City Council - Regular Meeting

Council members Brian Mson and Shane Bowman, can we test your mics, please? Can you please unmute so we can Yeah, you got Brian Mson here. Okay, got Brian, Shane. Yes. Okay, thank you very much.

Oh, probably on the phone. like there's my name tag.

You're right next to you. There is no name tag. It's on the outside, but you can say too, but that Brian's leave. Thank you. All right. You ready?

Listen. [clears throat] Seems like the longest minute ever.

Fast.

All right. Well, it is uh 7 pm. I call this meeting of the battle battleground city council to order. Please stand if you can to join us in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Uh, Liz, could you uh do the role, please? Mayor Overhozer, present. Deputy Mayor Vale,

present. Council member McCoy, Council Member Ferrer, present. Council member Mson, present. Council member Kypers, present. Council member Bowman, here. and the clerk is present. That concludes the role. Thank you. Um, next up is the agenda. I uh want to ask if any council member wishes to amend the agenda this evening.

Mr. Mayor, I move to amend the agenda to remove um the appointments for the ELTAC committee as listed under the mayor report. Okay. Um, we have a motion. I'll second it. Second. Yes. All right. Um, so we have a motion uh to remove the Eltac committee appointments from the agenda. We have a second. Um, I call for discussion on this matter. Love to hear

thoughts on that. as the motion maker. So, um, in reviewing this committee as a new council member, I took my role extremely seriously, ensuring that I understood the RCWs that backed each committee. Um, and while reviewing the law, I found that uh, Battleground may have been misinterpreting the RCW um, as it was uh, stated and as the committee um, was actually appointed. So what I found was in the RCW it lists uh the representatives and authorities that can be um can be uh members of this committee. So it reads at least two members who are representatives of businesses required to collect tax under this chapter. And it says and at least two members who are persons involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received under this chapter. To my knowledge, we have been misinterpreting this section to be uh businesses that have been funded by this revenue. And that is actually not the correct interpretation of this law. It is to be uh persons or with activities that are authorized to be funded. They do not have to have had funding through this committee. They simply need to be authorized to have funding if they so wish. I also contacted MRSC today and was able to speak with a legal representative who uh did approve that my understanding of this RCW is correct and Battleground has been likely um accidentally limiting and narrowing the scope of this committee. So, I would like to see that this is postponed till at least the first meeting in March to allow uh notice to go out to our community um and request all community members, businesses that um are

authorized to apply um and that uh that do meet um uh what needs to happen here that they are given a moment or given a chance to be able to um seek uh an appointment to this committee. Um, if I [clears throat] just if I could take a second just to get clarification, what RCW is that sighting?

Yes, it's RCW67.28.1817. And the specific section I'm referring to is section 1. And I read section 1B. Thank you, Deputy Mayor. Uh, do we have any other uh discussion? I see uh seat one. Troy,

thank you. Um, I think this is a technicality that's a distinction without a difference. Uh, almost everybody who's applied for funding has got it under ELTAC. That's why we've always appointed people who get funding. Um, it's open for applications. It has been for years. to delay this for that I think is silly. Thank you, Council Member McCoy. Uh, anybody online? Uh, Shane, I see your hand raised. If you want to go ahead.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I would echo what Mr. McCoy said. I I I'm not quite sure where this is going and and why uh why it's brought up now. Uh, I do appreciate that you reached out to MRSC. The question I would ask is did you reach out to our own legal counsel because almost always MRSC will say refer to your legal counsel. So, um I'm [clears throat] I'm not sure if there's, you know, agencies that didn't get funding what the question is. Um because most of the time it's hard to get people to serve on this. It's hard to get number one two people to serve that collect the tax. Um, that's pretty much two out of the I think three three or four in the city that actually collect the tax and then the organizations that are receiving funding have had people sitting on there as well. Um, and it's always been appointed by the mayor. So, I I don't understand why uh why at this time it's become an issue. Um, and I would suggest hopefully that you reached out to our own legal counsel and our city manager before just bringing this up at a meeting and stating what was uh talked to with MRSC because I know MRSC will give you opinion based upon what information you give them and it may not be the entire information or the entire picture. So I suggest I would suggest we continue to move forward with this because these are all things that are already happening and going to happen this next year and um uh funding will not be open again until the end of the year September for the following year. So it would not change what funding is already out there for this year. Thank you.

Thank you Council Member Bowman. Uh, Councilwoman Kypers.

Thank you. Um, thank you C um, Deputy Mayor for the background on this and the research. I think sometimes we want to be sure that we're not just falling on what we always have thought we knew or what it was. Make sure we're doing what we're supposed to be doing. So, I appreciate the extra attention that you give that. Um, I do question if you've um already reached out to legal and I agree with um council member Bowman that we should probably check with that with legal counsel on this. Um, but as council member Bowman stated, um, the funds for this year have been allocated. We won't be having another meeting for quite some time. So, we do have time to make sure we're doing the right thing. we do have time to um give it, you know, a month or so of making sure we're um staffing it the way it should be. And if you have some ideas on how to generate some membership that as uh Mayor Bowman said, we've had trouble with that in the past. Maybe you have some new ideas. So, I support waiting and giving it some more attention, but let's not drag it out. Thank you, council member. Um, mayor,

sorry. Yes, ma'am. We do have legal counsel online at all of our meetings. I don't know. I don't put her on the spot, but uh Z is here. Z, would you uh have an opinion or would you like to weigh in on this uh topic now? Uh yeah. Uh thank you, Mayor Overhols. I can just say at least for myself, this is the the first time that this issue has been brought to my attention. So, I'm not necessarily in the position to opine on it. However, if it is something that council member Vale would like um us to look into, that's certainly something that she can coordinate uh through the city manager and we'd be happy to look into this um if that is something that council.

Thank you, Z. Appreciate that. Uh, anyone else have any point of discussion? Any of uh, Miss No, you got it. Go ahead. Floor is yours.

Here we go. Thank you, mayor. Uh, yeah, I'll support it because I I love the idea of giving everybody an opportunity in our city to um I know there's a lot of new members here on our board. Um, and so I think it would, um, I think it's in the best interest to allow for there to be an open process for all of our other citizens to have equal opportunity to come and put their name in the hat. Um, I do know it for me it was weird because I have looked onto our city website and I have noticed like pace board and those places that there's always an open opportunity to put your name in the hat, but I don't I never saw that for there was two boards. I think it was civil, which makes sense, and then the elac, which that one was didn't make sense uh to me. So yeah, I I would support waiting and opening up the the process and seeing, you know, if there's other people who would like I think like all of our boards, we all go up for elections, so why wouldn't the boards, you know, refresh them out and give other people an opportunity to speak?

Oh,

thank you for that. Yeah, from my understanding, um, and Megan, please correct me if I'm wrong, um, applications did go out to the people that qualified for the funding, uh, or at least have received or, um, or in other ways contributed to ELTAC funding. So, they collected ELAC funding or they received ELTAC funding for their event and that's what qualified them to have the application sent out by you. Is that correct? As far as applications goes, this committee is not like our other committees in that there's very specific requirements. The general person of the public cannot be a part of this committee. They have to be eligible for funding. Miss Bale was correct in what she said. We have not said necessarily funded organization in the past. That's kind of a new terminology this year. We actually had two members, Wayne Rivers and LBendsler, who were on the committee for a number of years that did not receive funding. So, we absolutely open it up to anybody who's in the tourist industry that's part of a nonprofit. Usually, those are the folks who are funded through that process because it does go out every August for funding for applications that submit. And so, those are the folks who have been interested in the committee who have submitted to the committee. And then we usually have conversations with the mayor at the time of whoever's the mayor of if they know of anybody in the industry that is that meets those requirements. So we're happy to go out for applications and do the process as stated, but again it's going to be a very narrow. It's not open to just anybody. It's very very specific.

Thank you, Megan. Mhm.

Um I be honest with you, um my gut reaction is we've uh asked people to show up here to accept appointments and uh they made their way out here, took the time out of their day to be here. That part I don't uh like the idea of kind of dropping the ball on them. But I do understand if we have some inconsistencies with the RCW uh and the fact that the funding is already in place for the this coming year. Um we do have a little bit of time to uh maybe seek further legal counsel from Z and um and the firm there and move it on. So um we do have a motion on the floor. It has been seconded. Uh just to summarize the motion, it is to remove the four appointments. Let me double check. One, two, three, three appointments. Is that three? Correct. Three appointments to the uh Eltech uh committee or lodging tax advisory committee. um and uh to table that and and bring that back up in the uh first meeting of March. Is that summarized? Correct.

That's correct. All right. So, we're going to bring this to a vote. Mayor, I'm so sorry. Uh Mayor Overhoser, you do have uh one more council member with some comments.

Oh, my apologies. Uh I apologize. Uh council member Bowman. Um do you have any further discussion you'd like to have on this? Um yeah to your what what you were just saying that we have people that are there. I would suggest in the future if we have things that need to be removed from the agenda that this should probably be discussed with the city manager and be um put out to all councils so that uh in the in the past we've said there should be no surprises from the dis and apparently I'm not sitting in that room today but uh there's people there that were planning on being appointed and just got surprised from the dis as well did other council members. So in the future, I would hope that this is uh handled um through the proper channels and put out to all council before we get to a meeting and pulled from an agenda um because of an opinion from MRSW. So I would hope we can um [clears throat] do that in the future and and not surprise staff uh our attorneys and council and the people that showed up. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Bowman. Um, any further discussion from anyone? All right, hearing none, we're going to go to a vote on this. Um, again, we've clarified the motion. So, all those in favor,

I I I I Any opposed? Hey. No,

it looks like uh we have a 5 to two. The motion passes and uh again, my apologies for the people that time to show up here. Hopefully, we can revisit this application process and uh get you guys back on the roll. All right. Any other um amendments to the agenda this evening? Um, mayor, I'd like to amend the uh the committee appointments. Um, I only I didn't see all of them there. So, um, just asking to just open them all up. So, the motion is to open up all committee appointments for discussion this evening.

Second.

All right. All right, we have a motion. We have a second uh to open up the agenda tonight to all board and committee positions. Is that accurate? That's fair. Um uh call for discussion on this topic. Open to firewood. Uh Council Member Bowman, do you like to start us off? Yeah, this is a great start to the new year. Um, surprise number two, uh, from the dis. Um, little disappointed that we're not communicating this stuff out to all of council. Um, and, um, some of those committee appointments are not open or up for um, appointment. Uh, the ones that are were the ones that were put out. So, um, some of those have term limits and things like that. So, I don't know why we're once again doing this and why it was surprised from apparently not only the mayor but the rest of us. And um uh I would suggest that council start communicating a little bit or at least answering their phones when they get calls. So, um not really happy with uh starting off two for two with surprises from the dis. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Bowman. Um, Council Member Kypers, you

Sorry. Thank you, Mayor. Um, yeah, and just in response to um, Council Member Bowman's comments, uh, I respect what you're saying in terms of surprises. This is a first council meeting with new council members, and I would ask for a little grace. I recall, and I'm not one who usually likes to go back and reflect on things of the past. But I remember less than a year ago when I asked for time to have further discussion and further education on a topic and your thought was at that time or your council to me was to be sure that as a council member you are ready even on short notice to make decisions. So, I hear what you're saying and I respect that opinion, but I also think that we may have new information that comes last minute and there are times when we do the best we can.

Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Kypers. I would remind council to direct their comments to the mayor. Um, thank you. My apologies.

You're good. Um, Miss Fer, the floor is yours. Well, and I'll just speak. Usually, somebody who makes a motion gets to be the first one to speak on it. So, that might have opened up um or given me the opportunity to share why I put this motion forward. And I'm I'm not opening all of them to um answer uh or to reply to Council Member Bowman, just the ones that were appointed prior to this new mayor. So, that would mean for those that we just appointed at our last meeting, those would be open. And um I'm looking back at I I don't think we've been following our own guidelines to be honest. I think that you know when a new mayor comes in what I've seen is we just we open it up for discussion who wants to be on what and then that mayor appoints it. Um I mean we've been doing that ever since Philip Johnson was even on here. U so that's why I was like I I didn't understand why they weren't all open um when I open up my packet for review. Thank you, Council Member Ferrer. Any additional discussion on this? This adds a lot of fun because now I get to go through and try to figure out what um all right, hearing no further discussion on the topic. Um we have a motion. And we do have a second uh to add to the agenda all board and committee appointments that have not already been set in the calendar year of 26. Is that accurate?

No. Yeah. Any board or committee positions that have not been set in 26 already. Okay. Um All right. Let's bring that to a vote. All those in favor? I I. All right. All those opposed? Nay. Nay. Nay. Four to three. The motion passes. Going to have some fun tonight, folks.

What's that mean? just because it's it's Yeah, he doesn't want to do all that. Yeah, it adds a little bit, but that's okay. Um [clears throat] um any other amendments to the agenda this evening? going once. I I don't have my glasses this evening. Mayor, I call the question to approve the agenda. For what? He called the question.

So, we have a motion to approve the agenda. Can I get a second? Second. Have a motion. We have a second. All those in favor of approving the agenda as rewritten for tonight. I pass it. I figured it out. Yeah, I'll pass it. I I Yeah. I I. Any opposed?

All right. Hearing none. We have officially approved the agenda. This is exciting stuff, folks. All right, we're moving on to summary reports and presentations. Uh, council member reports, do we have anybody that has any reports to bring back?

I do. Uh, Mayor um, Overhoser and Council. Uh, on Thursday last week, the, uh, recreation facilities manager, Joanna Martin, and I attended the online meeting of the regional parks task force for Clark County. Um, in this meeting we reviewed the studies of various regions that in other areas that have uh implemented a variety of different funding approaches in an effort to make the long-term viability of their parks and trails more sustainable. Um, in the upcoming meetings, there will be more information and discussion around options that could be considered for Clark County. Uh, and I'm anticipating that there will be opportunities to dig further on how any potential options could impact us either directly or indirectly, what costs might be involved, any potential unintended consequences. Um, again, this is a factf finding information gathering task force. No decisions or actions will be taken, but I just wanted to keep you up to date. Thank you, Council Member Kypers. Any additional uh council member reports tonight? Oh, my bad. I'm looking at my board. Uh Council Member McCoy, you are recognized.

Uh thank you, Mayor. We had a RTC meeting. Uh went over uh a couple of the awards. Um RTC uh most recently in 2021 started it was the first time they helped small cities get help with road safety improvements. What that looks like in Battleground was the signal realignment and also the northwest 20th and avenue and northwest 29th Street improvement that's on the way. Uh our safe streets for all grant failed with the federal government which for battleground means eaten. uh RTC is hoping to apply for that later in the year to get that on the next round. Additionally, the uh council got an update on the I-5 Northeast 179th interchange. Uh right now, that's slated to begin in 2029 with completion in 2031 during construction. It sounds like there still will be three through lanes on I5, but uh without injecting too much opinion, I would probably avoid it for 2 years. It's a big project. Um there will be some work in 28, but for the most part it begins in 29. Uh that will go all the way up 179th, not just that interchange. But it's it's a big project. There's quite the presentation if anybody's interested. Happy to forward it along. Um but it just kind of gives you a slice of what if the bridge were ever to be replaced. If this is that complex, I can't can't even imagine what the rest of it's going to look like. But um that's my RTC report.

Uh Council Member McCrory, just for clarification, 179th I5 exit. Correct. Correct. I'm sorry. Oh, that will make concerts a blast to get to. They I did ask that question that if they were uh going to put maybe some sort of ride share collector down there because right now that Chevron serves as the ride share collector. Um and so they may take that under adisement. But yeah, concerts um county fair are going to be a mess. Yeah. Excellent. All right. Thanks for the great news, Councilman McCoy. Uh Council Member Ferrer, you have the floor.

I am giving in an announcement for my echo board, which is ending comm community homeless. I would just ask council, did uh first staff, did you receive my email on January 16th? What was it about? It was about an echo board. So, I just wanted to put that out there. So, keep if we could get that to send out I that's why I'm only bringing that up because we need that sent out to the board member before our first echo meeting in March um February. I'm skipping a whole month. Wow. Sorry. Uh what's that? Which board member?

You said you wanted that email sent out to a board member. For all the board members for members. Yes. Yes. Sorry. For the whole board. Yes. I don't find one.

Okay. Okay. I'll resend it. It's okay. Um I tried CCing you and the mayor. So you guys both get So um but yeah, I would just let staff know to or that needs to go out and to let the board know that there is a plan um an RFP that's going to be sent out by Echo that's requesting a systems analysis throughout the the Clark County area. And um there's yeah, I need to know which direction you guys would like me to vote on that. But before I can do that, I need you to read the plan and the letter which states the importance of it. And then we can So I'm hoping to get that by our next city council meeting so we can have that discussion and you guys can give me direction. Mayor, I I have an email from you on the 13th that is regarding Echo. Perhaps it's just to me. Maybe that's the one that you um January 6th Echo projects update letter request reminder plus proposed RFP draft systems analysis and draft communications. Um, yeah. And I forwarded it. Maybe there was a problem cuz I forwarded it from the one that I got from Echko. Um, yeah, I have you and um, Mayor Overholster, but that's fine. We still have time. We still have fun. So, that's okay. And I'm hoping to actually get a hold of them to give us a better because I don't like the draft as it is. I just wanted to get something out there because we have such a short period of time. But I'm gonna I'm going to talk to them when I get back and ask for them to um fix the document, get rid of all the

red line language, and so it'll be more direct and easier for them to read. [clears throat] Chris, if you could out to us, please. Uh, go ahead, council member Fer. How are they proposing to pay for the system analysis?

Great question, Council Member McCoy. They are about a h 100,000 is coming from well Vanessa from the uh Clark County Community Service said that they would be able she has enough to cover a h 100,000 in their funds. They she is assuming that this systems gaps analysis would be about 200,000. They can cover the cost of 100,000 and then the rest of the cities it would be broken down per population size. And so city of battleground that would be 4%. So that's like 4,000. Oh, 8,000. Okay. Okay. Um, but again, I still I have some more questions on that one. Yeah.

I'd be very curious to see I believe having a short discussion about this prior. Um, I believe it was Chris and I were having the conversation, but um, be curious to see why we're not utilizing Council for the Homeless's already, uh, established gap analysis for that versus paying 200 fees. I agree. And I did bring that up.

Why we're not using document reporting fees. I did bring that up and I think you were you saw that that I'd mentioned why aren't we using document recording fees and they said well that's already being provided for other services so if we take that away then we'll be losing services but I also I do have the same concerns why aren't we utilizing the council for the homeless especially since they just finished their homeless action plan which is go supposed to be from what 2026 to to 30 so I'm going to be looking for more of those answers that hopefully I can have addressed for this board um by our next meeting along with that draft.

Thank you, Council Member Ferrer. Uh do we have any other council member reports this evening? All right, seeing none online, nobody in the queue. Thank you everyone for your thorough evaluation and attending these meetings and bringing back the reports to council. Um, now we're on to the mayor's report. Look at us go. I have a couple that I want to cover before I get into the appointments. Um, EMS2 uh board. Uh, I attended that January 12th. Uh, we did elect, uh, chairperson Sue Marshall back to the chair of EMS2. Um, and a unanimous vote on that. Uh the ambulance service contract with American Medical Response was approved and this will cover us up till January 2029 for ambulance services. So it's a short contract should allow us to um you know buy us some time for the citizens but also gives us some leeway um to look forward to the future. Um we did amend and approve the bylaws to add a total of five member uh composition to that board. So adding two additional members uh one from another one of the small cities which would be lent in this case because it'll go alphabetical. Battleground will retain its position and then one of the uh commissioners or representatives from the fire district and the first appointee would be from district three. Um and that uh we have a commissioner that's uh sounds like they're willing to take that on. So that's great. So now we have a five member board versus a three, which to me means

um more heads in the pot to make good decisions, but also the ability to have a one-on-one conversation with another board member without a quorum. So that's productive. Um yeah, so we have that and then we also have the work group that was previously um doing all the real work behind the scenes to come up with this uh AMR contract uh becoming an EMS administrative board. Um it's an advisory board to EMS2. Um and it's uh medical director uh FD3, FD6, CCFR representatives, hospital administrator, and a crescent director. Um and so it's uh the advisory board is uh comprised of those individuals. Uh we did move to add a February meeting and uh we welcomed a new fire chief to district 6. So, I'll have some more updates for you on the February meeting coming up, but that was some some good news. We actually have a contract signed. Uh, and unfortunately, ambulance rides are not free as I reported earlier, but we do have something on the books. So, that's helpful for our citizens. Um, the other thing is I had the opportunity and pleasure to uh attend my very first CRAN board of directors meeting. Uh, thanks Troy for handing that one off. I really appreciate that. Uh, we had some executive sessions. Uh, and then, uh, in the actual action items of the meeting, we approved a labor contract for, uh, clerical, supervisors, analysts, travel trainers, and IT staff. Um that is good till January 21st of 28. Uh we did review uh proposed language

from council member McCoy and um there was some clarification needing on that language. But uh just to read the proposed language uh regarding light rail operation and maintenance funding any CRAN funding that supports operation and maintenance or O andM for short uh for light rail shall not come from sales tax revenue. Um and then also should uh CRAN seek additional revenue through future sales tax for light rail transit on&m uh shall seek voter approval for the proposed tax jurisdiction for jurisdictions. And that was where there was some clarification needing uh to be had um on what a what would comprise of a jurisdiction. I think it, you know, kind of getting into the weeds a little bit, but I think it was kind of clarified as the ability to create a subdist taxing agency for the additional revenue um if they were seeking that through sales tax. And so I think that would enable us to look at a subdist for instance being the subdist leaving the small cities out of that and um the additional revenue potentially coming from the generation of uh of that sales tax. So, um some good stuff there. I'll probably be looking at revising this language to include the subd district portion and bringing that back. Um and then uh contract award for grounds equipment and maintenance gem uh services intergovernmental agreement signature authority. Um and I was interested in this one. Mark, maybe you can chime in on this, but uh are we a member of that gym or is that something that would behoove us to

um council actually approved that agreement at the last meeting? So, we are a member and have been a member pretty much since its inception.

Phenomenal because it sounded like a great thing to be a part of. So, thanks Mark. Appreciate that. We we approved it last meeting. Go figure. My brain was spinning a little bit that last meeting. Um yeah, and then so there was just discuss discussion of the Highway 99 bus rapid transit design services uh phase three and uh them coming back asking for an additional $500,000 for uh permits which apparently building in the county I don't know if anybody owns a home in the county but it can be a little uh bothersome with the sheer amount of permitting that is needed where in the city of Vancouver River when they did this, they had a permit for the right of way for an entire length of road where in the county apparently you need a permit per station. Um, and so it's caused a whole lot of headache for for them as far as getting those permits and and the funding behind that. So that's what I have from CRAN.

Absolutely. So, if they're not going to be seeking revenue, sorry, I should have done the thing. Um, she chimed in. We see it up here. That's why. Um, so if they're not seeking revenue from sales tax at this time, is are we going to be looking for tolls or is that any discuss?

Uh, that wasn't brought up in the discussion. I I think they have their.7 um that they can pull from. They can pull another 2 from there. But the question is if they went for another additional 0.9 that they could ask for, we would uh we would potentially be on the hook for that if we didn't get some kind of language 2%. That m council member McCoy, do you have anything to add? You are the CRAN wizard. I would love to hear this.

Catran currently collects 7% sales tax. They can go up to 0.9 per state law. They can go actually above that. They can do another 02 on top of that on a subdist. Uh the intent of the language that the mayor is speaking of um is also protection in the future. Although a voter do have to approve any new sales tax, uh there's always a chance that that could change. So, I would recommend that uh even though some of that language uh duplicates itself in RCW, um I would recommend before we give up seats off CRAND that we just make sure that's also there just to show intent.

Absolutely. Thank you, Council Member Kers. Thank you, Mayor. Um, I just wanted to take a minute and thank um, Council Member McCoy for his past work on the Catran board. It It's grueling work. I know. Um, it can be thankless, a thankless job, and as the mayor now, obviously, you have to step into that role, but I'm grateful that we have his knowledge and his um, background to continue to support what needs to happen for um, Battleground. So, thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Kypers. And I will uh ditto that. Yeah, definitely uh not for the faint of heart. All right, moving on to the mayor's report. We're going to move to I'm going to move down this list as I mark off on my other list the appointments and then uh clerk or staff if you could help me if I miss anything after we try to uh recoup all that. Okay. Um so first up we have the city council liaison board and committee appointments. uh for that would be for Eltech. Yeah, that's for uh make sure I'm reading the right one.

Yeah. City Council will uh will now consider the appointment of council liaison to vacant positions on regional ini in-house committees and boards. Council members who seek representation on any standing committee board or commission required required sorry mouthful by uh state law shall be appointed by the mayor with confirmation by the council. The purpose of these appointments is to provide the council insight into areas of interest or concern within each board. As liaison and representatives of the city, it is the duty of the council members to remember that their sole purpose in attending these meetings and participating as an appointed board or committee member is to represent the city. And as such during these meetings, council members may not act as a representative of any other business group or organization without [clears throat] the express consent of the council. All right. And so my apologies, it was not Eltech. That was the first one. Unless I'm missing it, we'll go back over it. Uh it's Clark County Mosquito Control District Board of Trustees. We're looking for one delegate. Uh the council liaison position on the clar county mosquito control board of trustees is vacant. This position was vacated by former for former council member Trisha Davis on December 31st of 25. The board of trustees oversees the work of the mosquito control district and establishes its policy. The board is comprised of one member from each city or town in Clark County and three at large members appointed by the Clark County Council. The board adopts the work plan, prepares and approves district expenditures and contracts for services. This delegate will serve a

two-year term from January 26 to December 27th. Sorry, no, please keep your communications on my council member for um members do not receive a stipen or a salary and members of this board meet six times per year beginning in February. The first meeting in 2026 will be held Tuesday, February 10th at 700 p.m. Good [clears throat] evening. Uh committee appointment. Uh so I'll ask, are there any council members interested in serving as a delegate on this board? All right. Seeing as nobody wants it, I will be willing to take it.

Well, thank you, um, Council Member Ferrer. Uh, I will, uh, be open for a motion for that. Second. We've got a second. Second. I'll move to approve.

Move to approve. Thank you. Seconded by Council Member Mson. Um, so the motion is to approve the appointment of council member Ferrer as council leaison delegate to the clar county mosquito control district board of trustees term ending December 31st, 2027. Uh, call for discussion hearing none. We'll move to a vote. All those in favor say I. I. I. I. Any opposed? Unanimous vote. Congratulations, council member Ferrer.

Sorry,

you are now the appointed for the mosquito control board. Great job. Hey, you know, you're following a phenomenal council member in Trisha Davis. So, strong individual in that position. I appreciate that. Um, all right. Now, we move on to the ethics and administration committee. We are looking for two delegates for this. Two council liaison positions on the city of battleground ethics and administration committee are vacant. These positions were previously held by council member McCoy and former council member chairs D. Roers. As mayor, I automatically serve as a liaison delegate on this committee. Yay for me. And the purpose of this committee is to ensure compliance with the policies established by the state legislature regarding codes and of ethics for state officials. The council ethics and administration committee is responsible for initially receiving and processing complaints and allegations of violations of the city of battleground code of ethics as outlined in BGMC 2.78. These two delegates will serve two-year terms from January 26 to December 27. This committee meets on an asneeded basis and members do not receive a stipen or salary. Are there any council members interested in serving as delegates on this committee? The floor is yours.

Mayor Overholeser, I am interested in serving on that committee. All right, hearing Brian Mson as an interested party. Any others? We have one more open position for this. Mayor, I would be interested in serving on the ethics committee. And we have a council member Kypers. Mr. Mayor, I would also be um willing to be considered for this position, please.

All right. Deputy Mayor Vale. Thank you. Any additional members want to throw their name in the hat for this? All right. Hearing none, we will uh open for discussion. Anybody want to question? Mayor. Yes, sir. Uh we move to approve your appointments. Who are your two appointments?

I'm open to hearing discussion before I make my appointments. All right, hearing no discussion [laughter] now, we're going to move on. Um, I would like to uh go ahead and appoint Well, the first two people that stepped up for this council member Mson and Council Member Kypers to the appointments. Do we have any further discussion on that? Move to approve. Second.

All right, we have a motion. We do have a second. Any further discussion on this. All right, hearing none. Move to a vote. All those in favor say I. I. I. All opposed? Nay. I nay. I'm sorry. Okay. Council member Mson, this is city clerk Elizabeth Haley. I Could you please clarify your vote, sir? You stated both I and nay. Yes, ma'am. I meant nay.

Thank you, sir.

All right. Well, uh 6 to one. Uh the motion passes. Um, we have council member Mson and council member Kypers as our council liaison delegates to the battleground ethics and administration committee. Moving on down the line, uh, EMS district 2 board calls for one delegate. The term for the council liaison position on the emergency medical services EMS2 district board previously held by me mayor overhaulser ended on December 31st 2025. The purpose of the EMS District 2 board is to ensure the delivery of highquality, cost-effective emergency ambulance services to Battleground Ridgefield, the center, and the surrounding and unincorporated areas by administering the ambulance service contract, overseeing the performance, managing finances, and coordinating efforts with local governments. This delegate will serve a two-year term from January 26 to December 27 um where it will then rotate away from the city as an opportunity. Um members of this board meet on an as needed basis and members do not receive a stipen or a salary. I will note that we've um settled on quarterly meetings except the meeting in February uh for the appointment of the um you know what I don't remember the appointment for I believe the medical director on the administrative advisory committee. Um are there any council members interested in serving as the Aison delegate on this board? Um, personally, I'm okay with keeping this one unless anyone has any real want to do this. Uh, I got to write out the contract uh, RFP and and all the hard work is

already done, I feel. And, um, not that it's done, but there was a lot of hard work that we put into that. Um, I would motion to, um, appoint you, Mayor Overholer, as the representative on the EMS district 2 board. Second. All right, we have a motion and a second. Call for discussion. Uh, the clerk requests clarification of who made the second. Uh, I did. Member Bale. Sorry. I'll make sure to note that for you. Um, all right. Hearing no further discussion, I will uh move to a a vote. All in favor? I

I I opposed. All right. Motion passes unanimously.

Thank you for your vote of confidence on that one. All right. Now we move to lodging tax advisory committee. uh one delegate needed and on the sheet has listed as alternate as well. So we have an alternate to that appointment. Is that correct? Uh at this time uh well actually per the um amended agenda per uh council member Vale I mean I'm sorry council member Ferrer's motion uh yes that alternate could also be chosen.

All right. Would we uh Liz, would we read those separately as the primary and the alternate or can I open it up for both? They uh the motion could be combined um to motion to approve the appointment um uh for both uh or for the delegate as council member so and so and the alternate as council member so and so or you could make two separate motions.

Thank you. Appreciate that. All right. So, the council liaison position term on the lodging tax advisory committee was vacated by prior council member cherish de Roers on December 31st, 2025 and the alternate is um as it sits currently. Council member McCoy, the purpose of the lodging tax advisory committee is to provide recommendations on the use of lodging tax revenue which must must fund tourism related activities and facilities and to advise on new lodging taxes, rate increases, exemptions or changes to how revenue is spent. This delegate and potentially alternate will serve a non-expiring term from January 26 until changed by council. Members of this committee meet annually and do not receive a stipen or a salary. Are there any council members interested in serving as liaison delegate and alternate on this board?

I would like to serve on this board, Mr. Mayor. We have any I'll take the alternate. All right. Then I'd like to call for a motion to approve the appointment of council member Vale as council liaison delegate uh to the lodging tax advisory committee and council member Ferrer as the alternate to the lodging tax advisory committee term ending December 31st, 2027 for both. So moved. Second.

Second. All right. We have a uh motion by council member Kypers. We have a second. Brian's a little delayed. We'll give it to Brian Mson. Council member Mson. Do we have any discussion on this motion? All right. Hearing none, we'll go ahead and move to vote. All those in favor? I I

Any opposed? Nay. All right, the eyes have it. Motion passes six to one. And I'm not sure I I could have missed it, but I'm not sure if uh stand on screen. Is uh is council member Bowman still with us? Yes. Uh sorry, just for clarification. Uh, Council Member Bowman, did you vote I or nay on that or did you abstain? I voted yes.

Appreciate that. Just getting all lost in the weeds here on online. [clears throat] All right. Now, we move on to the Urban County Policy Board uh alternate delegate. And I guess it well I'm the designated representative for the city. So we're looking for an alternate um the alternate council liaison position term on the urban county's policy board previously held by council member Ferrer ended on December 31st, 2025. The Urban County Policy Board selects projects to be funded by the Community Development Block Grant, CDBG, and the Home Investment Partnership Home Programs. The selected projects are recommended to the Clark County Council for final approval and submission to HUD. As mayor, I automatically serve as the delegate on this board. This alternate delegate will serve a term beginning January 26, concurrent with the tenure of the seated mayor. The board meets on the second Monday of the month from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and members do not receive a stipen or a salary. Are there any council members interested in serving as the alternate liaison delegate on this board?

Um, since I've been on the board already, I have no problem filling in as an alternate. All right, I'll call for a motion to approve the appointment of council member Ferrer as the alternate council leaison delegate to the urban county policy board term concurrent with the tenure of the seated mayor. So moved. Second Ferrer. All right. Motion by uh deputy mayor Vale, seconded by council member Ferrer. Uh call for discussion.

Just one point. I I don't think this one should be uh on the list. This I think under the urban col county policy board. This is mayor discretion completely under their bylaws. So I really don't think we need council approval, but I'll still vote yes just to keep it going. But I don't think this one should be on the list. Yeah, I don't disagree with that. Um Council Member McCoy, it actually states on my list that the alternate to attend uh should be staff. Um, and I know we already have plenty of staff that attend that. Uh, but I'm okay with continuing with the alternate um, as we [clears throat] have done in the past. And, uh, so addressing our retreat or something.

But since we've made it this far, we have a motion. We have a second. Let's go ahead and have a vote. All those in favor? I.

Any oppose? Motion passes unanimously. Congratulations, Council Member Ferrer. All right, budget advisory committee. Three delegates are needed. Uh, I will state before we get too far into this that last year we did keep our budget advisory committee, but we did have it as a presentation um from Megan just to the council over a series of different study sessions. I do however like the idea of having the budget advisory committee and I do believe that it has strong value with new council members and any long-standing council members that have a interest to go deeper into the budget. And so I want to go ahead and um keep these delegates. Uh three council appointments for the battleground budget advisory committee are vacant. Prior appointees to the committee were council member D. Rochers, Council Member Davis, and Council Member Ferrer. The purpose of the budget advisory committee is to develop a budget that ensures core services are maintained and supports the vision and initiatives of the council and the community. These three delegates will serve two-year terms ending on December 31st, 2027. This board meets as needed and members do not receive a stipen or a salary. Are there any council members interested in serving on this committee?

I'm interested. Mayor,

right? We have one. Mr. Mayor, this is Shane. Um, this is one that I think new council members should serve on. This is the most important thing we do which is budget and um it's good to get to know the budget, get to dig into the budget. This is why we originally formed this committee was to bring people up to speed of how the budget works. And um I think it's I think it's a good one for new people to sit on to learn that and then to also be able to come back to council and talk about the things um that the staff is wanting to move forward and where they're at with that. So [clears throat] that's just my opinion on it. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Bowman. I I do agree with that. Um, Council Member Fer, I would agree with that if all of the the new council um would um be okay with that. Um, I would like because I would move forward with a motion to put all the the new ones on even though Brian's been on here before um things, you know. So, I'll make a motion for C um Deputy Mayor Vale and Council Member Kypers and Council Member Mson be appointed to this budget advisory committee. Um, this is the clerk. Point of clarification. Mr. Mayor, are those your appointments, sir?

I agree with those appointments. Yes, ma'am. Thank you. So, hearing a motion. Second. We have a second. Any uh further discussion? Hearing none. Let's go ahead and move to a vote. All those in favor? I.

Any oppose? All right. Unanimous. Uh Council Member Kypers, Council Member Mson, and Deputy Mayor Bale will be appointed to that to that committee. All right. Evaluation committee. We are looking for two delegates here. Uh, two council appointments for the city manager evaluation committee are vacant. Prior appointees to this committee were council members McCoy and Bowman. As mayor, I am automatically a delegate on this committee. Per the city manager's employment contract, the purpose of the evaluation committee is to perform and evaluate or sorry to evaluate the performance of the city manager. These two delegates will serve one-year terms ending on December 31st, 2026. This committee meets annually, and it says in October, but we're not going to be doing that. we need to move that way up. Um because I believe the end of July is our deadline to have this review in. And so I'm going to scratch that and say that we will be meeting annually in May to give us some time to get that done. Maybe June. What's that? April. Megan's over there like, "No." Yep. All right.

April, annually in April to give us time um to write up that review and then get responses and then bring it to council. Um and also on an as needed basis otherwise the members do not receive a stipen or a salary. Are there any council members interested in serving on this committee? I would like overhoser. Uh, Council Member Mson, here I am interested in that position. All right. Thank you, Council Member Mson. Anybody else? I would also like to be considered, Mr. Mayor. All right. I'd like to be considered Mayor.

All right, Roy. Thank you. Or Council Member McCoy, come on. Throw your hat in the ring, Genie. Get in there. Okay.

Yeah. [laughter] I want to hear it. All right. So, I would uh love to hear some discussion before I make my appointment on this. We have four people that have showed interest in this. Mr. [clears throat] Mayor, can I comment, please? This is Shane. Um I think that these are all good good people wanting to serve on this. This is an important thing. This is our only employee. Um, I think it's good to have, um, you know, diversity on that and and having some new people to to learn. Um, having some, uh, history there potentially that have been through other contracts uh, and other um, um, other uh, reviews of the city manager is also good. so that uh getting through the process and making sure that we're done in a timely manner and those things. So, um I don't I don't care which way you go. I just that's just my two cents on it. I think I think we got some good people there that want to sit on it. It's an it's an important thing for for us as a city with our only employee to make sure we get it done done right. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Bowman. Uh I have a question for the people that threw their hat in the ring on this and I think I'm allowed to ask this, right? Yeah, I'm just going to do it. Uh, aside from the experience that I already know of, um, so this question kind of pertains to Council Member Mson, Council Member Kypers, and Deputy Mayor Bale. What experience do you guys have with um, reviews on an executive level and contract negotiations at this level?

Mayor Overzer, if you don't mind, I will go ahead and step into this first. is a a council member that has done four plus years now. I have been part of plenty of reviews and processes for previous city managers. So, I believe my tenure speaks for itself on that. Thank you, Council Member Mson.

And I'll jump in next. Uh this is um Council Member Kypers. Um my experience has been more in the corporate world. I was part of the uh evaluation committee this last year or or participated in those conversations not in the committee but in those conversations. Um so again more in the corporate world um doing 360 evaluations for executives um at all levels of the organization and um having staff um at all levels and per doing annual performance reviews building goals um and expecting KPIs to align to those goals so that there's some level of accountability that we're speaking of when we're doing evaluations. Um, it's just not nebulous. Um, uh, you know, what's the word? I'm trying to think. It's a, it's not objective. It is objective. It's not, um, subjective. Thank you. The word was gone. Um, so that's my experience.

Thank you, Council Member Kypers. And mine, um, would come through business ownership. So, um, as you are aware, so my husband and I owned, uh, a business in Battleground, and so I was responsible for all of the contracts, um, researching legal, being able to follow through with our clients, um, and follow those contracts to fruition. Um, and so I do have a vast amount of experience reviewing contracts, and I would be very comfortable in this seat. Thank you, Deputy Mayor Vale. Um, I have uh, council member Herrer. Uh, you have timed in.

I just have a question and I do apologize if you already addressed this. I'm wondering what exactly is the evaluation committee cuz I would think all of us as board members that would be our job is to be evaluating our only employee and that would probably be done during an executive session. So, I guess to my point, get that answered because I just don't see the point of even this committee unless you're specifically there to create questions for that.

Yeah, I can maybe offer some clarification and Troy feel free to add in um as needed. I did sit on this committee over the last year uh two years and uh that is exactly what we did. We we had one meeting or two. We uh drafted the review uh with the help of the city manager, I might add. Um and and matching with goals and objectives that we had uh set for her and and some that she had set for herself coming in uh as a newly appointed city manager. And then we took that criteria and our thoughts on it and we brought it to council and executive. And at that point that's when all of us were a part of that review and the scoring of that review and further discussion of what to add, what to take out. Um and so it is exactly that. Um it is more of a steering committee for the review. It's not necessarily the final say on the review, but I will say that there is some added pressure on that that you have to make sure you're meeting the deadlines of the contract that your criteria is meeting um the criteria set in the contract. And so kind of navigating all that was our purview for that. Anything you want to add to that? Go ahead, Council Member McCoy. Uh I think it'd be a great committee uh next year to put uh somebody new on. Um I don't think contract negotiations are well I mean that's the only reason I offered myself up was to give some historical knowledge on that if we get into that. But um based on what you said earlier, this committee is going to start in April. So anybody who's not had

any work with city manager is going to be working on four months of data. So I would just take that consideration and personally if I do this I I will not do it the following year.

Thank you for that input. Um, not that this is necessarily a necessary thing, but I think it is uh an added value um to have the diversity on this um of the makeup of our council and I think that is important. Um, so I'd like to uh I'd like to see like to see Council Member Kypers on here. I think that'd be very good. And uh I'm still a tossup. Um, let's go ahead and go uh with Council Member Mson on that. Um, so I call for a motion to approve the appointments of Council Member Kypers and Council Member Mson to the city manager evaluation committee terms ending December 31st, 2026. Can I get a second?

Motion to approve. All right, we have the motion. Do we have a second? I mean, I called the motion. I'll second it. All right. Motion by Council Member Mson, seconded by Council Member Ferrer. Any further discussion on this topic? All right, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor? I.

Any oppose? All right. passes unanimously. All right, here's the fun part now. So, I've gotten through the list that I had. So, we're going to move down from the top of the committee appointment sheet that I have and work through this and try to be expeditious on this. Um, top of the list, I have the bystate coordination committee. Um and the notes here per bylaws this is a non-expiring permanent position while city is a member. It would be up to council to reappoint if they say so so choose. To my recollection this committee has not met since 2007. Is that accurate? 17. since 2017.

Uh, excuse me, Mayor Overholder. I'm starting to lose service. I missed the first part of that. What committee is this for? This is the uh bystate coordination committee. And uh I would love to hear what the purpose of this committee is because he's not on my radar. By you're appointed to it. You want to Yeah, thank you, mayor. Uh originally the mayor's just appointed to this. uh it doesn't meet. It's a relic of this original CRC bridge. Um and to that point, maybe we could just move to the committees that council member Ferrer was interested in and not go through the entire vestage.

Well, I mean, we're almost there. I mean, the motion was to go through all of them that haven't been that have been appointed prior to 2026. I think we've only got a few left. Okay. So, here's what I'm going to say. As mayor, I'm automatically a delegate on this committee. Um, can I get a motion on that or anyone? You know what? That's just what we're doing. Any discussion? All right. So, go ahead and put me on that. Mhm.

Moving on. Um, let's see here. We've already appointed CRC, correct? Or are we do we need to look at that again? Yeah, that was Kyper. And do we need an alternate for that at this point then? Currently, we have an alternate of council member McCoy. That position is permanent until changed by council.

Is this something that we want to look at or can we move on? Anybody have any discussion about that? Hearing none, we'll just keep that as appointed. [cough and clears throat] All right, we're moving on to Discovery Clean Water Alliance DCWA. Um, or did we we already appoint that last? No, no, we haven't appointed it,

man. All right. Discovery Clean Water Alliance. I will say that um this is a very vital uh appointment. It's a very important appointment. Um I'd be open to stepping down as alternate to allow somebody new to learn it. Right. Uh I'm sorry, Mayor Overholder again. I'm service bad. Are you looking for an alternate for which one? Uh we're looking for an alternate for Discovery Clean Water Alliance. Mayor, I'd like to throw my name in the hat for that.

All right, we have Council Member Mson. Um, I will point out that uh this is a permanent position until change by council and it represents the city on the DC wall board. Um, council member Bowman has uh been in this position. uh date of appointment on this sheet is 125 125 2022 and my guess is probably before that based on his depth of knowledge of this. Um anybody else want to throw their name in the ring for the alternate?

I will. Okay, we have council member Ferrer. All right. Hearing no hearing no others. Um I call for a motion to approve the appointment of council member Bowman as the alternate for Discovery Clean Water Alliance. Um

point of clarification, Mr. Mayor. Um I'm hearing um that Victoria and Brian Mson both put their names in the hat. Um, not Mr. Bowman. So, are we we're receding primary and alternate to my understanding? All right. I'm willing to entertain that. Uh, [clears throat] Council Member Bowman, uh, do you have interest in maintaining the, uh, primary position on this? That's up to council. I will do it if I'm appointed. If not, that's up to you guys.

All right. Way to make it easy on me, Shane. Thanks. Uh, all right. Well, I nominate Can I do that? Yeah, you can make a motion. Yeah, I make a motion that um Council Member Bowman maintain his position on that um committee and that we open it up for um two new council members who have thrown their hat name in the hat for the alternate position. Over holes, if I may. Go ahead. Council member, I would go ahead and like to withdraw my uh interest as the alternate. I would support uh council member fair for that position.

All right. So we have a motion. Did you have an alternate listed or you said both? Ferrer and um Mson had put their names in as alternates. Now Mson has pulled out. So that leaves Ferrer. Okay. So the motion on the floor is to appoint council member Bowman to retain the primary seat and put council member Ferrer in as the alternate. Do I have a second? Second.

We have a second. Uh do we have any further discussion on that? Sorry, the second was by council member McCoy. Hearing none, we'll move to a vote. All those in favor? I I I

Any opposed? Hearing none. Council member Bowman retains his primary seat and we have an alternate of council member Ferrer for the Discovery Clean Water Alliance. All right. Now we move on to echo. Uh currently seated uh council member Ferrer is the um primary and myself [clears throat] Mayor Overhauzer is the alternate. I am more than happy to give this alternate up. Um I was initi initially the primary and uh council member Fer and I did a little swap there a while back but um the date of appointment was 9:16 2024. Um, this is permanent until change by council. You will meet monthly on the second Tuesday from 9:30 to 11. You can meet virtually uh or downtown at the county. Um,

well, you get the opportunity to speak with council for the homeless. Yes. And a lot delegates that are on there. Um, so council member Ferrer, are you okay with sitting as primary on this? Are you open to it? Yes, mayor. Okay. So, we're looking for an alternate. Is anybody interested in joining Council Member Ferrer on this echo position? I always show up. You just got to put your name on it. Mr. Mayor, I will put my name on it if Victoria always shows up. [laughter]

She does. Um, all right. So, uh, I'm open to a motion for council member Ferrer to retain that seat and alternate as deputy mayor Bale. So, moved. Second. We have a motion. Have a second by council member Kypers. All those in favor? I. All opposed? Sorry, I didn't get my eye in in time. You're good. You're good. It's a, you know, rough signal. All right. Motion passes unanimously. Um, all right. EMS 2. Did we already go over that one? We did. Yep. Sorry. You're retaining.

Uh, we have the FD3 fire station facility committee. Were we getting rid of that one?

Yeah, I think it this committee has pretty much all been relinquished as uh the the fire district is looking at other alternatives uh versus staying in the existing building, I believe. So, we'll just go ahead and move on past that one if everyone's okay with that. All right, we're moving on to layoff one board. We currently have primary as council member Kypers. We have an alternate as council member Bowman. Uh the appointment for Council Member Kypers was uh November 17, 2025 and Council Member Bowman at November 18th, 2024 with alternate terms expiring at 12:31-27 for Council Member Kypers and Bowman at uh 123126. They meet quarterly on the first Tuesday at 6 p.m. Two council members represent the city on the board for two years. All terms expire on the 31st of December of the last year for which the term is made, provided each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed or elected. Um, is there anyone that has interest in uh being on this board? that isn't already appointed to it.

I would, Mr. Mayor. Okay.

Um, I'd like to, uh, Council Member Kypers. Yes. You're newly appointed to this not too long ago. Yes. uh, Mayor, but I am willing to step down if um, Deputy Mayor Vale and Council Member Bowman are interested in staying on or being on the board. Okay. Thank you for that, Council Member Kypers. I'd like to keep Council Member Bowman on that with his experience with layoff. Uh, anybody else interested?

Mr. Mayor, I would like to step down and just have council member Kyper stay on. There's there's nothing you can do on the left one board except for vote on the things that they present to us. So, it's it's not like you can change anything. You're going to approve everything. Uh it's just overseeing that and making sure that the city's done what it what it needs to there. So, it's it's it's not like my knowledge on there is going to change anything. It's we rely upon staff quite a bit there. Our staff does a good job and I think I think uh Council Member Kypers would do a good job as well.

Okay. Thank you, Council Member Bowman. Council member Kypers, you agree with that? All right. So, uh I'm willing to entertain a motion to have Council Member Kypers and Deputy Mayor Vale appointed to those positions. I do know that is an alternating board. Um, and so we'll we'll just meet as what's that for? It meets as needed. If that's what you're looking for. Yeah. Well, I say we're good on that appointment. We'll just go ahead and roll with it. Can I get a motion? So moved.

Second. All right, we have a motion. We have a second for council member Kypers and Deputy Mayor Bale uh on the layoff one board. Uh all those in favor I I opposed hearing. None. Moving on. All right. Look at us. Uh we got Eltac already appointed. We got regional parks. Uh You know what? I'm not even going to hear regional parks. Uh Danny, I like you on that. Are you okay with that? I know it's semary. Yes, mayor. And it actually should end here. Yeah, it's very couple months. Yeah. So, let's just

I would just add that I not that it's a big deal, but going off of minutes at our at that meeting, uh it was council member at the time, D. Roers, who made a motion for Kypers and then me as the alternate. And I don't see that on there. So I would just let staff know that. Did you have an alternate to that position? Well, yeah. It was supposed to be me. That was what D. Roers, Council Member D. Roers made in that in that motion. Okay. You remember that? You were sitting right there. Yeah. That's And then I was like, I'll be the Yeah. Okay.

Which obviously you can look at the minutes on 7:21 and it will reflect that. All right, moving on. Uh, regional transportation council RTC and that usually the mayor

represents the cities of Battleground, Richfield, the center, and the town of Yakult. The mayors of each city choose who the rep and alternate are annually. I'm going to uh continue to uh leave Troy McCoy on that position because if we remove him from that position, we lose our seat and it goes to another city as a rotation. I think it'd be very uh advantageous for us to continue the representation at least until uh 123126 on that. Um, we already did urban county policy board. We did budget advisory, city manager evaluation. All right. Now, we're on to legislative committee. Uh currently seated on the ledge committee are Council Member McCoy, Council Member Bowman, and Mayor Overhozer. Um the the legislative committee was formed in July 15, 2019. Current appointments as stand as stated here are January 6, 2025, so beginning of last year. And uh the current term as it sits expires 1231 2026. This committee consists of three council members and the city manager. The council members appointed to this committee shall serve two-year terms. The purpose of this committee is to compile legislative agendas at both the state and federal level and to build relationships and strive for ongoing communication uh with our local and federal legislators.

Open this up. Mr. Mr. Mayor, I would like to be considered for this committee as well as I would. Mayor, Mr. Mayor, I think we would need to change our governance manual in order to open it up because it's states in it that they are elected to two-year that they are appointed to a two-year two-year term. And if you're changing that, then we would need to change our governance manual, which would require a whole different thing than just an appointment tonight.

Yeah, I'm not quite clear on uh the language of that as far as the appointment. Um this is an ad hoc committee, so it's an in-house. Uh it does say the committee shall serve two-year term. Does anyone have any uh discussion about the governance manual and how it pertains to this committee? I do. Um

Mr. Mayor, I I guess my question might be and I I understand we might have to look at change, but I'm wondering I'd be interested in uh Council Member McCoy Bowman and and your input having been on it. Is there value in adding a couple positions to that so it's not just three. The only thing I'm thinking is that we've got some great um knowledge and history in McCoy Bowman and Overhoser and we do need to start building that up and start building relationships um unless they plan to stay on council for the next 10 years or something. But I'm just thinking building those relationships uh with legislators uh is a big part of what they've been doing and that's I don't want to lose what we any momentum we have uh with who we have and yet I think there's value in bringing in um some new some new people to the to the team. Thank you, Council Member Kypers for that input. Um, I could just speak briefly on this, but that's one of the reasons I was brought on to the legislative committee is, um, I can't speak to Council Member McCoy or Bowman and how long they've served on that. Uh, but it is definitely crucial for us to navigate that wisely as it pertains to legislation. um at the federal level and at the state level. Uh I'm still brand new at this is how I feel even though I was appointed back in January. Uh we have a scheduled trip to DC coming up uh at the end of

February. Um and going back to meet with our delegates there and and then continued relationships with our uh local delegates as well at the Senate and the House. Um, and be honest with you, I lean heavily on uh some of the wisdom that comes from the other two gentlemen that sit on this committee and also our lobbyist um who do a phenomenal job. Um, so I would love to hear from anybody else who has any input on this. um it for I would love to hear how this pertains in the uh governance manual. So with that, let's start. Uh I have council member for rare, you're up first.

Well, I just I was looking at the governance manual and it says in-house committees, boards, and etc. which would be um this position. The legislative committee right now says standing committees or commissions required by law shall be appointed by the mayor for a time certain not to exceed the term provided by law or the term of office of the appointing mayor and confirmed by councel. So that's the only reason why I brought this up today is that language right there that um appointing mayor. So the term of office of the appointing mayor. So, since we have um our previous mayor, McCoy was no longer in that position and now you're the appointee mayor, I thought that would be a perfect opportunity to open these up. And so, yeah, that was just what I had in regards to the governance manual and how it's read.

All right. Thank you, Council Member Ferrer. Um, I swear I had Okay, we have uh council or deputy mayor fail. Go ahead. I agree.

I agree with council member Ferrar. Um I was reading here also while you were speaking and I saw um also it states under um subsection J speaking to the legislative advisory committee um it speaks to ex the council members appointed to this committee and this is line two um about shell serving two-year terms except for one member appointed the first year who shall serve only a one-year term to create staggered terms. So if we are looking at the appointments and if this information and data is correct in the charts that we were given, it suggests that each member of this committee was appointed on the same day, which would not be correct as well. So I just wanted to bring that to council's attention.

Thank you, Deputy Mayor Veil. Um, Council Member McCoy, you have the floor. I'm not going to speak to the governance manual because I mean you could the end of the day you can do what you want to do. Um I think it's it's pretty shortsighted to uh to cut these uh terms in half without very good reason. Um I believe council member Kypers your point is well made. However, you don't have to be on this committee to develop a relationship with any sitting representative or senator. I'm happy to uh go up to Olympia with you at any time. I have open doors at most of those offices. Um happy to, you know, have you meet the staff of our local representative and our local senators. Um I would council I would caution this council that you don't put somebody in an elected political position on this committee. I believe I mean uh with all due respect, Deputy Mayor Vale, uh being the vice president of the Republican party is going to close more doors than it will open for us in a blue state.

All right, moving on through discussion. Um we have council member Ferrer. Thank you, mayor. That's concerning to me when I hear that because what you're saying is because of a political party affiliation that one of our council members who's an elected official is going to cause other elected officials who are supposed to be looking out for the best interest of our community. And let's face it, we go up there just begging for grant money, you know, or money period to come back to our our cities through capital projects. So you're you're what I'm hearing you say is because she has a party affiliation that is going to prevent other people, other elected officials from working with us. I think that's a very slippery slope. That's very concerning to me because what I hear you saying is where where does that stop? For example, cuz we're in a blue state. So, if I have a Trump sticker on the back of my car, that's going to I'm going to have certain representatives up in Olympia not want to talk to me, not going to work with me, that's not going to want to help our constituents in this town. What if I want to wear my cross up into Olympia? Do I have to denounce Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior? just just saying that's that's what I hear. Take it for what it is.

Mr. Mayor, can I speak to that? Uh, go ahead, Council Member Bowman.

I don't think I I think the challenge is is this is we may not want it to be that way, but that's the reality. And it doesn't matter who you send. if um we we've had we've had people that have been on our councils that that didn't go and lobby for the city because of damage that they had done with representatives that that may or may not have been voting for stuff. And um our job is if we are going to be political in nonpartisan positions, then we can't expect the state to not be political with us in partisan positions. And so, um, I I'm going to go back to, uh, when Senator Annne Rivers got money for us for the 502503 connecting Washington, uh, vote. That was $7.5 million. That was a big thing for the city of Battleground. Um, and voting on that took major heat from her own party, her own political party. Um, her question to us was, "If I go get you this money, I'm going to take a lot of heat. Do you have my back?" So, the question I would ask for our council then is, "Would you have someone's back like that?" And and they know whether you would or not. And that's the challenge. And when you go in there, we we can we can talk all day long, you know, that that we don't want people to judge us for, you know, a political party or whatever, and they should do what's right for the constituents. We're not their constituents in Southwest Washington when the votes coming [clears throat] from people in Seattle. and being able to build those relationships. We each one of us probably has different relationships and

we should with our legislators, but our legislators alone get very little. So, when you're sitting there and you're talking to uh you know, Senator King from Yakama and you've developed those relationships because you've been in their office and it takes a long time to do that. And I mean, we can go any direction. I don't care. You know, if you guys want to go do this, go do it. But don't think that going up there and talking to the representatives from the 18th that are only from one party are going to get you any money of any substance back to the city of Battleground. You're going to have to go sit in the office of the 49th. And guess what? Every single one of them knows if we got political on our council. And it's the same thing at the national level. It's the job of their LAS and the people that work for them to know what we do and how we vote and what we are. And they'll be kind to us and they'll let us in and they'll talk to us, but they're not going to fight for us. And that's the difference. When the doors close, are they going to be there and they going to fight for us? That's the difference because it does take fighting to get money back to us down here. So, if you guys want it, I'd be happy to step down and let you have it. You can go do your thing. I will hold you accountable just like everybody else to see where's the money. And that's what everyone should do is hold you accountable to where's the money. And because our citizens do pay it, it doesn't matter what party they're from, they pay that money every single day. When they go gas up and when they when they buy things and they pay their taxes, they pay that money. It's our job to go get some of it back. And if we get political, you don't get it back. Thank you.

Thank you, Council Member Bowman. Um, Council Member Kypers.

Yeah, I'll just make it short, but I agree with the tenants of the comments from Council Member Bowman. I think that um, you know, like you, Victoria, I don't like it. I wish it wasn't that way, but it is a reality. And that's how the that's how it works. And um I think that we have to look at what is the best representation to do what the job is that we need to have done. And so I think that's what we have to kind of be able to walk away from and say, okay, do do we have the people, the right people that can get the job done for the city from this legislative committee.

Thank you, Council Member Kypers. Uh, Deputy Mayor V.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I appreciate the interest that we show our city and um, I appreciate that these uh, uh, feelings were brought to my attention at an earlier time and I took them extremely seriously. So, I have spent time um, with multiple elected officials. I have relationships with elected officials in multiple legislative districts. Um and I am somebody who works to unify behind causes that we can reach across the bridge to do. Um those do involve capital projects. Those do involve funding sources for other items. Uh funding sources and capital projects do not have Rs and D's uh behind their name. So though I am the vice chair of the Clark County Republican Party, that's not why I sit on this council today. I sit here because I have a love for battleground that has been um since 2011 since I have been here. Um I have invested a long time in many uh commit many organizations to uh the betterment of battleground and the children and community here. Um I am not here to represent the interests of the Republican party. I am here on this dis tonight represent the interests of the battleground citizens as a whole and I will fight and do that to the very very best of my ability um continuing to bridge relationships um across the pond uh in DC and also in Washington. And so this is something that I will be doing um on my own as well. This is something I did before I even came on council is trying to start relationships with um people in commerce um to help battleground as a private citizen. Um that will only be um further increased now that I am an elected official and now that my name has um that be behind

it um to show that that I am an elected official that I represent the interests of the constituents here who spoke very clearly in their election. Um, and I appreciate their trust and I absolutely plan to represent them truly, honestly, with integrity and moral character that I will not compromise. Thank you. Thank you, uh, Deputy Mayor Vale. Do we have anybody else that wants to chime in on this? All right, hearing none. I'd be open to entertaining a motion.

Seeing as [clears throat] only two people spoke up for the position, I would make a motion for Deputy Vale, Council Member Ferrer as myself, and Mayor Overholer as this legislative committee. Second. All right, we have a motion. We have a second move to a vote. I. All those in favor? I

I point to order. Mayor, were those your nominations point? Um yeah, those are my appointments. To clarify, uh we have Deputy Mayor Vale, Mayor Overhozer, and Council Member Ferrer as your appointees. Is that correct, sir? Yes, clerk. Thank you, sir. All right. Now, we move to a vote. Those in favor? I. Those opposed?

Nay. Roll call. Yep. I'd like to move to a roll call vote, please. Clerk. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor. Council member McCoy, how do you vote? No. Council member Ferrer, how do you vote? Yay. Council member Mson, how do you vote? Yay. Council member Kypers, how do you vote? No. Council member Bowman, how do you vote?

No. Deputy Mayor Vale, how do you vote? Yay. Mayor Overholzer, how do you vote? Yay. Motion carries four to three. All right. And the governance co coordination manual um got rid of

this we've decided is going to be opened up during the retreat. So, we do not need to communicate on that right now, I don't believe. And uh we'll move to order. Uh go ahead, council member Bowman. If we just went against what was in the governance manual, the governance manual requires a public hearing if I'm remember right. Is that correct for staff?

It's um not to interrupt and staff as they're pulling up the governance manual, but it was my understanding based on the language that I heard here uh cited from the governance manual. But that was from council, not from your attorney, not from your staff. That was from your council interpreting language in the governance manual. So, I just want to make sure that that this is clear that this is a council that is overwriting a governance manual without a public hearing and changing that. Uh while we give staff a second, um let's go ahead and take a quick five minute recess. It's 8:50. We will uh restart the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Let's do it.

and we will uh reconvene this meeting called to order. Um, and we left off with uh a direction or a question from council member Bowman as to the governance manual language to staff and uh so Chris take it away.

The governance coordinating manual is meant to be the rules and procedures by which council follows. And I was once advised by an attorney, you should follow your own rules. This is first established in 2007 by resolution and has since been amended by at least a dozen um different amendments by resolution. And so the manual does speak to the fact that it's intention is to be be reviewed annually, which is what we have a plan for for March 6th. And um at that time is when you would decide if there were amendments to be made and that is done by resolution. So technically not a public hearing but um a formal action by council which is in the form of a resolution.

I have a point of clarification. Mr. Mayor, uh Deputy Mayor Veil, you are recognized. Floor is yours. Thank you. Um it's my understanding that um uh Council Member McCoy is outside of his elected term of office as he was not elected on the same date as yourself and council member Bowman. Um I also heard Council Member Bowman express a willingness to step out of the legislative committee. Um which means from my understanding that we are not operating um in in any kind of um outside of the governance manual whatsoever. Um there are two open positions um and we are simply filling those positions.

Mr. Mayor, can I respond please? Uh yes, please do. Council member Vowman.

Number one, this is why I said no surprises. So this was a surprise from the dis tonight to talk about other things. It's not on the agenda. It's not in the packet. It was never put out to anybody. So if there was meetings that were had that we were not privy to, we were not told about this, we were not warned about this, it was brought up. I'm looking at the agenda right now and the only thing that was on there was the the original boards and commissions that were to be put on there. It would have been appropriate to say we want to put this on a future agenda. Yes. But the public has not been notified of this. It was not on our agenda. It doesn't go with what our governance manual says. And so I think I think that this looks really bad for four people that want to push this through without the public even getting the chance to know about it because it was put on the agenda as a last minute item tonight. And it wasn't even put on the agenda tonight. It was asked to look at all of the boards. That shouldn't have that shouldn't have happened tonight. So that that's the way I feel about it. Uh you can move forward the way you want. Um I did not step down. I said if it's up if the mayor so chooses, he can remove me. So that's that's up to him. But I just want to put it out there that four people are voting for this voted yes for this when when it was not on our agenda to begin with and it goes against our governance manual. Thank you, Council Member Bowman. Uh we have Council Member McCoy, and thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I would echo those comments. I think transparency is a key to good governance. Uh and I don't see a

lot of transparency in most of this meeting tonight. Uh that's why no, you think no surprises is just a a something so that we don't look stupid. I can look stupid with surprises, without them, doesn't matter. Uh what it does do is it gives the public a chance to comment. All this is happening even before citizens communications. So it was a surprise with absolutely no public input, no notice to the other counselors. Um I just want to go on record and I would echo what council member Bowman said. If the mayor doesn't wish me on this committee, it's your purview. Well, one thing that I will point out is that we do have the ability to amend the agenda. A motion was brought forward to amend the agenda. It was voted upon. We had a second and uh we had a vote. So I think that's well within [clears throat] well within Robert's rules and uh conducting the meeting and many times that I've sat on this DAS and and seen amendments to agendas. I know this one is particularly a large amendment. Um nonetheless it was voted upon and approved. Um as to the governance manual, this is this is where I find myself uh at a crossroads. Um we are given a set of laws and and governance to follow. Um I would love to uh possibly have our legal take a look at that.

um and maybe consult MRSC on that. Um but I I did just hear a statement from both of you that if it's the mayor's perview to remove me, so be it. And so that kind of leaves it up to me at this point without it being uh confined by the governance manual when it's stated that way. So, here we are.

And uh, Mayor Overholster, if I may just jump in, is that something that you would like us to look into, the interpretation of the governance manual that has been given tonight by uh, Council Member Bowman, Council Member Ferrer, and Deputy Mayor Vale? Is that something the city council would would like? Yes, I I would very much like that um that we are able to look into that from a legal aspect. The wording on the governance manual with the appendices that states uh containing uh to a local ad hoc committee. Um and there is some specific language in there. I don't have it in front of me, so I'm not going to say that I do or I can't speak to it, but I do have uh couple council members to my right and left that have it out and are looking at it. But um yeah, I think it'd be ill advised to move forward without uh legal um sign off on this or at least your take on that. Z um you've already moved forward. It was a 4-3 vote.

Yeah. So that it's already moved forward. It has. I will also note I'm certainly not suggesting any way which council members may move. A council member who had voted negative on that motion may move to reconsider that motion if they feel that is something that must be done. Like I said, I'm not suggesting which way council should go, but that is something under your governance manual and Robert rules of order that someone may do. Thank you, Z. Uh we have uh one more point of discussion. Council member Kypers.

Thank you. I actually have a question um which may lead into are we able to have a motion or are we in just my question um is there a timing factor in this decision? So my question is, do we need to finalize this tonight or if there was going to be a change, is there a time frame that we've got to work within in terms of getting direction from the attorney and then come back to the council? What's what's our what's the impact on timing? Well, to as far as [clears throat] my understanding of this, to Council Member Bowman's point, it has already been motioned, seconded, and voted upon um through a roll vote. Um and so here we are. [clears throat] I would uh point out with Z's point though that anybody who voted no on this can bring this back for reconsideration.

But I believe only the winning side can bring it back. So it would have to be a yes point order on that point of order. Only who only who voted yes and member Kyper's question. We're in the middle of session. Yes. In the middle of a short session. Hence my point.

Change now. Yeah. So, uh, the motion stands. The motion is passed. Uh, I would like to have legal look into this though. Um, but as of right now, the governance or legislative committee stands um with the appointment as so uh voted upon. So, that is where we're at. Any further discussion of this matter?

I'd just like to point out one thing, Mr. Mayor, that as these are contract attorneys, uh, this little foray is probably going to cost us a couple thousand dollars. Council member Herrer, sorry, I was under the assumption with our five minute break that they would be able to take a look at the language like our staff was right here. Is there no reason why they couldn't be taking a look at that and have the answer by the end of this evening because it's it's not like our governance manual is that big. It's a very small section.

Uh yeah, I can jump in council member for there are multiple different sections of the governance man manual that I would need to look into and I don't think it would be beneficial to this council for me to make a hasty interpretation uh tonight. I'm more than happy to get a recommendation by the next council meeting though. I think that's the more appropriate path forward. Uh it's it would be much too quick to give you an opinion tonight based upon the interplay of the various uh clauses and sections in the governance manual. Thank you, Z. All right. Have I had all the talking I can do?

I just want to I just go ahead council. I just want to go on record as saying that um I think that with the fact that we're in session now and um you know there's a lot of crit critical uh decisions being made that affect our city. I think that if if I was to make my choice, I would ask that um McCoy Bowman and Overhoser stay on the committee and that we find ways to bring uh Deputy Mayor um and Council Member Ferrer if they're interested in bring them along in the process as much as possible to build a a solid foundation for the next legislative session if anything changes if if the vote changes. I just think having two new people on um without that history and then in the middle of session, I think they bring valuable input. Um but that's just my opinion. I think it's a kind of a critical time to be making this choice and that we should allow um the attorney time to let us address the governance manual, get that written the way it needs to be written or changed the way it needs to be changed. But I don't think having three members on the committee, as uh council member McCoy stated earlier, any one of us can continue to de develop those relationships, get involved, and become more knowledgeable so that we're better established even for next year. Thank you.

Uh thank you, member uh Kypers. [cough] [clears throat]

One thing I will point out is that I am on the legislative committee and I have been for the last year and I am scheduled to go to Washington DC to meet my delegates by myself without the other two members of the ledge committee just city manager and myself. So um you know there's that. I'll point that out. All right, let's move on. What's that? Council member Mcccoy. Yeah. Okay. Uh Aziz uh Z, I would like to uh have you look over this though and uh just get back to staff and myself on your findings in the next few weeks if possible. That'd be great.

Yes, of course, Mayor. Thank you.

Mr. Mayor, I I I don't care. The vote The vote's already been done. So, I I would like to make a motion that we don't instruct the attorney to spend any of our money right now to look over something that makes you guys feel good. Um, this has been done. It It should have been done the right way to begin with. Um, I find it very interesting that Miss Ferrer is sitting on at least a half a dozen or more boards as either an alternate or um something uh or a chair and we're worried about other people um you know learning this stuff, but this is the one that that uh that we're coming after. And so I would rather we not waste the city's money. The vote has been done. Own the vote. um own the fact that you know it's either right or wrong and uh let the public decide from here because um they didn't get the opportunity to say anything or no. So I would rather we just not spend a bunch of money from the city and you guys go do your thing and go get us some money.

Second. All right, we have a motion on the floor. We have a second. Uh, I'd entertain any discussion on that motion. Hearing none, move to vote. All those in favor say I. I. I. All those opposed? Nay. Nay. Can I get a roll call? Am not instructing legal to look at that. Yeah. Point of point. We should probably make that motion in the positive. Uh, Council Member Bowman.

Yeah. I I would like to instruct legal to not look at it.

Uh, yeah. Can can you form your motion in a positive? No, there's nothing positive about this motion. So, no. But um I I would like to uh I would recommend that we don't spend money on legal for this. Still negative. [clears throat] All right. We have a motion on the floor. We have a second. Uh

I'm sorry. This is the city clerk. I require clarification of that motion. Mr. Bowman or Council Member Bowman. Sir, if you would restate the motion for the clerk. I would like to make a motion that we do not spend money on legal for this for this for this uh governance manual question. Does that suffice? Clerk. Yes, sir. Mr. Mayor, thank you.

All right. So, we have a motion. We have a second by Council Member McCory. And uh let's go ahead and roll call that vote if you would. Council member McCoy, how do you vote? Yes. Council member Ferrer, how do you vote? Yes. Council member Mson, how do you vote? Yes. Council member Kypers, how do you vote? Yes. Council member Bowman, how do you vote? Yes.

Deputy Mayor Bale, how do you vote? Yes. Mayor Overhozer, how do you vote? No. Motion carries 6 to one. Fair enough. All right, moving on. Presentations. We have a new employee introduction. Kristen,

good evening, Mr. Mayor, Council. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Jenny Condi. She joins uh community development department as our new associate planner. Prior to joining us here at the city of Battleground, Jenny spent four years working as a planner for Cowitz County in Kelso, Washington. And then earlier in her career, she served as a wildland fire dispatcher and logistics support for a dispatch center in Wanachi, Washington. Um, Jenny received a bachelor's degree in environmental policy and a minor in disaster risk reduction from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. Her hobbies include journaling, reading, baking, and yoga. And she also enjoys outdoor recreation, including hiking, camping, and climbing. Jenny grew up in a military family with her dad serving in the Coast Guard. She was born in Slidell, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. And although she considers herself a Washingtonian after living in the state for more than a decade, much of her childhood was spent traveling across the country with her family and cat and dog. So Jenny, did you have anything you wanted to say? Thank you, Kristen, for the introduction. I just want to say that I'm very excited to be working for the city and I look forward to uh working with the citizens of Battleground. So thank you.

Welcome aboard, Jennifer. Yeah, my apologies, Jennifer, for that long wait just for that introduction. All right, [sighs] moving on. We have the Grace Main Traffic Safety Solutions. There they are. Thank you. Good evening, council. Give me a second. I'll pull up that presentation. All right. Um, this was all in the staff report, but I'll kind of quickly go over it. Um so I was asked to look at some interim solutions for the Grayson main intersection until we get the uh full capital project. Um first option we looked at was an allway stop. Um the impact of that so 56% of the traffic that uses the intersection and the peak hour travels in the eastbound direction. Uh so when you have an all-way stop, it typically works best when you have pretty equal traffic uh through all legs. And so the fact that you have a huge majority of the traffic in one direction, it would cause quite a backup in that way. So um we didn't think it'd be a good solution. Uh the cost is relatively inexpensive and quick to um put into effect. It's not usable on the larger project. So ultimately staff doesn't recommend this option.

Uh second one that had kind of been brought up was installing RFBs. Um so for some of the new council members, there's a document called the manual on uniform traffic control devices, MUTCD for short. It's essentially a document created by uh the federal government that controls what you do with striping and signs in the public right of way. And so I always give the example of when you go to Arkansas and the reason a stop sign is red with eight sides is because of this book. And so it guides what we do in the rightway with signing and striping. Um so our RFBs are actually not allowed um at stop controlled uh crosswalks which in this situation both are stop controlled. Uh so would not be allowed by that. Um cost of that if you did it was 10 to 20,000. take two to four months uh would not be used on the larger project and again since it's not in uh doesn't meet the MUTCD we would not recommend it. Uh the third option is installing uh flashing yellow andor red beacons. Um so you've seen these at a lot of our four-way stops in the city. We have the red flashing lot light at the stop sign. Um it's also available for warning signs essentially the yellow signs. Um, all the studies have shown that these actually have pretty good results. They're also MUTCD compliant. Uh, the cost for those is uh less than $2,000 per unit. Um, it's fairly quick to implement. It's a matter of how fast you can actually get the flashing beacon in. Um, it would not be usable on the larger project, but they're easily relocatable, so we could use them at other locations. So, um, if you choose to do something, staff would actually recommend this option. Um, again, at a minimum, I'd go with the stop signs, but we do have, uh,

pedestrian crossing ahead signs, and it may be worth adding up that location as well. So, I'm happy to answer any questions. Uh I do have a question. Um [clears throat] if we were to put in the uh flashing red, do you have any recommendations of where we could locate those current?

Um I would put them on both directions. So the the westbound and the southbound? That's the I think biggest complaint we get is people blowing through the stop sign. So I think anything you can do to enhance it um helps. Yeah, I think they've been very effective on some of the areas that Scott gotten eaten and 20th. Yeah. Y um council member. Yeah.

Um yeah, that was part of the question I had with um the stop sign beacons versus the crosswalk lights. Um you you just said that most of the issues come from people just blowing through the stop sign and that's what my question really was was is that more the issue or is it that you can't always see the pedestrians crossing or they're just crossing willy-nilly? Um and then as it's dark outside it's tough to see them or it's raining it's tough to see them but the data is showing that it's more

Yeah. said that, you know, and I'm sure everyone's had a different experience, but um by and far the largest complaint we get is the going through the stop sign without actually stopping. Okay, great. Thank you. And thank you for um putting this together. It was easy to understand the pros and cons and the costs.

Any further questions? Anybody online? All right. Uh Mark, thank you for putting that together in very timely fashion as far as uh when the ask was made. Um [clears throat] it looks like option three was the only one recommended from staff. Um do we uh as far as moving forward on this? Are we looking for I literally just a thumbs up there's budget for electronic signs. So if we generally are in concurrence, I I can move forward with it. Okay.

I would I would request that staff move forward with option number three since we have it have money budgeted and I think we need to do whatever we can to mitigate any issues in that area until we have a better long-term uh solution in place. Thank you. I'll ask is there anybody opposed to the idea. All right. Thank you. Everyone get thumbs up. All right. Thank you again, Mark. All right. Uh now we move on to citizens communication. I will open the meeting for citizens communication. Individuals are limited to three minutes to provide comments. The total time for public comments shall not exceed 30 minutes unless extended by the mayor. This is an opportunity to hear the members of the public in a limited public forum, not an opportunity to uh for extended comments or dialogue. Please refrain from derogatory remarks, personal attacks, campaign speeches, and applause. Although the city council desires to allow public comment, the city's business must proceed in an orderly, timely manner. If your comments pertain to an item listed on the agenda as a public hearing, please reserve your testimony for the designated public hearing period. All comments should be directed to the mayor. The council may not be able to respond to individual comments and may refer citizens to a staff member for assistance. The city manager has placed her business cards at the podium. Um, please feel free to take one uh if you would like to contact her with any questions. If you have any handouts, please hand them to the city clerk directly to the right of the podium. Thank you for your understanding and participation in this city council meeting tonight. Uh clerk, do we have any members of the public on Zoom who wish to provide public public comment?

No, Mr. Mayor.

All right. So, first up, we will call Jessica Cole. Hello council. My name's Jessica Cole. I showed up tonight to be appointed to the lodging tax advisory committee. Mayor Overholser, I spoke with you within the last week and you mentioned that there shouldn't be surprises from the counselors at this council meeting. This is a very big surprise to me to find out during the meeting that you won't be appointing me today as I had been informed. I even had people show up in person and in line for this online for this appointment. This wasn't a decision reflective of reflective of unity, bridge building or relationship building. At the last council meeting, the public [clears throat] works director reported on the um parkway and main um signal project and the uh rightaway updates. And regarding that intersection, I encourage the um city to consider having like dedicated left arrows for all um four sides of that intersection. And um I also suggest reviewing the um uh Parkway going um west um the part that's west of um so it's on Main Street and west of Parkway where it's two lanes. Um, often I've seen or experienced where two cars are coming from the south and the north turning on

and there's not a lot of space there or any space for two cars depending on your car. And so my suggestion is that um that that part be one lane and then further a little bit further west down Main Street on the west side of the Parkway that it then turns into the two lanes. Um, and that's all I will say tonight. Thank you. Thank you, Jessica. Uh, next up, uh, we have Sharon Watkkey.

Come on up, Sharon. You have to have a crowbar and a big fire truck to get me up out of the chair. So, thank you very much.

Well, on the lighter side, Mr. Mayor, we've come here this evening uh representing the Battleground Senior Citizens. My name is Sharon Woodkey and I am the president this year uh to thank all of you for your support last year for securing funds from the state and and adding city funds uh to renovate the Battleground Senior Center that has uh was 50 years old and it certainly needed renovation. [laughter] for allowing us to invade the event center and continue our scheduled programs for almost a year. This helped us to continue our partnerships with the local Clark County agencies and to add to our list of programs to continue on with our mission statement serving the senior community. As you already know, this city of Battleground has grown to about 23,000 inhabitants. Around 12.3% of those are seniors, ages from 65 or older, close to 3,000. Side note, here in Battleground, as some of you already know, our seniors start at 50 years of age. That means any one of you could probably be on our board. Um, according to our bylaws, I also found it interesting that approximately out of those almost 3,000 seniors, 1,15 of them are veterans. This is your senior community that we represent on your behalf and that you were elected to serve. So again, we thank you all of you. It has been a privilege to act as ambassadors of the city of Battleground to the Southwest

Washington community as a model of senior centers enriching the lives of their communities and our community. Here I do it. This year we had a if we had a wish list which a couple of you on the city council already know I coming with a wish list. Um while we're trying to solve all the pro while you guys are always trying to solve all your own city agenda problems. We seniors would like to have you consider two items involving our senior citizens. Number one more parking around the battleground senior center. Number two, looking for ways to allow your senior citizens the ability to stay in their own community by trying to find a solution to the lowincome housing for those that are on fixed income that can neither afford to rent or purchase a small home. Thank you all, staff, city council, mayor, for everything that you do for all of your senior citizens in this city. Thank you so much Sharon. I'm going to give just a moment. All right. And uh lastly, definitely not least, Lori Lindberg. Come on up.

Hello, I'm Lori Lindberg and I'm a board adviser for the Battleground citizens, uh, senior citizens and I gave each of you, I believe the clerk, uh, the our year end impact report. So, if you could take a look at it when you get a chance and let us know if you have any questions. Uh, as we reflect on this past year, we are incredibly grateful for the impact made by the battleground senior citizens and the community that surrounds it. This year, our center continued to be a place of connection, care, and belonging for local seniors. Through regular meals, activities, support programs, and special events, we helped reduce isolation and create meaningful relationships for hundreds of older adults in our community. We were proud to offer a wide range of activities led by dedicated volunteers, from social gatherings and educational opportunities to wellness and enrichment programs. These activities didn't just fill up calendars, they filled up hearts with purpose, laughter, and friendship. Our special events and partnerships brought the community together in powerful ways. From holiday lunchons, intergenerational gatherings to collaborations with schools, businesses, and neighboring senior organizations. We saw firsthand how strong Battleground becomes when we work together. Financially, this year was strengthened by generous donors, grants, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts. Every dollar received thoughtfully used to support programs, meals, and services that directly benefit seniors. Because of this support, we were able to continue serving with dignity, consistency, and care. Most importantly, none of this would be possible without our volunteers. Board members, activity leads, phone callers, and event helpers gave countless hours to ensure seniors felt welcomed, valued, and supported.

They are the heartbeat of our organization. As we look ahead, we remain committed to meeting the growing needs of our senior population, expanding opportunities for connection, and strengthening partnerships across our community. Thank you for believing in the battleground senior citizens and for helping us make this past year one of compassion, impact, and community. Thank you. Thank you, Lori.

All right, [clears throat] moving on to the uh consent agenda. Uh does any council member believe any items need to be withdrawn from the consent agenda? U mayor, I'd like to remove item A from the consent agenda.

All right. Call for a motion. Um I'll move to approve the consent agenda minus line item A. Second. All right, we have a motion by council member Ferrer, seconded by council member Kypers Bale

or I'm sorry, deputy mayor veil. Sorry, this side's deaf. Um, call for discussion. Hearing none, we will uh move to vote. All those in favor of approving the consent agenda with uh amendment A or line item A removed. All those in favor?

I I uh opposed hearing none. vote passes. And uh so shall we look at item A?

Yes. I just have two um things that I saw that were incorrectly mentioned underneath the minutes. Um under the council communications, um I asked that we remove interfering with holiday lighting. that wasn't um that wasn't part of the issue. When I addressed the skate the skate park and the lighting, it had had mentioned due to interfering with holiday lighting. So, I would just that was incorrect there. I don't know if you can. And then the other one I'm asking uh that was incorrect is the there is also another section in regards to the RVs. Um this is all underneath my statements if that makes it easier for you, Liz. Um and that was the appeals process. I didn't mention anything about bringing back the appeals process. It was just bringing back the RV ordinance. That was it. The city clerk will review the recording and amend um the minutes if uh that is accurate to what you're saying. Otherwise, the city clerk will continue to capture the minutes. Exactly. And I do apologize. I I would have brought it forward before, but I said because you already put it on the amendment, I thought this would be the right path is to do it before citizens. Please let me know if there's a better way if you'd rather, you know, than what I just did. I'd be happy to do it differently. I do believe that anytime you may feel there's a discrepancy in the minutes,

you can probably email directly to uh Chris and and CC Liz on that and ask for clarification. Um [clears throat] All right. Well, thank you Liz for looking into that. Appreciate that. All right. Uh we don't have any public hearings. We don't have any business. Administrative reports. Are there any administrative reports from staff this evening?

Uh yes, mayor. Uh just real quickly, um tomorrow and Thursday are the AWC city auction days and um I'll be going up there with council member Kyper's uh Ferrer and Deputy Mayor Bale. Um, we are scheduled to meet with some of our delegation as well as some other committee members. At least we're going to try to yank them out of committee if we can on Thursday afternoon. So, we've got that going this week. Um, there will be some further communications coming out from me on some um current projects that are going on in the city. I know there's been a lot of questions. I don't have any details at this time, but I do expect to have those um forthcoming to all of you either this week or um when I return on Friday or next week. And lastly, I'd like to turn this over to Chief Flynn. We um to just do give you a real quick brief report on uh some activity we had going on on Main Street today.

I know it's been a very late night, so I'll try to be as brief as I can. We knew that the there was a planned um walk out uh that was discussed at Battleground High School. Uh we made sure that our SRO's and our day shift officers were aware of it. Uh the kids just say that as kind as I can. The kids left. There was about 50 that were out there. Uh they they were boisterous, but uh it we didn't have any problems. Can't say the same uh for Prairie High School. Uh they had uh more than their fair share of brewhahas over there. Uh depending on who you listen to, they said there was anywhere from six to a dozen fist fights with uh some arrests that were reportedly made and additional charges being pending. Uh they contacted us uh after I found out that there was another planned demonstration that was uh RSVPd by about 60 adults for 502503. Uh we had about an hour to prepare. Uh we mustered up some folks. Um, we put uh three twoman cars on each of the three intersections and had WSP out there as well uh because of the uh what we what was described to us as professional agitators uh that were uh attending the event. biggest concern was uh at the Prairie High School one. Um there was a person that was alleged to show up on a motorcycle with a cooler that was on the back with frozen uh water balloons that they were using to throw at uh some of the people and the and the police officers. So uh because of that is why we staffed ours. uh we are huge believers in the whole uh

constitution but certainly people's first amendment rights and we want them to be able to have that uh but the lawlessness will not be tolerated and so the direction that was given was if we had that uh that it was going to be surgical that we go in uh didn't matter what side of uh pro or con uh that they were on uh that we would go remove them and uh apply the appropriate charges happy to report uh that we put officers also out on foot and didn't end didn't uh experience not a single incident uh compared to what they what they had at Prairie. So, uh, it is a testament to our SRO's um, and the, uh, frontline leadership that was out there, uh, that I think really contributed, uh, to it because media was present. And anytime you have media that's out there, either, uh, side is certainly apt to get more coverage. Uh, I don't think this will be the last one that we see. Uh but as they come up uh we make sure that we filter it all the way up through city leadership. So um you know that everybody's been briefed to the best of our abilities.

Thank you, Chief. And uh thank you, Miss Swanson. All right. And on to council communications. Uh are there any council member communications this evening? Yes, Mr. Mayor. Uh, Council Member McCoy, you're recognized.

Uh, I had, uh, reached out to staff to see if there was anything we could do about road closures and if city council had any tools to speed up uh, construction that had outlasted its road closing permit. Um, have we had time to research that or is that something better for another meeting? to speak to the road closure. Um, we have been having meetings. We had one today and that's one of the topics that I'll be communicating with council with some more details either late this week or next week. Yeah.

With a plan of action and how we're following through on that. Um my my second uh thing I I was hopeful that uh we could have uh another letter crafted regarding GMA. Uh I believe uh when we signed on to that letter for option two with all cities uh that we heard our position. And I would like us to craft a a secondary letter, perhaps have uh planning staff come back with sight specific requests that council can look at if they are affected by the new a study. I don't think we've seen that. But I think a second letter that distinguish us us and separates us from the controversial uh ask some of the cities are doing would behoove this city uh to to make sure that we're separate on that ask. That's all I have. Mr.

[clears throat]

Thank you, Council Member McCoy. Um, I would agree with that actually. Um, as far as the letter and the ask to separate ourselves, I I know we signed on to a joint letter um to bring to the planning commission and the county council and we also drafted a separate letter on behalf of ourselves. Um and I thought it was fairly clear in that second letter that we were in our own interest. Uh but I would like to to hear more on whether that a study has any hindrance on our specific site uh situations and uh just it might do us well to clarify to county council and the planning commission of our vested interest in our um ask to the planning commission specifically for ourselves. But actually also uh to the we did not vote on item A on the consent agenda by the way

what was that? [laughter] We never voted on item A on consent agenda. So we we can either have the clerk bring that back to the next meeting. I I don't know what the options are at this point. Um absolutely. Uh, this council can choose whether they would prefer that that item be placed on the next meeting's agenda um after review um or um to approve those minutes um as is as amended and reviewed by the clerk.

All right. I'd be open to hearing a motion on that. I know we've closed past the uh consent agenda, but I think it'd behoove us to uh at least have it brought back in the next meeting. Mr. Mayor, I'll make the motion. I I I remember the comment about the holiday lights. So, I I would make the motion that uh item A uh be approved with uh if Council Ferrer's comments are correct and the clerk can confirm them. um that she make the amendments. If not, it stands as is. Second.

All right, we have a motion. Uh we have a second by Council Member Kypers. Uh any further discussion on that hearing? None. Uh we'll move to a vote. All those in favor? I

I oppose hearing none. Motion passes unanimously. Are there any additional uh council communications? Hearing none, um the next meeting is scheduled. The next regular city council meeting will be held Monday, February 2nd at 7 p.m. with the study session at 6 p.m. This meeting is adjourned at 9:49 p.m.