City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you for coming out tonight. My name is the mayor. That is my like to call this meeting to order. Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 at 6:30. Director Ryan here.

Hi, I'm

everyone. I like it. Um, hey, I'm Ralph from Workfor. Uh, I came here about a couple weeks ago to talk about a cleanup that we did last, uh, last month on the 25th. We had 11 people show up. Uh, we pulled a bunch of tires out. And I guess I've got two kudos from that. Um, aside from just seeing citizens come together, including a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old who asked their mom if they could come out there without a Super Bowl. This is up by 9th Avenue. Uh, number one, the cooperation from Rick and the public works. He said, uh, actually his his group provided the garbage bags. Those are the garbage bags we used. And he said, "Just leave the stuff. Let us know when when it's there. We'll pick it up." And on Monday morning, it was gone. Uh, everything was picked up like clockwork. Really, really good partnership. And then number two, once again, Council Member Francancy came and joined us on the cleanup. Um, having done three of these now over the last year, I know how much work goes into putting it together and in doing the work. And I can't think of the tens or or how many cleanups council member Francancy has done in our community sometimes alone in the rain. And when I think like uh like a word, I think like local hero. I don't know. I just want to say like council member Francancy is really really order. We're doing another one on July 5th, day after 4th of July on south side of the bridge. We'll put some stuff out on Facebook to try to get folks. Um, the other thing I wanted to talk about tonight is I saw that the Broadway project was on the agenda. I don't know if this is what I think it is. I've been hearing rumors about like hopefully closing some areas to car traffic. Um, I did a little bit of research. I saw that the city of Loi, California, uh, 70,000 people had had published in 2022 the findings of pedestrianization, right? closing your downtown area, some of your parts of downtown to car traffic in favor of foot traffic. And they found uh 60 new businesses opened up after that. This is like during COVID, right? So

like a two or three year period. Uh they had vacancies reduced from 18% down to 6%. Uh and they saw retail tax value over that time period increase 30%. Uh due to this pedestrianization combined with economic incentives. So, as a resident here who's responding to what I assume is rumor mongering around uh the Broadway project, I hope it is what I think it is because that sounds super super cool for area. Thank you. And thank you Thomas Ward.

Okay. on the um you're asking for 150,000 expenditure for for public outreach and the preliminary design for the Broadway project. So you're like piggybacking those together. That's the one topic I wanted an answer for. And the other one was um the traffic study that you said you were given a grant in the money for I know how much the grant was and is the traffic study done and is it going to be published for the public to see it before we start out trying to get 150,000 to do more. And I understand you said that some company is supplying all the lumber and stuff for this, but can there be more put output to the public so we know what's going on? Hello, Casey Morrison word one. I recently attended the town hall at Robert Gray and I want to commend the council and staff for continuing this vital community outreach. It's evident from the discussions that this council cared a great deal about revitalizing downtown. However, I was disappointed by a comment from council president in regard to public safety complaints in the downtown core. She noted that she works in downtown has never had an issue at night going from her business to her car. There's great. She stated that she believes the real problem is a narrative issue and one she wants to work to address. So in that spirit, I surveyed folks and solicited their narrative and their experiences with downtown. Here's a brief smattering of those responses from Donald E. He had a business downtown East Bush Street for about 15

years. It progressively got so bad that nobody wanted to visit downtown because violence. I witnessed firsthand vandalism, destruction of property, harassment, assaults, drug use, and sales, screaming, yelling, obscenities, on and on. We finally moved two years ago to West Wishkawa, and it's getting bad there. Also, from WestJ, I've called law numerous times in the past month now because of people smoking dope off of foil at Safeway. One was jumping out in traffic with a tire iron, swinging at people and cars, and another had a bat going after random people. From Gail A. I have called the police many times begging for help. People ramming shopping carts into glass windows, filling cans with paper and lighter fluids. Plane kick the can. Animals yelling at me, calling me names, hitting me when they dropped stuff they were hiding under their clothes. If you count the mall, she used to have a shop at the mall, dragging me across the counter, knocking my teeth out. I could go on. I wish I would have never come to Aberine. Before I came here, I sold at Pike Place Market and Pioner Square. All over the state. Yes, it's dangerous all over. Maybe it's my age, but now I'm afraid to step out the door. Free people overdosed at the doors of my store. She sent a picture. Um, she said that she assumed that person, one of them didn't make it. I see this in my mind every day when I come to open. Thank you to the city worker boys who came with bleach to clean the body fluids after the guy was hauled way in front of my door. From Sharon S. We had gone to a memorial performance at Nessie Jesse's after the show. When we were walking towards our car, a tweaker who had earlier relieved himself in the alley began screaming and beating the windows across the street. He realized I was with two bigger guys. We were watching them, so he started

screaming again. This is the same man that the cops deal with during the daytime. He's violent, unpredictable, and he's a menace to downtown. From Rebecca T. Oh, by Morrison Ward one. I'll also be talking about the narratives from Katie. A I often see guys kissing in store front doorways from Jen L. I've I have seen people taking a crap on the sidewalk in broad daylight. I've seen people so completely out of it I could I couldn't tell the difference between them and a zombie. I've seen people who were clearly on something but also very aggressive and angry. On a recent Sunday, my grandbaby had her first baby had her first birthday, sorry, at Sunburn Park. A man wearing a blanket in 85 degree heat approached the food table aggressively. He had his umbrella got his umbrella to hit balloons but never spoke. He began approaching guests aggressively without speaking at all but I was able to redirect him and run him off. Um from Jimmy L. I have my eyes open every day when I leave work. Downtown is not safe. Do people not see what's what goes on in the alleys? I'm moving as soon as I can. Sad. I've lived here my entire life, but this city and state is a complete mess. Thank you for your time.

Thank you. Any other comments? Seeing none, we'll move on to council president agenda which includes minutes for April 2019 and payable and

second council person. Any discussion? All in favor? I mayor's report tonight, but I um am going to note that we have an opening right now on our economic development advisory committee and we also have an opening on our parts commission. So we if you are interested or you know anybody who might be a good fit, please have them send me an email. Thank you very much. We'll go on to um council reports with our student.

Perfect. Thank you. Um this month we officially send our students to the Skills USA um and the FFA Nationals. We also are sending the Irving High School band to Idaho Saturday to perform at the Silverwood Spring Fair. Also, May 31st from 12 to 4:30 p.m. the cheer team at the high school is doing a car wash across from A&M. And just donate whatever to get your car washed. On Wednesday the 20th, I will receive a silver and gold award presented to only 10 seniors from Oakland each year. And additionally, on the 28th, students in the CNA program at the high school will participate in their pinning ceremony um recognizing the completion of their course. During that ceremony, I will receive an additional three pens allowing me to graduate high school with four different medical certifications, which has not been done yet. I also sent a letter to the governor, Bob Bergerson, and plan to send a follow one up soon, meet with him or members of his cabinet to discuss the importance of youth involvement around the state and government. This is something that will take time and I plan to continue working on it even when my term is over as student representative. Thank you. other reports. I took part in the parks board. There was the forums to talk about and there was um discussion of the priorities of the parks department. Um also took part in a southwest regional primary organization meeting today. That's a person. Uh yeah, I attended the uh federally sponsored pathways to safer

rail crossings uh webinar and educational uh meeting this last week on the 6th and report that there is another $2.23 billion available for that issue available federally. Uh the city was awarded a grant for uh related work on quiet zone establishment last year and I've been asked a number of times including at the recent town hall. Um that project my understanding of the deliverable starts with us hosting public engagement. So I'd like to get an updates if we could at the next meeting on where we are in that process so that we can answer people on where we are in that very exciting Thank you. Shall I give get give the little record? Okay. Can you hear me now? Am I on the Okay, good. So, I went to the meeting that Ruth put together with the service organizations and I've been asking for that for years and that was an excellent meeting. I thought Ruth did an wonderful job with it and um we made some headway I feel like and I we've got a lot more to do. Um, I'm looking forward to working with them and seeing how they can help Aberdine meet the issues and problems that we have. And, um, so I just wanted to give kudos to Ruth for that and I look forward to accomplishing more.

Thank you. Oh, yeah. On May 4th, I attended the economic development and committee meeting. I will be stepping on to that committee. And just a slight correction for you, Mr. Mayor, we actually have two open seats on that committee for anyone that's interested in serving on it. Uh, and that same week, we hosted the first town hall forwards four, five, and six at Robert Gray. Uh, despite some issues with sound, I thought many good conversations were had and lots of information was exchanged.

Anyone else? Okay, we move on to staff reports with administrators.

Thank you, mayor. Um, last week we met uh with Portland Lou, council member Deb Wilson attended that to discuss um the cost of any just any kind of information that we might have gained from the learning more about the Portland blue and if it's good if it's a right fit for our city. So, as you can see here, I have a 3D print out that they they mailed us and it so that if you want to look at this later, you can check this out and what it looks like on the inside. Um, so, and then uh also when the mayor and I went to Port Angeles to meet with their city manager and their mayor, um, we did get to see their Portland L and their setup. And then council member Ellis and I also lived in Olympia at their Portland L. So, we have some perspective on the impacts of having a Portland L in their downtown. Um, so happy to discuss that further, but um that might be something for since I've heard from the council. Um, maybe I can get an official motion so I can move forward and bring I'll bring a quote to you. Basically, I received a quote. It is a lot lower than it was I believe when we had spoken to them um initially or maybe a couple years ago. So, um, hopefully that might be something that the council may want to invest in. And met with also with Big Belly trash receptacles. We have eight garbage cans that we installed downtown. And so, we've put in the budget this year to purchase eight more. Um, I'm looking at three of them being installed at Morrison Park. That seems to be kind of a problematic area for garbage. So, pretty quickly. And we also have people that rumage. working with the downtown cleanup crew for them to provide me information on which garbage cans are giving them the um are the hardest areas to clean because people are rifling through it or animals are getting into them so I can

place these strategically and move the other garbages around to other parks that maybe aren't as problematic. Uh but more to come on that. Um, as council member Hodkin stated, we did have a community resource organization forum, which I felt was a very good um, start. I've also already met with um, our managers and teams to kind of coordinate and figure out a process that we can implement to provide some response. Today, uh, council member, uh, council members Wilson and Moahan attended and I didn't see anyone else on, but, um, attended AWC has a grant. They have about $1.2 million available to cities that want to implement a co-response um, program. City of Shelton stated that they received about $180,000. So, this could be a good way for us to get a program off the ground. We already have a commitment from CAP from DHR to be co-responders for us and so we're getting um letters of uh support from them and right now we're also kind of putting together a program um CAP was available CAP was present DHR DSHS County Public Health um family promise there were a lot of groups there and again we we engaged in a really really great conversation around the idea of coordination um town hall was successful as well. Thank you to all of those who attended. The next one will be at um Miller Junior High. Um again at 5:30. Um it's for WS one, two, and three, but if certainly anyone from the public can attend that. Um I did speak with uh the principal, John Mir, and he's stated again they're they're a one mic kind of a school, too. So I will work with him and see what we can do if we could hardwire in or something. So apologies in advance. So um

and um I think that's all I I will be giving a report on the first quarter uh metrics as well. So are there any questions? I guess right. All right. Thank you. And are there any director reports?

We'll move on to presentation. Do we have first quarter performance metrics again? All right, thank you. Um, first quarters are typically slow, um, especially in the realm of public work. So, we'll we'll see more activity once the weather gets better. Um, so there this this report is pretty minimal because of that. So um but I wanted to report out on them and what we're comparing um I'm taking the first quarter from last year and comparing it to this year so we can see the growth or the areas where we didn't experience growth. Again, the mission statement that all of you created is the mission of the city of Aberdine is to serve with transparency and integrity, provide dependable services and public safety to honor our history and be stewards of our natural, cultural, and economic resources. The vision for the city is as the metropolitan hub for the coastal region. Aberine is a happy, safe, healthy, thriving community with clean air and beautiful spaces where people want people want to live, work, play, and visit. So, our council priorities that were identified in our strategic planning sessions were workforce engagement and development, vibrant, safe and healthy community, fiscal responsibility, economic development, infrastructure investment, and communication and outreach. And again, um this is going to be a very slim. We'll have a more robust report out in the second quarter once things start um we start being able to gather more information for workforce engagement and outreach. collaboration and professional development. Um we are meeting our goal

of our our um monthly and quarterly scheduled safety meetings and trainings and we wanted to incur increase compliance for necessary trainings. Um we are meeting that goal as well for vibrant safe and healthy community. We focus on economic development, neighborhood connections, public safety and revitalization. Um for this particular quarter, we focused on um our business business inspection just from a fire perspective from from the fire marshal. So we are already up three. Um he averaged about 10 per quarter and so but for this quarter he was able to complete 13 inspections. So we're that's good. Great. fiscal responsibility. We will be able to report that out on the second quarter. Um we have employee accountability, employee health and wellness. Um strengthening our finances and strengthening our policies. We typically focus on our business um licensing activities and our accounts payable activities. when it comes to fiscal responsibilities. So um first quarter I was not able to gather information but I will be able to report out um on this at the second quarter for economic development. We asked the question how well do we support our businesses and development and the way that the city supports that is through our permitting process through um and our building inspections that we provide. Um and that's all through community development. Um last year we issued in the first quarter we issued 374. This year we issued 248 completed permits under 30 days. Um and we have 18 ready for payment. Um we issued uh 10 uh completed permits in 30 to 90 days. Uh six of those were applica applicant delayed sub permits. We issued only one

which is just one more than we did last year around this time. And then project delayed with review two which is that's good. that's um that that any kind of delays that way. Um we we try to point that out because that those are delays that are not um caused by the city. And then those that are ready for payment are one. Um so those are those are permits that have been reviewed and they're just waiting for the uh permit to uh pay. We conducted 462, a number that's down for building inspections. Um again I would like to reiterate that we have one building official and two and one person uh specialist that assist them. So those are really high numbers for only two people getting that work done especially in one quarter. Uh we last year we conducted uh 40 rental inspections and this year she was able to and again this is just one person doing this. She was able to get a 71 done um in this quarter. Our property maintenance inspections came in at 45. And electrical inspections came in at 323. And for our electrical inspections, we only have two people doing that job. So for them to get that many done in a quarter is very good as well. Um, and so for communications and outreach, we focus on communications, employee accountability, neighborhood connections, partnerships, public safety, and revitalization. This is typically where we would get park information. We don't have many sports over the winter season. So I will be able to bring more once the weather is better. I'll be be able to bring more information from parks. Um and so another thing we wanted to measure was we wanted to increase the number of festivals and events held in Aberdeen. Um from it's winter so it's a little bit slower around. Um I looked I looked with Downtown Aberine Association multiple

groups that host events uh for the months of January, February and March. There weren't as many um events. But one of the events I I think we talked about it at the last workshop was um a golf pub crawl event again which brought about 60 teams of four people. Um so that was good. And then um the mayor and I have also attended new business ribbon cutting events, multiple um new business um ribbon cutting events through Greater Grace Harbor just in Aberdeen alone. And um as you heard from uh Ralph earlier today during public comment, we've seen an increase in community cleanup events. Um especially from one group called the Shahalis uh steward stewardship project. um they have organized at least three or four in the last two months that I know of um cleanups uh one as recent as this weekend um where they clean up different parts and different um waterways around the city. So um we're starting to see a lot of um grassroots volunteer groups start to pop up in the air in the city and that's good. Um we see more more civic involvement as well. So, um, are there any questions about my report?

Thank you. Thank you. And now we'll go on to a request for council actions with Chair Traum. Nothing to ask for and nothing to report. Sir, next public works with chairperson privacy.

Skip one but we had our usual committee meeting here um earlier today. We had a good library discussion. We have five items to make. First one is a report requesting authorization for the mayor to execute task number seven the sage geotechnical for design plans for the fair reservoir number one source stability program we accept this

seconded by person is there any discussion asking There's a request for authorization for the mayor to execute task order number 07 with stage chief geotechnical for design plans for the pair view reservoir number one slope stability project. All in favor? I I

second item is requesting authorization for the mayor to submit a request letter to the GHC foundation for one for 4.1 million for the capital improvements for library through the amended contract with MS accept this report second by council person. Yeah. Is there any discussion? Yes.

So, um thank you for hearing this tonight. We do have a couple people who would really like to get up and before you guys take a vote and talk a little bit. First, I have Joel Frank Amaresco who is overseeing this project as well as the library board because part of this process is the library library board has to give their approval to city council and then city council sends it off to the foundation. So, we have some people here tonight that would really like to talk about this process and the excitement of moving forward. So, first I'll start with Joel and then we'll go to the library board and then Eie from TRL also will say something. Thank you. Uh, thank you, mayor and council members. I'm Joel Hansen from Amaresco. Um, excited to be at this point. We've been working with city staff um and the library staff for quite a while now. Gez, how long's it been, Ruth? But, uh, to try and get this project off the ground. And I know that it's it's a project that, um, the city has attempted a couple of times before. Um, and we think that um we think that it's it's really um a a good investment in downtown Aberdine. Um it'll create some some activity, some buzz, some excitement, and our goal as as developers of the project is to um get the library building in tip-top shape so it doesn't need anything more for decades. Um the the scope of the project as as you know or is in your packet is um HVAC, lighting, elevator reconditioning, um plumbing, and then some some uh tenant improvement stuff to create some safe um some some better safe spaces for the children and for the um for the uh uh employees of the of the library. Um right now it's really an open floor plan and um one of the changes that that we've

worked so hard to get into the project came from requests from the library staff is that the the children's area be able to be behind a door that that locks in case of an emergency and the same with some staffing areas that that are that way. So, we're excited about the project. I will say when we started down this road, our initial estimates were around 6 million. We've worked really hard to bring that number down and get bids from subcontractors and vendors. And now we're at the point that um with your approval tonight, we can start ordering some of the equipment, the HVAC equipment, the elevator equipment, which has lead times of about 6 months, which puts us at a construction window, right where we want it to be at the um in the middle of winter when the library is kind of has its least amount of use. There will be disruption um and the building will be closed for a period of time during construction um if you approve the contract. Um, but we think that that's the least disruption to the community to have it right there in middle. So, I'm happy to take questions, but I'll step aside um for the library board folks to say what they want to say as well. So, happy to answer questions after they speak as well.

Thank you. Thanks. Good evening. Good evening. Um, I'm Thursday. I'm here on behalf of the Dave Aberdine Library Advisory Board and I have members Granty Dur and Linda Orville are here too and some of the friends of the library also here. I'm also a librarian, retired librarian. I worked 31 years in several different branches of the temporary regional library system. During my 21 years at the Aberdine Library, I participated in a remodel in 1999 to 2000. Maybe some of you remember that that remodel. Now, the city of Aberdine um who owns the Aberdine Library building and owns the materials and pays the staff are planning another as directed by the city of Aberine Municipal Code or the library advisory board. The city and members of the library advisory board have reviewed the proposal from MRS code to update energy efficiency measures to the Aberine library. and the library advisory board is recommending that this project uh is an appropriate use of money in the Catherine insure fund held from the Grace Harbor Community Foundation. Following the donor's wishes, we would like to recommend the city council that we use money from that fund which was given to the Aberdine Library in 1999 specifically for use on the facility.

You've already heard from Mr. Hansen that the energy efficiency measures they plan to put in place. So I won't go over those. And the library advisory board members have determined to the best of our ability that the amores proposal is consistent with the goals and activities of the Aberine library. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Good evening. Abby Peele, regional manager for West Grace Harbor Chamberlain Regional Library. I'll keep my comments brief. Um, in the break room at the Aberdine Library, there is a newspaper clipping that's up on the bulletin board and it says library remodel back on track uh from 2018. Uh, this has been a really long project in the making. Um, I'm just so appreciative to to the city. I wanted to say thank you to the city for uh for considering this project and and for putting so much work into it. Thanks to Amoresco uh for what they're contributing to this project um and and what the building's going to be as a result. Uh thanks to the library advisory board for for their input and their support all the way along. And same for the friends of the Aberdine Library uh who provide so much support and input and guidance when we need it. So, um, just really thank you. Uh, and if there's, uh, you know, on behalf of, uh, all the staff who works at the Everine Library, and if there's anything we can ever do for you, please just say the word. Thank you.

Thank you.

Um, I would like to also point out that the things that we're doing to the library, like I don't know exactly how much of it is aesthetic. A lot of it is just much needed maintenance. There were several days, not only last year, but like since I've been here, that um the libraries had to close because the heat didn't work. And they have a rule that if the heat drops below a certain level, um it doesn't work. That also the software that runs the HVAC system is so outdated that we can't find anybody to work on it. So, they haven't been able to control the heat or the or the air in so long. They've also had um several issues as as many unhoused individuals try to escape the heat and go into the library where I believe they've had to shut down because it was too hot in the library. The elevator is out of date and it was similar to our elevator. So all of you are very familiar of having to climb stairs or be without be in the building with an outdated elevator that possibly couldn't pass L and I or they run out of parks for. So, I I just want to reiterate that like a lot of the things that we're having to do are because of the lack of maintenance that haven't been taken attended to for decades. So, um if you're expecting this big grand, you know, remodel with marble floors, I I don't know what you're expecting. It's not going to be that. It's it's going to be like very, you know, we're going to just take care of the really big things that need to be taken care of. So, thank you to the library board for your review and your participation in the project. We really appreciate it and TRL as well for the partnership and Amaresco and a special thanks to Lisa Scott for her hard work in um managing the project on behalf of the city.

I am on the library board and they are delightful group of women. We welcome you tonight to city council. They're wonderful. They devote their time and uh they make our community a much nicer place. So welcome tonight. Thank you. Any more discussion on this? I have a

uh I just needed to uh recuse myself from the vote as my firm is a sub amoresco. Excuse me. All right. So, there's been a request to authorize the mayor to submit a request letter to the Grace Harbor Community Foundation for $4.1 million for the capital improvement of the library building and to approve the amended contract with MRS. All in favor? I passes. Thank you.

Thank you. Our third report is requesting the city council authorized 150,000 expenditure through public outreach and preliminary signs.

Second by counc is there any discussion on this? Yes. Um I know this is the mayor's the UN pet project. He's really looking forward to it and um I am familiar with Li California. It's an agricultural community, a wonderful community, but very different from Grace Harbor. Um, and if I'm, you know, I would love nothing more than to see Aberdine improved with this project on Broadway, but I can't vote for it because I feel like we have other issues that we need to deal with first and we definitely need a bathroom downtown. And so, but those of you who want to vote for it and if it's successful, um, I will buy the mayor a state dinner. So, um, yes. So, that don't hate me for my vote. I'm sorry, director's graphic. Do you want me to add a front?

Yeah, I just so um this report is for from before you tonight. Um part is uh the economic development uh workshops that you've had in the past. This came out as one of the one of your number one projects as council. And then the our economic development advisory committee um has also recommended this project. They came to you at that workshop. This is the next phase. Um public works have had the uh transportation analysis done looking at Broadway that is complete. Um the next phase is taking that information holding public workshops to engage the public get input from the businesses as well as the impacted residents and then also have a preliminary design. That is the next phase. So, one of your tasks that you tasked the economic development advisory committee with was coming back with projects that will increase economic development. And Mr. Hog is right. This this type of project creating a center square in town um will devel you know will provide a place for people to gather. It does encourage economic growth and development in the buildings that are empty around that area. It uh encourages outdoor activity and again just places to gather. Our city was one of those that was designed and developed without a center square. We're not like New York or any of the other big cities even central that has a center square. We were developed around transportation. So this is our t take of the next step on going forward with developing a phased approach on what it would look like to make Broadway a pedestrian plaza. But just for the record to answer a question from earlier, how much was the the grant for the study transportation study?

I will work. Thank you.

Okay. We uh we got $150,000 from COG for a planning grant. Uh we moved that ahead at direction from from uh council and and the mayor to use TVD money to do our preliminary traffic study. That was about $50,000. Uh we got our tech memo on Monday and we're reviewing that now. It looks like the traffic uh the study is is penciling out like we thought it would and that's why we're moving forward with the idea of moving into some kind of a more thorough design analysis and outreach because it will be controversial to some people. Uh it's the stupidest project on the books next to the roundabout. So at least that's what social media says.

Anything else? Okay. One thing also is that the 150,000 that we did get in the grant, that was a planning grant, we didn't use that $150,000 because it wasn't going to be implemented until 28. So now when we move forward in 28, we have $150,000 sitting in a nest egg that should be able to be moved directly into construction or or whatever else needs to be done. So uh we contacted the geek buildings at at cog and she said that that is a a possibility and most likely scenario. So okay if we don't

one thing the rest the restroom is going to be a part of this. So for us it may be multiple restrooms but when we look at it holistically we want to look at where the best spot is to gather. We've talked about potentially even covering a portion of Broadway. what makes sense for the restroom to locate, what makes sense to pick up additional parking that we may be closing off. So, there's so many moving parts and this will be a phased project, but definitely restrooms are a part of that. Thank you. Council member Hubard would like to council to stay online. Yes.

Well, Lisa just hopped in and said exactly what I was going to say. Um, I just wanted to remind council that when we the when the EDAC presented our projects, we also then pulled council to see what the top projects were for them. And of course, restrooms were up there, youth activities were up there, but also one of the the most popular ones was this Broadway Plaza concept. And um, we have as a priority for EDAC including restrooms in that. So, um, voting for this to move forward is not voting against the restrooms. In fact, it will support.

Thank you. Any other council? Not sure. Okay. Franty. Yes. Aken.

Yes. Unfortunately, no. Hbert, yes. Yes. Nipper. No. Fredo. Yes. Rick. Yes. Shaw. Yes. Swore. Yes. Taylor. Wilson. Yeah, did you did you comment? He did. He did. Okay. Thanks. Okay. We have 9 to three. Uh so just motion passes. Thank you.

All right. Now, we're going to go back to public safety, which I still have two more. Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. Oh, two more. Yeah, you're right. Uh we've got a a resolution. It's requesting city council adopt the resolution set with public hearing to receive comments on the proposed 2027 to 2032 transportation transportation improvement plan request. Seconded by council person member. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I'm sorry. Go ahead.

Yeah. I just wanted to point out that this resolution is setting the public hearing for the next meeting in May. So, it's May 27th. Um, and I have requested that public works post the transcribation improvements plan on our website separately from the agenda packet so that people have the opportunity to review it and share their feedback during that public hearing. Thank you. Any other discussion? All right. There's been a request by uh for the city council to adopt a resolution setting a public hearing to receive comments from the proposed 207 to 2032 transportation improvement plan. All in favor?

I post. It's adopted. Thank you. All right. And our last item is a proclamation recognizing and celebrating the week of May 17th to 23rd, 20126 as National Public Works.

Do you need a second on that? Yeah. Okay. You got my second. Okay. It's been seconded by Council Christian Hoskins. all in favor of having discussion. I've been on the public works board for years and I just welcome them. Yeah. Thank them for their work and they do a good job. It's easy our city. Thank you.

Um yeah, I I agree. I echo those sentiments. Um, pipes are buried and so we really take for granted our public works workers. Um, we don't recognize that the streets that we drive down, um, that our school buses take, um, the sidewalks that our children walk along or the the bike lanes that our bicyclists ride along. and um the water that you turn on or even the ability to flush your toilet. That's all thanks to a public works worker. So um I really appreciate I think that they are unsung heroes of our cities. They are also considered first responders. They're also very important. Can live without electricity. We cannot live without water. Water is the most important thing that a city can provide its community. And so um I really thank Rick Sanger. He's worked tremendously hard and he's made bold sweeping changes to the culture of our public works department and it's it's really nice to see he's got a great team and there's a lot of people working for the community of Aberdine um all hours of the night. So like to really thank them.

Thank you. Any other comments? All right. Um, we're asking for a proclamation recognizing and celebrating the week of May 17th to 23rd, 2026 is National Week. All in favor? I I say thank you all. Okay, that's all the public works. Okay, thank you. public safety by chairperson hover. We do not have any items for council or report to give tonight.

Right. Now move on to a special committee items. Council president. First, we have a motion requesting the city council pass a resolution appointing voting appointing voting delegates to participate in the association of Washington city's annual meeting. Second. Oh, I'm sorry. Second by Kelsey Pipper. Is there any discussion on this council president? I have something question. Yeah, I defer. Oh, okay. Uh, go ahead, council repres.

Um, I was just wondering, we are sending two delegates to this conference and so my question was why can't we just require them to do the voting since we're sending to the to it anyway?

Um, a AWC has requested that we have an official council action that identifies the representatives The comment I was going to add is that we we do indeed have have two people attending this conference. Council members and council members and will be attending. Um and council member Wilson has volunteered to be our third delegates attending virtually for this this meeting specifically.

I'll be all right. So uh any more discussion all in favor of their department there was a request that city council pass a resolution appointing voting delegates to participate in the association of Washington city's annual meeting. All in favor? I I that will be council person before you uh before we go. It's council person is it hub? Hubbert. Wilson.

Thank you. Uh, next we have a motion requesting the city council pass a resolution implementing a legislative break for the city council from July 27th, 2026 to August 21st, 2026. And we accept the resolution. second. Is there any discussion on this? Can I say something? Yes.

Um, so I may be wrong, but if I remember right, during December we cancel pretty much the last two meetings because of holidays. Um, and so I would encourage you guys all to vote no to take a break during this period and maybe look at taking December off. Um, since those meetings, if I remember right, were cancelled last year. So, thank you. Thank you. Any discussion?

I would chime in and just say that um this legislative break is a little different than last year. Uh the timing of last year had us taking both meetings in August off. U this this specific break the way it's slated now, we would be taking the third meeting in July and the first meeting in August. We do typically cancel those third meetings unless there are agenda items to have. Uh and specifically to your comment about the meetings that were cancelled last year, uh we try not to cancel anything in November and December in advance because if the budget isn't passing and we need to have those meetings sign the budget pass.

Thank you. Any other discussion? We've been request council pass resolution to implement legislative break for the city council from July 27th, 2026 to August 21st, 2026. All in favor?

All right. So, uh now we'll move on to public comments. Again, if there are anybody that would like to public comment, uh please get your comment through start off with your name or have our city roll third and I'm kind of glad I'm here tonight because if I would have been here a couple weeks ago, there probably would have been some choice words and name calling because a couple weeks ago I had a man walk by my yard and his dog attacked my dogs in my yard. He attacked the fence line. Now mind you, we are in our own yard minding our own business and this gentleman had his dog off the leash. Is that right? No, it's not. I shouldn't have to worry about what my dogs do in my yard. So, officers were called. Officers got there. I had to have one officer man explain me stuff. Wasn't appreciated with that. And I also showed the video because I have surveillance in front of my house and in the back of my house. Not only did this man think it was funny that his dog was attacking my dogs, he continued to walk that way going towards Essex without his dog on a leash. My gate was opened. I didn't want my dogs attacking his dog, so I confronted him in my driveway.

This gentleman turns around and starts chest bumping me. 62 years old and I held my ground. I shouldn't have to hold my ground against a man chest bumping a woman because my dogs were in their own yard. I sent three emails. Two of them were satisfactory. One of them was not. One of them blamed me. Blamed me that I did not train my dogs well. blamed me that my dogs don't know how to behave in their own yard. Didn't mention that this man chest bumped me all the way across the street, a 62year-old woman. So, the officer also told me that Chris doesn't have time to babysit Sam Van Park. I didn't ask him to babysit Samban Park. I remember when I moved in here in in 1990, I was a volunteer at the animal control when Chris and Jackie were here. Why cannot Chris now or yeah, Chris now get some volunteers, get some help where she can have boots on the ground where she can patrol not only San Ban Park but other parks. You remember, right? This happened last year when a dog at the Frisbee Park attacked a lady walking in front of my house and she had to get her taser out because this dog was not on a leash. And I hope that that person that blamed me in my dogs doesn't blame that lady.

And if you get an email, council members, and you don't know what to say, maybe I suggest you talk to the city administrator or the attorney and be a little more polite on your replies and quit blaming the victim. Thank you. Any other public comments?

I won't keep doing just a couple more things. I didn't get to finish my years. So, this is from Rebecca T. We've lived in a walkable neighborhood and walked to the bank, post office, library, etc. for many years, but that all stopped when our city became overrun with addicts who are 100% unpredictable as many are not only high and out of control at times, but also have mental health issues. We ended up getting training and concealed carry permits because we felt someone safe. And then the last one was from James A. He says, "The entire downtown smells like urine and there's feces on the sidewalks. The junkies are doing drugs out in the open. I keep my head on a swivel. Well, it's far from safe when my house burned down. I spent the first night in the woods with the coyotes because it felt safer than being on the streets." And then the second thing that I wanted to talk about was I appreciate the reminder that um there was openings on the different floor economic development advisory committee. Um, I know three people, myself included, that applied for the utility rate advisory committee. I might close at the end of March and we still haven't heard anything about it. So, if we can get some answers for that, that'd be great. Thank you.

Thank you. Any other public comments? Okay. Um, with those public comments, is there anything from the council for the good of the president? Yes. like to make a motion that council pursues or council allows stock, excuse me, to pursue a quote from Portland.

Second is any discussion. There's a motion to allow staff to pursue a quote from Portland. All in favor? I I think you passes. For the good of the order, um I would just be interested, April, and knowing if there's any ordinances that we have about um dogs being on a leash, if there's any fine, and definitely for anybody physically touching you. So, um we'll look into that.

Okay. Well, can change that though. Okay. We'll look into that. I have one more thing I want.

Yes. Um in the beginning of the year when we were all redistributed or were added to a new committee. So the council turnover um I put together a packet distributed to each of you stress the importance of reporting out on these committees and the other meetings that you attend. And here we are almost five full months into this new year and the same people are reporting every council meeting and there are many committees that we do not hear from. So I again urge you to please use the council report time to talk about the meetings that we go to. Even if it's just as simple as I attended these three meetings since our last council meeting that would be great and do a lot for public engagement. to demonstrate that we are doing something other than meeting on the second and fourth Wednesday if you want. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for the reminder. Um I wanted to just check in with all of you. All of you have received you received them a couple weeks ago um or far longer ago. Um the people that are interested and so um can I bring that back if you can let me know if your boards have talked and if you have made a decision about who will be representing your um boards. So on the the utility rate advisory committee. Okay. Um I I supplied all of those letters to the affected wards. All righty. Okay. And then so that I can come back and we can make it official at the next meeting. related to that. Um I don't know if the because the way it works is that the two council members were supposed to talk and then let me know if they have decided if they want the people that have applied. So and then um because otherwise it defaults to the mayor to make a selection. So I just need I just need the two council members from each war to let me know if it's a thumbs up. Okay. Thank you. Anything else?

I I had something to say. Okay, let's go with council person first.

Uh I was trying to make this comment during the voting for the Broadway project, but I was then I got c I got caught up trying to navigate the app to raise my hand and then the vote was cast. But I just wanted to say that it's been a long time since our city has done something positive for the whole community. And with this being finally done, it it feels like there's finally some closure. So, like I've been wanting a bathroom downtown since day one of being on council and just I'm really happy that we finally got this in motion and that we'll have something that we can leave what we can it's like a legacy like we really haven't done much as a council even before us that it's just like we we tried with the the gateway center and that was just too much I think and it wasn't it wasn't what we needed. and I think this is a good compromise for it and I'm just really glad that it's finally all happening.

Thank you, Council. So, next Thursday, the Harbor Learning Center, you're going to see students out there kind of helping with community service. Just kind of keep an eye out for students walking around. We're going to have a whole group out picking up garbage, um people painting different places. So, just kind of wanted to give a little fair warning. You're going to have see about 125 students out and about. Thanks for sending me.

Um, all right. So, I would like to maybe make the first two weeks of June student or youth recognition like weeks to recognize the students who are like graduating or students who are moving up to the high school level or even graduating or college. That usually takes place in like early June. So I would maybe like to see us make those two weeks dedicated to the students who did lots of work resolution. See we can put together a resolution and I would take it up a notch and I would say let's do the whole month of June because you have students that graduate from the beginning of the month all the way through to the end.

Thank you. Um, yes, sorry. Um, if you need help with collecting garbage, uh, just reach out to us and I'll let the teacher who's in charge of that now.

All right. So, um, now we'll go into So, I need a a motion. I would like to make a motion that we go into a close session for no more than 15 minutes to review negotiations on the performance of publicly bids contracts and public knowledge regarding such consideration would cause the likelihood of an increased cost. Is there any discussion? I'm calling in favor of going into a close session for 15 minutes. Okay.

Well, I didn't ask Sam. motion. Second. I move to favor. I thank you everybody for coming. Okay. Oxygen run