City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening and welcome to the city council meeting for Northbend for uh May 5th, 2026. Uh can a clerk please call role? Mayor Prom Errol Tremolada here. Council member Brendan Elwood. Council member Mark Joselyn present. Council member Heather Coen here. Council member Robin McFarland here. Council member Christina Rustic present. Council member Susan Toruson here. All are present with the exception of Council Member Elwood who is excused. Your honor, thank you so much. Will you be kind enough to lead us in the flag salute?

United States for it stands nationisible and all. Okay. Well, thank you for joining us on this gorgeous evening. really appreciate your coming and uh being a part of our night. Okay, Mr. Mayor Prom Tremolada, will you please make a motion to approve tonight's agenda? Motion to approve city council meeting agenda for May 5th, 2026 as written. Beautiful. Do we have a second? Second. Thank you. Um and any Okay, motion passes. Let's move on. Moving. Oh, I love this so much. Uh any All in favor?

I. Any opposed? Okay, motion passes. Moving on to consent agenda. But before we do, council, does anyone have or wish to pull any consent item uh off and we can discuss? No. Okay, moving forward. So, uh can I get a motion to um pass? I move approval of the consent agenda as presented. Yep. Appreciate it. And second, thank you very much. And all in favor?

I opposed. Motion P passes and is unanimous. Thank you again. Um, let's move on to um audience participation. So, quickly, moving quickly tonight. Um, if anyone in the audience would like to speak on an item on an agenda or not on the agenda, this is your time to come to the podium and let us know what's on your mind. Deb Landers, she's she's rocking and rolling.

Hello. Hello. Deborah Landers, 14615 438th Avenue Southeast in Northbend. Once again, I'm here for Northbend Art and Industry because we are doing a lot of things and I'm just trying to keep you up to date on just a few of the key items. I emailed you sharing um the date for our opening ceremony for the art and nature walk that's going to be on the Snowquami Valley Trail. I hope you're all able to make it. This is really going to be a very cool both for tourists and for locals who either walk or bike or jog down the Snowquami Valley Trail. And the installation is actually up from July 1st through August 31st. Um, it's also an economic boost for our local artists because their uh art that they've created will get auctioned off and all of the proceeds go back to the artist and the the rounds that we have accepted so far um that with the artists that are done are absolutely stunning. So, it really is going to be an amazing walk. So, please, if you're available on July 1st, I'd love to see you at 7 o'clock at the Center for Creativity. Another reminder for Art Off the Rails June 20th. And then there is so many other things happening. Just tonight I I popped into the center to bring some flyers that Susie's going to distribute for you. But just I popped in and they're doing a speed editing um experience for writers. So Gail Folken, who is a local author and educator, is off teaching local authors how to do editing in a quick and fun way and make them comfortable with it. So it seems like every single night, even though we're not officially open on Monday and Tuesday night, we have something going all the time and I want you to know about it. And now I'm done talking, but it was great to see you all. Goodbye. I'll be back.

Thank you, Deb. Anybody else wish to speak? Anybody online? Phil, no, it's not. You're on.

Okay. Thank you very much. That was lovely. Um, we're going to go right into uh gosh number seven, appointments to planning commission, which leads it to me. Um, so let me begin. We're doing reappoints tonight to planning commission. Uh, seeing that we have none in the in the off in the building today, we're just going to be reading off the summary statement. Planning commission prepares and recommends coordinated plans, regulations, and restrictions for the physical development of the city. The commission consists consists of seven members with a minimum of four of the commissioners required to reside inside the city limits and three may reside in the 98045 zip code area uh per NBMC2.28.010. Planning commission terms are for a period of four years. Planning commissioners Chris Koulan, James Boers, Steven Matlock, and Hannah Theal whose terms expire on May 18th, 2026, have generously agreed to serve for another term. Um, I am recommending the reappointments of Chris Koulan to position number four, James Bovers to position number five, Steven Matlock to position number six, and Hannah Theal to position number seven. Terms expiring on May 18th, 2030. Thank you very much. Any questions? No. I move to approve AB 26041 confirming the planning commission appointments for Chris Koulan to position number four, James Boers to position number five, Steven Matlock to position number six, and Hannah Theal to position number seven, all terms expiring May 18th, 2030.

Thank you so much for that. May we have a second? Second. Uh that was Miss Toruson. Okay. Thank you. Uh Mr. Dawson, would you like to speak to your motion? Uh I thought you did a nice job, your honor. I we are lucky to have folks like this who are willing to dedicate so much of their time, energy and attention uh to being on the planning commission. It is legally mandated by the state of Washington that uh our city have such a body and they do yman's work uh for which I am certainly forever grateful. It's wonderful. Thank you for your comments. And Miss Torus, do you have a comment to make? Oh yeah, they're all doing a great job. I really appreciate the service and I'm excited the fact that they want to do it some more. So, I'm happy they're going to

That's wonderful. Anybody else with council? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut you off there, but anybody else from council have any comments to make?

No. Okay. I'll make a comment that I think these uh individuals are of they're just fine individuals. They're completely dedicated and we're lucky, of course, that they're stepping up for another term. Um so, it's an honor to do so. Uh thank you for joining us tonight. Uh, okay. So, um, all in favor, oh, let me read it. Excuse me. Motion to approve AB26-041, confirming the planning commission appointments of Chris Kulan to position number four, James Boers to position number five, Steven Madlock to position number six, and Hannah Theal to position number seven, all terms expiring May 18th, 2030. All in favor?

I I Any opposed? Motion C passes unanimously. Thank you one and all. Moving right along again. That's you're going to hear my voice again because I'm going to be giving a proclamation for wildfire awareness month. I'm honored to see Chief Aaho and Cat Robinson in the crowd today. So, let me begin. Whereas wildfire seasons have become longer and more destructive, which threatens communities throughout Washington. And whereas our communities, especially communities, including but not limited to our seniors, low-income residents, and those with disabilities and functional needs, have become increasingly susceptible to wildfire with increasing temperatures, decreasing summer rain, and earlier snow melt than uh and this is has elevated the need for wildfire prevention and preparedness at both the community and individual homeowner levels. And whereas individuals share the responsibility to help reduce the risk of wildfire while rec recreating outdoors. Whereas human activities such as outdoor burning, equipment and vehicle use, fireworks and campfires are the leading human cause of wildfires which can be prevented by follow following rules and laws. And whereas Washington State Department of Natural Resources cited about 85% of all fires statewide were human-caused, a majority of those humancaused fires could have been avoided. And whereas Northbend residents must understand that they need to be prepared to respond to and recover from wildfire by working together to prepare their homes and communities. And that preparedness actions they take on their property not only help their home have a better chance of surviving on its own during a wildfire incident, but also provides a safer space for first responders to help protect homes. And whereas when whole communities implement appropriate wildfire preparedness actions, including evacuation planning, maintaining defensible space on their properties and home hardening, they improve the survivability of their individual homes and community during wildfire. And whereas local, state, and federal agencies and organizations work together to increase awareness of wildfire risk

with the goal of ensuring that communities are prepared for and resilient to wildfire. Now therefore, I, Mary Miller, mayor, do hereby proclaim the month of May 26, 2026 as wildfire awareness month in the city of Northbend and encourage our citizens to join us as we participate in wildfire preparedness. Thank you very much. And if I can have you both or one at a time come on up and speak to us and we sure appreciate you and all you and your teams do. Yeah. You're welcome. We'll come around and get a picture with you. Yeah. Oh, of course. Like detail. Very important detail.

Thank you, Chief. Um, okay. He'll totally say well that's next to me and their teams that cover our very special we can't be here without you quite frankly. So

well North Ben makes a wonderful partner so thank you very much. And thank you. And if you want to speak, you're welcome to. And if you want to speak at the podium, if you're comfortable. You're a great speaker. Oh, we were talk about this. Go for it. Didn't I didn't plan anything, so this is truly as it comes out of my mouth. Uh, but that's that is what's that? Same for me. Just kidding.

It's very true. Northbend makes a fantastic partner for East Side Fire and Rescue. Uh we couldn't do what we do without you either. Um response is just one piece of creating and maintaining a fire adapted community and the city of Northbend has been a very active has taken a very active role in that creation of a fire adapted community and and advertising it getting that word out and and incorporating all different aspects that that it takes to create and sustain that. Um, so to that end, I guess I'll make a little plug for our Wildfire movie and discussion panel that will be happening at the Northbend Theater later this month on the 18th. Uh, so come get some popcorn. It's free and you can chat with a lot of local fire experts who are there to talk about and and actually help contribute to your fire adapted community. So love to see you all there. And uh, thank you again very much.

Thank you, Cat. Appreciate it. Any anybody have things? Chief, would you like to say anything or You're gonna be quiet. You don't have to speak.

But now I get Now I got to say something. Um, so I just want to acknowledge thank you so much uh for recognizing the work that Cat and uh her team does. She was so well integrated into King County. Uh being able to bring that message and education to the city of Northbend. the fact that the city of North Bend and the residents here are being so forwardleaning. Um recognizing that with the weathers that are changing, it's it's unfortunately just a matter of when and uh having that proactive approach just puts the city of Northbend in such a better position. So when we are sending our response crews out here to try to help you, um we don't have to worry as much about Northbend because of how you've approached it. So thank you for the partnership. We look forward to continuing to develop this more. So, go to the movies.

Excellent. Have a great day. Appreciate you all. All right. Uh, next up is a presentation, uh, reclaiming Snowqualami Valley Housing Needs, Miss Jennifer Kirk. Good evening. Thank you for coming. Just a second.

Can you believe we're still standing here after 14 years of us doing shelter? This is crazy. I know some of you from those times when we were first starting out. Yeah. November will be 14 years. Yeah. Okay. So, I am uh Jen Kirk. I am the executive director and a co-founder of Reclaim. Uh we were previously Snowquami Valley Shelter Services. Um, and I'm here tonight to talk to you a little bit about reclaim and what it is that we're doing in this community and um, how you guys are funding uh, what I won't talk specifically about the funding, but you guys partner with us in that funding for us to provide all of these services. Um, and then I want to talk to you about the state of housing um, in this community for our folks specifically people that are living in poverty. um people that are actively unhoused right now, but also a lot of people in this community that just can't make ends meet. They're working every day. They're working multiple jobs um and they still can't afford to stay here. So, I want to talk about kind of that housing and stability and uh how we're kind of moving backwards a little bit in this community. So, uh uh so reclaim is a community resource providing pathways to stability, opportunity, and connection. Uh we uh had a bunch of people that came together in 2012 to start talking about what it would look like to open a shelter in this community and 42 days after that initial meeting we opened our first shelter. Had no idea what we were doing but here we are today. Um while we still provide a substantial amount of shelter and serve people that are actively unhoused uh we've shifted a large portion of our efforts into prevention which has been really amazing. Uh for anybody that doesn't know, we purchased a building a little over two years ago. So we finally have brick and mortar um in downtown Snowqualami and we provide uh the first ever community

service center for the upper Noami Valley. This has never existed here before. Uh we named it the front door because uh historically marginalized community members are expected to access services through a back door. Um, people of color historically have been expected to take food or whatever else is left over from restaurants and things like that kind of in hiding. And we wanted this to be a place where anybody and everybody could walk through the door and feel very comfortable in that environment, whether they're currently housed and struggling to remain housed or whether they're chronically unhoused. We wanted everybody in that space to feel comfortable. Um, and in that space, we provide case management. We have somebody that's that focuses on helping people sign up for uh social security benefits. If anybody here has ever done that, it is a near impossibility it feels like sometimes. Um and so we walk alongside people. We have rental and other financial assistance to help people stay housed. Uh we have laundry cards and and gas cards that reduce down those monthly costs, emergency food, baby items and toiletries. And then people are welcome to come in and access our Wi-Fi, computers, and phones. And just in quarter 1 of 2026 in that building, in just the front door community service center, we had 320 individuals that we served in a 3-month period. And then when you come in our building on the left hand side uh is Threads of Kindness. This clothing boutique offers uh free clothing and household items for anybody and everybody in our community that needs that. They do not need to prove their income level, their housing status, anything. They're welcome to come in. Um the nice thing, too, is because we're not just serving unhoused folks, we're able to carry a lot of really nice clothing. Um a lot of clothing for children. We have a teen section, so feel free to just come in for yourself or anybody else that might need it in the community. Um and then this program is fully supported by community donations and volunteers, thus

the name Threads of Kindness. And then our shelter to home program is a motel-based shelter program where we support between 35 and 50 people every single night. We shelter them in the valley. The majority of those motel stays um happen in Northbend because you guys have the majority of the motel in this community. Um we will shelter outside of the valley if we need to do that. Um if it's an unsafe environment for somebody to remain in, if they're fleeing domestic violence, things like that. Um, so we shifted our our congregate shelter that we had for many years. It's all motelbased shelter now. Um, this and we now have a 60-day program. We originally started that as a 90-day program and with the ability to extend people's time upwards of 6 months if they needed that time, if they were actively involved in case management and working with our staff to move through to housing. Um, we have since reduced that down to a 60-day simply because we are turning people away every single day and we have a waiting list that we're trying to move through. And so we're reducing that down to 60 days, but people can still stay longer if they're needing to do that. Um, and in the first quarter of the year, we were able to uh move 52 52 people into permanent housing through that program. So, it's hugely successful. And then we have a partnership with uh the Snowquami tribe um paid through the Department of Justice Violence Against Women and that's our resilience rising program. We focus on supporting individuals that are fleeing gender-based violence, domestic violence, trafficking, um stalking. Uh we do prioritize uh indigenous and native females into that program, but we will serve anybody and everybody that needs that um service. We just served a single dad and a son through that program and were able to get them

housed. Um that is also a motel-based emergency um shelter model. We are able to do a safety plan with people as they're coming in, get a replacement phone and cell and cell phone number for them. Um deeper, more intensive case management and other support services. Um and since the inception of that program about a year and a half ago, we've served 31 households. And then we still have our severe weather shelter. So anybody that was around in 2012, they know that our intention was to be lifesaving. We are life-saving agency before we do anything else. And then we build relationships from there. Um, and so we always want to make sure as we're transitioning into more of a prevention model or into that motel stay model, we want to make sure that we're still tending to the needs of our most chronically unhoused folks that for whatever reason either we have not been able to help get into housing or they have not they're not in a position at this point in time to be able to do that work with us. We will always find a place for them to be when there's extreme cold or heat or smoke events. Um, and our intention is to make sure that nobody ever dies outside. So, in our building in Snowqualami, that's the only sheltering that we do in that building. And it's usually maybe 40 nights a year when we have severe weather. Any families we'll place in motel, all single adults come into that space with us just temporarily. And on to the housing affordability um in the community. So, it is a growing crisis. Um, the last point in time count in King County showed that there were over 14,000 people in our county experiencing homelessness and it is definitely happening in our community. I think that we as a shelter do a really good job. Um, and we have two other shelters in this in the valley as well. Um, we are that emergency response. Um, but we still definitely have people that are living outdoors. We have people that

are living in their vehicles. Um, and living unhoused in a rural community can be so much more isolating and so much more dangerous for people. Um, and much harder to get them indoors once they've been outdoors for a really long time. They tend to become almost feral sometimes just from living such an isolated existence. Um, and then we're also seeing countless people that I consider are working poor. They're working very hard and they just cannot make ends meet and they're needing that extra assistance. And we have numerous older adults, many baby boomers, um, that are coming to us that are aging into homelessness. They maybe had a spouse that passed away or they can't afford their housing anymore. Um, many of those folks live in their vehicles and come to us through through our shelter to home program. And then for our lowest income neighbors, it is virtually impossible to live here without some level of assistance. Um, and so I I really um hope that our cities can come together to um figure out how to make a place for everybody in our community. We're so much richer for that within the city of Northbend. Um so you guys did your comprehensive plan. I think the latest one was in 2024. Um showing that nearly half of Northbend renters are at risk. 47% of renters are costburdened, which is very common. You guys are not This is not an anomaly. Everybody's experiencing this. Um, and many pay over 50% of their income on housing. That means that nearly half of Northbend renters are one unexpected expense or emergency away from losing their housing. We're actively losing affordable housing options as well. So, the valley isn't just struggling to build enough affordable housing. It's actively losing the housing that we've had available to people as that critical option to keep people um from entering homelessness. The Mount Sai Motel is a 17-unit

property uh that we've partnered with for many years um that is also historically doubled as transitional housing. Uh Leo and Jason that own that have allowed people to stay there for quite some time. Um they even had a gentleman um that had been living there for some time where they brought hospice care into him and he died in that in the motel um but in a place that he'd been comfortable in for a very long time. Um so they have a huge heart for people that are um not able to make ends meet. Um they are looking to sell that property and it's currently on the market for $4.5 million. That's a 17 unit property. And then we've just learned that Regency Apartments on Cedar Avenue has also gone live um to be sold. It's 11 units. Um, the sale of this property will likely bump rents beyond any level of affordability for the lower income people that are currently living there. We found out because one of their tenants came to us um, frantic about the possibility of losing housing. I don't know what the specific situation is there. Um, but the possibility is, I think, huge that once somebody comes in and they remodel those, those those will become market rate rents or at least out of um out of the ability for our folks to be able to pay that rent. And then some of you are familiar with Colonial Square Apartment. While this sits in Snowqualami, we are such a tight-knit community that we really house the same people. We shelter the same people. We kind of go between um both communities. Um so this was is a historically lowincome um not registered as a lowinccome but has been um offering low rents for many years uh right at Metobrook on the back side of the high school at the four corners at Metobrook there. The property was recently purchased um and rents are going to become market rate rents. 19 low-income households are being displaced with little to no relocation funds. We have tried very hard to work

with the new owners of that property. Um they were not interested in doing that unfortunately and so Northwest Justice Project has now been involved. Um they are representing um numerous clients on that property. Um and we are supporting numerous clients that are there and helping them to find replacement housing. Unfortunately for these folks, we have not found one property in the valley that allows them to actually stay here. They are moving away from their children, their grandchildren. and some of them are even having to relocate out of state. Um, and then King Five News has covered the beginning of this situation and I believe we'll likely have them out later on this week um with some other things that are happening. Um, and then the 20 or the 230 main project. I know I I don't have a lot of information. Um, I came to the open house which was really wonderful. Um, but I know that there were community members that were really concerned about the parking situation. um this project, as you guys all are well aware, um 40 units of long-term housing affordability, um that would uh meet the um 60% median income. Um thoughtful planning can address the parking situations and I really really encourage the city to prioritize people over parking um and ensure that people have that safe affordable home um in this healthy community and healthy environment for people and then what can Northbend do? Um so please ensure like to be able to to protect the properties that we already have and the ones that we're starting to lose. Ensure that city policies consistent consistently lift up and protect our most vulnerable community members. Preserve low-income housing now before it's all gone. Continue investing in prevention like you do with us and many other nonprofits in the community. And then support well-managed permanent supportive housing units in Northbend.

And I say well-managed because I am of the belief that we can build any housing that we desire. we can make it so beautiful and tend to the needs of the people that are needing that housing. It just needs to be managed well. So when you hear of other communities in this valley where there's a lot of response from first responders, things like that, specifically Panorama um on the ridge that that was originally supposed to be um supported on site and it was supposed to be run by Imagine Housing. something happened and then a for-profit agency came in and took away all supportive services that were supposed to be on that property. So, please focus the energy on the support that can be offered and not the criminalization of the people that are living there. Um, and then to protect renters. Um, so I'll be talking to the city of Snowquami and Carnation and Duvall about this as well. um really asking the cities to require longer notice periods for building sales and redevelopment, implement rate rent stabilization policies that go even further than what the county is implementing or the state is implementing at this time. Um to prevent large rent increases, require significant relocation assistance when tenants are displaced. The city can require people that purchase these properties to uh provide tenants with relocation dollars. Um they cannot leave without that money. They don't have it. And then support right to return policies after redevelopment whenever possible. And then allow more housing types. Uh we're we're going to be diving in. Um I facilitate a what do we call an attainable housing group in the community and we're talking a lot about ADUs and DADUs right now as a possible

option. So just know I'll be circling back um supporting just getting creative with our housing. Um because we all know that building housing and building affordable housing is extremely difficult and sometimes feels really impossible. So let's get really creative and outside the box. um ADUs, duplexes, triplexes, cottage houses, and then remove like excessive parking requirements, owner occupancy rules, um complex permitting, any anything that you can that is a barrier that is really an unnecessary barrier. I just ask that you you lift that. And then in closing, housing stability is the foundation of a healthy community. Housing is a human right. Um without housing, people cannot recover. um they can't focus on anything else of all that they are doing is surviving every day whether they're out on the streets or they're barely housed but having to work two or three jobs in order to stay housed. Um so thank you for your time. Together we can do amazing things and reclaim is always here to partner along the way and I put my contact info there.

Jen, can you hang on for a moment and I can ask council if you have any questions or comments to make. Do you have any? I do. Okay. Yes, Mr. Rustic. I know what you told. Thank Thank you, Jen, for coming. Appreciate it. I appreciate I learned some additional things that I know you had just come to public health and safety at the end of last year. So, this this was great presentation.

Um, the first quarter of 2026, I think the number was 52 that you found permanent housing for, which is fantastic. What kind of housing do you typically place people in? Are they the examples that you you talked about the Mount Sai Hotel, the Regency Apartments, or is there something else? I'm trying to understand. Yeah. Like the best solutions for what you're trying to

So often, so I didn't look at the stats before I came to see how many of those people were able to remain in the valley, but I can tell you that likely all of them, if not nearly all, just nearly all of them had to leave the valley in order to get housing. Um and so we we partner with HopeLink in their housing programs. We partner with Plymouth Housing um and have contracts at their new Redmond location and then also at the Eastgate location. We've housed nine people at that East Eastgate location that are all still housed there and that's a permanent supportive housing project. Um so if we ever wanted to or something like that, we can completely do that. Um, some people are going into their own, um, are able to afford once they're able to stay with us and stack some money and get a better paying job, they're able to actually afford market rate rent. If it's a small studio or maybe a one-bedroom, um, we have people that are moving into assisted living. We have partnerships with um, assisted living homes that are outside of the valley. Unfortunately, many of them are down south. Um, and then we also, whenever possible, we partner with the senior center housing in Carnation as well. They don't have a lot of openings usually. We're trying to swoop up their one veteran unit right now.

Yeah. So, no AD and no none of the other options that we talked about. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. Appreciate it. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? Council Rob. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. Long time.

I know. and um you know 14 years from a few nights of shelter in the coldest of weather to the program that has been built over the years and and I'm certainly learning the breath tonight more than I had realized in the way it's expanded the last few years. So congratulations for that amazing uh work and yes I hear you as I know my colleagues here are hearing you on how much more there is to do and you know as you made a few comments about the 230 main project and you know just today we're being updated on the unwinding of that and the frustration I know that uh I feel I know my colleagues feel for me you know I'm out of answers I and even ideas and and so thank you for providing suggestions and um and hopefully we can uh find a way to a act but the uh the inability of us to find a way to help uh with the attainable housing is just so frustrating. So thank you for sticking with it. Thank you for all the growth um that you've shown in the organization and in your leadership.

Thank you. We appreciate that. We appreciate your support. We couldn't do it without you. Thank you. Thank you, council member. Any other council members wish to speak? Um well, I'll just say, Jen, I've known you quite a long time now, and I've watched uh how hard the efforts that you've had to go through to get where we're at today, and the need is still growing. It's growing faster than ever. It's my expectation of understanding. I also want to let you know that your team is exemplary. So, please let them know how much we appreciate them as well. Thank you. Thank you for your leadership as always. Thank you. We'll try to find some way to help. This is a very conscientious and caring council. So, wonderful. Thank you. Thank you for coming tonight. Thank you.

All right. Moving on to introductions. Uh item number 10, AB26-042. Motion accepting King Conservation District grant for tollgate forest restoration. Mr. Mike McCarti. Thank you, Mayor. Yeah, thank you.

So, the city of Northbend is a member jurisdiction of the King Conservation District. And as a member jurisdiction, we receive an annual allocation of funds that can be used for various conservation and natural resource improvement projects. Uh with those funds and with other grants, we built a long-standing relationship with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust to provide habitat restoration projects up and down um really the the entire city of North Bend, principally focused on riparian areas and principally along the South Forks and Kwami River. So this is the latest in a a series of many projects. And this first one that I'm bringing you tonight is a project specifically at Tolgate Farm in the forest area of Tolgate Farm to provide uh restoration um along about 3,000 ft of both banks of the South Forks and Kwami River. So this is continuing the work that was started with a 2023 cooperative man uh watershed management grant um and provides removal of extensive invasives including Japanese notweed and holly and ivy that uh diminish forest health and planting of approximately 2,300 native trees and shrubs. So, the uh motion before you to uh tonight is to accept $24,625 um from the King Conservation District uh for a grant to provide this restoration project.

Thank you, Mike. Uh council, do you have any clarifying questions for Mr. McCarti? Oh, Mr. Rustik, thank you. Thanks, Mike. Um maybe I didn't read this correctly. So this this is accepting a grant and then on well page 33 of the packet there's a list of total matching funds and it says optional. So by approving this acceptance of this grant are we also authorizing the matching funds or the matching funds in this case were um previously allocated by council with the acceptance of that 2023 cooperative watershed management grant.

Okay. Thank you. I'll probably ask the same question on the next one because I was really trying to understand that. But thank you. Anybody else from council have any clarifying questions from Mr. McCartney. I'm seeing that. Okay. Mr. Tricson's came through you your your committee CED. So please make the motion when you're ready. Could I ask one quick question first? Oh, sure. Um when did we when did council approve that? like was that recently or that probably um Jamie I think probably brought that through. I'm guessing that would have come through in 2020 um four if it was a 2023 CWM grant.

Okay. I was just curious trying to track on the timeline. Okay, I'm ready. Okay, take it away please. Um motion to approve AB26-042 authorizing the city to accept accept a $24,625 from King County conservation district member jurisdiction grant and authorizing the mayor to execute and administer an agreement with KD KCD for tollgate forest planting. Can I have a second please? Second. Thank you, Miss Coen. Um, Miss Torres, would you would like to speak to your motion?

Well, we always like grant money, and when it's making our mountains look more beautiful, you know, how can you say no? Well said, Miss Coen, you have anything you'd like to add? Council member Torus stole the words right out of my mouth. Um, who can say no to grant money and making things nicer? So, I do approve of this. Great. Anybody else on council have any comments they'd like to make? Mr. Jocelyn?

Uh just briefly, you know, these things come through committee and part of placing uh such items on the main agenda is to air them and bring them forward as positive net benefits to our uh community and that receipt of grant money is always a good thing. And so that's part of the conversation that happened in committee was to place both this and the next item on the main agenda simply such that it can be uh brought forward and our constituents are are aware of uh such efforts and the efforts of staff and clearly it it doesn't happen overnight. Uh these things do take time. I uh want to acknowledge staff and their foresight as always in pursuing these sorts of opportunities. Thank you.

Thank you Mr. Johnson. Anybody else wish to make a comment? Seeing none. Okay. Motion to approve AB26-042 authorizing the city to accept $24,625 from King Conservation District member jurisdiction grant and authorizing the mayor to execute and administer an agreement with KCD for tollgate forest planning. All in favor? I. Any opposed? Motion passes unanimously. Thank you one and all. Our last item of the evening, number 11, AB26-043. motion accepting King Conservation District grant for Ryberry Creek Restoration. Back to you, Mr. McCarti.

Thank you, Mayor. So, same grant program, same project partner, different project. So, this would be um a King Conservation District grant for $32,000 along Ryberry Creek. So, this is an area between Ryber Creek and the Southworks Noam River along what we consider the Nintendo reach. So, basically adjacent to the Nintendo property. And this is continuing the work that was started with a 2022 cooperative wershed management grant uh for this same stretch. Um it was also matched at the time with 50,000 in tree mitigation funds um from the city that were committed to the overall project. So this is continuing work um further upstream along the south forks and river. This is a project site that's principally characterized by extensive blackberry um thickets. Um and by planting native vegetation and removing the blackberry thickets, we're really improving the habitat and shading along both the Ryberry Creek and the South Forks Nquami River. So, this is uh member jurisdiction funds um no additional cost to the city and uh a great project.

Thank you, Mr. McCartney. Any clarifying questions for Mike from council? Seeing none. Uh, no. Okay. Miss Torus, this is again from CED committee, which you're chair of. Would you make the motion, please? Certainly. Motion to approve AB26-043 authorizing the city to accept $32,000 from the King County Conserv Conservation District. Boy, I've read that one. um member jurisdiction grant in authorizing the mayor to accept and administer an agreement with KCD for award for the South Fork Snowquami River and Ryberry Creek Habitat Restoration Project.

Oops. Can I get a second? Second. Thank you very much. U Miss Torson, would you like to speak to your motion? Well, it's no cost to the city and um again, we're getting value add to the city in our areas with with this with uh this grant money. So, um it's a no-brainer for me. Excellent. Miss Rustic, would you like to say? I'll just add that um you know I I appreciated the pictures because they really spoke volumes about the work that was being done and and agree with my fellow council members that this is this is something that continues to make our community a great place to be. So thank you.

Excellent. Anybody else in council have any comments to for Mike or anything? No. Okay. Motion to approve AB26-043 authorizing the city to accept $32,000 from the King Conservation District member jurisdiction grant and authorizing the mayor to execute and administer an agreement with KCD for award for the South Forks Nocomi River and Ryber Creek Habitat Restoration Project. All in favor? I. Any opposed? That's a resounding uh favorable answer to all. Thank you for that. and we are going to move on to mayor council and administrative concerns and initiatives. Miss Torus, would you take it away tonight, please? Sure.

Okay. Thank you, Mayor. Uh, first, while we often look to tech for innovation, one of Washington's greatest breakthroughs grew from our own soil, the Cosmic Crisp apple. Developed over 20 years at the Washington State University, this cross between the Honey Crisp apple and the Enterprise Apple is a marvel of modern palmology. Exceptionally crunchy, perfectly balanced, and slow to brown. It the name comes from the tiny little light spots on its deep red skin that resemble starry galaxy. This superstar represents a deep commitment to our local economy. Because it was funded by the state taxpayers and farmers, the Cosmic Crisp remains exclusive to Washington growers until 2032. Northbend plays a vital role in this global journey. Bred for durability, these apples are built to survive the long ocean voyage to international markets such as Vietnam. As they travel from central Washington orchards, uh, orchards to the port of Seattle, they roll directly through our community. Every refrigerated truck cutting through our town is likely carrying the fruit of Washington's labor to the rest of the world. So, the next time you're at a local QFC or Safeway, grab a taste of this Washington original and take pride in the fact that North Ben is the gateway for a cosmic success story. That's my first item. Um, my also that apple's my favorite apple by the way. Um, my next two items are about providing reports to the city council. Um, one is regarding procurement reporting. Um, as we talked about at the A April 7th council meeting, the city procurement policy section 1.5.3.1 mandates any contract signed under the authority must be reported to council monthly, including the firm name, services provided, and the amount

awarded. And uh, I know we had talked about that and I was wondering if the city had um, started working on that or if we're getting any sort of feedback on when that might be happening. Thank you, Martin. Martin Shaw, finance director. No, we haven't uh started that yet. Uh Councilwoman, it is on our list. You know, we've just been swamped and preparing for the city budget. Do you have like an estimated time? Uh we'll try to get it within the next couple of months.

Couple months. Okay. And then I had my other questions probably for you too, Martin. Um it's I really am interested in the personnel costs. In December, we got that personnel um budget versus actual personnel report. Thought that was really helpful and I'd really like to see that report. I know you gave me another report you guys had been working on, but the one we received in December was a one pager and it had to do just with personnel costs. I was hoping to get a copy of that. Um and I was wondering if what's the timeline on that as well?

Well, uh let me look into that. I know I prepared a budget to actual report for you. Right. And that wasn't what I wanted. The one the one you gave me in December, all of us in December, that was the one I was looking for, which was awesome. Okay. Okay. Thanks. Yeah. Okay, Miss Colen. Nothing tonight, your honor.

Okay. Thank you, Miss Rustic. Um, I just wanted to share, um, in my neighborhood and in many neighborhoods I've seen on social media, there's been a lot of conversation about, uh, solicitors going doortodoor and, uh, particularly extremely aggressive solicitors that are coming at all hours of the evening and interrupting kids sleeping and that type of thing. So, um I checked with the city and there are no solicitor licenses right now um within the city of Northbend. So, if you uh have somebody that comes to your door, let them know that they they they do have a license to uh perform work in the city of Northbend, but they do not have a license to um solicit doortodoor and that they need to do that in order to be in compliance. um if they continue to uh come doortodoor um I was told by the city and sorry chief that they could uh contact the non-emergency uh police line uh to try and get resolution and uh hopefully that'll that'll change their behaviors. I know it happens frequently during the spring and summer so this isn't a one-time issue. Thank you. And if I can add those solicitors that do come to people's homes, they need to show their credentials, so to speak. So, thank you very much. That's an interesting Didn't know that was happening. Thank you for alerting me. Um, okay. We're going to go to Mr. Joselyn.

Uh, thank you, your honor. Yes. Just earlier this evening, I had a very aggressive solicitor come by uh bug removal and rodent removal and got around fairly quickly to asking the question of what questions I had for him. And I said, "How soon you'll get off my porch and let me get on with my evening?" And that wasn't enough. I had to go two more rounds. Uh you know, just suggesting that I wasn't interested in the services he was offering. And certainly I should have said do you have a solicitor's license? Um so there's that. The other thing uh it's there was a recent uh piece published in the uh living snow me suggesting that the city is facing a 2027 budget deficit and as far as I'm aware the finance director no such thing has been predicted. The city is not broke. Uh and we are not facing a budget budget deficit. I know staff pays close attention as does council to the city's finances. I have a concern uh for staff retention and uh that folks don't begin to be worried and similarly for constituents. They read something in the paper that suggests the city's facing a budget deficit next year and that provides grounds for concerns especially if it's misinformation and it's wrong. So I encourage all of us as council to be mindful with the words we use because words matter. That's it your honor. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Jos. Mr. McFarland,

thank you. I find inviting them to weed gets rid of them pretty quick. Um, so it it was occurring to me a very light, so to speak, agenda this evening, which uh citizens listening might be thinking, wow, not a whole lot going on. coming to council from the administration over the next few months are some rather impactful choices uh for the city regarding land use tax collections and how those things are applied. So I'm encouraging uh uh citizens to watch and read carefully the choices being presented uh to all of us and be sure and provide your feedback. Um, beyond that, uh, as I've committed myself to doing, uh, um, sharing with you, and you may not feel that way still, but, uh, uh, songs from the past that apply to today. One of my favorite uh, southern singers, Nancy Griffith, wrote in, uh, 1989, it's a hard life wherever you go. And I'm going to read a couple of lines from that um in light of some of the things going on in the world and the way I uh know that some of those folks outside of the US are wondering about us. And some of this does sound like me. I was a child in the 60s. Dreams could be had through TV with Disney and Konite and Martin Luther. Oh, I believed. I believed. I believed. Now I'm in the backseat driver from America and I am not at the wheel of control. I am guilty. I am war. I am the root of all evil. That's the way I'm ending up feeling these days and it's a terrible way to

feel. Thank you. Thank you, Mayor Prom Tremolada.

Uh, sure. A couple things. Thank you, Council Member Rustic. I just had that discussion with my uh neighborhood and HOA. So, I will relay uh that information. Uh little league season is in full swing. The parks are full. Uh keep an eye out. Um come out and support our baseball and softball players. It's a great time. Weather's been great. Um so, uh enjoy the spring. And I also want to continue the conversation as I have uh throughout the year that in the United States roughly 23% of adults nearly 60 million people experience mental health issues annually uh with anxiety 19.1% and major depression disorders 15.5% being the most common. Talk to your friends and family. Reach out. Have that cup of coffee. Mental health matters. Don't let the hard days win. Uh Mr. Mr. Henderson who's acting as our standin for Amber

and thank you for that.

Well, thank you mayor. Yeah. Yeah. I just want to say congratulations uh to the plan commission plan commissioners who were reappointed this evening. They've got a lot of I think good work and projects coming up ahead of them. So look forward to working on with them on that and just want to say a big thanks to the mayor council and my fellow staff members for supporting me while Amber's been out and really just appreciate all their support and help. So thank you. Well, we certainly appreciate you. Um, let's see. Join me for my meet up with the mayor series, which where residents are invited to stop, chat, and ask city related questions that are important to you and connect. I'll be at Hugsdaughter Coffee tomorrow, uh, from 5 to 6:00 p.m. Uh, the always popular Sip, Suds, and Sai event is happening on Saturday, May 9th from 6:00 to 9:00. Uh, grab your friends for a self-guided evening of tasting and exploring the charm of downtown Northbend. For more information, check out the community calendar on the city website. Uh, Police Chief Heda Hall, who's sitting very calmly and quietly in the back, thank you for being here, by the way, um, invites residents to join him in community conversation about local public safety and the city's new police department. Please stop by for two opportunities to connect on Wednesday, May 13th at Preston on Maine from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or at Blackwater Brewing from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Additional meetups are scheduled. If you are unable to attend, uh, please check the city's calendar on your website. And the yard waste recycling program which has been highly successful so far. So we appreciate the community using this uh will be held uh Saturday May 9th from 8 am to noon at public works. Those attending are asked to use the public works entrance off of Northbend Way. The program is open to select Saturdays through October and is available to all who reside in the 98045 zip code area. And uh just want to congratulate the planning commissioners again for re-uping if you will. We appreciate your hard efforts. Um, and just want to let you all know that I'm going to be gone on the May 19th uh, city council meeting um, for a gosh, it's a retail trade

show, the largest in the nation held at where? Las Vegas, of course.

So, I won't be seeing any shows, but I'll be watching a lot of shows on three layers with James Henderson over there, our very fine CED director or director. And, um, we hope to make some create some great relationships out there to boost our economic development going forward. That's the goal. And meanwhile, Mayor Prom Tremolada will be chairing the meeting on my behalf and I'm have great hopes and I know in I have faith in you. So, it'll be a great night, I'm sure. And I'm getting sorry I'm not there. And happy Mother's Day on Sunday. Yes, to all the mothers out there, however you come. Um I hope we're going to have great weather for you and you have a wonderful time with your family. Please enjoy. Have a great night and thanks again for joining us tonight. And thank you our our legal up top in the Zoom area. Thank you. I didn't get to say hi to you. Thanks for joining us, Kendra.

Thank you. Have a good evening. You too. And can I get an adjournment? Motion for encoument. So move. Thank you. Can I sec? Oh, thank you. Uh all in favor? I I thank you. Thank you. Motion is journed. Thank you all.