Jessica Reeves-Rush

The meeting included a work session discussing the role of a school board representative and communication between the council, superintendent, and police chief. Key discussions during the business portion covered obtaining a museum grant and resolving an issue with obtaining a state vendor number. Discussions also addressed increased county pressure regarding the homeless situation and the need for regional planning. Updates were provided on sexual harassment training and policy review processes, including involvement with the Washington Association of Chiefs of Police and Sheriff's policy committee. The Police Chief reported on planning for a reserve police officer academy to be hosted locally, aiming for minimal city cost, and updates on a serious elderly assault case involving domestic violence. The council confirmed the appointment of Rachel Davidson to fill an unexpired term on the City Council position number five. The meeting also opened a public hearing regarding Text Amendment TA 2:019.001.

The session primarily involved a presentation by the Interim Police Chief regarding the hiring process for the new Police Chief position. Discussion points included modifications to the application process to align with EEOC best practices regarding legal eligibility documentation, outreach strategies utilizing CJTC, WASHICP, and Police One magazine, and the composition of the interview panel. The Chief also presented a salary survey comparing entry-level Police Chief salaries in comparable cities, noting outliers, and proposed a 10% or 15% salary increase to attract competitive candidates. Furthermore, the Chief detailed significant impacts resulting from new 2021 state legislation, which mandates changes in police response protocols, particularly regarding community caretaking calls (noise complaints, mental health crises), requiring police staging for fire/EMS response in certain non-criminal incidents, and altering how use of force and pursuits are handled. The council briefly discussed the positive impact of new businesses and revenue growth on the city's budget outlook regarding the proposed salary adjustment.

The work session included a presentation by Mark Daley, Executive Director of the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC), who provided an update on regional transportation priorities. Key topics included federal infrastructure funding opportunities, the upcoming call for projects, and specific planning efforts such as the Rural Mobility Strategy Study focused on key north-south routes like Old Highway 99 and 510. Further discussion covered the management and updates to the rural transit service, including translation of the writer guide and signage improvements. The update also highlighted the regional trails plan update, which will incorporate feasibility studies for extending trails to West Tenino and south to Bucoda. A major focus was the I-5 corridor, addressing both the risk of channel erosion at the Nisqually River delta—which requires elevating I-5 on pillars to protect salmon habitat—and projected future congestion issues, including bottlenecks at Mounts Road. Discussions also touched upon optimizing State Route 507 traffic flow with potential roundabouts or signalization near Yelm, and encouraging the compilation of previously developed but unfunded projects, such as the Sussex improvement plan, for submission under new federal funding streams.

The meeting included a discussion regarding proposed changes to fireworks regulations, referencing state laws and specific dates/times for sales and discharge, including debates on potentially restricting these dates. Other topics included a review of the status of library repairs and maintenance, a detailed presentation on the budget development process focusing on capital expenditures and revenue trends, noting a 23 percent increase in property taxes over the last five years. There was also a discussion about a company potentially moving into a property not zoned for industrial use and an update on the ECI project, noting a recent change in their board and executive director, leading to a shift in focus from technical assistance to policy work, which will result in backing out of a current agreement.

The meeting addressed the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the March 11, 2020 meeting. Key discussion points included updates on the AG park infrastructure extension, noting rapid progress by the contractor and challenges in completing site plans. The Quarry House renovation scope of work amendment was discussed, where the engineer is managing the contract. Updates were provided regarding grant funding for museum improvements and the process for applying these funds to new interpretive signs. Due to COVID-19 impacts, the second March meeting was canceled, but progress on the caboose project continued, including the purchase of a stove and paint reimbursement authorized in April. An electronic signature policy was adopted in response to COVID-19. Updates on COVID-19 recovery grant applications and processing were provided, noting that recipients utilized funds for utility bills and script. The commission received notification that the area is now a certified creative district, which includes an associated grant. The final plat approval for the Hidden Meadow development was discussed, as recording was pending to secure further bank funding. A presentation was given by a Thurston County hydrogeologist on local geology and hydrology, focusing on groundwater resources, recharge sources like septic systems, and water quality concerns south and west of the area. Discussion of opening a comprehensive plan change window was deferred to the next meeting when the planner could attend.