[1:46:41] » It it took it took a village and a bit
[1:46:44] of work.
[1:46:45] » Well, it's great. Thank you,
[1:46:48] » Council Member. Right. So, and I talked
[1:46:51] about this um a couple of times ago when
[1:46:54] we were just starting to put this
[1:46:56] together regarding the border community
[1:46:58] economic development. And I would like
[1:47:01] to see what the level of cooperation is
[1:47:06] between andor among the legislative
[1:47:09] districts that have border communities.
[1:47:13] so that we know that their our
[1:47:16] legislators are utilizing all of the
[1:47:19] possible leverage points that they can
[1:47:22] and working with their partners on on
[1:47:26] the border because you go at least from
[1:47:29] the Canadian border down to maybe
[1:47:32] Garfield or Colombia County, everybody
[1:47:34] has the same issues and I'm sure Walaw
[1:47:36] Wala does as well. And so for them to be
[1:47:40] able to work with all of those other
[1:47:42] legislators, I mean, it would almost be
[1:47:45] like a, you know, a pack or a um, you
[1:47:48] know, a legislative group that maybe has
[1:47:51] a little more power than just one
[1:47:54] district. Does that make sense?
[1:47:56] » Yes. And and so that would be something
[1:47:58] we have the uh the influences work group
[1:48:02] that and this is I think would be a
[1:48:04] charge that would go to them to okay how
[1:48:06] can we start how can we work on
[1:48:09] influences in order to accomplish our
[1:48:11] pri our goals our priorities and our
[1:48:14] legislative priorities.
[1:48:18] Council Member Weller,
[1:48:20] » I do have one more question and it's um
[1:48:23] not trying to be critical, but I don't
[1:48:25] see a whole lot on quality. I mean
[1:48:28] quality of life can be in any of these
[1:48:30] but I know um Schmick is going to ask
[1:48:34] about mental health and I know that um
[1:48:40] you know veterans especially um is going
[1:48:44] to come up with a couple of them and so
[1:48:48] [snorts]
[1:48:49] I'm I'm wondering I I see a lot of these
[1:48:51] things but there's you know the
[1:48:53] infrastructure and police and that but
[1:48:55] there's nothing on mental health
[1:48:56] addiction veterans. These things are
[1:48:59] kind of, you know, the the heart of what
[1:49:03] a community is as well. And I don't see
[1:49:06] a whole lot in there. I don't see
[1:49:07] anything in there actually. And and from
[1:49:10] the discussions that the council had,
[1:49:12] we're focusing to these, but we still
[1:49:15] have those areas like what you
[1:49:16] described. Those will still be
[1:49:18] conversations that happen, but these are
[1:49:21] the the we're trying to narrow down to
[1:49:24] what are the key critical ones here.
[1:49:27] We'll still have those discussions of
[1:49:29] supporting these agencies, these um
[1:49:32] entities that are doing the doing the
[1:49:34] work, but this these are really city
[1:49:36] more city related in that way. So that
[1:49:39] was as a council when we were having
[1:49:41] this discussion that's why these were
[1:49:44] the items that were that were selected
[1:49:46] by the council and the and but we still
[1:49:48] have we still have the rest of it that
[1:49:50] are going to be talking points that
[1:49:52] we'll still individually be talking
[1:49:54] about.
[1:49:55] » Okay. Um I will say that um in my mind
[1:49:59] if it's not on this one page it
[1:50:02] significantly
[1:50:03] lowers the importance of those things in
[1:50:06] the community. It does. It looks that
[1:50:08] way. So, um, you know, I'm
[1:50:14] and and for me, you know, I'm a bit of a
[1:50:16] bleeding heart and the veterans mental
[1:50:19] health, addiction, all of those are
[1:50:22] going to be very important to me. And
[1:50:25] so, I mean, it it just it doesn't look
[1:50:29] good. So, so Council Member Schumis,
[1:50:33] » I just was going to say that I remember
[1:50:35] this conversation and um I had
[1:50:39] uh made the statement that I believed
[1:50:41] that helping people find jobs and that
[1:50:44] sort of stuff, making sure that we had a
[1:50:46] strong economy was driving mental
[1:50:49] health. So, I very much see that in the
[1:50:52] border community economic development.
[1:50:54] It may not be there, but the ability to
[1:50:56] help people find a job and get housing
[1:50:59] is kind of in that like strengthening
[1:51:01] our economy.
[1:51:04] » I wholeheartedly disagree. Um, you know,
[1:51:08] finding a job is a, you know, part of
[1:51:12] all of that. But some people it's, you
[1:51:15] know, either they can't get a job or um
[1:51:21] it's too difficult. It's not.
[1:51:25] And no, nobody really thinks about
[1:51:27] mental health and oh, getting a job
[1:51:29] that'll fix mental health. That's just
[1:51:32] it. I I'm just letting you know
[1:51:36] personally not okay with this. I'm okay
[1:51:39] with the stuff that's been said on there
[1:51:41] with this but not having something
[1:51:44] regarding those topics which quite
[1:51:48] frankly Mary Dy has been very
[1:51:52] instrumental in veterans
[1:51:55] and Schmick has been very instrumental
[1:51:58] in mental health. Those are going to
[1:52:02] kind of for them in my opinion is going
[1:52:05] to be like well so you're not focusing
[1:52:07] on those
[1:52:09] even if it's in a additional one page.
[1:52:13] » Could we shrink the font and add
[1:52:17] just an overall healthare
[1:52:20] » We we we could reference healthcare at
[1:52:22] the top as a part of it as opposed
[1:52:25] because these are specific asks that
[1:52:27] we're asking for. So, if we do the
[1:52:29] mental health, it would need to be a
[1:52:31] specific ask that that we're trying
[1:52:34] because this is we're trying to get down
[1:52:36] to not just an issue, but specific asks
[1:52:40] within the issue. Council member
[1:52:42] McDonald,
[1:52:43] » Just an idea, but I mean, I I kind of
[1:52:46] hear both sides of this. I feel like
[1:52:47] Washington as a whole like is more
[1:52:50] sensitive to some of those particular
[1:52:52] things uh than some of the others that
[1:52:55] we're calling out. And so it's like a
[1:52:56] okay there's probably already some
[1:52:58] priority there. I almost wonder could
[1:53:00] you put something at the very bottom
[1:53:01] that almost calls out a couple of those
[1:53:04] things that you that Nathan already
[1:53:06] mentioned and say that we continue to
[1:53:08] care about and and that's still a
[1:53:11] priority for mental health, right? And
[1:53:13] then that gives them a shout out and
[1:53:15] it's like it it's not like we don't care
[1:53:17] about it anymore. I just I I agree with
[1:53:21] what Brian's saying, a continuing to
[1:53:23] support, mental health, veterans, you
[1:53:26] know, addiction support, so on and so
[1:53:29] forth, because it does give them, you
[1:53:31] know, it's it's part image
[1:53:34] » Being able to show them that yes, in
[1:53:36] fact, this matters and also it's part,
[1:53:39] you know, yes, I know we want to work on
[1:53:41] other projects.
[1:53:43] um but making something you know some
[1:53:47] mention so I appre
[1:53:49] » I I can work on that but council member
[1:53:52] parks
[1:53:52] » Two things point of clarification um if
[1:53:56] if council member zumalis doesn't mind I
[1:53:58] think when she mentioned jobs she
[1:54:01] mentioned it in the context of not not
[1:54:04] people who may not be able to get jobs
[1:54:06] to get jobs but when you have more
[1:54:08] economic development you have more jobs
[1:54:11] which enriches our community and and
[1:54:14] empowers our the nonprofit organizations
[1:54:17] who help in with mental health and and
[1:54:20] veterans. So, I I I don't believe she
[1:54:23] was, if I'm correct, saying that let's
[1:54:26] have the the vulnerable, you know, get
[1:54:29] out and get jobs. So, I just want to say
[1:54:31] that. And then I did like council member
[1:54:33] Wright and um Brian's you know just
[1:54:36] maybe I would put at the top sort of
[1:54:39] after that paragraph like council member
[1:54:41] Wright said and just put a little we
[1:54:42] could put a heading and then just like a
[1:54:44] like a mission statement because with
[1:54:47] mental health and veterans and those
[1:54:48] sorts of things domestic violence um
[1:54:52] there is no one thing right now that
[1:54:55] needs to be done. It just but we do want
[1:54:58] to keep it top of mind.
[1:54:59] » Keep it top of mind.
[1:55:00] » Does that make sense? Okay.
[1:55:02] » Okay.
[1:55:02] » Appreciate that.
[1:55:04] » Appreciate what you said,
[1:55:05] » Council Member Wright. maybe even to say
[1:55:07] it in the context of um our continuing
[1:55:10] partnership with Pullman Regional
[1:55:13] Hospital and their work in these areas
[1:55:17] because I know they are very focused on
[1:55:20] um behavioral health and you know I mean
[1:55:24] just just in the addition to the the
[1:55:27] hospital and the emergency room they've
[1:55:29] got a dedic they're putting in a
[1:55:30] dedicated observation room that would
[1:55:34] support those mental health emergencies
[1:55:36] and so I think something without saying
[1:55:39] all the words but putting it in line
[1:55:42] with what the hospital is doing that we
[1:55:45] fully support that
[1:55:46] » We'll want to keep it broad and and I I'
[1:55:48] I'd be careful as calling one entity out
[1:55:50] and forgetting some other so we have to
[1:55:52] we think in broad sense how do we how do
[1:55:54] we say it in a broad sense where
[1:55:56] everybody's going to feel included in it
[1:55:58] as opposed to well why'd you call that
[1:56:00] entity but not this other entity
[1:56:03] council Vance
[1:56:05] Thank you. I was just going to throw my
[1:56:07] support behind the expansion at the
[1:56:09] bottom that Council Member McDonald and
[1:56:11] and Weller were mentioning.
[1:56:14] » Okay. Any other input on this, Council
[1:56:18] Member Weller?
[1:56:19] » Yeah, I just wanted to mention Yeah, I I
[1:56:22] agree with what you were saying that not
[1:56:24] to mention just one entity. I do think
[1:56:27] it is important to make sure to say
[1:56:30] those things,
[1:56:31] you know, those the mental health, the
[1:56:34] veterans, the addiction, those things.
[1:56:36] It's very important to be able to call
[1:56:38] them out. It's a part of destigmatizing
[1:56:41] these topics and not hiding them behind.
[1:56:46] Well, we're working on health through
[1:56:47] other it's it's the destigmatizing
[1:56:50] that's very important.
[1:56:56] Okay,
[1:56:58] looks we got that. Um, with that, we
[1:57:02] don't have any new business to come
[1:57:04] before us. Uh, so at this time, we're
[1:57:06] the city council is going to adjourn to
[1:57:08] executive session,
[1:57:09] » Of course. uh pursuant to RCW4231101
[1:57:14] I to discuss with legal council
[1:57:16] representing the city matters related to
[1:57:18] agency enforcement actions or discuss
[1:57:20] with legal counsel representing the
[1:57:22] agency potential litigation concerning
[1:57:24] litigation or legal risks of a potential
[1:57:27] action or current practice the agency
[1:57:30] has identified when public discussion of
[1:57:32] the litigation or legal risk is likely
[1:57:34] to result in an adverse legal or
[1:57:36] financial consequence to the agency. The
[1:57:38] executive session uh is expected to last
[1:57:41] 20 minutes. If it becomes necessary to
[1:57:43] extend the executive session, someone
[1:57:45] will return to announce the anticipate
[1:57:47] additional time needed by council. The
[1:57:49] council
[1:57:51] does not does not anticipate taking
[1:57:55] action following the executive session.
[1:57:57] Uh it's 7:24.
[1:57:59] Uh it's actually 7:25. So we'll start at
[1:58:02] 7:27.
[1:58:34] » [music]
[1:58:47] [music]
[1:58:56] [music]
[1:59:10] [music]
[1:59:20] [music]
[1:59:31] [music]
[1:59:49] [music]
[1:59:59] [music]
[2:00:08] » Hey,
[2:00:16] hey, hey.
[2:00:39] Hey.
[2:00:41] Hey. Hey.
[2:00:45] [music]
[2:00:58] » [music]
[2:01:02] [music]
[2:01:17] [music]
[2:01:36] [music]
[2:01:48] [snorts]
[2:01:53] [music]
[2:01:59] [music]
[2:02:10] [music]
[2:02:11] [snorts]
[2:02:16] [music]
[2:02:22] [music]
[2:02:50] [music]
[2:02:50] » Hey.
[2:02:59] [music]
[2:03:10] » [music]
[2:03:12] » Hey,
[2:03:17] [music]
[2:03:24] hey, hey.
[2:03:28] » [music]
[2:03:34] [music]
[2:03:44] [music]
[2:03:51] [music]
[2:04:01] [music]
[2:04:12] [music]
[2:04:29] [music]
[2:05:13] » Heat.
[2:05:31] Heat.
[2:05:41] » [snorts]
[2:05:51] » Hey,
[2:05:59] hey, hey.
[2:06:13] » [music]
[2:06:13] » Hey,
[2:06:20] [music]
[2:06:24] hey, hey.
[2:06:28] [music]
[2:06:38] » [music]
[2:06:49] [music]
[2:06:59] [music]
[2:07:03] [music]
[2:07:10] [music]
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[2:07:51] [music]
[2:07:59] [music]
[2:08:05] [music]
[2:08:13] [music]
[2:08:20] [music]
[2:09:48] » Hey.
[2:09:59] Hey. Hey.
[2:10:17] » [snorts]
[2:10:36] [music]
[2:11:30] [music]
[2:11:35] » Hey,
[2:11:46] hey, hey.
[2:11:57] » [music]
[2:12:06] [music]
[2:12:23] [music]
[2:12:31] [music]
[2:12:43] » Hey, hey, hey.
[2:12:50] » [snorts]
[2:13:02] » Hey.
[2:13:05] Hey. Hey.
[2:13:09] Heat.
[2:13:13] [snorts]
[2:13:18] [snorts]
[2:13:28] Heat.
[2:13:34] Hey. Hey. Hey.
[2:14:21] » [snorts]
[2:14:47] » Hey.
[2:14:49] [music]
[2:15:51] » [snorts]
[2:16:00] » Hey.
[2:16:19] » [music]
[2:16:29] [music]
[2:17:57] » Heat. Heat.
[2:18:45] » [music]
[2:18:56] [music]
[2:19:35] [music]
[2:19:46] » Hello.
[2:19:48] [music]
[2:19:49] Hey. Hey.
[2:19:59] » [music]
[2:20:04] [music]
[2:20:17] [music]
[2:20:22] [music]
[2:20:37] [music]
[2:20:57] » Hey, It's 7:48. We're extending the
[2:21:00] executive session by 10 minutes. Sorry,
[2:21:02] it's 7:47. Extending by 10 minutes.
[2:21:11] [music]
[2:22:13] Hey. Hey. Hey.
[2:22:25] [music]
[2:22:31] [music]
[2:22:39] Heat.
[2:22:58] Hey, Heat.
[2:23:16] » [music]
[2:23:30] [music]
[2:23:58] [music]
[2:24:24] [music]
[2:24:38] [music]
[2:24:43] [music]
[2:25:08] » Hey,
[2:25:17] hey,
[2:25:19] hey.
[2:25:54] » [snorts]
[2:25:56] » Baby.
[2:26:13] Hey.
[2:26:25] Hey. Hey. Hey.
[2:26:59] » [music]
[2:27:09] » Hey,
[2:27:12] hey, hey.
[2:27:21] » [music]
[2:27:27] [music]
[2:27:33] [music]
[2:27:35] » Hey.
[2:28:08] » [music]
[2:28:20] [music]
[2:28:30] [music]
[2:28:37] [music]
[2:28:44] [music]
[2:28:56] [music]
[2:29:04] [music]
[2:29:29] » Hey,
[2:29:32] [music]
[2:29:38] hey, hey.
[2:30:03] Hey burn.
[2:30:58] It's 7:57. We're extending the executive
[2:31:00] session for 5 minutes.
[2:31:06] Hey. Hey. Hey.
[2:31:31] [music]
[2:31:49] » [music]
[2:32:05] [music]
[2:32:19] [music]
[2:32:30] » Hey. [music]
[2:32:38] [music]
[2:32:41] Hey.
[2:32:48] » [music]
[2:32:57] [music]
[2:33:06] [music]
[2:33:28] [music]
[2:33:29] » Hey,
[2:33:38] hey, hey.
[2:33:43] » [music]
[2:34:09] » Hey,
[2:34:26] hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,
[2:34:26] hey, hey, hey.
[2:35:20] feeling
[2:35:23] free.
[2:35:43] » [music]
[2:35:49] [music]
[2:36:00] » It it is 8:02. I'm uh calling the
[2:36:03] meeting back to order. And with that,
[2:36:04] I'd entertain a motion.
[2:36:05] » Motion to adjurnn.
[2:36:06] » Second.
[2:36:07] » All those in favor signify by saying I.
[2:36:09] » I.
[2:36:10] » Any opposed? We are adjourned. Thank
[2:36:12] you.
[2:36:13] 803. Three.