Steve McKasson

The 2026 Comprehensive Safety Action Plan for the Town of Eatonville provides a roadmap to create a transportation system prioritizing safety for all users, aiming to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. It focuses on a data-driven, community-informed framework encompassing Safer People, Safer Roads, Safer Vehicles, Safer Speeds, Post-Crash Care, and Safer Land Use. The plan identifies specific locations of concern based on crash data and community feedback, proposing strategic projects and policies to enhance safety, accessibility, and convenience for all road users.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda, with an additional item added concerning the Planning Commission. The Consent Agenda items approved included the minutes from the previous meeting, payroll, and claims. Department head reports covered updates from the Police Chief regarding ballistic helmets and Halloween, the Fire Chief on volunteer recruitment and COVID testing, a Public Safety Committee update on golf cart usage, a Public Works report on grant applications and water treatment plant improvements, and the Mayor's report on county meetings concerning COVID updates and election drop boxes. Ordinance 2020-2 received its second reading and approval. Public hearings were held for Ordinance 2020-3 (2021 Regular Tax Levy) and Ordinance 2020-4 (2021 EMS Levy), both receiving first readings. Ordinance 2020-5, adopting the 2021 budget, received its first reading. Discussions included the allocation of remaining CARES Act funds to small businesses, the location of the Food Bank, and tasking the Finance Committee with recommending a policy for the Planning Commission's operation.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda, which included tabling discussion of Ordinance 2021-6 until a subsequent study session. The consent agenda items, including payroll and claims, were approved. Department head reports covered ongoing landfill cleanup efforts, potential road improvements for Carter Street, discussions by the Finance Committee regarding a public records policy and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, a Public Safety Committee meeting addressing new laws affecting the Police Department, and updates from the Planning Commission on District Regulations and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The Mayor reported on the projected property tax increase and received authorization to accept ARPA funds. The Council also approved an employee appreciation policy (Resolution 2021-T) and held a discussion regarding updates to Chapter 19 of the EMC, which resulted in amending the subsequent Planning Commission agenda to include a review of Chapter 19.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda with time restrictions. Citizen comments addressed the funding of the Fire Department and concerns regarding the Mayor's alleged involvement with a property buyer concerning a potential Dollar General location. The consent agenda, including prior minutes and financial items, was approved. Committee reports covered the Finance Committee discussing the budget process and the need to upgrade operating software to the cloud; the Parks & Recreation Committee planning expenditures for funds received from Amy Cruver, focusing on holiday lights; and the Public Utilities Committee reviewing project fee communication policies. Ordinance 2023-4, amending the 2023 budget, received its second reading and approval. A donation from the Rod Knockers Car Club to the Eatonville Family Agency was presented. Following discussion on South Pierce Fire and Rescue negotiations, the Council recommended reviewing the contract at the next meeting. Resolution 2023-MM, authorizing a professional services agreement with KPG, Psomas Inc for surveying services, was approved. Public hearings were held and closed for the Regular Property Tax Levy and the EMS Levy for 2024, leading to the first readings of Ordinance 2023-5 and Ordinance 2023-6, respectively. Council members provided concluding remarks emphasizing community involvement during the budget process.

The agenda for the meeting included a review and approval process, followed by public comments. The consent agenda covered the approval of previous minutes, payroll warrants, and claims. Department and committee reports were scheduled from Police, Fire, Public Works, and other staff and boards. New business items focused on a presentation regarding the Vision Team Survey, discussion concerning a train sculpture purchase, and the consideration of two resolutions: one authorizing the Town Administrator to settle disputed review and engineering fees (Resolution 2023-II), and another authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (Resolution 2023-JJ).