Chris Farnsworth

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, followed by agenda modifications and approval. Key discussion points included the recommendation for reappointment of three members to the Planning Commission for new four-year terms. Public comment featured presentations from members of the Idomarge Guild of Buckley concerning their fundraising efforts for Mary Bridge Children's Hospital and requests for consideration regarding elevated Buckley Hall rental costs. Committee reports covered the Mayor's discussion with IAFF leadership regarding firefighter hiring and scheduling labor management meetings. The Admin Finance Public Safety report detailed updates on police Mobile Data Terminals, the Municipal Court transition to a new Judge, and statistics on cases filed. The council also addressed fee adjustments in the revised tax rates and fee schedule, specifically regarding permit fees influenced by external consultant costs and tree removal regulations. An emergency resolution was passed to waive competitive bidding for water transmission main emergency repairs.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda, following a brief delay to confirm the official start time. A major focus of the session was the announcement and confirmation of council committee appointments and liaison positions for the year 2026 across various functional areas, including Administration, Finance, Public Safety, Development Services, Parks, and Community Services. Subsequently, the public comment period involved several residents and representatives addressing critical issues concerning the Fire Department's staffing, volunteer utilization, mutual aid agreements, and budget allocation. Specific concerns raised included the current operational capacity of the volunteer force, the nature of mutual aid responses versus overtime expenditures, and perceived shortcomings in leadership support for fire safety personnel. Attendees also discussed the misleading nature of public incident tracking apps like Pulse Point and the historical context of required staffing levels as identified in past comprehensive plans.

The primary focus of this session was the public swearing-in ceremony for the new mayor, Carolyn Robertson Harding, administered by the outgoing mayor. The newly elected mayor expressed gratitude for the support received during the campaign, acknowledged the accessibility and leadership of the previous mayor, and emphasized her commitment to serving the community as a public servant rather than a politician. She affirmed her dedication to working collaboratively with the administration team. Additionally, a procedural suggestion was made for city staff to email council members regarding potential future agenda items for review. The session concluded with brief council member comments and an acknowledgement that there were no formal items for discussion.

The primary discussion topic centered on the emerging issue of ebikes and e-motorcycles, focusing heavily on vehicle identification, licensing requirements, and enforcement challenges. Key concerns involved the safety risks posed by these vehicles, particularly by younger riders operating e-motorcycles on roads and trails, and instances of them being ridden on sidewalks. Proposed options referenced regulations adopted by Mercer Island, which classifies these electric motorcycles as motorcycles, mandating licensing for both the vehicle and the rider, and prohibiting them on sidewalks in specific congested pedestrian areas. The necessity of creating clear local ordinances, even while awaiting potential state legislation, was emphasized to provide law enforcement with clear enforcement action, alongside plans for an educational campaign directed at parents regarding the responsibilities associated with purchasing these devices for minors.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, including the excusal of Council Member Bender. Agenda modifications were approved. Key discussions involved the Mayor's report, which addressed a January birthday celebration at the senior center, provided information on a newly elected officials workshop, and detailed issues with incorrect White River School District and Tacoma School District election information sheets being mailed to voters. The council approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from multiple City Council study sessions in November 2025 and the approval of claims and payroll. On the regular agenda, Ordinance 01-26, amending the development and zoning code updates, was approved after brief discussion regarding minor changes and confirmation of zoning code descriptions. The council then approved the RCO grant agreement for funding the Miller Community Park project, confirming that funding sources include park impact fees and Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) dollars, not firefighter funds. Finally, staff reports were presented. The Fire Department reported a 5% decrease in calls for service for Q4 2025 compared to the prior year and celebrated maintaining a Protection Class rating of 3 through 2030, which benefits property insurance rates. The Police Chief detailed significant increases in traffic stops (exceeding 2400) and DUI arrests (rising from 23 in 2024 to 66 in 2025), attributing the proactive enforcement to department staffing levels. The Chief also noted a high rate of automatic/mutual aid calls being cancelled en route.