Van Donley

The 2026 preliminary budget addresses the City's financial struggles, focusing on reducing the General Operating Deficit. Key discussion points include policy issues, such as efforts to mitigate the deficit through cost-saving measures and potential voter consideration of a levy lid lift for Fire Department services. The budget also covers economic factors like inflation and sales tax trends, as well as regulatory and legislative changes affecting the city's financial capabilities. Additionally, the budget outlines the financial status and planned expenditures for various funds, including the General Fund, Utility Funds, and Street Fund.

The agenda includes items such as the swearing in of a new police officer, discussion and possible action on ordinances related to sitting and lying on sidewalks in designated zones, and updates to the city's criminal code. Additionally, the council will discuss setting a date for a public hearing regarding a right of way vacation and will receive a report from the City Manager.

The meeting includes a proclamation for National Night Out, and discussion and potential action on several agenda items. These include authorizing the City Manager to execute a funding agreement for the West 1st Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Project, approving a Local Agency Agreement with WSDOT for a grant to purchase a street sweeper, approving the Jackson Street and Juniper Street Water System Improvements Project as complete, and discussing a Metropolitan Park District ballot initiative.

The agenda includes items such as a land capacity analysis and population and housing allocations presentation. Also on the agenda is discussion of downtown nonconforming and unpermitted signage in right of ways, and an amendment to TMC 17.56 Special Property Uses and Creation of TMC 17.54 Home Occupancies.

The special meeting was called to conduct an Executive Session to review the performance of the City Manager. Due to technical difficulties, the meeting was postponed to August 30, 2021.