City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. Thank you all so much for being here. It is 6 PM on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, and I now call to order the 2184th regular meeting of the City College Place City Council. Madam Clerk, will you please take roll call?

Yes, Council Member Green.

Present.

Council Member Cleveland.

Present.

Council Member Stuckley. Present. Council member Lopez present Council member Evans present. Council member Sherman present Council member Boyle present and Mayor Hernandez. I am present and we do have a court.

All right. Thank you so very much. Will you all please join me in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right, it's time for public comment. Madam Clerk, did anyone submit a written comment in advance or request to speak via telephone or virtually?

We do have one person that would like to speak.

All right. Please step up to the podium, turn on the microphone to the little green lights on, and then state your name and your city or county of residence. Sure.

My name is Ana Romero. Waitsburg will be my place of residence. Okay, and I would like to start by disclosing that. I do have my little cheat notes because I'm a fast speaker and I'm under time, but I would like to start by saying good evening mayor and on this and the rest of your council members. Again, my name is Ana Romero and I'm the Executive Director of the Walla Walla County Rural Library District. Tonight I'm here to express our library district's strong support for the Community Opportunity Center and to ask for your help in delivering a library space that the residents of College Place deserve. The current problem with the branch that we do have, it's that is only 1700 square feet. It's a generous space, but it's not intended for this community that holds the largest foot traffic and circulation numbers of all of our branches in our district. The partnership matters to us and it makes the most sense because it would Give us a community space that delivers meeting space and much needed space for this community. It would also allow a space for service providers to come together to connect with residents in a trusted safe space. It would also allow us to expand the space to deliver more programs, more access and be able to serve adequately the residents of all ages. um in addition being part of this city community opportunity center we would not only be delivering a bigger library space but also we would be able to truly be a trusted community hub that brings together information support and resources for all families in college place that is uh Much needed deserved, I'd like to close by adding that our library district has been a cornerstone for the greater Valley for 50 plus years since 1972 and we want the same. We want to be the same anchor in the city of college place for generations to come. Um. and that will be all that's my public testimony uh i would like to ask that you please continue to support the project in partnering us with us to make this vision a reality thank you and i actually there's another public comment oh okay yeah

Hi, I'm Jen Stutzman. I'm the branch manager at the current College Place Library. It's over in the Meadowbrook Shopping Center. We used to say it was between Subway and GameStop, but now it's just by Subway. I'm going to talk to you about some of the problems we're facing in the current space and how we meet those needs. Number one is space. More than 10 people at the program turns out to be really, really, really sort of crowded. We're providing really good programs, but it's hard to estimate sometimes how many people come. So we're meeting the need by making the craft programs drop in. instead of a start and end time and using the Lions Clubhouse if we expect a big turnout. Noise, noise, noise, I can hear everything in our space. I can also hear everything in the spaces adjacent to our space. There really isn't a quiet space for people to go to do things like interviewing online or meeting with clients or doing tutoring. So that is the number one complaint, mostly. The way that we get around that is to tell people ahead of time, you know, we can hear everything. And a lot of the time I will go, that's the number one management issue I have really. Another issue is physically moving all the things all the time. Any event run in our space or new books or furniture requires moving something else. Sometimes that means just putting it in the hallway for a few hours. Sometimes it means physically taking it to the administrative center. The worst thing that's happened to me while I was moving things and people around trying to make more space for an event, I was moving one of the bookshelves back to make more room for people for a magician to come in. Like 50 people showed up. It was way, way, way, way, way too many. I didn't realize while I was moving the shelf that a grandma was leaning on the shelf and she fell over. She fell on other people because they were in there like sardines. When the shelf moved, she fell over into other people and that's why we have some of the events at Lions Clubhouse now. um patrons ask us for an update on the building almost every week so everybody's very excited and my staff member told me this morning that she was very very excited now that we have like uh a a comment you know sort of a pr vetted comment uh at the front desk for them to use they're very excited thank you

Thank you. I think I see Fire Chief Winter over there taking notes. Thank you both so very much. And thank you for your partnership and your service to the community. All right, Madam Clerk, was there anyone else wishing to speak during the public comment period? Anyone else in the lobby? None reported to me. All right. Now we will move on then. Let's move on to the consent agenda, which consists of the agenda for tonight, June 9th, 2026, approving the council regular meeting minutes from May 26th, 2026 and approving the December 2025 financials done. Are there any items any member of the council would likely move from the consent agenda at this time? I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. Thank you. We have a motion. Is there a second?

Second.

We have a first and a second Councilmember Sherman and Boyle. All in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Any abstentions? The ayes have it in the motion is passed. Thank you all. So tonight we have two proclamations for our presentation period. The first proclamation is Ride Transit Month. And we do have Mrs. Angie Peters here from Walla Walla Valley Transit. Are you Executive Director or General Manager? Thank you. General Manager. Thank you. A proclamation designating June 2026 as Ride Transit Month. Whereas on an average public transit provides more than 100 million passenger trips in Washington each year, connecting people to jobs, education, essential services, and economic opportunity. And whereas investments in public transportation support local economies, create jobs, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And whereas programs like Valley Transit's Zero Fare Transportation make transit more accessible for all, especially those who rely on transit the most. And whereas nearly one in four Washingtonians depend on public transit, and 75% of Valley Transit riders report having no access to a car, making transit vital for equity and opportunities in our community. And whereas greater use of transit is linked to increased physical activity, better health outcomes, improved quality of life, reduced congestion, and supports vibrant, sustainable neighborhoods. And whereas June is Ride Transit Month in the state of Washington, a time to celebrate the many benefits of public transit and June 17th, 2026 is National Dump the Pump Day, encouraging everyone to try transit and help protect our environment. Therefore, let it be resolved that I, Norma L. Hernandez, Mayor of the City of College Place, Washington, do hereby proclaim June 2026 as Ride Transit Month in College Place, and I encourage all residents to ride transit and join in building a more sustainable, healthy, and connected community. Dated this ninth day of June 2026. Mrs. Peters, would you like to come accept the proclamation? And do you want to share a statement, please?

Thank you. It's our joy to provide transit and access for the community. We're grateful to you guys for your partnerships throughout the last 45 years and into the future. I would encourage you in particular to do Dump the Pump Day this year with the current gas prices. And we hope to see you on board.

And please thank all your team for all the hard work they do. We truly appreciate it. Yes, we're taking Heather's thank you. Thank you. And thank you for being here. All right, next I will present the Juneteenth Proclamation. Whereas Juneteenth, being the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, and whereas news of the Emancipation Proclamation that was delayed some two and one half years, on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, the enslaved African Americans were informed of their liberation. And whereas not all enslaved people on American soil were liberated until the enactment of the 13th Amendment. And whereas June 19th has become known as Juneteenth and is celebrated by many African-Americans as their Independence Day, commemorating the last freed American slaves. And whereas we acknowledge African-American freedom contributions and achievements within our community past and present. And whereas we acknowledge and what excuse me and whereas while acknowledging the struggles and hopes of African Americans, we commit to working together towards equity for all by expanding economic, educational, cultural home ownership and career opportunities from all members of our community. Now, therefore, I, Norma L. Hernandez, Mayor of the City of College Place, Washington, do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2026 to be Juneteenth in the City of College Place and encourage everyone to learn about the history, culture, and current state of Black and African Americans by reading, watching, listening, and engaging with others. Given under my hand and seal as Mayor of the City of College Place, Washington, on this ninth day of June 2026. Thank you so much, Carolyn.

Mayor Hernandez, may I add one thing? Yes, please do. There is a Juneteenth celebration at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds. So in addition to the wonderful proclamation, I encourage folks to go. It's from 11 to 5 p.m. at the Pepsi Lawn Stage. There's going to be food, a car show with lowriders, and popping and locking dance performances.

Come watch me. Right? We'll be not okay. Wasn't that funny? All right, so let's move on to action items. Everyone. We have to 2 of them today and for an agenda 1st, we will review updates. To the commission slash committee assignments for 2026. I think this is like the 5th time this year with the addition of our 2 new city council members. We needed to update this list. Madam clerk, will you present.

yeah uh so what's included in the packet are the updates to remove the council members that resigned lauren peterson and melody williams and the mayor has assigned david lopez and dana evans um their positions so uh david lopez will be uh attendance for leo ff and dana evans will be attending valley transit board with heather and there is one more where uh david is going to be on personality personnel yeah all right so oh did i miss solid waste yes i missed solid waste one more dana evans is the alternate for the solid waste advisory commission And then also I will be updating these position number assignments at the end.

Okay, great. Thank you. All right. We'll go through council members for any questions or comments. And David, don't ask what L-E-O-F means. All right. All right. Councilmember Green, questions or comments?

I have none.

Councilmember Cleveland?

No questions.

Councilmember Stecklein?

I didn't have a question about, is there a sister city commission or no? Is that formalized? No.

Okay. No, there is not.

Thank you. Okay. That was my only question. Thanks.

Councilmember Lopez? No questions. Councilmember Evans? Looking forward to it. No questions. Councilmember Sherman? No questions. And Council Member Boyle.

My only question is on LTAC. Previous Council Member Peterson was on that committee and right now it's listed as a vacant seat. I don't know. I can dual sit. Do I get two votes? I don't know that we need a fifth position on that council, but I wasn't sure if that's why we hadn't filled it.

Yeah, that's how we hadn't filled it. We don't.

Which is fine. Okay.

We don't. Unless you feel at some point that you'd like an additional person on the board or something, just let us know.

All right.

All right. Any additional discussion? Hearing none, is there a motion?

I would make a motion to approve the amended 2026 committee assignments as presented.

Thank you, Councilmember Green. Is there a second?

I'll second Councilmember Cleveland.

Councilmember Cleveland, thank you. Any additional discussion? Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Any abstentions? All right, the ayes have it in the motions pass. Thank you to all council members for all your willingness to serve. I know sometimes they can get overwhelming, but thank you so very much. And we try to evenly distribute and and take consideration of your personal lives and your professional lives as well. All right.

Is this a personal professional?

Oh, well, you know, sometimes some of us, you know, personalize. You're really pushing it, though. All right. Next, Mr. Harper, our new C attorney, will review updates to the right-of-way acquisition on Majania Road. And Mr. Harper is online. Welcome.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council members of College Place. It's a pleasure to be with you by Zoom tonight. I am happy to present to you a proposed settlement agreement with the McKiernans for the last segment of right-of-way necessary to accomplish this very significant project. You may recall that I was speaking with you a little over a month ago, more like six weeks ago. It was April, mid-April. And at that time, I introduced myself and told you a little bit about the background of the negotiation efforts with the McKernans. For better or worse, we believed that at that time that it was necessary to file an eminent domain lawsuit in Walla Walla County Superior Court, so we did. I was very pleasantly surprised, though, to get an appearance by an attorney representing the McKiernans, and that attorney and I had a few conversations. and we were able to work out a proposed settlement. The settlement would provide assurances to the city regarding the quality of title that we need to be able to certify right-of-way. and it would provide to the McKiernan's fair and just compensation in an amount that they believe is acceptable. And I would highly encourage the council to give this settlement agreement its serious consideration, and I will answer any questions you may have about it.

All right, thank you. Councilmember Green.

I don't think I have any questions. We've had lots of updates and meetings and through conversations with Troy, and I feel like we've got a good understanding of this. Thank you.

Wonderful. Thank you. Council Member Cleveland.

No questions.

Glad to see this is moving forward. Council Member Stecklein.

No questions. Thank you.

Thank you. Council Member Lopez. No questions. Thank you, Mr. Harper, for your work on this.

Council Member Evans.

Very confident in Mr. Harper's work.

No questions. Council Member Sherman. No questions. Thank you. And Council Member Boyle. No questions. Thanks. All right. If there's no additional discussion, do we have a motion to authorize?

Sure. I'd like to make a motion to authorize financial expenditure of $75,000 to move forward with the needed and the road, excuse me, with needed road and pedestrian improvements.

Thank you. Is there a second? I'll second that. Councilmember Stecklein, second. Thank you. Any additional discussion? All right. Hearing none, all in favor say aye. Aye. All opposed? Any abstentions? All right. The ayes have it and the motion is passed. Mr. Harper, thank you so much for your work. We truly appreciated getting this moving forward.

My pleasure. Thank you all. Have a good evening.

Thank you for being here. Have a good evening. All right. Well, we're coming on not long. Is there any other business for good of the order from any council members? Any staff?

I have something.

Madam Clerk.

Yeah. So since my time here, I have been made aware that board docs, the system that we use for agenda and meetings management, will be sunsetting at the end of this year. And so I've been hard at work trying to find a replacement. And currently, we use CivicPlus for MuniCode Next Request, which is our public records request software. MuniCode is our codification where everything exists, basically. And then we also have social media archiving through there. they were able to provide multiple module discounts to us. And this kind of just gives you a little bit of an overview of what the cost would be. So BoardDocs, which is buy diligent, They are offering to the customers who are using BoardDocs to switch to their program called Diligent Community. And the annual fee for that program is $19,500. There's no one-time implementation fee to transition to that because we're already on there. So, if we were to stay on diligent community, it would actually be more money for us annually because board docs what we currently pay annually is $18,402.07. but if we switch to civic plus agenda and meetings management we get all kinds of good benefits because we have other modules it it links to our muni code so like you can go back to past resolutions and ordinances and actually to the code within the whole program there's a lot more that is a benefit i will be providing a presentation to you guys at the next meeting but The annual fee to switch to civic plus agenda and meetings management is 5,300 dollars and then there's a 1 time fee of 9,375 dollars. So, um. we would have a savings of $10,125 by switching to Civic Plus agenda and meetings management. And then if you just only count the savings with the annual fee, it's more up to $14,200. So my goal has been to implement it July 1st. Once we implement it July 1st, we cease using board docs and then we'll be able to get a credit back from board docs for the fees that have already been paid. It's just not exact. I don't have an exact amount for that right now because it's dependent on when we stop using board docs. So I just wanted to give you guys a heads up. This is happening. I have been working on it for the past month with cat, our new deputy city clerk. And then we also have another person who has been working on it too. There's a lot involved with the transition setting up the new software. But I'm very excited. I will provide a training for you guys and an overview. Do you have does anyone have any questions? So how does it compare to some of the ways that we've been using BoardDocs and like logins and having the documents and is it going to be probably a seamless, I mean, should work in the same, not seamless, hopefully seamless, but like it should work in the same way? Yeah. There's a lot of more advanced features, which is really cool. And it just, it looks a lot better when you're looking at it for the public portal. It'll outline the meetings. I will have something prepared in the future, but I just wanted to give you guys a little update on that. So we're working to try to save money as much as possible just by looking at what we're paying for right now and if there are other alternative ways. So. Awesome. Thank you.

Thank you so much for taking the time to do that additional research instead of just saying, well, let's just pay whatever more dogs is asking. Right? So thank you so much for that additional work. We'd really appreciate it.

All right any other business for go to the order.

I do want to thank department director for being here. Please go home. home mrs schmick i see you online thank you as well please spend time with your family tonight thank you so much for being here we really appreciate it but please go home and end your day all right do we have a motion to conclude i make a motion to conclude the meeting all right we have a motion is there a second I said the direct I want to go home. All right. So with no objection, the meeting is concluded at 628pm. Thank you, everyone. Thank you. Have a good night.