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City Council Regular Meeting Auto captions

Monday, February 5, 2024

7:00 PM · 2h 45m · Council Chambers, 135 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah WA
Topics tracked across meetings:
Economic Development Plan Update COM 0225 25/27
Cultural & Religious Calendar Review AB 8746 5/6
Public Art Update: Pedestrian Park, Senior Center Plazas, (D,I) AB 8695 5/6
City of Issaquah 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory (I) ID 1517 2/3
Vacation of a Portion of 2nd Avenue SE AB 8687 2/3
Multi-Family Housing Tax Exemption Ordinance AB 8787 1/2
Environmental Board Report ID 1574 2/2
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant (NW Juniper Street Improvements) AB 8725 2/2
2024 Arts Grant Recommendations AB 8778 2/2
Section
Topic
3. SPECIAL BUSINESS
3a
Black History Month Proclamation ID 1586
5 min · packet pp.7
Staff report:
SPECIAL BUSINESS a) CITY OF ISSAQUAH Mayor's Office WASHINGTON 130 E. Sunset Way I P.O. Box 1307 Issaquah, WA 98027 (425) 837-3020 issaquahwa.gov
3b
Environmental Board Report ID 1574
15 min · packet pp.9–41
Staff report:
Present the 2023 Environmental Board Annual Report to the City Council.
3c
Mayor's State of the City Remarks ID 1609
15 min · packet pp.43
Staff report:
Mayor's Office 130 E. Sunset Way | P.O. Box 1307 Issaquah, WA 98027 425-837-3020 issaquahwa.gov
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
5a
Accounts: Payables and Payroll of Feb. 5, 2024, $6,848,992.44 ID 1631
Carried 7-0
Approve · packet pp.45–88
Topics: Budget
Staff report:
Finance Department P.O. Box 1307 Issaquah, WA 98027 PH: 425-837-3050 www.issaquahwa.gov
5b
Minutes: City Council Committee of the Whole, Sept. 11, 2023
Carried 7-0
Approve · packet pp.89–90
Staff report:
CONSENT CALENDAR b) 09-11-23 City Council Committee of the Whole Minutes Page (0000)
5c
Minutes: City Council Special Meeting, Sept. 11, 2023
Carried 7-0
Approve · packet pp.91
Staff report:
CONSENT CALENDAR c) 09-11-23 City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page (0000) CITY OF ISSAQUAH City Council Special Meeting 7:15 PM Council Chambers September 11, 2023 MINUTES 135 E. Sunset Way
5d
Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting, Oct. 2, 2023
Carried 7-0
Approve · packet pp.93–96
Staff report:
CONSENT CALENDAR d) 10-02-23 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page (0000) CITY OF ISSAQUAH City Council Regular Meeting 7:00 PM Council Chambers October 2, 2023 MINUTES 135 E. Sunset Way
5e
Informational Update: Emergency Housing & Crisis Response Programs ID 1515
Carried 7-0
Receive Report · packet pp.97–101
Topics: HousingPublic Safety
Staff report:
The purpose of this report is to provide an informational update on the 0.1% Affordable Housing Sales Tax (HB #1590) funding allocations approved by City Council for 2023, specifically for:
5f
Informational Update: Equity Board Report ID 1657
Carried 7-0
Receive Report · packet pp.103–108
Topics: Equity
Staff report:
This informational update outlines the activities of the Equity Board in 2023.
5g
Amendments to IMC Chapter AB 8679
Carried 7-0
Adopt Ordinance · packet pp.109–190
Topics: Land Use
Staff report:
Issaquah Municipal Code Chapter 6.08 Animal Control was last updated by in 1980 and 1983 (Ordinance 1411 in 1980 and Ordinance 1567 in 1983). This Chapter adopts by reference the majority of Title 11 King County Code, Animal Services. Issaquah has an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with King County for Regional Animal Services (available online) . This ILA helps provide animal control, sheltering and licensing services at a regional basis, and allows coordination and consistency across jurisdictional boundaries.
5h
Dept. of Commerce Grant for Senior Center and Veterans Memorial Consolidated Park AB 8695
Carried 7-0
Accept Grant; Authorize Agreement · packet pp.191–223
Topics: Parks
Staff report:
In 2022, the City Council prioritized and budgeted $4.0M of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funds to go towards two park projects - the Pedestrian Park/Senior Center Plaza project, and the Confluence Park/Ek House project.
5i
SE 43rd Way Signalization Project AB 8705
Carried 7-0
Accept Project · packet pp.225–227
Staff report:
City Attorney Review Review Date
5j
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant (NW Juniper Street Improvements) AB 8725
Carried 7-0
Accept Grant; Authorize Agreement · packet pp.229–242
Topics: Transportation
Staff report:
C. Local Agency Agreement D. Project Prospectus City Attorney Review Review Date
5k
Religious and Cultural Calendar AB 8746
Carried 7-0
Approve Resolution · packet pp.243–257
Topics: Arts & Culture
Staff report:
The City of Issaquah first developed this Religious and Cultural Calendar in late 2022. The purpose of the calendar was two-fold: 1. To provide a diversity and inclusion tool for City staff by creating a list of important religious and cultural holidays that the City should take into consideration and make every effort to avoid scheduling public meetings on. 2. To formalize the City’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and help increase awareness of the religious and cultural diversity represented in Issaquah.
5l
Civil Service Commission Appointment AB 8752
Carried 7-0
Confirm · packet pp.259–260
Topics: Boards & Commissions
Staff report:
There are three members of the Civil Service Commission. One position is being vacated, requiring a mid-term recruitment to ensure the Commission can continue to meet and have a quorum. The position to be filled will expire on April 30, 2024.
5m
Water System Improvements Project (WT045) Change Order AB 8757
Carried 7-0
Authorize · packet pp.261–263
Topics: Water
Staff report:
On April 4, 2022, the City Council awarded the construction contract to McClure & Sons, Inc. for the Water System Improvements Project WT 045, in the amount of $1,952,017.95.
5n
2023 Emergency Management Performance Grant AB 8764
Carried 7-0
Accept Grant; Authorize Agreement · packet pp.265–307
Topics: Public Safety
Staff report:
The Federal Department of Homeland Security administers the annually recurring Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) through state governments, who in turn share the funds with local governments. The EMPG is intended to provide the resources required for implementation of the National Preparedness System and work toward the National Preparedness Goal of a secure and resilient nation. The EMPG’s allowable costs support efforts to build and sustain core capabilities across the prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery mission areas.
5o
Department of Commerce Middle Housing Grant, Modified Agreement AB 8770
Carried 7-0
Authorize · packet pp.309–324
Topics: Housing
Staff report:
The City Council authorized acceptance of the grant funds and execution of the grant agreement with the Washington State Department of Commerce for the Middle Housing Grant at the Dec. 4, 2023 City Council meeting (AB 8732). Since that time, the Deputy City Attorney noticed some issues with the agreement approved by the City Council and has recommended the modified agreement come back for City Council approval.
5p
2023 Washington Military Department Cybersecurity Grant AB 8771
Carried 7-0
Accept Grant; Authorize Agreement · packet pp.325–365
Topics: Public Safety
Staff report:
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), administered by the Federal Department of Homeland Security through state governments, distributes funds to local governments. The program is designed to support the implementation of the National Preparedness System and contribute to the National Preparedness Goal of achieving a secure and resilient nation. Allowable costs under the SLCGP aim to bolster core capabilities across prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery mission areas.
5q
Wireless Meter Read Hardware and Software Project Contract AB 8773
Carried 7-0
Authorize · packet pp.367–387
Staff report:
City Attorney Review Review Date
5r
NE Newport Way Sewer Relocation (SW 017) Project Design Contract AB 8775
Carried 7-0
Accept Project; Authorize Additional Funding · packet pp.389–432
Topics: TransportationWaterBudget
Staff report:
City Attorney Review Review Date
5s
Scanning Contract Extension (City Hall NW Project) AB 8777
Carried 7-0
Authorize · packet pp.433–461
Staff report:
Due to extensive required maintenance and in anticipation of a potential surplus of the property, the City formally closed the City Hall NW facility at 1775 12th Avenue NW to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic and relocated the permit center and existing staff to other City facilities. As part of moving out of the facility, the City Council allocated funds to organize, purge and digitize the paper records at City Hall NW, which included records from multiple City departments spanning back as far as the 1940's.
5t
2024 Arts Grant Recommendations AB 8778
Carried 7-0
Approve · packet pp.463–465
Topics: Arts & Culture
Staff report:
The City supports arts and culture programs and projects in and for the community through an annual arts granting program administered by the Arts Commission. The Arts Commission annually reviews the granting program criteria, foci and processes to ensure the program is meeting the needs of the arts community and the community at large. In 2023, the arts granting program was revised to be categorized into several application types to better reflect the diversity of applicants. The same approach was taken for 2024. The grant categories are:  Arts Partnerships: General support for Issaquah-based nonprofit arts organizations that have arts and culture as the singular focus of their mission. Max request: 10% of operating budget, up to $35,000.  Arts Projects: Project support to organizations, informal groups or individual artists to deliver an arts or cultural project or event to benefit…
6. PUBLIC HEARING
6a
Vacation of a Portion of 2nd Avenue SE AB 8687
Conduct Public Hearing · 20 min · packet pp.467–488
Staff report:
Following an extensive public engagement process, an off-leash dog park was identified as a priority project in the City's 2018 Parks Strategic Plan. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City made several budget reductions in 2020, which impacted many parks projects, including the dog park. A two-year Pop-Up Dog Park Tour was successful in serving resident needs for an off-leash dog facility while the City explored options. The site by the Issaquah Community Center along the Rainier Trail proved to be extremely popular. In the 2023-2024 budget, the City Council authorized funding to make a permanent dog park at the site by the Issaquah Community Center while continuing to pursue a permanent option at Tibbetts Valley Park during future re-visioning of the park. A portion of the proposed dog park by the Community Center is located within right of way for 2nd Avenue SE.
6b
Multi-Family Housing Tax Exemption Ordinance AB 8787
Conduct Public Hearing · 20 min · packet pp.489–527
Topics: HousingLand UseBudget
Staff report:
In 2017, the City adopted a MFTE program pursuant to Chapter 84.14 RCW, allowing for special valuation of eligible improvements associated with multifamily housing in areas designated by the City Council as "residential targeted areas," for the purpose of increasing residential opportunities for affordable housing. The program is codified at Chapter 3.09 IMC. Currently, the City has established one residential targeted area, the Tibbetts Valley Transit-Oriented Development Targeted Area.
7. REGULAR BUSINESS
7a
Economic Development Action Plan AB 8753
Approve Resolution · 30 min · packet pp.529–721
Topics: Economic Development
Staff report:
C. Presentation City Attorney Review Review Date
10. INFORMATIONAL UPDATES
10a
Informational Update: 2022 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory ID 1517
Receive Report · 30 min · David Reedy, Sustainability Coordinator Stacy Vynne McKinstry, Sustainability Manager · packet pp.723–755
Topics: Climate
Staff report:
Present the 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory to the City Council.
11. GOOD OF THE ORDER
11a
Upcoming Council Meetings
1:01 good evening everyone and welcome I'm
1:03 calling the February 5th city council
1:05 meeting to order we are having some
1:07 technical difficulties so we are not
1:09 able to live stream at this time which
1:11 is our typical practice but we are
1:13 recording the session for those who are
1:15 not able to join us tonight and I do
1:17 thank the big crowd that has joined us
1:20 tonight we usually do not get this many
1:21 people in Chambers so it's pretty
1:25 exciting I take that all back we are on
1:27 the air and we are recording
1:30 so that was a quick fix thank you uh
1:32 council member Ray is not with us this
1:34 evening he has an excused absence and
1:37 just to let you know we still do have a
1:38 remote aspect to our meetings staff and
1:41 members of the public may be
1:42 participating in tonight's meeting
1:43 remotely via webx the first agenda item
1:46 this evening is the Pledge of Allegiance
1:48 and I ask all those those that would
1:50 like to join to
1:54 stand I pledge allegiance to the flag
1:58 United States of America
2:00 to the
2:02 repu one
2:04 nation
2:06 indivisible and justice for
2:12 all we have three special business items
2:15 this evening and the first one is ID
2:19 1586 this is a proclamation for Black
2:22 History Month and I'd like to invite
2:24 Melissa margan to the Lecter to
2:28 present
2:58 one
3:10 here this is
3:12 great can you see it for there we are
3:16 right here it is perfect thank you
3:17 welcome Melissa thank
3:22 you Black History Month originated in
3:25 1926 when famed activist writer and
3:28 preeminent historian Carter G Woodson
3:30 influenced the American historical
3:32 society to designate the second week of
3:35 February as negro history week and
3:38 whereas negro negro history week
3:40 officially became black history month
3:42 during the nation's Bicentennial in
3:45 1976 and whereas Black History Month is
3:47 now celebrated every February in
3:50 recognition of the immense contributions
3:52 of black African-Americans and all
3:54 people of African descent in the United
3:57 States and whereas isqua celebrates the
3:59 significant scientific technological
4:02 economic political and cultural
4:04 contributions of black African-Americans
4:06 in the United States and whereas each
4:09 February Black History Month serves as
4:11 both a celebration and a powerful
4:14 reminder that black history is American
4:16 history black culture is American
4:19 culture and black stories are essential
4:22 for our continued Journey towards a
4:24 better society and understanding
4:26 ourselves and growing stronger as a
4:28 community and whereas isqua acknowledges
4:32 and rejects the long history of
4:33 institutional and structural racism
4:36 towards black African-Americans in the
4:38 US and the observance of Black History
4:41 Month calls our attention to the
4:42 continued need to confront racism and to
4:46 build a society that lives up to its
4:47 democratic ideals not only during the
4:50 month of February but every month and
4:52 every day of the year now therefore I
4:55 Mary Lali mayor of the city of isqua do
4:57 hereby Proclaim February 24 to be Black
5:01 History Month in the city of isqua and
5:03 urge all community members to join me in
5:05 taking time to celebrate the
5:07 contributions and achievements of black
5:09 African-Americans to honor the legacies
5:11 of past generations and reflect upon the
5:14 centuries of Injustice and confront
5:16 those injustices that still impact our
5:19 communities
5:21 today and uh Melissa if you'd like to
5:23 say a few words very
5:25 much got my technical
5:28 difficulties
5:30 as esteemed members of the city council
5:32 honorable mayor and cherished community
5:35 members I stand before you with the
5:37 profound gratitude for the
5:39 acknowledgement of Black History Month
5:41 in the city of isqua and accept this
5:43 Proclamation on behalf of the community
5:45 members who are working together to not
5:47 only honor the past but fortify the
5:49 bonds that unite us as a community the
5:52 commitment of our city council and the
5:53 Visionary leadership of our mayor
5:55 exemplify dedication of championing
5:57 diversity fostering a sense of belonging
6:00 and ensuring that the stories and
6:02 contributions of the African-American
6:04 Community are woven into the fabric of
6:06 our
6:07 city thank you very much for this and so
6:11 with that I'd like to just also let the
6:12 community know that on Saturday and
6:15 Sunday February 24th and 25th at the
6:17 isqua community center from 10: to 4: uh
6:20 we'll be hosting an art of Freedom Art
6:23 Gallery which features artists from the
6:25 Onyx Art Collective and also
6:27 Refreshments from a local caterer uh fat
6:30 boy catering so please come out if you
6:32 are in the community just to enjoy uh
6:35 networking and to see some beautiful art
6:37 but thank you again thank you for the
6:39 invitation and um Melissa's mom is the
6:42 city of isqua employee and according to
6:44 my husband the most gracious welcoming
6:48 face that he's ever met do you want to
6:49 come up here and take a picture with us
6:50 in the proclamation that would
7:07 [Applause]
7:11 [Music]
7:25 our next item under special business
7:27 this evening is id5 74 this is the
7:30 Environmental board report um I'd like
7:34 to invite Jamie Finch the environmental
7:36 board chair and Don mcquilliams the
7:38 environmental board Vice chair and
7:41 sustainability manager Stacy Vin
7:43 mckinstry to the
7:45 Lector welcome
7:58 all
8:10 thank you um to present on the 2023
8:13 environmental board report in a moment I
8:15 will turn this over to Jamie Finch our
8:17 board chair and vice chair Don
8:21 McWilliams tonight we are here to share
8:23 with you a brief summary of the work the
8:25 board completed in 2023 which is
8:28 documented in the annual report as part
8:31 of the annual report the board also
8:33 completes a self-analysis we'll share a
8:35 few Reflections from the board which led
8:38 us to hold a retreat recently we'll
8:41 conclude with the outcomes of the
8:42 retreat and considerations for our next
8:44 year of work I will now Jamie and Don
8:47 for the rest of the
8:50 presentation thank you Stacy and thank
8:52 you so much for having us I think this
8:54 is actually the first time that the
8:57 environmental board has had people in
8:59 person at the council chambers so
9:01 excited to be here and thank you so much
9:03 for having us um we wanted to start just
9:05 with a little bit of background on the
9:07 environmental board um we were started
9:10 was it 2020 or 2021 right on the verge
9:14 um of of those those years obviously in
9:16 a in a crazy time and um we were created
9:20 to advise on on plans and policies um
9:24 after the rivers and stream board had
9:25 been Sunset um which had a very
9:28 different Focus had project focused um
9:31 agenda and scope um so great opportunity
9:34 both focused on the environment natural
9:36 environment topics as well as climate um
9:39 since then we've engaged on a a variety
9:41 of topics most um notably um a lot of
9:44 time spent um with the is isqua climate
9:47 action plan um and then Title 18 spent a
9:51 lot of time working through um plan use
9:53 code and this year we've spent a lot of
9:56 time with the new environmental element
9:57 of the comprehensive plan so been
9:59 exciting to be a part of all those
10:01 processes and um kind of figure out
10:04 where we're going as a board through all
10:05 of that so um I think uh one of the
10:09 things that I'm really grateful for and
10:11 something I wanted to share with with
10:13 everyone here was just a little bit
10:14 about the background of the board I
10:16 think um it's I I'm honored to be able
10:19 to be a part of this group of people
10:21 that we have um just to I put together
10:24 like a brief resume for the board and I
10:26 thought it would be helpful just to hear
10:27 a little bit about um some of the board
10:29 members so we actually have one original
10:31 member of the rivers and streams board
10:33 which she yeah has served through the
10:36 full history of of environmental Focus
10:39 boards in the city um several current
10:41 and former staff members of surrounding
10:43 cities with experience across Public
10:44 Works forestry and surface and storm
10:47 water a former isqua city council member
10:50 uh the owner of a local sustainable
10:52 business a staff member for a local
10:54 Wildlife focused nonprofit a student in
10:57 the esqua school school district and
10:58 several parents of students in the
10:59 school district highly involved
11:02 volunteers and board members of local n
11:04 nonprofits such as the isqua Alps Trails
11:06 Club two isqua Forest stewards um and
11:09 then an environmental scientist and
11:12 environmental engineer a civil and
11:13 environmental engineer Fisheries expert
11:16 storm and surface water expert and
11:17 leadership in local climate local and
11:20 National Climate um nonprofits and
11:23 startup community so um really honored
11:25 to be a part of that group and I think
11:27 um it's been great to see the group come
11:29 together over the past three years with
11:32 that I'll hand it over to
11:34 Don
11:41 Jamie that's the right slide mayor
11:44 council members thank you for having us
11:45 tonight we we're really um excited to be
11:47 here I'm going to talk to you a little
11:49 bit about our 2023 work and some of the
11:51 accomplishments we went through so the
11:53 board works with uh Stacy here our staff
11:55 Lea is on to uh complete our annual
11:57 report each year and a few
11:59 accomplishments from 2023 in 2023 we
12:02 went through an 18-month process to
12:04 review the natural resource and
12:05 sustainability sections of Title 18
12:08 provide recommendations to council and
12:10 we greatly appreciate the collaboration
12:12 with the community Planning and
12:13 Development Department on that process
12:15 and addressing and incorporating the
12:17 majority of our feedback and to the
12:19 council for accepting our
12:20 recommendations we reviewed and
12:22 commented on policies and numerous City
12:24 plans and codes including the storm
12:25 water code the Sewer Master Plan initial
12:28 considerations for the urban forestry
12:30 plan and we provided recommendations to
12:32 support the city in being a leader in
12:33 all those aspects we had the opportunity
12:36 to T the Cedar Grove uh facility as well
12:39 as the Recology facility and provide a
12:41 recommendation on King County's re plus
12:44 program which is a waste diversion
12:46 program we par participated in numerous
12:49 work sessions on the capital Improvement
12:51 program and provided recommendations for
12:52 the climate and environmental criteria
12:54 in the project scoring of that um it was
12:57 a start and we look forward to working
12:58 with the City to improve more on the
13:00 capital program as we move and we
13:02 continue to work with staff to revise
13:04 the process by which we evaluate project
13:06 impacts on the natural environment to
13:08 help inform whether tital 18 and other
13:10 natural resource protection policies are
13:12 working as intended as we provided
13:14 feedback on several IAP initiatives such
13:16 as climate vulnerability assessment
13:18 decarbonation resolution and the
13:20 sustainable
13:22 pleas back to Jamie here I
13:27 believe
13:29 yeah so as I mentioned before we are a
13:31 new board and I think we have uh one of
13:34 the one of the interesting Parts about
13:37 um the change going from rivers and
13:39 streams to uh the environmental board is
13:41 just the entirely different focus of the
13:44 board from from that previous board and
13:45 so um we're about three years in I think
13:48 we're kind of getting our heads up and
13:50 we had year one was IAP heavy year two
13:54 was Title 18 very heavy on on that and
13:56 then I think this year was um really
13:59 there's some themes that came out I
14:01 think um in in more detail than we'd
14:04 seen in the past especially um in our
14:07 annual survey that the board puts
14:09 together so I think we're going to share
14:10 a little bit about some of the
14:12 challenges that the board members were
14:14 feeling and I think this is probably
14:16 some of these are maybe a bit distinct
14:17 to the environmental board I guess we're
14:18 not the only board that feels some of
14:20 these things so um we don't we don't
14:22 feel were unique necessarily but uh
14:24 thought it would be an interesting
14:25 insight into where we are at and and uh
14:28 process that we're working through as a
14:30 board so um so the some of the feedback
14:34 from the annual survey was um just
14:37 around how do we engage more of our
14:40 members to participate we have some
14:42 members that participate heavily others
14:44 that aren't as involved and I think with
14:46 a particular focus on how do we make
14:48 sure that we engage youth members we
14:49 have two youth members and we cover at
14:52 times very difficult topics or and not
14:55 necessarily that they can't contribute
14:57 but it's something that I think we as a
14:59 board want to give some more thought to
15:01 how do we make sure to drw feedback from
15:03 board members including and especially
15:05 youth members um on topics that that
15:08 might not be as accessible at times so
15:10 uh along with that is how do you get new
15:12 board members to participate um and feel
15:15 comfortable participating um we've had
15:18 we're starting to have more members just
15:20 as we get into our kind of cycle of of
15:22 board appointments and reappointments U
15:24 more new board members than we've had in
15:26 the past and so I think we're starting
15:27 to see that become a priority and and
15:29 something we want to be more intentional
15:31 about um to make sure that again
15:33 everyone feels comfortable participating
15:35 feels like they have context to be able
15:37 to participate so um other things that
15:40 that came up was uh wanting to better
15:44 understand how we as a board could
15:46 engage with other city with City
15:48 decision makers I think um we've had um
15:52 great great experience kind of sharing
15:55 sharing out of the board but we want to
15:57 make sure that we're we're not just
15:59 talking in a room together that that uh
16:01 we're able to share with the relevant
16:03 decision makers what we feel and and
16:05 that they're not having to go search for
16:06 it in our meeting minutes every time I
16:08 think that's unfair to everyone to think
16:10 that that's the only way that that that
16:12 sharing comes out and that's not to say
16:14 that it does today we we do send memos
16:16 but just looking at how could we better
16:18 and make sure that we feel like we're
16:19 doing the right uh we're engaging in the
16:22 right ways so um that was another theme
16:24 that came up um Don kind of alluded to
16:27 this a little bit but
16:29 we have climate action plan is clearly
16:31 covering what is going on within climate
16:33 in the city it's a little less clean on
16:36 the natural environment side of our of
16:38 our kind of focus and so we currently
16:40 have a natural environment checklist
16:42 that is an annual report that's brought
16:43 to us um I think the the thought and the
16:46 uh feedback from the board was maybe
16:48 that still needs some more work and it
16:50 is something that we work annually on
16:51 but um given how important within the
16:54 city of isqua the natural environment is
16:56 protecting that we we think that there
16:57 might be more to be done there to make
16:59 sure that the board and and then the
17:01 community because of uh the board
17:03 receiving it has great insights into all
17:05 those topics um and then finally I think
17:09 one thing that uh was probably the
17:11 strongest piece of feedback was how do
17:13 we as a board make make sure that we
17:15 have the space to kind of take a step
17:19 back and not just be providing tactical
17:21 feedback on on things that are in front
17:23 of us how do we make sure um that for
17:25 example our annual board report isn't
17:27 just backwards looking and might have
17:28 some things that we feel uh there should
17:31 be more focus on or there there's
17:33 urgency behind so um I think the board
17:36 is looking for how do we have a little
17:37 bit more of a voice um and and make sure
17:40 that we can communicate um the the
17:42 priorities and whatever the board might
17:43 feel so for example tonight having
17:46 something more than a board report to
17:47 share I think would be a great example
17:50 so um a lot of great things to chew on
17:52 and I think that's what led us into our
17:54 our board retreat which was the first
17:55 one that we've ever done um a lot of
17:58 that was just context setting for
18:01 different individuals on the board to
18:03 understand kind of how the City Works
18:04 and how how we engage what are the
18:06 planning documents we're involved in and
18:08 I think um we the goal of this was
18:11 really to discuss that feedback that we
18:13 had during the board report or during
18:15 the annual survey and so um we it was
18:18 it's a long longer conversation than we
18:20 were going to get done in in one session
18:22 when a lot of that was also context
18:24 setting so uh I don't have any concrete
18:27 things to sh but I think what I will
18:29 share again some themes from that
18:32 conversation um what some of those
18:34 things were just like I said before the
18:37 how can we be more intentional about
18:39 onboarding new members how do we ensure
18:41 that they feel like they have at least
18:43 one person on the board to as a
18:45 potential person to reach out to to to
18:48 get um questions answered to just kind
18:51 of have a pat on the back when they need
18:52 it I think that's something that um
18:55 there was a lot of talk about um
18:57 similarly how how do you how do you do
18:58 that even more for a youth member to
19:00 ensure that they feel comfortable that
19:01 was we had a youth member or actually a
19:04 I think it's a sustainability intern
19:06 that was helping us uh understand her
19:09 perspective and she she had a lot of a
19:11 lot of it centered around how do you
19:12 make make them feel welcome so that was
19:15 a a great theme um I think the like like
19:20 I was saying we felt like the N the um
19:23 natural environment checklist needed to
19:25 become more of a something more than
19:28 what it is currently to ensure that we
19:30 have a better pulse and something as
19:32 kind of a source document to look at um
19:34 on an ongoing basis and an annual basis
19:37 to to help inform what what we focus on
19:40 any urgency that uh we think might need
19:42 to be applied to a certain area um
19:46 annual board report how does that become
19:48 more forward-looking how does that uh do
19:51 more than just communicate what we did
19:53 throughout the year and and become
19:54 something that is a little more
19:56 proactive in nature and then finally I
19:59 think how do we make sure that it's not
20:03 hard for our feedback to be understood
20:05 how do we ensure that we are
20:08 um as proactive as possible about when
20:11 there's a topic that board members are
20:12 passionate about obviously other other
20:14 things as well but particularly those
20:16 items that where there's need for
20:18 urgency from the board's perspective um
20:21 what are we doing proactively to
20:22 communicate that so um I think all in
20:24 all just sort of how do we grow not grow
20:27 up but how do we uh become a little more
20:29 intentional about uh how we engage with
20:31 the rest of the city and with each other
20:33 so um we're still like I said we still
20:36 have that that that was the first step
20:38 in in a journey but uh uh we'll be
20:41 working with Stacy to to follow up on
20:43 that conversation but uh yeah excited to
20:46 excited to continue it and and work with
20:48 the board on that so I think with that I
20:51 will hand it over to
20:57 Don
21:02 all right so I'm going to talk to you
21:03 briefly about next steps for the board
21:04 so coming up in 2024 another busy year
21:06 for us um we're going to be taking our
21:08 results from our board retreat um and
21:10 we're going to develop our 2024 work
21:12 plan with us that will inform us on what
21:14 topics are brought to the board and what
21:16 questions we discuss topics we
21:19 anticipate include uh continuing to work
21:21 on the comprehensive plan focusing on
21:23 the environmental element including
21:25 climate and natural environment policies
21:27 um inside of the other elements advising
21:29 on the climate and natural environment
21:31 consider considerations excuse me for
21:33 the urban forestry management plan and
21:34 the park strategic plan advising the
21:37 transportation Improvement plan from a
21:40 climate perspective reviewing the
21:42 impacts of projects via our
21:43 environmental checklist you've heard a
21:45 lot about that we we want to use that as
21:47 kind of a metric um to see how we're
21:50 doing on on watching over the city which
21:53 is kind of what we see our our title um
21:56 under Title 18 there we're going to be
21:58 be providing input to staff on
21:59 continuing and new actions related to
22:01 the IAP and we're going to be working to
22:03 improve the effectiveness of the
22:04 environmental board as an advisory team
22:06 in whole we're also working on strategic
22:09 recruitment this year to fill several
22:11 slots that'll open on the board in 2024
22:13 including a vacant youth position and in
22:15 December you'll see a 2024 annual report
22:18 for us and with that we'd like to thank
22:20 you um for the opportunity to come
22:22 tonight and if you have any questions or
22:24 comments we
22:26 certainly
22:33 um I had a thank you for the
22:34 presentation um very very insightful I
22:38 had a question since you are going to be
22:39 doing recruiting and wanting to welcome
22:41 new members what should people do that
22:43 are interested in potentially um finding
22:46 out more about the board and potentially
22:50 applying um I believe recruitment will
22:52 go out in late February but in the
22:54 meantime they can email the
22:56 sustainability at isqua w.gov and we can
22:59 provide them some information on the
23:00 board send them past videos connect them
23:02 with a current board member provide them
23:05 a little bit more information just about
23:06 what the board works
23:08 on thank you any other comments I was
23:12 going to add some comments too thank you
23:14 for the report and it is really nice to
23:16 see you in
23:17 person um generally I want to thank you
23:20 for all of the work that you do um I am
23:23 extremely grateful um having been on a
23:25 board and been on the council now
23:27 sitting as mayor to all those community
23:29 members who play this role in our
23:33 council's policy development that you
23:35 take the time to read and sort and
23:38 comment and make recommendations that
23:40 the council can consider because they've
23:42 got the hard chair where they have to
23:44 decide what to do and how much funding
23:47 they need to do it so I appreciate that
23:49 I call you our Uber Volunteers in town
23:52 we have I believe in the teens the
23:55 number of boards and commissions we have
23:56 which is very high for for a city of our
23:58 size but it also means almost 120 of you
24:02 throughout all of those boards and
24:03 commissions are reading the material
24:06 ahead of time giving up your evenings at
24:09 home with family members or friends or
24:11 pets who come and sit in a room and dive
24:14 really deep into difficult subject
24:16 matter so thank you for all that you do
24:19 and the comments that you gave tonight
24:20 were fantastic about not just reporting
24:23 out on what You' have accomplished but a
24:25 look forward I think that was super
24:27 insightful so thank you and make sure
24:29 pass on our amazing appreciation for the
24:32 work of your entire board it's quite a
24:33 strong team it's hard when you're just
24:35 in your third year I think you guys are
24:37 doing great thank you very much for
24:39 coming
24:40 tonight yeah thank
24:44 you the uh next item under special
24:47 business is the mayor's state of the
24:49 city remarks and I'm you want me to do
24:52 that over at the lecturn city clerk did
24:55 I do it from here
25:00 um because we only have one camera I
25:03 think I will be addressing the council
25:04 from here this is probably the easiest
25:07 um I did want to say good evening and
25:10 welcome to all of the community members
25:11 that have joined us this evening also
25:13 city employees isqua City Council
25:15 Members um I did do a city of the state
25:19 of City address recently which many of
25:21 you were able to attend at which was at
25:23 the Chamber of Commerce and that is a
25:26 time that allows me to celebrate our
25:27 recent accomplishments and to lay out
25:29 that road map for what we hope to
25:31 achieve in the upcoming year many me
25:34 many of my remarks in the address
25:36 highlighted the projects that get the
25:38 most public visibility completing
25:40 capital projects finalizing multi-year
25:42 processes overhauling the city code
25:45 launching initiatives that help Advance
25:46 our guiding principles but it certainly
25:49 doesn't cover everything that this
25:51 amazing organization does so tonight I
25:54 want to take a few minutes to talk more
25:56 about the work that staff completes on a
25:58 daily basis and doesn't get um up to
26:02 that same level of recognition there is
26:05 work that goes on that keeps the city
26:07 running
26:08 247 and makes us a regional leader in
26:11 delivering essential Public Services
26:13 here are just a few examples of the work
26:15 that often doesn't get mentioned but is
26:18 critical to serving our community our
26:20 administrative Services Department
26:22 ensures our city facilities are ready
26:24 for staff and community members our
26:26 Fleet of vehicles are well serviced and
26:28 available for operation our staff our
26:30 team and our Council has the necessary
26:33 it resources to operate hybrid work
26:36 Styles and that we are well prepared for
26:39 emergency
26:40 situations and our Communications team
26:42 Keeps Us focused on keeping our
26:44 residents well informed through social
26:46 media email and a robust City website
26:49 once again our Communications team set
26:51 new internal social media records in
26:54 2023 by creating 3.2 million impr
26:57 Impressions and gaining another 3,000
26:59 followers to our accounts these
27:02 impressions mean residents are staying
27:03 connected on projects and emergency
27:05 information as well as engaging with
27:07 isqua community and
27:09 culture here's another impressive set of
27:12 Statistics related to the vast amount of
27:14 work that our administrative it team
27:17 completes to solve service requests over
27:20 the course of 2023 the team fielded more
27:23 than 3,000 help desk tickets from across
27:25 the organization while some tickets are
27:28 quicker fixes than can be addressed
27:30 within an hour the average ticket is
27:32 complex sometimes involving research or
27:34 the replacement of Hardware while ticket
27:36 volume increased 53% in 2023 IT staff
27:40 have continued to improve their response
27:42 times managing and responding tickets
27:44 takes up nearly 50% of our staff work
27:47 hours in that area and it's an essential
27:49 task that keeps our hybrid Workforce
27:52 working efficiently effectively and
27:54 securely you all know the hard work our
27:57 city city clerk's team does on a daily
27:59 basis to ensure we properly conduct City
28:01 business that we meet our obligations
28:03 and that we provide support to the city
28:05 council City departments and the
28:07 residents of isqua one area that is of
28:10 vital importance is managing the
28:12 requests that come in for public records
28:14 a subject that you talked a lot about
28:16 last year in 2023 the city clerk's
28:19 office processed and coordinated
28:21 responses for nearly
28:25 17,700 public record requests the
28:27 largest volume on record for the city
28:30 and due to added staff capacity
28:32 especially in police records the median
28:34 request is completed in just two days
28:37 however these two days can represent
28:39 well over eight hours of Staff work time
28:41 on that request or in 2023 more than
28:45 13,5 hours of Staff time to complete
28:48 fulfilling those
28:49 requests in my state of the city address
28:52 I highlighted the extraordinary amount
28:53 of work our community planning and
28:55 development team dedicated to overhaul
28:57 of our land use code but that's just one
28:59 of the many project tasks they complete
29:02 among among other things they also
29:04 handled more than 6,000 design reviews
29:07 and almost 1500 permits in 2023 alone
29:11 our inspectors also have an incredible
29:13 amount of work to complete each day for
29:16 a building and construction inspector
29:17 the day can start as early as 5:00 a.m.
29:20 to accommodate schedules for concrete
29:22 pores from there they'll head out to
29:24 complete other inspections throughout
29:25 the city a t typical new home
29:28 construction requires 20 inspections
29:30 with significantly more for new
29:31 commercial buildings site inspectors are
29:33 ensuring traffic control and erosion
29:35 control measures are in place and some
29:38 inspections are all day or all night
29:40 events to ensure the connection to the
29:41 water system complies with human health
29:44 and safety requirements before the day
29:46 is over building framing will be
29:48 inspected for quality roofs are
29:50 inspected to hold up snow events water
29:52 heaters are inspected to ensure they
29:54 won't result in carbon monoxide
29:55 poisoning and the list goes on all of
29:58 this and more goes into completing more
30:00 than 7,000 inspections a year by a staff
30:03 of just seven
30:04 inspectors our executive department
30:06 provides direction to all of our other
30:08 departments but it also has its own
30:10 goals tracking legislative changes legal
30:14 inquiries supporting small businesses
30:16 throughout the city and implementing all
30:18 of our sustainab sustainability related
30:21 initiatives this is a department filled
30:24 with talented staff who conduct business
30:25 that often isn't celebrated as much as
30:28 it should be to choose just one example
30:30 I'm going to highlight the work done in
30:32 economic development in addition to the
30:34 ongoing emails phone calls and
30:36 conversations on the street each year
30:38 our Economic Development staff do the
30:40 invaluable work of reaching out to and
30:42 meeting with our local business owners
30:45 these retention visits go beyond just a
30:47 short stop in they focus on learning
30:50 more about what that individual business
30:51 is experiencing what needs they might
30:54 have and what we can help them with and
30:57 consequently help our whole city to
30:59 thrive staff conducted 83 retention
31:02 visits in 2023 each visit taking up to 3
31:05 hours for a total of almost 250
31:08 hours we also celebrate our large
31:11 accomplishments whenever we can but none
31:12 of them will be possible with the work
31:14 of our finance team what they do to
31:17 ensure we properly budget for all of our
31:19 undertakings there are so many stories I
31:21 could tell you here from Capital
31:23 Improvement planning to arpa budget
31:25 tracking to Simply ensuring our bills
31:27 are paid but I want to focus on the work
31:29 our you team our team did to launch
31:32 online utility building billing while
31:34 the public received a concise and robust
31:37 informational campaign to highlight the
31:38 new online bill paying options that we
31:40 rolled out last year the team
31:42 responsible for implementing that
31:44 service overcame countless challenges
31:46 before the launch in total the project
31:49 required about 1760 staff hours to
31:51 ensure Readiness we now have nearly
31:54 2,000 members of the public using this
31:56 service and almost 3,900 online payments
31:59 have been made since launch in
32:02 September our human resources team quite
32:04 simply make sure that we are an
32:06 organization filled with talented staff
32:09 to tackle the challenges of an Ever
32:11 evolving City and our largest challenge
32:13 is competing regionally with both the
32:15 private and public sectors to recruit
32:17 those talented individuals and get them
32:19 here into our team in the first place
32:22 meanwhile once they are hired we must
32:24 consistently work to retain these high
32:26 performing employees isaquel hired an
32:29 astounding 219 people
32:32 in23 this includes 52 regular full and
32:36 part-time roles and another 167
32:39 part-time non-regular positions for each
32:41 new regular staff member Human Resources
32:44 staff commits on average of eight hours
32:45 for onboarding and at least one hour for
32:48 each new part-time staff member nearly
32:50 600 hours were needed in 2023 or about
32:54 15% of the department staff's annual
32:56 hours just to ensure our talented hires
32:59 feel feel fully supported as they join
33:01 our
33:02 team our court staff also do incredible
33:05 work not only for issaqua residents but
33:08 also for those in Duval Northbend and
33:10 snami in 2023 our Municipal Court held
33:14 more than 8,000 cases and processed more
33:17 than 15,000 cases across all
33:20 jurisdictions and for those that are
33:21 visiting us this Council chamber is also
33:24 our courtroom we share it with our court
33:27 in addition they also run three
33:29 essential Community programs our
33:31 community Court ongoing drug testing of
33:34 an average of 75 individuals per month
33:36 and a probation department with an
33:38 average case load of 100 probationers at
33:40 any given time with a smaller team than
33:43 many neighboring jurisdictions they're
33:45 Pro providing an outsized impact for our
33:47 residents and our
33:49 region large Park redevelopments are one
33:52 of our community's favorite things to
33:54 see they also love the programs that we
33:56 run for kids and adults alike but the
33:59 amount of work that goes into managing
34:01 and steing our Parks trails and Open
34:03 Spaces is often forgotten take just one
34:06 of our locations our Central Park fields
34:08 in the highlands they account for 6.5
34:12 Acres of space we support and and
34:14 organize almost 6,000 hours of field use
34:18 rentals by 31 different organizations
34:21 from soccer to softball to Cricket and
34:23 Lacrosse the number of groups we support
34:25 across the community is incredible
34:27 our operations team spent almost 700
34:30 hours last year managing those spaces
34:33 but that time would be significantly
34:35 higher if those Turf Athletic Field
34:37 spaces were grass instead of turf those
34:40 choices to have turf fields have helped
34:42 saved about $8,000 a year in not needing
34:45 to mow or irrigate and allows those
34:47 funds to be reinvested elsewhere in our
34:49 very diverse Park
34:51 system as public officials we often hear
34:54 from residents when law enforcement
34:56 responses don't don't match the
34:57 expectations of the community thanks to
35:00 very strong leadership we've made great
35:02 St strides in getting fully staffed with
35:05 great additions to our isqua Police
35:07 Department yet those staff who answer
35:09 those calls are often overlooked for
35:11 their contributions police departments
35:13 in 2024 respond to such a variety of
35:17 incidents that it's taking an Ever more
35:19 talented Workforce to depthly solve and
35:21 provide responses within our community
35:24 last year our City's dispatchers fielded
35:26 more 55,000 calls about 13,000 of those
35:30 were emergency calls the average calls
35:33 to our dispatch team are answered in
35:35 less than 7 seconds but may last for 3
35:38 to five minutes as our dispatchers stay
35:40 on the line until our First Responders
35:42 are on site to assist Eastside fire and
35:45 rescue teams also play a key role in
35:47 that response in
35:49 2023 they responded to
35:52 5,347 of those emergency calls a new
35:56 high these 24 247 365 days services that
36:02 we fund for our community take dedicated
36:05 and passionate people to manage and we
36:07 are so grateful for their work and
36:10 finally we have another department that
36:11 needs to be celebrated our Public Works
36:14 while we provide space to celebrate
36:16 large capital projects the maintenance
36:18 and delivery of Public Utilities is
36:20 often taken for granted last year our
36:22 Public Works staff inspected more than
36:24 325,000 ft of water dorm Water and Sewer
36:28 lines that's more than 60 miles across
36:31 all three utilities additionally more
36:34 than 134,000 ft of those lines were then
36:37 scheduled for and actively cleaned to
36:40 improve delivery the numbers tell a
36:42 story but the results are even more
36:44 important with those inspections
36:46 directly imp packing about 2,000 homes
36:49 150 commercial units five medical
36:52 facilities and 10,000 additional
36:55 structures a year just last 1,000
36:58 additional structures just last year
37:00 public works also spends a great deal of
37:02 time working to protect our natural
37:03 environment they conducted more than 120
37:06 business visits to discuss storm water
37:08 pollution hazardous waste and Wellhead
37:11 protection teams responded to and
37:13 cleaned up 81 spills of harmful
37:15 substances and completed 320 surface
37:19 water samples taken at over 30 locations
37:21 in isqua creeks and streams these
37:24 important tasks which are only a few of
37:26 the way City staff act as stewards for
37:29 our environmental health require about
37:31 900 hours of Staff time in
37:34 2023 as I've summarized this evening
37:36 thanks to an impressive amount of data
37:39 taking our signature accomplishments
37:41 aside many talented staff across the
37:44 organization are required to ensure we
37:46 continue delivering the other 90% of
37:49 what we do hopefully these remarks help
37:52 illustrate the amazing amount of work
37:53 our staff completes on a daily basis
37:56 it's important to me that we celebrate
37:58 the multitude of tasks they perform to
38:00 ensure isqua residents are safe and
38:03 enjoy an excellent quality of life
38:05 thanks for allowing me to share these
38:07 comments with you this
38:10 evening at this point in time in our
38:12 meeting we're going to move on to
38:14 audience comments and this is the time
38:15 members of the public can address
38:17 Council in person or virtually those who
38:20 signed up in advance to make comments
38:21 get called on First and if you're
38:23 joining us virtually and would like to
38:25 make comments please raise your virtual
38:27 hand or send the host a chat message if
38:29 you're on the phone press star three if
38:31 you join by computer or smartphone look
38:33 for the hand icon and if you are in the
38:35 room with us and did not sign up I will
38:37 ask for other speakers before closing
38:39 this portion of the meeting there are
38:41 also two public hearings this evening
38:43 one AB
38:45 8687 is the vacation of a portion of 2
38:48 Avenue Southeast and ab
38:51 8787 is the multif family housing tax
38:54 exemption ordinance comment comments on
38:57 either of those items should be made
38:59 under those respective public hearings
39:01 which are occurring later in the
39:02 meeting uh city clerk has anyone signed
39:05 up to speak for General audience
39:06 comments or indicate a desire to speak
39:08 yes mayor they have thank
39:11 you just want to make uh some comments
39:13 for those who are speaking this evening
39:15 please address uh the council regarding
39:18 the matters oh you are invited to
39:20 address the council regarding matters
39:22 that are directly related to isqua's
39:24 programs projects services or events
39:26 please direct your comments to the whole
39:28 Council and not individuals and while
39:31 it's not a question and answer session
39:32 we will contact you to follow up if
39:34 needed when you are recognized if you
39:37 are virtual please unmute your
39:38 microphone and if you're in the room
39:40 please step up to the Lecter that's in
39:41 the center of the room let us know your
39:44 name your address your relationship to
39:46 the city um speak clearly and pause
39:49 frequently and please limit your
39:51 comments to 5 minutes if you're
39:53 attending virtually and you don't
39:54 respond after your name or phone number
39:55 is called or if your connection is lost
39:58 the meeting will still need to proceed
40:00 and you're encouraged to rejoin the
40:01 meeting if you're able personal attacks
40:04 obscene language derogatory remarks and
40:06 disruptive behavior will not be
40:08 permitted public comments written in
40:10 verbal are important aspect of the
40:12 public process and the city takes
40:14 comments seriously we want to thank
40:16 everybody who's taking time tonight to
40:18 provide comments for US city clerk can
40:20 you please identify the first person who
40:22 signed up to speak yes mayor and prior
40:24 to that we are going to ask
40:27 uh members of the public to speak at the
40:30 lecturn that's underneath the TV screen
40:32 for tonight correction you'll be over
40:34 there tonight if you are speaking okay
40:36 and our who has signed up uh for
40:38 comments this evening our first uh
40:41 person on the list is Paul Quinn hi Paul
40:43 come on
40:45 up you may have to press the button on
40:47 the microphone to make sure the red
40:49 light's
40:50 on and you can pull the microphone
40:52 closer to you okay
40:54 great good evening mayor council members
40:58 I live in samamish my name is Paul Quinn
41:01 and I'm an individual that cares about
41:03 Recycling and composting and reducing
41:05 what we send to the
41:07 landfill I've learned about isqua
41:09 through public record
41:11 requests let's start with an important
41:13 fact from a King County survey of trash
41:16 sent to the
41:17 landfill which showed that 2third of
41:20 what is sent to the landfill can be
41:21 either recycled or composted so
41:24 two-thirds of our trash
41:26 is actually not
41:29 trash I'm going to walk through the
41:31 first of the three handouts that I
41:34 provided to you this evening the first
41:37 table at the top there reflects the
41:40 tonage disposed of by categories for
41:42 2022 and year to date
41:45 2023 the second table down shows how the
41:48 city's tonnage is disposed of most
41:51 notably 69% of what the city disposes of
41:55 goes to the landfill
41:57 and that amount is worse than
42:00 2022 it's a good time to note that if
42:03 69% is going to the landfill only 31% of
42:07 what we dispose is diverted to recycling
42:11 composting the third table down shows
42:13 the diversion rate for each category of
42:16 note commercial and multif family
42:18 locations divert just 22% and 20%
42:22 respectively so essentially three qus of
42:24 what they dispose of goes to the
42:27 landfill 3
42:29 quars table four reflects the missed
42:33 opportunity that I noted at the start of
42:35 my talk about King County's sampling of
42:39 Crash sent to the landfill since two out
42:42 of every three pounds we put in the
42:43 landfill could be recycled or composted
42:47 then last year isqua could have diverted
42:49 an additional 10,000 tons to recycling
42:54 composting the next section reflects the
42:56 urgency we face as each month isqua
42:59 sends to the landfill another thousand
43:03 tons in table five you see the
43:06 categories listed that's at the bottom
43:08 in the red indicates where the category
43:10 does not have a recycled container or
43:13 where the category does not have a food
43:15 scraps yard waste
43:17 container it's striking most of the
43:19 city's businesses 380 of them do not
43:22 have a food scrap yard waste containers
43:26 and this is in a city with over 100
43:29 restaurants it's really more striking
43:31 that 143 of our 2008 or about 2third of
43:36 our multif family locations have no way
43:39 for their residents to compost their
43:41 food scraps two-thirds of apartment
43:44 dwellers can't do it handouts two and
43:48 three provide recommendations for how we
43:51 can improve diversion rates now and I'll
43:54 review these recommendations in detail
43:56 at a future meeting the city council is
43:59 active in supporting climate change
44:01 initiatives as indicated by your
44:04 participation in the east side climate
44:06 partnership your climate action plan in
44:09 the group tonight speaking um the
44:12 environmental board so it's obvious you
44:14 care a lot about
44:15 it I believe the people of isqu want to
44:18 live sustainably they need the tools and
44:21 they need to receive individual
44:23 diversion feedback about how they're
44:25 doing
44:26 like we get the psse energy report to
44:29 show how we're doing with energy why
44:31 don't we get that with our
44:33 disposal feedback is a catalyst for
44:36 change I'd like a respond thank
44:38 you thank you Paul um city clerk is
44:42 there anyone else time to speak this
44:44 evening yes mayor Alisa
44:49 Peterson and I'm not sure Alisa's in the
44:53 room right now is she online oh
44:55 fantastic
44:57 I'll get her going here in
45:15 a at Leisa I've made you a panelist you
45:17 should be able to unmute your microphone
45:19 and turn on your
45:24 camera there you go
45:28 we can't hear you
45:30 yet Lisa we can't hear you you're
45:33 unmuted but we cannot hear
45:51 you no we still can't hear you um are
45:55 you prepared proposing then that there
45:58 is there will be an opportunity
45:59 potentially later for a leise tonight or
46:02 not I'm not sure I know that the the
46:05 crew upstairs is working on the audio
46:06 issue so hopefully something can
46:09 happen so Alisa unfortunately you are
46:13 trapped in our technology nightmare this
46:15 evening something that we all hate when
46:18 someone takes the time to talk to us but
46:20 uh we will keep working on it and um if
46:23 you can hang with us while we move
46:24 through some other items if we can get
46:26 your the microphone to work we'll
46:27 definitely try and get your comments
46:28 this evening and clerk if there's any
46:31 suggestions about calling in or anything
46:33 else that our technical people can
46:35 provide instead of the video link that
46:37 would be helpful sorry about that
46:40 Alisa um looking around the room is
46:43 there anybody in the room this evening
46:45 who did not sign up but would like to
46:46 make comments to the city council mayor
46:49 we have a couple more on the list oh
46:50 sorry keep
46:54 going we have remote Ely Corby casler is
46:57 also attending and but we may run into
46:59 the same issue with uh with Corby as
47:07 well Corby I've made you a panelist uh
47:10 can you unmute your
47:18 microphone no
47:21 no she's unmuted I'm sorry Corby we're
47:25 having audio issues in the room tonight
47:27 so we cannot hear you we will try and U
47:32 resolve
47:34 those is there anyone else that we can
47:37 try
47:39 online uh I see one more virtual
47:42 attendee mayor uh I don't see her hand
47:44 raised for public
47:49 comment and then we have some more
47:50 people signed up in the room there are
47:53 more people signed up for the room room
47:57 for here that would like to speak thing
47:59 oh okay y well apologies to Corby and
48:02 Alisa maybe uh we will get this fixed
48:05 but maybe not so I would encourage you
48:06 to take your prepared comments and send
48:08 them to the city council if we do not if
48:11 we are not able to address the audio and
48:13 city clerk who is in the room that would
48:15 like to speak this evening Mark
48:17 Clemens want up
48:24 Mark
48:28 uh good evening mayor my name is and uh
48:31 Council people uh my name is Mark
48:33 Clemens I'm the executive director of
48:35 friends of the esqua salmon hat tree or
48:38 fish for short and I'd like to share
48:40 with you some uh fishy numbers from
48:42 2023 uh friends of isqua samanh hatry
48:45 celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023
48:49 that's 1993 for those of us who don't do
48:51 math well when the isaar uh Community
48:54 rallied to to save the Hat tree uh fish
48:57 welcomed this year over 100,000 visitors
49:01 and the state's second oldest hat tree
49:03 also welcomed over 30,000 students one
49:06 out of five of those came from Title One
49:08 schools uh let's get on to spawning uh
49:11 5500 chinuk known as king salmon arrived
49:15 in the ear early September which is a
49:17 large increase from previous years uh we
49:19 also released
49:21 106 uh natural origin Upstream to spawn
49:24 naturally in the is Creek uh 2023 also
49:27 saw over 12,000 coo also known as silver
49:30 salmon arrive in October this was about
49:33 a 50% increase from recent years why did
49:36 so many come back the pandemic Lodge
49:39 release lodger release programs
49:41 international fishing treaties and
49:42 favorable ocean conditions could all
49:45 have tributed but we don't really
49:47 know um fish gave over 50 tours to the
49:50 YMCA and other community organizations
49:52 and over 350 School tours of which 80 of
49:55 the those tours as I mentioned before
49:57 were tital one schools fish visited over
50:00 50 classrooms and 15 science
50:03 fairs uh we consider ourselves an
50:05 outdoor education Environmental
50:07 Education Center fish refreshed 17 of
50:11 our 34 inter interactive displays with
50:15 work started in 2024 for the remaining
50:18 27 uh we also uh ran two large events uh
50:22 salmon on Sunset and the really small
50:24 one salmon days
50:26 uh 85 fish volunteers contributed over
50:29 6,000 hours during the year 60 of those
50:32 are esar residents a thousand of those
50:35 hours themselves were devoted just to
50:38 Salmon
50:39 days uh the fish volunteer out team uh
50:42 Outreach team pre and handed out over
50:44 2,000 free educational Outreach bags and
50:48 48 Community artists painted fish on the
50:50 spawning shed doors for the community
50:52 art project fish hosted 14 corporate
50:55 work groups for Habitat restoration
50:57 projects with projects with over 280
51:00 volunteers and
51:02 1120 hours logged uh fish hosted 44 kids
51:06 during the summer science camp giving
51:08 partial sponsorships to 25% and we just
51:11 opened those up for 2024 today uh fish
51:15 maintained the native plant garden and
51:16 worked with the snami tribe to translate
51:18 and produce over 50 interpretive signs
51:21 that feature both the Latin and luty
51:24 names an intern for from Gibson High
51:27 School provided all the plant drawings
51:30 in uh also interns uh from Gibson uh LED
51:34 over a hundred of our Educational
51:36 Tours um the social media platform um
51:40 went from the previous 18 months uh from
51:43 2 million impressions to the last 6
51:46 months we went up to 12 million
51:48 impressions and could you bu our
51:50 followers uh key dates for 2024 you guys
51:53 better write these down uh fish will
51:56 celebrate the baby salmon sendoff uh
51:58 we're going to be writing little letters
51:59 to those little fellas um saying good
52:02 luck which will be Saturday April 20th
52:05 from 12:00 to 4:00 all are invited salon
52:08 on Sunset celebration is Saturday
52:10 September 14th and uh and we're also
52:13 going to be featuring salmon viewing and
52:15 esqua so all of fish programming will be
52:17 in one um one kind of bucket with the
52:21 gift shop shop hours hat tree tours
52:24 salmon on Sunset events and all that
52:26 kind of thing in one kind of timeline uh
52:28 thank you for your continued
52:30 support thank you Mark um city clerk
52:33 anyone else in the
52:35 room yes mayor Carl tunison I'm sorry
52:39 did I pronounce that correctly
52:50 thank good evening my first time before
52:53 city council so I'll do do my best uh my
52:57 name is Carl tunison I live at 23121
53:00 Southeast 49th Court isqua I am a
53:03 homeowner uh resident obviously and a
53:06 business
53:07 owner I am here specifically tonight to
53:10 address the new Municipal Code that was
53:12 adopted May 1st 2023 which requires all
53:16 New home builds to plant trees that will
53:19 provide a percentage of each prop
53:22 property with a specific tree canopy
53:25 coverage that will be there within the
53:28 next 20
53:29 years in the case of our lot which is a
53:32 typical City lot the percentage of our
53:34 property required to be covered with
53:36 tree canopy is
53:40 58% our lot is 8,49 square ft so our
53:43 tree foliage has to cover
53:47 4,660 ft of our property in 20
53:51 years after subtracting our house and
53:53 driveway which is about
53:56 3,244 Square ft and it's not so it's not
53:58 a big house in
54:01 driveway that leaves 4,855 Square ft of
54:05 our area remaining for most strictly
54:09 trees so the effect of this would mean
54:11 that essentially the entire lot with the
54:13 exception of the house and driveway
54:15 would be covered and forested in trees
54:18 and Doug Yori at the planning department
54:20 confirmed these numbers for
54:22 us so this forces the Builder to plant
54:25 trees that will grow right up to the
54:27 side of the house and over the top of
54:29 any one-story area such as the covered
54:32 patio or
54:34 porch that seems just unrealistic in
54:36 asinine so I have to ask is that really
54:39 what the code
54:41 intended what about leaving some space
54:43 for maintenance around the
54:45 house what about leaving space to keep
54:48 rodents from climbing the trees and
54:49 becoming destructive to the
54:51 house what about maintaining a face a
54:54 safe f TI break distance from the house
54:58 what about maintaining the cons
55:00 consistency of appearance in our
55:02 neighborhood what about the destructive
55:04 nature of large roots to nearby
55:06 foundations or retaining
55:08 walls what about leaving a little space
55:10 for kids to throw a ball in the
55:13 backyard what about allowing some light
55:15 into the windows to reduce sads for
55:17 those that suffer from
55:19 that what about it giving the homeowner
55:21 as an American the freedom to landscape
55:23 their yards in the way that they
55:26 choose and not to mention the the
55:28 additional cost that this imposes on not
55:31 just developers but on the average
55:33 citizens just trying to build a simple
55:36 home I don't know if the additional
55:38 burden and cost are something that
55:39 consider the city uh factors into their
55:42 decisions or
55:44 not it seems that this is a
55:46 well-intended code but nobody bothered
55:48 to consider the real world consequences
55:51 I mean who doesn't like trees right I
55:54 like trees as much watches the next guy
55:56 but this code in my opinion is a total
55:58 overreach of
56:00 government apparently we were one of the
56:02 first ones to get caught up in this mess
56:04 and so far the city isqua planners were
56:07 unable to demonstrate how to
56:09 realistically implement this code and
56:11 still have no examples to provide as
56:15 guidance I believe that the city and
56:17 this Council and the fur to be the tree
56:20 City just passed this code without
56:22 really thinking it through what I'm
56:25 asking is please resend or revoke this
56:28 code until all the real world
56:30 implications and consequences can be
56:32 considered or work through or figure out
56:35 another viable alternative that actually
56:38 works and I prepared kind of a diagram
56:41 if you want to see it I didn't know
56:43 something I could provide earlier I was
56:45 going to ask if you haven't sent it in
56:47 by email if you could leave a paper copy
56:49 of what you're reading in the diagram
56:51 with the city clerk that would be great
56:53 then we'll make sure all the council
56:54 members get get it okay I can including
56:57 the municipal code because I didn't
56:59 bring any of that with me I just we have
57:01 that yeah
57:03 okay you want all my
57:06 copies whatever whatever you would like
57:08 them to see you can take that thanks for
57:10 coming in tonight thank you so much uh
57:13 city clerk is there anyone else in the
57:15 room this evening that would like to
57:16 provide
57:17 comment no one else is signed up mayor
57:19 paully and uh we may have a workaround
57:22 for the uh uh the folks online that
57:26 would be
57:30 great once again uh Alisa I have made
57:34 you a presenter uh you should be able to
57:37 unmute and turn on your
57:40 camera we know that the other WebEx
57:42 participants can hear you uh but the
57:45 problem is the equipment in our room
57:46 here is not
57:53 communicating uh we're getting there
57:55 hang
57:56 on try
57:58 again try again
58:01 Alisa can you hear me okay head nods
58:06 it's it's it's well enough as council
58:08 member mer said please go ahead
58:17 Alisa not at all go ahead yes go ahead
58:20 we can hear you Elisa we can hear you
58:22 fine okay
58:23 wonderful
58:25 so real quickly my name is Alisa
58:28 Peterson I'm the new executive director
58:31 for the Eastside Human Services forum
58:34 and I wanted to thank you mayor and
58:36 council members for giving us the
58:37 opportunity to just have a minute to
58:39 introduce ourselves um council member D
58:42 Michelle is actively involved and on the
58:45 board in our forum and so she extended
58:49 the invitation for me to participate
58:51 tonight to just say hello to you I will
58:54 be in in the
58:55 future uh trying to participate more
58:58 listening in on any of the agenda items
59:02 impacting Human Services as we build the
59:06 Coalition over the next year we have a
59:09 Five-Year Plan uh strategic plan that's
59:12 underway and I'm working to uh really
59:16 put some action items associated with
59:18 that strategic plan the city of isqua
59:22 has been a member and participating for
59:24 some
59:25 time excuse me and so it's really
59:29 important that you get the value of your
59:32 membership and I'm doing my best to just
59:34 put that forward I was a King County
59:36 employee for about 20 years I did not
59:40 start when I was
59:41 12 um I left King County and I worked in
59:47 Tech and now I'm back working in human
59:50 services at the later stage of my
59:53 career
59:56 Alisa I hope you can hear me um we could
59:59 hear you more than well enough and thank
1:00:01 you for taking the time to introduce
1:00:02 yourself and being patient with us as we
1:00:04 work through our technology
1:00:15 challenges do we still have Corby
1:00:17 castler
1:00:19 online Corby I've just made you a
1:00:21 panelist you should be able to turn on
1:00:23 your camera and
1:00:28 unmute give us a moment to set up the
1:00:32 audio go ahead can you hear me now yes
1:00:35 we can oh wonderful thank you so much um
1:00:38 I'm Corby castler I'm executive director
1:00:41 of The Downtown isqua Association I just
1:00:43 want to spend a few minutes reflecting
1:00:45 on the Arts commission Grant
1:00:46 recommendations I know that you'll hear
1:00:48 them later this afternoon first thank
1:00:51 you to the Arts commission for spending
1:00:52 thoughtful time on each of the grants
1:00:54 presented to you I know it wasn't easy
1:00:57 with more grants less funding you're
1:00:59 going to get some disappointment
1:01:01 disappointment and if the council
1:01:04 approves today's recommendation Dia will
1:01:06 receive 18% less funding for its
1:01:08 economic Vitality programming this year
1:01:11 compared to last and I do have to say
1:01:13 I'm disappointed but again I do
1:01:15 appreciate the thoughtfulness that went
1:01:16 into this whole process Dia will
1:01:19 continue its Mission and that is to
1:01:21 build our community and create a
1:01:22 downtown district that is alive inviting
1:01:24 and vibrant but we will have to seek
1:01:27 more donations and be very Scrappy as we
1:01:30 always are and carefully consider
1:01:32 cutting some of the program just to make
1:01:34 everything come together um I'm not sure
1:01:37 how many of you realize it Dia is the
1:01:39 community it's nearly 100% volunteer
1:01:42 organization I am the only staff member
1:01:45 so when you think about it DS funding
1:01:47 comes from Grants donations and all of
1:01:50 the time these volunteers put in day in
1:01:52 and day out I think it's both a
1:01:54 compliment and somewhat alarming that
1:01:57 some people perceive that DIA has
1:01:59 Bountiful resources and I think it's a
1:02:01 compliment because we accomplish so much
1:02:04 with minimal funding thanks to 500 or so
1:02:06 volunteers and I can't thank them enough
1:02:09 because it's all about them it's really
1:02:11 I could go away and Dia would exist but
1:02:14 it is alarming because I think when
1:02:16 people think that Dia's got all of this
1:02:19 wealth um that businesses are dependent
1:02:21 on the foot Tech traffic that DIA than
1:02:24 any other organization creates to just
1:02:26 stay afloat downtown is alive because of
1:02:29 Dia and again I'm not saying it on my
1:02:31 behalf I'm saying it on behalf of the
1:02:32 community that makes it all happen with
1:02:34 that said he has a lot to celebrate from
1:02:37 last year our businesses receive support
1:02:39 through expansive arts and culture
1:02:41 programs aimed to stimulate economic
1:02:43 Vitality consider 942 hours of music and
1:02:47 that's 78 days of music for three hours
1:02:50 153 bands in a total of 651 Musical
1:02:54 performers we created 25 farm and
1:02:57 Artisan markets and that was to support
1:02:59 102 creative industry professionals with
1:03:02 almost 2,000 hours of time for selling
1:03:05 their arts and crafts tens of thousands
1:03:07 of people came from the entire Pacific
1:03:09 Northwest and Beyond to eat in our
1:03:11 restaurants to shop in our downtown and
1:03:13 enjoy the charm of our arts and culture
1:03:15 vendors on front alone brought people
1:03:17 from Idaho and from Oregon and from
1:03:19 Canada it was really quite amazing to
1:03:21 have 8,000 people flock to downtown
1:03:24 because an event that was put on by all
1:03:26 volunteers um we couldn't do it without
1:03:28 the Arts commission we do appreciate
1:03:30 again everything that you've given us I
1:03:32 want just people to understand what Dia
1:03:34 is and how much it contributes and the
1:03:36 fact that it is volunteer Community
1:03:37 Driven it is not staffed by a lot of
1:03:41 people again it's just one single staff
1:03:43 member and it's all donations and grants
1:03:47 so thank you for everything that you do
1:03:48 for us and Dia will keep being Scrappy
1:03:51 we'll keep uh bringing people downtown
1:03:52 and making our businesses thrive that's
1:03:54 why we exist and that's why the
1:03:56 community really cares it's just
1:03:58 indicative of how loyal people are in
1:04:00 our community so thank you for listening
1:04:02 and I appreciate your time thank you
1:04:04 Corby and thank you for being patient as
1:04:07 we work through our technical
1:04:08 difficulties C clerk is there anyone
1:04:10 else online that is uh desired speak to
1:04:14 council this evening mayor paully there
1:04:15 are a couple of people online but I
1:04:17 don't see any virtual hands raised to
1:04:19 speak at this time okay thank you very
1:04:22 much um that was a lot of speakers today
1:04:27 and we really appreciate each and every
1:04:28 one of you for coming out we heard uh
1:04:31 from one speaker about a lot of data
1:04:34 about the material that is generated in
1:04:37 isqua and sent to the landfill that does
1:04:39 not qualify as trash and opportunities
1:04:42 there to improve that we heard from
1:04:44 three of our nonprofits on various um
1:04:48 value and amenities that they bring to
1:04:50 our city and we also heard concerns
1:04:53 about the implementation of the new land
1:04:55 use code in relation to the tree canopy
1:04:57 coverage so thank you all for taking the
1:05:00 time uh if anyone has written comments
1:05:03 that they want you can submit them at
1:05:04 any time to the city council
1:05:07 electronically at city council isqua
1:05:09 wa.gov we're going to move on to our
1:05:11 next item of business which is the
1:05:12 consent calendar um I don't have any
1:05:15 comments on the consent calendar this
1:05:16 evening are there any committee chairs
1:05:18 or chair designat who would like to
1:05:20 report on any of the consent calendar
1:05:23 items not seeing any um the consent
1:05:27 calendar was distributed to Council in
1:05:29 advance and if authorized the items on
1:05:31 the consent calendar will get considered
1:05:33 together and approved by one motion is
1:05:35 there a
1:05:39 motion um I move to approve the consent
1:05:42 calendar as
1:05:44 presented second thank you it's been um
1:05:47 moved and seconded oh I missed a couple
1:05:50 questions for you before we get to
1:05:52 voting on the motion that has been moved
1:05:55 and seconded have the payables and
1:05:56 payroll been reviewed they have thank
1:05:59 you very much does any council member
1:06:01 desire to remove any item from the
1:06:03 consent calendar and considered under
1:06:05 regular
1:06:06 business not seeing any um it has been
1:06:09 moved and seconded
1:06:12 um is there um any question any Council
1:06:17 discussion not seeing any indication of
1:06:19 council discussion um the motion has
1:06:23 been moved second is to approve the
1:06:25 consent calendar is presented all of
1:06:26 those uh in favor please signify by
1:06:28 saying I I I anyone opposed that carries
1:06:36 60 um the next item we're going to move
1:06:38 into is two public hearings the first
1:06:40 one is AB 8687 a vacation of a portion
1:06:43 of Second Avenue Southeast the business
1:06:45 before the council this evening is to
1:06:47 conduct the public hearing and I'd like
1:06:49 to invite transportation engineering
1:06:50 manager John Morton to make a
1:06:52 presentation welcome John
1:06:54 thank you very much Madame mayor and
1:06:57 council members I'm John Morton
1:06:58 transportation engineering manager give
1:07:01 me just a minute to share my
1:07:22 screen
1:07:25 the item tonight is a vacation of a
1:07:28 portion of 2 Avenue
1:07:34 Southeast the
1:07:36 purpose of the item tonight is to hold a
1:07:39 public hearing for the vacation of the
1:07:43 portion of RightWay in Second Avenue
1:07:45 Northeast for the proposed Rainer Trail
1:07:51 Park a little background about it
1:07:55 the 2018 Park strategic plan identified
1:08:00 as a top priority to build an offleash
1:08:04 dog park during covid there were some
1:08:06 budget cuts and delays and there was a
1:08:10 two-year Dog Park tour and during this
1:08:13 tour the dog park off a rain near Trail
1:08:16 at the community center was quite
1:08:18 popular and with the 2023 2024 budget
1:08:23 the council so budgeted money to design
1:08:26 and construct a dog
1:08:28 park as part of it I've been working
1:08:31 with the parks department on vacating a
1:08:35 portion of the rideway on Second Avenue
1:08:38 that is extra wide and this rway is not
1:08:40 needed and it is where we they would
1:08:43 like to put the dog
1:08:50 park The Proposal is to vacate a portion
1:08:54 of Second Avenue Southeast for the
1:08:57 construction of the dog park in order to
1:09:00 do that
1:09:01 the next step is to do a public hearing
1:09:04 which is what we're here tonight and
1:09:06 there is a draft ordinance that's in the
1:09:08 agenda packet that not only would vacate
1:09:11 the RightWay but it also would wave any
1:09:14 of the fees and compensation that can be
1:09:16 associated with a RightWay vacation that
1:09:19 as an Administration we did not want to
1:09:22 propose charging ourselves to do a
1:09:27 public
1:09:28 benefit this drawing shows the proposed
1:09:32 concept for the dog park and the area in
1:09:35 yellow is the area that is currently
1:09:37 within the rideway for Second Avenue
1:09:41 Southeast the reason why the rideway was
1:09:44 there in the first place is Once Upon a
1:09:46 Time Second Avenue was a completely
1:09:48 north south street and then what was at
1:09:51 the time the esqua Hobart Road
1:09:54 was constructed with a curve away from
1:09:56 where the dog park is and so that's why
1:09:58 we have an extra section of RightWay
1:10:01 that we would like to
1:10:03 vacate the options that you have as
1:10:06 council members are to not approve the
1:10:08 street vacation and the impacts to that
1:10:12 if you were to do that the dog park as
1:10:14 proposed cannot be constructed um as I
1:10:17 mentioned before the RightWay is extra
1:10:20 wide there it is not needed for future
1:10:22 improvements on Second Avenue
1:10:24 and so we are not recommending to not
1:10:28 approve it or we are recommending to
1:10:30 approve
1:10:31 it um which gets to the recommendation
1:10:34 which is adopting the proposed ordinance
1:10:36 approving the RightWay vacation of a
1:10:38 portion of Second Avenue Southeast at
1:10:41 the council meeting on March 4th
1:10:46 2024 timing and next steps are tonight
1:10:50 there will be a public
1:10:52 hearing
1:10:55 on the March 4th meeting there will be
1:10:57 we're proposing to adopt an ordinance
1:11:00 the parks Department's been working
1:11:01 really hard on the design and permitting
1:11:04 process with the goal to start
1:11:06 construction late this summer and
1:11:09 pending permits be able to open up the
1:11:11 dog park later on this
1:11:15 fall again the recommendation is
1:11:20 to proceed forward with the ordinance
1:11:22 approving the RightWay vacation of a
1:11:24 portion of Second Avenue Southeast on
1:11:27 the council meeting at on March 4th
1:11:32 2024 and also a question for the council
1:11:35 members is whether this item should go
1:11:38 on regular business or the consent
1:11:41 calendar and so we'd like some direction
1:11:44 for that and that concludes my
1:11:46 presentation thank you very much John
1:11:49 I'm going to open the public hearing at
1:11:51 8:11 p.m. and again if you're joining us
1:11:54 virtually and you would like to make
1:11:55 comments please raise your virtual hand
1:11:58 or send the host a chat message uh if
1:12:00 you're on the room and you in the room
1:12:02 and you did not sign up to speak
1:12:04 although I'm looking around and seeing
1:12:06 almost all staff um I will ask for other
1:12:08 speakers before closing that portion of
1:12:10 the meeting clerk has anyone signed up
1:12:12 to speak or indicated a desire to speak
1:12:14 to this
1:12:16 item mayor Paulie no one has signed up
1:12:19 to speak but we do have a virtual
1:12:21 attendee with their hand raised
1:12:24 okay um then I believe if it's okay I
1:12:29 don't think I need to reread the rules
1:12:31 about public testimony we've already
1:12:33 read it once before so if you want to
1:12:34 have them go ahead that would be
1:12:37 great Connie I've made you a panelist
1:12:40 Connie Marsh uh Connie you can unmute
1:12:43 your microphone and turn on your
1:12:47 camera give us a second to get the audio
1:12:52 going
1:13:06 please stand by
1:13:08 Connie be with we'll be with you
1:13:12 momentarily we can see you we just can't
1:13:14 hear you
1:13:38 okay Connie go ahead we can hear you now
1:13:41 you can hear me now okay wow this is a
1:13:45 testy meeting tonight with the with the
1:13:47 uh remote you guys are all distorted for
1:13:50 me out here in in in this land I I can
1:13:53 hear most of it but not all of it so I'm
1:13:57 hoping I am responding appropriately to
1:14:00 what I think I heard
1:14:02 um so my biggest thing with this is I
1:14:06 would prefer to have this vacation not
1:14:10 be directly linked to a dog park I would
1:14:14 prefer to have it linked to park land
1:14:17 not a particular function as a as a
1:14:21 public benefit I don't know if this is a
1:14:25 good place for a dog park I don't know
1:14:27 that the dog park is going to happen yet
1:14:29 I think the vacation is probably a good
1:14:32 idea used for a different use so if it
1:14:37 be um the public benefit be to have it
1:14:43 adopted into Parkland and that would be
1:14:45 enough I think that that is a better
1:14:48 link if the uh if if that makes sense to
1:14:52 you the Park itself actually has some
1:14:55 environmental concerns that I am poking
1:14:57 at and so I don't know that it can be
1:14:59 built as designed anyway so uh that does
1:15:03 that should not mean that it could not
1:15:06 be used as park right and there are my
1:15:10 comments I hope you could hear me thank
1:15:12 you we could hear you very well thank
1:15:14 you for your patience while we work that
1:15:16 out is there anyone else um online that
1:15:19 might like to make comments this evening
1:15:20 during the public
1:15:22 hearing
1:15:25 mayor paully I see no uh no other
1:15:27 virtual hands raised at this time thank
1:15:30 you city clerk um city council do you
1:15:33 have any objections to my closing the
1:15:34 public
1:15:37 hearing being none public hearing is
1:15:40 closed at 8:15 do city council have any
1:15:43 questions of
1:15:47 staff not seeing any indication of
1:15:50 questions this item will return on the
1:15:52 March 4th Council agenda for Action is
1:15:55 there any direction from the Council on
1:15:57 whether this should return on consent or
1:15:58 under regular business
1:16:02 thoughts Deputy council
1:16:05 president um I I would prefer to be on
1:16:08 consent any other
1:16:12 comments couple little thumbs up there
1:16:14 thank you very much uh it sounds like
1:16:17 the direction is to place it on consent
1:16:20 the next item of business this evening
1:16:22 also under public hearings is AB
1:16:24 8787 multif family housing tax exemption
1:16:28 ordinance and the item before Council
1:16:31 this evening is that we will be
1:16:32 conducting the public hearing and I'd
1:16:33 like to invite commune planning and
1:16:35 development director Minnie doell to
1:16:36 make a presentation welcome Minnie good
1:16:39 evening council members mayor paully and
1:16:41 members of the community uh both in the
1:16:43 room and online if anyone's joined us
1:16:46 there um I am going to share
1:17:41 hang in there with us we're different
1:17:43 kind of technical
1:17:45 difficulty I had to add to that so um
1:17:49 apologize for that um so for the record
1:17:52 I'm many dollar W uh Department of
1:17:54 Community Development and planning uh
1:17:56 director here and we are opening up our
1:18:01 presentation for multifam tax exemption
1:18:05 adding isqua Highlands High Street
1:18:07 collection residential
1:18:09 area um so the purpose tonight is really
1:18:12 uh for Council to hold the public
1:18:13 hearing uh there is no action uh planned
1:18:16 to be uh after the public hearing but to
1:18:19 solicit public comments um and uh for
1:18:22 the this particular project which is
1:18:24 isqua Highlands High Street collection
1:18:27 and adding it to the residential
1:18:28 targeted area to the city's multi family
1:18:31 tax exemption program um like I said it
1:18:35 uh the purpose tonight is just to hold a
1:18:37 public hearing and then uh take action
1:18:39 on this item at March 4th meeting um a
1:18:43 little bit of background in uh 2017 the
1:18:47 city adopted multif family tax exemption
1:18:49 program uh pursuant to state law uh RCW
1:18:53 414 um currently the city has one area
1:18:57 designated as a as an area that
1:19:00 qualifies for mfte and that is the
1:19:02 tibits valley uh Transit oriented
1:19:05 Development Area uh right next to uh the
1:19:09 transit center on U Newport um on
1:19:13 November 20th the city council approved
1:19:15 a development agreement between the city
1:19:18 and ihif Commercial uh referred to
1:19:21 during this presentation and doing
1:19:22 business business as shelter Holdings um
1:19:26 and uh this is an area about 20 1 acre
1:19:29 site uh bounded by 9th Avenue Northeast
1:19:34 um and uh Northeast High Street uh
1:19:37 Northeast Discovery Drive and eth and
1:19:39 fifth on uh the western side of the
1:19:43 property um what this development
1:19:45 agreement um that was authorized uh
1:19:49 allows um uh 1,250 residential units at
1:19:54 least 200 of which um must be age
1:19:57 restricted or Assisted Living um so of
1:20:00 the remaining uh 150 units any building
1:20:04 that um includes 10 non-age restricted
1:20:07 units um must be developed to include
1:20:10 20% affordable at 80% average median
1:20:13 income if Council adopts uh or includes
1:20:18 this in their uh in the city's targeted
1:20:20 multif family tax exemption area um um
1:20:23 like I said this obligation to build 20%
1:20:26 of the units at 80% Ami is only
1:20:28 triggered if the city adopts these
1:20:30 amendments to chapter
1:20:33 3.09 um as they are set forth in the
1:20:36 attachment three to the development
1:20:37 agreement which was a link to that was
1:20:40 included in your packet I will go
1:20:42 through some of the highlights of that
1:20:43 if Council does not adopt these changes
1:20:46 then shelter can still develop uh
1:20:48 without the affordability
1:20:50 requirement um so the attachment three
1:20:54 um some highlights um establish its
1:20:56 property under the city's
1:20:58 mfte um 20% at 80% Ami um remain
1:21:03 affordable for the length of the
1:21:05 property tax exemption period um so the
1:21:08 initial 12year exemption period but then
1:21:11 also additional 12 years at shelter
1:21:13 Holdings option uh if the state law
1:21:16 allows that extension uh after the 12
1:21:19 over um auth um and and then some of the
1:21:23 other nuances um that that are part of
1:21:25 this attachment 3 uh really are um uh
1:21:29 how it's administered how the mfte
1:21:31 program is administered um so shelter is
1:21:35 allowed to change the units which ones
1:21:37 they designate uh as affordable units
1:21:39 without getting any approval from any
1:21:41 administrative approval so long as the
1:21:43 unit type and mix uh remain uh the same
1:21:47 and that doesn't change and they'll
1:21:48 reflect that in the annual report uh
1:21:51 that'll come that the state law requires
1:21:53 uh these projects to file um it also
1:21:57 dispenses with the requirement to record
1:21:59 a covenant um the contract would be
1:22:02 recorded but there's no requirement for
1:22:04 a covenant uh under this attachment de
1:22:07 threee um lastly um you know if there
1:22:11 are any tenant relocation assistant
1:22:13 require assistance requirements from the
1:22:15 state law uh those would be applicable
1:22:18 um uh a little bit background on what
1:22:21 this multif family tax exemption is like
1:22:23 I said it's authorized by the state law
1:22:25 any city with a population of 15,000 or
1:22:28 more there's some exemptions for cities
1:22:30 smaller than that but we'll stick with
1:22:32 this uh because the the state log gets
1:22:35 uh you know nuanced um so it allows
1:22:39 cities with these uh in this category to
1:22:43 uh create a program to stimulate
1:22:45 construction of new rehabilitate or
1:22:48 convert multif family housing including
1:22:51 affordable housing so some of the main
1:22:53 things you know it has to have at least
1:22:55 four residential units so you can't have
1:22:56 it for a single family uh unit or duplex
1:22:59 or something like that um the value of
1:23:01 the eligible housing improvements is
1:23:03 Exempted typically for eight or 12 years
1:23:06 so 8ye doesn't have that affordability
1:23:09 component with it but if it is a 12-year
1:23:11 exemption uh you have to have 20% of the
1:23:14 units uh affordable to low and moderate
1:23:16 income households um the land or any
1:23:20 existing improvements or non-residential
1:23:23 improvements are still taxed so those
1:23:25 are not exempt from property tax um
1:23:30 there's a criteria in state law that you
1:23:32 have to meet in order for the council to
1:23:35 authorize um these properties to be
1:23:37 designated um so number one it has to be
1:23:40 within an urban center as this this
1:23:43 particular RCW defines the that term um
1:23:47 and then also uh you know if the area
1:23:49 lacks efficient a um efficient you know
1:23:53 sufficient available and convenient
1:23:55 residential housing including affordable
1:23:57 housing to meet the needs of the public
1:24:00 um and lastly uh the provision of
1:24:02 additional housing in the area is either
1:24:05 to encourage uh additional multif family
1:24:08 or uh to stimulate new affordable
1:24:10 housing parental housing um and then I
1:24:14 put the slide in here because of the if
1:24:16 Council had any questions about what is
1:24:18 80% average median income uh so it is
1:24:21 dependent on the number of uh persons in
1:24:24 your household so at 80% if it's a one
1:24:27 person household uh the numbers are
1:24:30 82,000 um if it's 2% it's 93,000 some
1:24:34 dollars and then so on um and then the
1:24:38 property tax distribution I think there
1:24:40 was some questions from Council in terms
1:24:42 of what is the city's share that's lost
1:24:44 what are some of the other entities um
1:24:47 that will also uh have a foregone not
1:24:49 lost but foregone Revenue um so so we
1:24:52 just included the slide to show uh how
1:24:54 the property tax distribution occurs
1:24:57 with our Levy code here um and also
1:25:00 included in your packet is financial
1:25:02 information um and you know uh it's it's
1:25:06 difficult to do a precise calculation
1:25:08 because we don't know the valuation of
1:25:10 the project and we don't know how much
1:25:12 of the project is going to be taxed
1:25:15 before um the mfte goes into effect uh
1:25:18 while it's under construction so we made
1:25:20 some assumptions uh we made the
1:25:22 assumption that the entire project is
1:25:24 built so 1050 total units are built that
1:25:27 are non uh age restricted uh because if
1:25:31 there are more age restricted units then
1:25:33 this number would reduce um but this is
1:25:36 the maximum number of non-age restricted
1:25:38 units that are allowed under the
1:25:40 development agreement so that was an
1:25:41 assumption uh we looked at other
1:25:43 valuation of other properties um and
1:25:46 with the help of arch and uh I should
1:25:49 mention Mike uh Stanger is online if you
1:25:51 have any any specific questions for him
1:25:54 as well as anmie Soto for madronal Law
1:25:56 Group is also online if you have any
1:25:58 questions um related to state law um so
1:26:03 and then the other assumption we uh made
1:26:05 was 60% of the value of the project is
1:26:07 taxed before the exemption is effective
1:26:10 so that's Based on data for Arch in
1:26:12 terms of their typical uh you know it
1:26:14 could mean it could range anywhere from
1:26:17 zero to 100% uh of the project is you
1:26:21 know the assess depending on the time
1:26:23 the the construction occurs based on the
1:26:26 time that the assessor goes and does an
1:26:28 assessment it can vary but generally it
1:26:31 falls within 60 to 70% and so we assumed
1:26:35 a 60% is is taxed before the exemption
1:26:38 becomes effective so what that means is
1:26:41 60% can be built into the city's 1% Levy
1:26:44 base rate and so uh so the 60% is spread
1:26:48 out for the rest of the property tax
1:26:51 owners and um and 40% is forgone um from
1:26:57 uh from collection of the taxes so based
1:27:00 on those assumptions uh the city would
1:27:02 likely forego about
1:27:04 $180,000 a year and isqua School
1:27:07 District would foro about
1:27:09 $480,000 per year um around um you know
1:27:14 for all the property owners what will
1:27:16 get shifted uh that will range in um the
1:27:19 numbers of $24 million over the 12 year
1:27:22 period um but you know uh the other
1:27:26 improvements the commercial improvements
1:27:28 uh those will still be taxed so uh there
1:27:30 will be additional money that will um
1:27:33 come into the city the the construction
1:27:35 sales tax retail sales tax would be the
1:27:37 other part of the equation uh however
1:27:40 this would be for uh establishing the
1:27:43 multif
1:27:44 family Fe um again I think we included a
1:27:47 chart in your um packet to kind of show
1:27:51 uh the other
1:27:52 agencies and the split of the property
1:27:54 taxes based on that um so the next steps
1:27:59 uh so tonight you just holding the
1:28:00 public hearing and then the idle will
1:28:02 come back uh to you all for on March 4th
1:28:05 uh for uh discussion deliberation in
1:28:08 action and that
1:28:10 concludes presentation thank you
1:28:13 director darwall I'm going to open the
1:28:15 public hearing at 8:28
1:28:18 p.m. and again if you are joining us
1:28:21 virtually you would like to make
1:28:22 comments please raise your virtual hand
1:28:24 or send the host a chat message if you
1:28:27 are in the room tonight and you didn't
1:28:29 sign up we'll make sure that any other
1:28:30 speakers in the room uh get to provide
1:28:33 comment before we close this portion
1:28:35 clerk has anyone signed up to speak or
1:28:37 indicated toire to
1:28:39 speak here Paulie no one has signed up
1:28:42 however we do have a virtual attendee
1:28:44 with their hand raised oh that's great
1:28:46 um let's we've gone over the public
1:28:50 comments a couple of times now so if we
1:28:52 just want to head in and and have the
1:28:54 council receive the comments that would
1:28:56 be great Connie Marsh would like to
1:28:58 speak to the council thank Connie I have
1:29:01 made you a panelist you can now unmute
1:29:05 and turn on your
1:29:10 camera first time through we can hear
1:29:13 you we can hear you yay okay Connie
1:29:17 Marsh so those last slides of the
1:29:22 impact uh of the mft were brilliant I
1:29:28 have waited years to see those slides
1:29:31 applied that was brilliant but if to a
1:29:36 question of so what does the school
1:29:39 district think about this do we go out
1:29:41 and talk to the school district about
1:29:43 these decisions before we make them so
1:29:46 that because that's actually a big hit
1:29:50 for and you know for the community too
1:29:52 but that shared a little more so uh I I
1:29:56 it never really occurred to me that we
1:29:58 should be having this conversation with
1:30:02 before would make those decisions
1:30:04 because it seems like a shared decision
1:30:06 to me so thank you and thank you for
1:30:09 those slides
1:30:12 brilliant thank you Connie um city clerk
1:30:15 do we have anyone else signed up online
1:30:17 or indicating a desire to
1:30:20 speak mayor Paulie I see no other
1:30:23 virtual hands raised at this
1:30:25 time uh city council do you have any
1:30:28 objection to my closing the public
1:30:30 hearing not seeing any objection so I'll
1:30:34 be closing the public hearing at 8:30
1:30:36 p.m. and looking at Council to see if
1:30:39 you have any
1:30:46 questions council president yes
1:30:50 um fantastic information really really
1:30:54 truly appreciate it thank you to uh
1:30:57 Deputy council president D Michelle for
1:30:59 asking the question about uh the school
1:31:02 district funds that um would not come
1:31:04 through um I will say we are talking to
1:31:07 them on Friday so it will be brought up
1:31:10 um is there a
1:31:13 sense
1:31:15 whether I'm trying to determine because
1:31:17 there's lots to
1:31:20 this is it possible
1:31:24 that the non aordable housing would be
1:31:28 built and receive a basically the non-
1:31:35 taxation for 12 years before the
1:31:39 affordable housing or does the mfte
1:31:43 benefit only
1:31:45 happen when a portion of the affordable
1:31:48 housing is
1:31:50 built
1:31:53 so the my understanding of the
1:31:55 development agreement is it happens with
1:31:57 each building So 20% of each building
1:32:00 will have to have the affordable uh
1:32:02 component you know be part of it as long
1:32:05 as it's not age it's not a senior
1:32:07 housing or assisted living or it's not
1:32:09 the small 10 um unit building so any
1:32:12 building that's larger than 10 units
1:32:14 that's not age restricted 20% of that is
1:32:17 is required to be affordable at 80% Ami
1:32:21 as long as has the council approves the
1:32:23 MFD if you know um so it'll happen with
1:32:27 each construction I think that was um
1:32:30 how the development agreement okay I
1:32:33 appreciate that so that means that we
1:32:35 are achieving that by Merit of the um
1:32:40 information that was in the development
1:32:41 agreement not necessarily because
1:32:45 mft as a program only comes into a place
1:32:49 when the affordable housing is built if
1:32:52 we were looking at this for like a a
1:32:54 future another concept it isn't that
1:32:57 isn't built into the mft program yeah
1:33:01 MFD is just the incentive uh the
1:33:03 financial incentive to get affordable
1:33:05 housing um but the you know the the
1:33:07 codes can link the two um and say you
1:33:11 need to provide XYZ and if you do this
1:33:14 then you will get the mfte so using that
1:33:17 as a link uh but they're two separate
1:33:19 things you have a code requirement and
1:33:21 then you have
1:33:22 incentive if I understood your question
1:33:24 correct yes fantastic thank
1:33:26 you any other questions uh council
1:33:29 member Hall uh didto on the thank you
1:33:31 for that extra information um so the RCW
1:33:34 slide you talked about so land existing
1:33:36 improvements and non-residential are the
1:33:38 ones that aren't exempt what what what
1:33:41 are existing improvements what what
1:33:43 falls into that bucket it's a vacant
1:33:44 land for this but if you know that's
1:33:47 just the state law requirement if some
1:33:48 if there were two buildings on it you
1:33:51 those would not be oh okay yeah thanks
1:33:55 additional questions from
1:33:59 Council um this item will return on the
1:34:03 March 4th uh Council agenda for Action
1:34:06 does the city council have any direction
1:34:07 on whether this Returns on the consent
1:34:09 coun or under regular business
1:34:13 thoughts council president and then
1:34:15 council member it's a big amount of
1:34:17 money even though it's not coming out of
1:34:19 our general fund I generally think of
1:34:22 something of that nature to be on
1:34:25 regular business um plus we may have the
1:34:28 feedback from um the school district
1:34:31 that I think would be important to
1:34:32 highlight council member Hall yep impact
1:34:36 is Big put it on regular business okay
1:34:39 and Council Joe you looked like you
1:34:40 might weigh in as well but you're just
1:34:42 nodding your head like you're in
1:34:44 agreement okay regular business it is
1:34:47 thank you and the next item thank you
1:34:49 very much um director Dolly wall the
1:34:52 next category of business for this
1:34:53 evening is our regular business and the
1:34:56 ab we're going to be looking at is AB
1:34:59 8753 it is the economic development
1:35:01 action plan and the request before
1:35:03 Council this evening is um to approve
1:35:06 the resolution I'd like to invite
1:35:08 economic development manager Ben Davis
1:35:10 Hayes and economic development
1:35:12 coordinators for aleno and Juliana de
1:35:14 Cruz to make a presentation thank you
1:35:16 team for coming in and I would like to
1:35:19 interject and just say that the WebEx
1:35:21 attendee
1:35:22 are having a little bit of difficulty so
1:35:24 do speak up when you're in the
1:35:27 microphone is this okay sounds good to
1:35:30 me great hi good evening um Jen Davis
1:35:33 Hayes economic development manager for
1:35:36 the city here and very excited to uh
1:35:38 share with you our Economic Development
1:35:40 action plan we've been talking about
1:35:42 this all last year as we got ramped up
1:35:44 and have been out in the community a lot
1:35:46 and so we are here to Showcase um what
1:35:49 we did so um
1:35:51 we also want to thank the economic
1:35:53 Vitality Commissioners who helped us
1:35:55 throughout the the year they were in
1:35:57 person at the services safety and Parks
1:35:59 committee on January 23rd that was their
1:36:01 third meeting of the month so they are
1:36:03 taking a little break tonight but anyway
1:36:06 uh we we are very excited that um how
1:36:08 much work and they are very excited to
1:36:10 kind of get going on this with the
1:36:12 different uh committees that are
1:36:14 planning to move forward so I'm going
1:36:16 forward too much okay so um
1:36:22 uh again uh the idea is to present to
1:36:26 create a three-year plan for economic
1:36:28 development as we know the last three
1:36:30 years have been very uh turbulent um and
1:36:34 we know that that hasn't settled yet so
1:36:35 we didn't want we are looking at trying
1:36:37 to learn some lessons from the last
1:36:39 three years see what things make sense
1:36:41 moving forward and really uh give us
1:36:44 some flexibility and focus um moving
1:36:46 forward so um we uh we can give you a
1:36:50 little bit of information that we heard
1:36:51 from services safety and parks and then
1:36:53 showcase our implementation and metrics
1:36:55 which I think is are some additional
1:36:58 information from that time that we spoke
1:37:00 to services safety and Parks committee
1:37:02 um in our written report we have a more
1:37:04 robust metric session section so we
1:37:07 added some things that we'll discuss
1:37:08 tonight we added some comprehensive plan
1:37:12 policy connections showing directly how
1:37:15 um the action plan will help to
1:37:16 implement some of the comprehens
1:37:18 comprehensive plan sorry I want to say
1:37:20 comp plan comprehensive plan policies
1:37:23 and then we also added some additional B
1:37:25 business survey
1:37:29 charts um so uh this is kind of a you
1:37:32 know quick summary of um where we've
1:37:35 been so when I first started here in
1:37:37 2013 they had just completed the SWAT
1:37:40 for their there was a brand new
1:37:41 department just completed a SWAT and we
1:37:43 completed our uh strategic plan at that
1:37:46 time as a department in 2014 to be for
1:37:49 the 2015 to 18 years um the city then
1:37:53 was at the time our strategic plan ended
1:37:55 was working on their Citywide plan we
1:37:57 said okay let's let that happen and then
1:38:00 in 2020 we will uh update our our plan
1:38:04 and well we all know what happened there
1:38:06 so we are um very excited that we
1:38:08 received 10 really great applications we
1:38:11 selected uh Community attributes Inc um
1:38:14 to do our work and you can see here um
1:38:18 how that that uh timeline progressed
1:38:20 throughout the year
1:38:24 and I'm going to pass it on to Juliana
1:38:26 de Cruz who is uh our Economic
1:38:28 Development um
1:38:31 coordinator hi so this is an overview of
1:38:35 our Economic Development action plan and
1:38:37 as discussed it does align with the
1:38:39 comprehensive plan updates the purpose
1:38:42 is to provide guideposts for our work
1:38:44 and economic development and it
1:38:46 encapsulates some of our learnings
1:38:48 coming out of the pandemic we want to
1:38:50 build on our strength here in isqua but
1:38:52 we also want to be responsive to the
1:38:53 entire business community and while we
1:38:56 have this plan here we know it's not set
1:38:58 in stone and so we'll continue to work
1:39:00 with the economic Vitality commission to
1:39:03 stay on top of business Trends and adapt
1:39:05 as needed and of course we'll report
1:39:07 back to the council
1:39:11 quarterly this is an overview of some of
1:39:13 the economic development action plan
1:39:15 themes the First theme is access to
1:39:18 opportunity and that's some of our bread
1:39:19 and butter work here in econom
1:39:21 development this is where we think about
1:39:23 what it takes for a business to thrive
1:39:25 do they have the space do they have the
1:39:27 resources they need the second theme is
1:39:30 about the city acting as this convenor
1:39:32 role we know we have great Partners in
1:39:34 Economic Development we don't need to do
1:39:36 this work alone how do we bring
1:39:38 businesses and resources together and
1:39:41 the third theme is about leveraging
1:39:42 isqua assets and building on our
1:39:44 strengths so we know that we have
1:39:46 excellent outdoor recreation here we
1:39:48 have excellent creative Industries and
1:39:51 we have a thriving homebased business
1:39:53 industry how do we build on those
1:39:55 strengths while being responsive to all
1:39:57 of our
1:40:00 community what does that mean on the
1:40:03 ground level so here are some examples
1:40:06 I'll give the first two examples and
1:40:07 then I'll pass it off to forel so some
1:40:10 of the actions that we will do is we'll
1:40:12 continue to do those business Outreach
1:40:15 uh meetings that the mayor mentioned
1:40:17 earlier and we're specifically going to
1:40:19 be thinking about increasing access to
1:40:21 resources for underserved uh businesses
1:40:25 entrepreneurs um we are also going to
1:40:28 focus on the creative industry as
1:40:30 discussed and we learned in this
1:40:32 engagement work that access to space for
1:40:34 Studio retail and maker space is
1:40:37 incredibly challenging and so we're
1:40:39 going to think about some Creative
1:40:41 Solutions in working with property
1:40:42 managers and other businesses to sort of
1:40:44 alleviate some of those struggles I'll
1:40:47 pass it on to
1:40:52 thank you thank you Juliana and as uh my
1:40:56 colleague has already expounded I want
1:40:57 to expound more on homebased business so
1:41:01 uh we know that isaka is a homegrown
1:41:03 City so there's a lot of thriving
1:41:06 homebased businesses so we want also
1:41:08 to to do some Outreach show them some
1:41:12 love and that we care for them and what
1:41:15 are we going to do we're going to
1:41:17 continue doing the Outreach to
1:41:19 understand the barriers to understand
1:41:21 their needs then based on those needs
1:41:24 we're going to create a learning series
1:41:26 or we're going to host a work for
1:41:32 them and and next
1:41:36 uh this is just what examples of data
1:41:39 that we currently
1:41:41 collect and will continue to be
1:41:43 collected and reviewed uh with our team
1:41:47 and EVC and of course we do uh report
1:41:51 them in our Economic Development what I
1:41:53 report to the
1:42:05 council then in the in the next slide is
1:42:07 uh more of our uh action plan metrics
1:42:10 and uh shortterm outcomes so uh the
1:42:13 short-term outcomes these are just
1:42:14 immediate results that we uh came up
1:42:17 with these are the results that we
1:42:19 anticipate so the idea here is uh in the
1:42:24 metrics we have four metrics and we
1:42:27 wanted something that is smart specific
1:42:30 measurable
1:42:32 achievable and uh what am I missing and
1:42:35 time bound so that is uh what guided Us
1:42:38 in developing these uh metrics because
1:42:40 we realize if we come up with a whole
1:42:42 ton of metrics we won't be able to uh
1:42:45 measure them so these are the four uh
1:42:47 metrics that we came up with uh the
1:42:50 number number of business served and
1:42:52 served by sectors then number of uh new
1:42:55 resources relationship then number of
1:42:59 Impressions views market and media
1:43:01 impact and number of new and active
1:43:03 business
1:43:05 lines so we realize in the input onset
1:43:08 of this we have the action items and
1:43:11 immediately after the action items uh we
1:43:14 come up to to the outcomes now we have
1:43:16 also three outcomes that we condense we
1:43:19 had lots of outcomes but we decided to
1:43:21 condens them into three uh that we are
1:43:23 able to measure and one our goal is to
1:43:26 try and remove barriers and provide
1:43:28 these uh businesses with tool and
1:43:30 resources then also ensure businesses
1:43:33 perspective represented in the city and
1:43:35 Regional policies and lastly we want to
1:43:37 increase promotion and also increase
1:43:39 awareness and connection uh between uh
1:43:44 isaka
1:43:49 businesses so this this document is is
1:43:52 is a is a living
1:43:54 plan and by that I mean uh we will
1:43:58 continue to review data and that is
1:44:00 important to enable us make a decisive
1:44:03 decision so the reason why we anchor all
1:44:05 this in the data is because uh with the
1:44:08 data we are able to determine are we
1:44:10 growing or is there a realignment that
1:44:13 we need to do so that is data is more
1:44:15 important in uh trying to uh build on
1:44:18 what we do and of course our daily
1:44:20 interaction with business that is the
1:44:22 business interaction then we want to
1:44:24 work with our regional Partners uh to
1:44:26 discuss Trends which is important we
1:44:28 need to know what are the trends not
1:44:30 specifically in in isqua but uh around
1:44:34 uh Washington and other parts of the
1:44:35 states and as well as uh the EVC and uh
1:44:39 vision partners to ensure the reason
1:44:42 we're doing this is we want to ensure uh
1:44:45 we don't miss an important business need
1:44:47 or opportunity in the future so we want
1:44:50 want to align ourself with the trends
1:44:52 that are there we want to be able to
1:44:54 focus on other data not specifically
1:44:57 within isaka and Washington State we
1:44:59 want to extend our scope to try and
1:45:00 compare what is happening in other
1:45:02 states what is happening in uh in the
1:45:05 whole uh United States so we want to be
1:45:08 able to build on that and I think I'll
1:45:11 pass it to
1:45:16 J okay so um we are here tonight to ask
1:45:20 for approval for the economic
1:45:22 development action plan and this is our
1:45:25 recommendation um if we if that is
1:45:27 approved we'll begin uh implementation
1:45:30 um a lot of that is the coordination
1:45:32 with the economic Vitality commission we
1:45:34 have formed uh three new committees um
1:45:36 to implement this and um and then of
1:45:40 course we will continue to report back
1:45:42 to the city council in our quarterly
1:45:44 written Economic Development action plan
1:45:46 I mean
1:45:48 updates thank you thank thank you team
1:45:51 um Jen and foral and Juliana that is
1:45:54 great U council member Marts as chair of
1:45:56 the services safety and Parks committee
1:45:58 would you like to summarize the
1:45:59 committee's recommendation on this item
1:46:01 thank you Madame mayor I would so the
1:46:04 council provided feedback on the
1:46:06 following questions are there
1:46:07 significant concerns with any of the
1:46:09 proposed uh action plan elements uh we
1:46:12 were very supportive of the plan and we
1:46:15 appreciated the data in the plan so no
1:46:17 not significant concerns are there other
1:46:20 economic development metrics that should
1:46:21 be considered uh we discussed
1:46:24 recommended expanding the explanation of
1:46:26 the metrics and how they will inform
1:46:28 future plans in other words how's that
1:46:31 how's that feedback loop going to work
1:46:33 uh adding a tracking metric uh for the
1:46:36 implementation and then interest in
1:46:38 learning more about large employers and
1:46:40 how the city is uh doing on that front
1:46:42 as previous conversations about uh large
1:46:45 employers and and the differences there
1:46:47 is the economic development quarterly
1:46:49 report sufficient for Progress
1:46:52 reporting committee fil uh quarterly
1:46:55 reports currently are excellent and uh
1:46:58 we suggested considering identifying
1:47:00 when targets are reached in the report
1:47:02 and then finally we recommended
1:47:04 returning this item uh under regular
1:47:06 business uh tonight the conversation
1:47:08 that we're having right now thank you
1:47:10 thank you um does council have any
1:47:14 questions member
1:47:16 hunt thank you um I have a specific
1:47:20 question question about the survey so
1:47:22 and I I emailed this but it was late
1:47:24 breaking email question um in the survey
1:47:28 um most of the survey was conducted a
1:47:30 vast majority of the survey was
1:47:31 conducted in English um and uh and then
1:47:35 there's a note that due to translation
1:47:37 barriers the results didn't reflect the
1:47:39 responses that were not in English and
1:47:42 so I wondered how um how we can
1:47:45 incorporate the voices of people that
1:47:47 want to fill out the survey in a
1:47:49 language other than than English and I
1:47:51 know there was information in your
1:47:52 presentation about making sure that
1:47:54 we're reaching all of the business
1:47:55 Community um and we definitely um do
1:47:58 have uh community members who I think
1:48:00 would appreciate having a a option to
1:48:03 participate in a language other than
1:48:04 English so if you could speak to that
1:48:05 that'd be great yeah thank you for uh
1:48:08 bringing that up um so the the survey
1:48:10 was translated into Spanish um Korean
1:48:14 and and Mandarin and what happened in
1:48:17 the so we only had I think one response
1:48:19 un l so we know we need to do a better
1:48:21 job of getting it out um but I think
1:48:24 what happened is that was a um a draft
1:48:27 that didn't get updated so we because at
1:48:29 the time when we did the draft that
1:48:31 report we weren't able to get that
1:48:33 translated so we will at update the
1:48:35 report with that information so I know
1:48:37 that does exist um and so we obviously
1:48:40 don't want to have a survey taken and
1:48:42 not know what it says so that was again
1:48:45 an error of timing for the report and
1:48:47 didn't notice that when we were looking
1:48:50 at it 42 times so thank you for pointing
1:48:52 that out we will get that
1:48:54 updated great question um it it sounds
1:48:57 like there's resolution is going to be
1:48:59 included that's great is there any other
1:49:01 questions from
1:49:04 Council uh is there a council member
1:49:07 willing to make a
1:49:11 motion are you looking for a council
1:49:14 member I'm just totally caught flat
1:49:16 footed on this so somebody else wants to
1:49:18 make the motion we have a council
1:49:19 president is going to step in and make a
1:49:21 motion I got you on that um I move to
1:49:25 approve resolution number
1:49:28 20248 adopting the 2024
1:49:32 2027 Economic Development action
1:49:35 plan second there you go on your tippy
1:49:38 toes this time uh it's been moved and
1:49:41 seconded is there any Council discussion
1:49:44 council
1:49:45 president thank you um I've been
1:49:47 following this closely as it's gone
1:49:49 through the economic Vitality commission
1:49:51 really appreciated all of the
1:49:53 information that came out on the um
1:49:56 creative district and the need um for
1:50:00 all of that that was a really
1:50:02 interesting portion of the discussion um
1:50:05 so just wanted to highlight that and
1:50:07 appreciate that as a home-based business
1:50:10 I'll raise my hand if you have any
1:50:12 questions um happy to uh be be a member
1:50:17 uh that's working with you guys I have
1:50:20 seen the emails with the uh meetups uh
1:50:23 that have been happening so I just
1:50:25 haven't been able to participate but I
1:50:27 will look for that but overall I just
1:50:29 wanted to highlight the great work on
1:50:31 this um and looking forward to a really
1:50:36 thoughtful approach to our economic
1:50:38 development that is very specific to
1:50:40 isqua this report would not have come
1:50:43 out if you were talking about Northbend
1:50:45 or bellw or any of the other cities it's
1:50:47 very much a highlight of our community
1:50:50 and our particular businesses and so I
1:50:53 think the fact that you can read that in
1:50:55 and the engagement of the economic
1:50:57 Vitality commission um really is
1:51:00 highlighted in this so I wanted to
1:51:01 appreciate that great any additional
1:51:04 Council discussion uh Deputy councel
1:51:06 president and then council member Hall
1:51:08 uh thank you mayor Paulie uh I just want
1:51:10 to uh affirm the comments from the
1:51:13 council president uh was lovely the way
1:51:16 that the Arts have been incorporated
1:51:18 into the plan it is an amazingly
1:51:21 detailed plan and I would just encourage
1:51:23 members of the public who are interested
1:51:25 in uh what we are planning to do to take
1:51:28 a look at it because uh not only does it
1:51:31 lay out the strategy very well but it's
1:51:33 just packed with really really
1:51:35 interesting data spent a long time with
1:51:38 this strategic plan and learn a lot
1:51:41 about isqua it was a really well done uh
1:51:45 report and uh and proposed plan so um I
1:51:49 will be uh without a doubt supporting it
1:51:52 but again just uh so thankful that we
1:51:56 are looking at the Arts not as something
1:51:59 that's just nice to have it is really
1:52:01 nice to have the Arts we have here but
1:52:03 it's also an economic uh driver and I
1:52:06 think that's an important conclusion
1:52:08 that the Strategic plan highlights so
1:52:11 thank you thank you for the good work to
1:52:13 everybody council member Hall oh my gosh
1:52:16 I mean outstanding work outstanding work
1:52:18 from our from our Economic Development
1:52:19 te thank you so much um also our
1:52:21 economic Vitality commission for the
1:52:23 countless hours that they spent working
1:52:24 on this um I mean there's extensive
1:52:27 storytelling through data in the report
1:52:29 here in the beginning and in the end
1:52:31 that I think is truly invaluable for us
1:52:33 as Council as policy makers to be able
1:52:34 to now interpret what are the needs of
1:52:37 our business community and what should
1:52:38 we be
1:52:39 prioritizing um I think you know coming
1:52:42 into this really ensuring that um
1:52:45 efficient permitting was in like in in
1:52:48 the plan it lives in it
1:52:50 um business assistance in connection to
1:52:52 resources are also really big things
1:52:54 that I hear from um business owners that
1:52:57 lives in it um taking advantage of our
1:52:59 unique setting creative districts
1:53:00 already been been mentioned we're one of
1:53:02 only what 13 communities in the entire
1:53:05 state that have a creative District so
1:53:07 wonderful that we have an emphasis on
1:53:09 that of course the esqua Alps and Lake
1:53:12 samamish makes us a leading you know
1:53:14 destination for tourism and Recreation
1:53:17 so glad to have an emphasis on that too
1:53:19 um like you said very unique to isqua um
1:53:23 just very happy to see um this here and
1:53:26 to be voting in favor of it tonight I
1:53:29 just really want to make sure it's clear
1:53:31 to me what are the actions that are
1:53:32 policy related for Council to be able to
1:53:34 GW on and um be able to see
1:53:37 year-over-year
1:53:39 um progress that we're making how much
1:53:41 more is still left to be done and so
1:53:43 none of it gets left on on the table
1:53:45 when it comes time to to redo the
1:53:47 economic development action plan so I
1:53:49 don't know if that should live then in
1:53:51 the quarterly updates or something but I
1:53:52 would love to be you know frequently
1:53:55 told okay here's where we're at the ones
1:53:57 that are policy related here are the
1:53:58 ones that we've made action on maybe
1:54:00 it's like a work plan or something like
1:54:01 our general work plan but a tie a tie to
1:54:04 that because I'd love to be able to see
1:54:05 our progress impl from the council side
1:54:09 again thank you very much for all your
1:54:10 work appreciate it any other
1:54:14 comments okay not seeing any uh if
1:54:17 there's no further discussion the motion
1:54:18 before council is to approve resolution
1:54:20 number
1:54:22 20248 adopting the 2024 2027 Economic
1:54:25 Development action plan all those in
1:54:28 favor signify by saying I I those
1:54:31 opposed that carries unanimously six
1:54:34 and0 I just also want to thank the team
1:54:36 thank you all for coming uh to this
1:54:38 meeting and sharing in the work I will
1:54:41 say as an observation of being an
1:54:42 elected serving here in the city for 10
1:54:44 years just to see the evolution away
1:54:46 from reporting out numbers to actually
1:54:50 telling us how you are measuring
1:54:52 performance and how you are identifying
1:54:54 weaknesses in areas to grow it's it's
1:54:57 great and it's showing in the work that
1:54:59 you're doing and presenting tonight so
1:55:01 thank you so much for all that you did
1:55:03 and thanks for coming this
1:55:04 evening we're going to move into our
1:55:07 next item of business which is committee
1:55:08 and Regional reports uh and we're going
1:55:11 to call each council member by name so
1:55:14 council member Joe let's start with you
1:55:15 thank you Madame mayor I'm part of the
1:55:17 economic development work that we we are
1:55:19 doing is uh having our lodging tax
1:55:22 advisory committee meet uh Valentine's
1:55:25 Day um you know 3:00 in the afternoon um
1:55:30 look for the uh location on the website
1:55:33 and uh also uh Cascade water Alliance
1:55:37 will be having their board meeting uh
1:55:40 the 28th of February and the public
1:55:44 policy committee that I am on will be
1:55:46 meeting on February 7th that concludes
1:55:49 my report thank you thank you council
1:55:51 member
1:55:52 Hall thank you um just to announce that
1:55:56 this Thursday um February 8th at 4M at
1:55:59 our headquarters on Newport Way is our
1:56:01 next e Side Fire and Rescue board
1:56:02 meeting be very short really nothing of
1:56:05 um substance on our um agenda but then
1:56:09 the next meeting and that
1:56:15 is March 14th will be um our big one
1:56:19 where we have new member orientation we
1:56:21 have a new alternate in council
1:56:22 president Lindsey Walsh joining East
1:56:24 Side Fire and Rescue we also have some
1:56:25 other new members from the different
1:56:27 fire districts because we had some
1:56:28 retirements um from longtime fire
1:56:31 district Commissioners so the board will
1:56:32 look a little bit different we'll have
1:56:34 uh our orientation and elections for new
1:56:37 board leadership and yeah that'll be
1:56:39 great and with that that concludes my
1:56:40 report thank you council member hunt
1:56:43 thank you I have two meetings to report
1:56:45 on and one upcoming meeting on January
1:56:48 25th there there was a special meeting
1:56:50 of the Planning Development and
1:56:52 environment committee it was actually a
1:56:54 meeting of the environment board that
1:56:56 was their retreat but um council
1:56:58 president Walsh and I attended and so it
1:57:00 was um also it served a double purpose
1:57:04 and was also uh noticed as a planning
1:57:06 development environment special meeting
1:57:08 um the point of this meeting was for the
1:57:10 environment board to have a retreat and
1:57:12 they actually reported out um uh in a
1:57:15 very thorough manner earlier this
1:57:17 evening um and the city council role was
1:57:20 really to uh listen and hear their
1:57:24 observations having served on the board
1:57:27 um as well as to provide some feedback
1:57:30 on how we uh value their their insights
1:57:35 and their recommendations um that they
1:57:37 provide to both Planning Development and
1:57:39 environment um committee as well as the
1:57:41 the council and also to give them some
1:57:44 uh some information on our Council
1:57:47 process mostly we were in listening mode
1:57:50 and it was a great meeting um there was
1:57:52 also a meeting on January 18th of the
1:57:55 Sam Recovery Council of Ria 8 which is
1:57:58 the name of our Watershed and the main
1:58:01 action that we took was to approve our
1:58:04 legislative um agenda and a letter to
1:58:07 our leg our state
1:58:09 legislature the state legislature is in
1:58:12 session and so we um approved the letter
1:58:14 to send to our state legislature the
1:58:16 main priorities um are similar to the
1:58:19 priorities in previous years and revolve
1:58:21 around having recovery for um salmon
1:58:25 recovery and uh funding for restoration
1:58:29 programs fish barrier removal as well as
1:58:32 a a focus this year on streamlining
1:58:35 regulatory review and permitting for
1:58:37 Habitat restoration this is at all
1:58:40 levels that it would be would make a lot
1:58:43 of habitat restoration go a lot faster
1:58:46 if it were easier to go through the
1:58:48 Regulatory and permitting
1:58:51 process um that concludes that meeting
1:58:54 and then I have one upcoming meeting the
1:58:56 Planning Development and environment
1:58:58 Committee of this Council will meet
1:59:00 tomorrow here in council chambers we
1:59:02 have two items ID 1568 which is the
1:59:05 central isqua Pioneer program and ID
1:59:08 1581 which is the comprehensive Plan
1:59:10 update draft economic Vitality element
1:59:13 that concludes my report thank you and
1:59:15 as mentioned early council member Ry has
1:59:17 an excused absence this evening we'll
1:59:19 move council member Mars thank you
1:59:21 Madame mayor uh SCA Sun cities
1:59:23 Association public issues committee
1:59:25 meets for the first time in 20124
1:59:28 Wednesday uh February 14th from 7il 900
1:59:31 p.m. it's going to be an online meeting
1:59:34 major uh agenda items include 2024 pick
1:59:38 meeting schedule uh AWC legislative
1:59:41 update pick 101 orientation for new
1:59:44 members and an update on the King County
1:59:46 homelessness Authority and particular
1:59:48 interested in that one uh services
1:59:51 safety and Parks committee will be
1:59:53 meeting uh later in the month but I'll
1:59:56 mention that uh that's Tuesday February
1:59:59 27th and the tentative agenda includes a
2:00:02 comp plan discussion includ uh
2:00:05 specifically the human services and
2:00:06 economic Vitality element of the comp
2:00:09 plan a review of city arts program and
2:00:11 elac Grant recommendations this
2:00:14 concludes the report thank you Deputy
2:00:16 council president D Michelle uh thank
2:00:18 you mayor paully I uh don't have any
2:00:21 reports on past meetings but uh we've
2:00:23 got a busy agenda coming up in February
2:00:26 East Side Human Services Forum will meet
2:00:28 this Thursday at 11:00 a.m. East Side
2:00:31 Transportation partnership will meet
2:00:33 this Friday at 8 a.m. and then the
2:00:36 regional transportation committee will
2:00:38 meet on Wednesday February 21st at 3
2:00:41 p.m. thank you thank you council
2:00:44 president thank you the Puget Sound
2:00:47 Regional Council growth man management
2:00:49 policy board um did not have any action
2:00:52 items but met uh last Thursday and
2:00:55 continued our briefing on the regional
2:00:57 centers monitoring so we have a Regional
2:01:00 Center in the city of isqua um they're
2:01:03 going through basically a res
2:01:05 sertification process um that they do I
2:01:08 think every 10 years um and so we're
2:01:12 just talking through what are the
2:01:13 questions that we need to be asking what
2:01:16 will what can the cities expect as they
2:01:19 go through that should we have the same
2:01:20 number of regional centers um should
2:01:24 there be minimum bars should we add
2:01:26 numbers so just Gathering kind of what
2:01:29 are the questions as we um go through
2:01:31 that that conversation will continue
2:01:33 through 2026 so it's a long set of
2:01:37 conversations on what our approach to
2:01:40 Regional centers should be um and then
2:01:43 the King County affordable housing
2:01:45 committee also met on
2:01:47 Thursday um we had met earlier in
2:01:52 January to kind of consider what is the
2:01:56 affordable housing committee what should
2:01:58 we be um that committee was created five
2:02:01 years ago um as a kind of action item
2:02:06 off of a report that said hey we have an
2:02:08 affordable housing problem the
2:02:11 affordable housing committee was created
2:02:13 as a subset under the growth management
2:02:16 planning Council mostly because that was
2:02:18 the e easiest and quickest thing to do
2:02:21 but it does provide some barriers we
2:02:23 don't have the ability to um tell
2:02:26 anybody what to do we don't have the
2:02:27 ability to tax like uh say the Sound
2:02:30 Transit um organization does and so
2:02:34 there's always this push and pull
2:02:37 between hey we'd like to do a lot we
2:02:39 understand what the problems are but we
2:02:41 don't have the power The Authority or
2:02:44 the responsibility and so we're we're
2:02:46 having this conversation about what
2:02:49 what does the affordable housing
2:02:51 committee do well what should we be
2:02:53 doing um and so we got a debrief on that
2:02:57 feedback of what we could propose as
2:03:01 Charter amendments um and then we also
2:03:03 got a briefing one of the big things
2:03:06 that the affordable housing committee is
2:03:07 going to do over the next year is review
2:03:10 all of the city's housing chapters of
2:03:13 the comprehensive plans as they are
2:03:16 proposed to give feedback and provide
2:03:19 a little bit of push and pull we don't
2:03:22 have the same Authority uh as they the
2:03:26 transportation element where there's a
2:03:29 little bit of hey if you don't do it
2:03:31 right there's money involved but this is
2:03:34 providing the really highly qualified
2:03:38 staff at King County um the ability to
2:03:41 kind of look at it and say are you
2:03:43 meeting all of these check marks and if
2:03:45 not hey maybe you would want to make
2:03:47 some changes to your housing element um
2:03:51 so that it helps pull everybody forward
2:03:54 so we'll see how that goes we've done um
2:03:56 two for I want to say Redmond and King
2:04:01 County and the staff provided some
2:04:04 really hard-hitting responses that said
2:04:06 hey maybe you should make some
2:04:08 adjustments so we appreciated that and
2:04:10 looking forward to how that goes um
2:04:12 moving forward and that concludes my
2:04:15 report thank you um for the mayor's
2:04:18 report I don't have any Community
2:04:20 announcements or anything to make but
2:04:22 there are three meetings that I went to
2:04:24 just uh special interest meetings that I
2:04:26 think I'll I'll provide you some
2:04:28 summaries of during good of the order
2:04:30 and you can follow up if there's
2:04:31 anything of interest there do you want
2:04:33 to add on one thing to what council
2:04:34 president was just saying this
2:04:35 conversation about housing elements is
2:04:37 also occurring at the state level and I
2:04:40 did actually have a conversation with
2:04:42 some of the psrc staff this week about
2:04:44 um rather than having Department of
2:04:46 Commerce being added into the review
2:04:48 process could PS you get some more teeth
2:04:50 similar to the teeth that they have with
2:04:51 the transportation element because
2:04:53 housing and transportation are linked
2:04:56 and you can't you cannot meet all of
2:04:58 your sustainability and vitality goals
2:05:00 unless you have some sort of solid
2:05:01 connection between the two so you have
2:05:04 some big stuff on your
2:05:06 plate um okay so we still have some
2:05:08 staff here we have an informational
2:05:10 update it's id1
2:05:11 1517 uh 2022 greenhouse gas emissions
2:05:15 inventory uh Council action this evening
2:05:17 is to receive a report and I'd like to
2:05:19 invite sustainability coordinator David
2:05:21 REI to make a presentation welcome David
2:05:23 you're hanging in there at 9:00 with us
2:05:25 nice job hello and thank you we're
2:05:30 uh oops I'm gonna pres share my screen
2:05:44 quick all right well hello everyone my
2:05:48 name is David REI I'm the sustainability
2:05:50 coordinator with the city and I'm here
2:05:52 to talk with youall today about our 2022
2:05:56 greenhouse gas emissions
2:06:00 inventory so uh just before we begin the
2:06:04 the goals of this presentation are to
2:06:06 provide an update to City Council on the
2:06:09 results of this inventory and to discuss
2:06:11 how the findings um and output of the
2:06:15 inventory can impact our policies
2:06:17 programs projects and
2:06:21 budgets before I dive into we're we have
2:06:24 a few slides kind of setting the stage
2:06:26 and setting the context before I dive
2:06:28 into some of the data um and so to set
2:06:31 the background these greenhouse gas
2:06:33 inventories are intended to calculate
2:06:35 quantify and assess the community
2:06:37 Associated and government Associated
2:06:39 greenhouse gas emissions and their
2:06:41 sources and we really conducted this
2:06:44 greenhouse gas emissions inventory as a
2:06:47 means to understand where our emissions
2:06:49 are coming from here in the city at both
2:06:52 the CommunityWide level as well as in
2:06:54 our government
2:06:55 operations um and how that how our city
2:06:59 actions policies and programs are really
2:07:01 connected with these sources of
2:07:03 greenhouse gas emissions additionally um
2:07:06 with uh our previous inventories we'll
2:07:09 be able to review some Trends and
2:07:10 progress towards achieving uh many of
2:07:13 the targets that we set out in the
2:07:15 climate action
2:07:16 plan I do want to note that the
2:07:18 greenhouse gas inventory method
2:07:20 methodologies are regularly changing so
2:07:24 uh the 2022 methodology had a few
2:07:27 differences from previous inventories
2:07:29 and we actually went back and updated
2:07:30 our 2017 and 2020 2019 inventories to
2:07:35 use the same methodology so that we
2:07:37 would have five years of um easily
2:07:40 comparable data that used the same
2:07:42 methodology however from our first
2:07:44 inventory in 2007 a lot has changed both
2:07:48 in availability of data how we uh can
2:07:51 analyze that data um and how we how we
2:07:54 look at things so I do want to note that
2:07:56 these inventories really are are best
2:07:58 seen as that that point in time estimate
2:08:00 of where our emissions
2:08:03 are additionally going into this we
2:08:05 already know a lot about greenhouse gas
2:08:07 inventories right and so um this is just
2:08:10 kind of showing some of the sources of
2:08:11 greenhouse gas in uh greenhouse gas
2:08:13 emissions that we uh knew know about
2:08:16 based on our previous inventories um and
2:08:19 so regionally here in in the Pacific
2:08:21 Northwest we were already aware of and
2:08:24 this current inventory kind of confirms
2:08:26 that our biggest sources of emissions
2:08:27 are transportation and energy use
2:08:30 associated with our buildings and our
2:08:32 built environment there are a whole host
2:08:34 of other greenhouse gas emission sources
2:08:37 so uh landfills and compost um there's
2:08:41 emissions associated with a whole host
2:08:43 of different things and so these
2:08:45 inventories really are synthesizing a
2:08:47 whole host of different uh data
2:08:52 sources so going into our process um we
2:08:56 pursued this greenhouse gas inventory in
2:08:58 partnership with the Eastside climate
2:09:00 partnership cities Belleview Redmond
2:09:02 Kirkland and Mercer Island um and it was
2:09:05 completed by Cascadia Consulting between
2:09:07 July and January 2024 I received the
2:09:10 final data updates uh the day before
2:09:13 this presentation was due so we were
2:09:15 making some last uh last minute up dates
2:09:19 there um the inventory was completed in
2:09:22 compliance with iiy government local
2:09:24 governments for sustainability best
2:09:26 practices for CommunityWide and
2:09:27 government operations inventories and I
2:09:30 want to note Cascadia Consulting does a
2:09:32 lot of the inventories um regionally um
2:09:35 and across uh across this area with
2:09:37 local governments County governments
2:09:39 state governments Etc and then the II
2:09:42 best practices is a is they have tools
2:09:46 and guidance that are used both
2:09:47 nationally and internationally in this
2:09:50 uh in this regard so we uh we're trying
2:09:52 to use the the best methodology and and
2:09:55 work with um folks who are really
2:09:57 knowledgeable about this uh in this
2:10:00 inventory the 2022 greenhouse gas
2:10:03 inventory represents our fifth
2:10:04 CommunityWide greenhouse gas inventory
2:10:06 that the city of isqua has conducted
2:10:08 again our first was in 2007 um and it
2:10:11 does represent the first government
2:10:12 operations inventory that the city has
2:10:15 ever done and this directly uh
2:10:18 it it helps us best understand kind of
2:10:20 where our city um emissions come from
2:10:23 and it completes an icap action um which
2:10:27 asks the city to start pursuing these
2:10:29 inventories um related to Municipal
2:10:32 operations so um with the CommunityWide
2:10:36 greenhouse gas emissions we'll have some
2:10:37 data from previous years we can that can
2:10:40 put the 22 inventory in context for the
2:10:42 greenhouse for the government operations
2:10:44 inventory that inventory is standing
2:10:46 alone for now and as we we do more of
2:10:48 them in the future we'll have more data
2:10:50 to compare
2:10:54 to so um again before I get into the
2:10:58 data itself uh I wanted to kind of talk
2:11:00 about the context for our 2022
2:11:03 inventory so one note uh is that the
2:11:06 city of isqua between when we first did
2:11:09 an inventory in 2007 and 2022 has
2:11:11 experienced a lot of population growth
2:11:13 and a lot of business growth and that
2:11:15 does impact um the overarching numbers
2:11:18 of where of our electricity use of our
2:11:21 um waste generation of um transportation
2:11:25 in the city right so that's some context
2:11:28 around our
2:11:29 emissions um additionally uh 2022 is the
2:11:32 first inventory we've conducted since
2:11:35 covid-19 um and so we see that reflected
2:11:40 in vehicle miles traveled and
2:11:41 transportation emissions we we are
2:11:44 assuming we're seeing that in vehicle
2:11:45 miles traveled and transportation
2:11:47 emissions
2:11:48 um and so it's uh important to kind of
2:11:51 think about that this inventory within
2:11:54 the context of um more of a return to uh
2:11:59 pre-pandemic levels of of operations but
2:12:01 not necessarily having gotten
2:12:04 there additionally I wanted to put this
2:12:06 inventory in context in terms of what
2:12:09 we're reporting on and that's both
2:12:11 direct activity reporting models and
2:12:14 assumptions based on greenhouse gas
2:12:16 inventory best practices so direct
2:12:19 activity reporting can be for instance
2:12:21 um the specific amount of uh gasoline
2:12:24 consumed by our vehicle Fleet for the
2:12:26 city operations we calculate that we
2:12:29 know that and so we were able to put
2:12:30 that into uh into the uh greenhouse gas
2:12:34 emissions tool there are other uh pieces
2:12:37 of this such as models so thinking about
2:12:40 um the on-road transportations emissions
2:12:43 uh Associated CommunityWide here in our
2:12:46 city we uh unfortunately do not know the
2:12:49 exact gasoline consumption here in the
2:12:51 city for all vehicles that come through
2:12:53 the city and so this is a model based on
2:12:56 um best practices from
2:12:58 prsc um that has specific countywide um
2:13:02 data on on Transportation vehicle miles
2:13:05 traveled and as well as the the fuel mix
2:13:08 of our vehicles right so there's a lot
2:13:10 of different pieces that go into this
2:13:12 and um again we try and use the best
2:13:14 available methodology that we
2:13:19 a few top takeaways so unsurprisingly
2:13:22 the largest sources of CommunityWide and
2:13:24 government operations emissions were
2:13:26 those associated with the built
2:13:27 environment and transportation and that
2:13:29 is consistent with our previous
2:13:31 greenhouse gas emissions inventories
2:13:33 it's consistent regionally as
2:13:35 well um additionally a lot of the city
2:13:38 actions that staff currently are
2:13:40 pursuing or have implemented and uh are
2:13:43 work have worked with the city council
2:13:45 on um are are in line with uh those
2:13:48 emission sources thinking about how
2:13:50 we're addressing our transportation
2:13:52 emissions and then thinking about how
2:13:53 we're addressing emissions within the
2:13:55 built environment and at the end of the
2:13:57 presentation I'll try and draw some
2:13:58 lines specifically between um different
2:14:01 actions policies and programs um and
2:14:04 some of these emission
2:14:06 sources additionally we wanted to point
2:14:08 out um that the IAP targets and goals
2:14:11 are very ambitious and so Meeting those
2:14:14 is going to require continued effort
2:14:16 here at the local level as as well as
2:14:18 expanded local level but it's also going
2:14:20 to take that state level utility level
2:14:22 action Federal action and investment and
2:14:25 it's really a patchwork of all of these
2:14:27 sources um that can help us reach those
2:14:30 climate action goals right so we play a
2:14:32 big role in that and so we we want to
2:14:34 highlight that it's it's important to to
2:14:37 keep um pushing these climate uh actions
2:14:40 to help us reach those goals in the
2:14:43 IAP additionally you'll see on the next
2:14:45 slide you'll start to see some of the
2:14:47 data itself
2:14:48 and I want to note that uh most of the
2:14:50 CommunityWide greenhouse gas emissions
2:14:52 that you'll see between 2017 and 22
2:14:55 really come from utility and state
2:14:56 action in terms of an improvement or a
2:14:59 reduction in the carbon intensity of the
2:15:02 electricity that comes to our city so
2:15:05 Puget Sound Energy's fuel source mix um
2:15:09 for electricity has gotten cleaner uh
2:15:12 over those that 5year period and that
2:15:14 makes a very real uh dent in the
2:15:17 greenhouse gas emissions CommunityWide
2:15:19 greenhouse gas emissions as you'll
2:15:20 you're about to
2:15:23 see so diving into the data and I want
2:15:26 to make uh sure that the whole council
2:15:28 is aware we did include a uh greenhouse
2:15:31 gas inventory rep Report with Council
2:15:34 materials that has a lot more uh
2:15:36 specific numbers and data Associated it
2:15:38 with it so um please feel free to peruse
2:15:41 that um for more detailed numbers if I
2:15:44 if I miss any but so this chart here is
2:15:48 really showing how our greenhouse gas
2:15:50 emissions look between 2017 and 2022 and
2:15:53 again those are the three years of
2:15:55 inventories that use the same
2:15:56 methodology and one of the things that
2:15:58 immediately stands out is that the 2017
2:16:01 and 2019 emissions uh overall emissions
2:16:04 have REM remained fairly similar but
2:16:06 then there was that drop in 2022 and
2:16:08 again that is mainly due to the
2:16:10 Improvement in or the reduction in
2:16:12 carbon intensity of Puget Sound Energy's
2:16:14 fuel mix you can also see that per
2:16:17 capita greenhouse gas emissions really
2:16:20 reduced um over that same period and
2:16:23 have have gone down a little bit
2:16:25 more there are um a number of other
2:16:28 things that we can pull from this so for
2:16:30 instance um the amount of natural gas
2:16:33 use in our buildings has remained fairly
2:16:36 consistent over all three of these years
2:16:39 um and that is even with business
2:16:41 expansion and um uh housing expansion in
2:16:45 the city right and so that speaks to
2:16:47 either some of those new buildings are
2:16:49 not putting in some of that fossil fuel
2:16:51 infrastructure or we're pulling some of
2:16:52 that out and transitioning to Electric
2:16:55 however we're still seeing a consistent
2:16:57 level of natural gas emissions uh in our
2:17:00 built environment over these three years
2:17:02 right and so that is for instance one of
2:17:04 the areas that we need to continue to
2:17:06 focus and and drill in on to to address
2:17:09 um our missions and get to those IAP
2:17:12 targets additionally um there is as I
2:17:15 mentioned before it's kind of hard to
2:17:16 pull out in this but there is a
2:17:18 reduction um in uh Transportation
2:17:22 emissions and with overall vehicle miles
2:17:25 traveled I don't remember the exact
2:17:27 numbers from the report but um uh there
2:17:31 is that reduction in in vehicle miles
2:17:33 traveled um and transportation emissions
2:17:35 over those fiveyear period however I
2:17:38 think one of the questions is going to
2:17:39 be with um as more folks are returning
2:17:43 to work um whether or not those numbers
2:17:46 increase at the next inventory that we
2:17:50 conduct this was this is a graph that uh
2:17:53 unfortunately I did not get in time for
2:17:55 the reports or in in for the
2:17:57 presentation so it will be updated uh uh
2:18:00 after the fact but um I did want to just
2:18:02 show the three um emission inventory
2:18:06 years 2017 2019 and 2022 in the context
2:18:09 of our IAP goals so we have our 2030
2:18:13 goal of reducing emissions 50% by uh 20
2:18:19 reducing emissions 50% by 2030 compared
2:18:22 to our 2007 Baseline and then by
2:18:25 95% by 2050 compared to our 2007
2:18:28 Baseline and so this is really just
2:18:30 showing um that we have a long way to go
2:18:33 still to reduce those emissions um and
2:18:36 uh and that's going to require a fair
2:18:38 amount of work
2:18:41 there switching over to our government
2:18:44 operations um similar story uh the
2:18:48 biggest uh sources of emissions from our
2:18:51 government operations remain to be our
2:18:53 uh energy use and our facilities as well
2:18:56 as transportation and I think there are
2:18:58 a few pieces that that stood out here to
2:19:00 me um for instance natural gas use in
2:19:03 our facilities uh represent about a
2:19:06 quarter of our emissions um and that uh
2:19:10 around 87% of that is from three
2:19:12 facilities Public Works the pool and the
2:19:15 community center additionally
2:19:16 electricity the vast majority of our
2:19:18 electricity use is also from a few of
2:19:20 our largest buildings as well including
2:19:23 um City Hall
2:19:24 ipd uh our when it comes to our on-road
2:19:27 Fleet uh emissions uh the largest
2:19:30 sources of emissions in our on-road
2:19:31 Fleet uh continue to be uh the law
2:19:34 enforcement Vehicles as well as our
2:19:36 utility maintenance vehicles um and so
2:19:39 when that all kind of plays a role into
2:19:41 consider for our considerations as we
2:19:43 think about um decarbonizing our
2:19:45 Municipal facilities as well as
2:19:47 decarbonizing our vehicle
2:19:49 Fleet um I think it's also important to
2:19:52 highlight this that a quarter of our
2:19:54 government operations emissions comes
2:19:56 from employee commute and this is uh
2:19:59 Based on data for 2025 2022 which um is
2:20:03 since the um the remote work policies
2:20:06 right and so uh this is that's going to
2:20:09 be a you know a tough emissions number
2:20:11 to to pull down but um we'll talk a
2:20:14 little bit about um some programs there
2:20:16 and then so I think that's just an
2:20:18 important number to kind of keep track
2:20:20 of and and keep thinking about as we
2:20:25 forward council member Joe yes if you
2:20:28 could uh go back to the last slide and
2:20:30 just have a brief question as our Fleet
2:20:32 goes to
2:20:34 Electric um would we see a reduction in
2:20:36 the purple slice but an increase in the
2:20:40 electricity slice but then an overall
2:20:42 reduction of total greenhouse gases is
2:20:45 that kind the message yeah
2:20:49 so what what you'll actually see in this
2:20:52 graph so there's it's kind of funky so
2:20:54 what you'd actually see in this graph is
2:20:55 you'd see a reduction in that purple
2:20:57 slice um you actually we won't see an
2:21:01 increase in the electricity slice um and
2:21:04 that's actually because of the city
2:21:05 accounts being on uh the green direct
2:21:07 program through Puget Sound Energy as
2:21:10 well as the possibility of transitioning
2:21:11 other um City accounts to the green
2:21:14 power program and so those are programs
2:21:15 that directly connect
2:21:17 um our electricity use within our uh
2:21:21 buildings and our facilities to
2:21:23 renewable energy um generated here in wa
2:21:27 Western Washington and so in doing this
2:21:30 process in speaking with Cascadia
2:21:31 Consulting and Puget Sound Energy um the
2:21:35 electric accounts that are specifically
2:21:38 on those programs it was deemed um that
2:21:41 they essentially would zero out as
2:21:44 renewable energy and so it wouldn't be
2:21:45 reflected in here and also there was a
2:21:48 lot of confidence that Puget Sound
2:21:50 Energy is not double counting that
2:21:52 emission so it's not like we are taking
2:21:54 credit for it and Puget Sound Energy is
2:21:56 taking credit for it instead it would it
2:21:58 is just us taking credit for it and so
2:22:00 this 21% of uh our emissions being from
2:22:04 electricity is actually not showing all
2:22:06 of our electricity use it's really just
2:22:08 showing the electricity use that's not
2:22:10 currently on our green direct program
2:22:13 which does account for roughly 80% of
2:22:16 our current electricity
2:22:18 use okay that's really detailed for 925
2:22:23 sorry um I would just ask that if you
2:22:27 could um uh make a footnote of that and
2:22:30 try to explain it a little more
2:22:31 carefully when you do your next update
2:22:33 report to kind of have us track that a
2:22:36 little bit sure thank you Council
2:22:39 Merz thanks I I have a question and
2:22:41 you'll have to tell me if if if I'm
2:22:43 misunderstanding it I haven't taken
2:22:45 chemistry since 1985 and I got a C when
2:22:48 I took it then so um the methane economy
2:22:52 CG um in it's in in its methane form is
2:22:56 a much more powerful uh
2:22:59 uh greenhouse gas but when you burn it
2:23:02 it goes to a a lesser form are we
2:23:05 getting any improvements over time or do
2:23:07 we anticipate improvements over time in
2:23:08 the handling of CG because it's it's
2:23:11 going to be around for a while and uh
2:23:14 you know losses it systemic losses CG
2:23:17 venting to the atmosphere uh versus
2:23:20 properly burning it um are there
2:23:23 improvements to be had there given that
2:23:25 CG is going to be around for a while
2:23:27 yeah for so for that methane emission is
2:23:29 that what your yeah um
2:23:33 so I will have to get back to you on on
2:23:36 some of those answers to those questions
2:23:38 I I can say that um for the for the sake
2:23:42 of the inventory all of those CG and
2:23:45 missions are transferred over to carbon
2:23:49 dioxide
2:23:50 equivalent right right but I mean I
2:23:53 would imagine in a system that produces
2:23:55 n number of cubic lers of CG per year
2:24:00 delivered into isqua there would be a
2:24:02 certain uh leak rate right and that's
2:24:05 methane venting directly to the
2:24:07 atmosphere at 30 times the the natural
2:24:10 gas uh equivalency of of regular CO2 but
2:24:14 then if you burn it it goes to a uh less
2:24:17 impactful form so I would think that
2:24:19 there would be some measure of of vent
2:24:23 methane coming out of a a a place like
2:24:25 ours that has so much CG use and and
2:24:28 trying to figure out if there's a
2:24:29 benefit to trying to reduce that uh that
2:24:33 loss rate out of the system because the
2:24:36 methane is so impactful as a as a
2:24:39 greenhouse gas yeah um thank you for
2:24:42 that I I will have to get back to you on
2:24:45 that specific question so I believe
2:24:48 Stacy will have written it down and
2:24:50 we'll um we'll look into that for you
2:24:52 thank David any other
2:24:54 questions let's keep
2:24:56 going excellent so this slide is really
2:25:00 just pointing out a number of the
2:25:01 different projects both CommunityWide
2:25:03 and then um for our government
2:25:05 operations inventory where those
2:25:07 projects are specifically associated
2:25:09 with um some of those areas of sources
2:25:11 of emissions so number one on the
2:25:13 government you can see is that green
2:25:15 direct program I was discussing around
2:25:17 um our electricity use um but there's
2:25:20 this is really pointing out that there's
2:25:21 a lot of different programs here right
2:25:23 so the Energy Smart East Side program
2:25:25 which you've heard about and and
2:25:27 discussed um and supported really is
2:25:29 thinking about how do we remove um
2:25:31 fossil fuel use from our community
2:25:34 buildings Community uh residences and
2:25:37 buildings and transition those to high
2:25:38 efficiency electric heat pumps um
2:25:41 another one that I want to point out is
2:25:42 the land use change is through Title 18
2:25:45 right if we think about how we're add
2:25:46 addressing um our transportation
2:25:48 emissions um one strategy there is by
2:25:51 improving walkability and bikability in
2:25:54 our community right and so again all of
2:25:57 these pieces really speak work together
2:26:00 um towards addressing all of the the
2:26:03 greenhouse gas emissions and there's not
2:26:04 one single program policy or uh effort
2:26:08 that's uh going to address all of these
2:26:11 emissions so uh ending with some next
2:26:14 steps um we the office of sustainability
2:26:18 will be partnering with departments
2:26:20 across the city to leverage the results
2:26:22 for budget requests projects and
2:26:25 policies so for instance thinking about
2:26:27 how do we think about our uh greenhouse
2:26:30 gas emissions from Municipal operations
2:26:33 and how is that going to impact which uh
2:26:36 projects we try and pursue and which um
2:26:38 budget requests go in say with
2:26:40 facilities or with um our Fleet um
2:26:43 moving forward additionally we plan to
2:26:46 use the data for the the 2024 IAP
2:26:48 midpoint check-in so this is going to
2:26:49 help ground um that check-in within our
2:26:52 uh within data we do expect to do
2:26:55 another greenhouse gas inventory to
2:26:57 cover 2024 emissions which we are now in
2:27:00 2024 which is kind of wild um but that
2:27:03 data Gathering will begin in early 2025
2:27:06 and then we'll probably take um most of
2:27:09 that year to complete as well just take
2:27:12 considering the lag of that um data we
2:27:15 do expect to use that day from the 2024
2:27:18 emissions inventory as well as this
2:27:19 current 2022 inventory to inform the IAP
2:27:23 update process which is expected in 2025
2:27:26 and 2026 so our hope is at that point
2:27:29 we'll have um two more years of really
2:27:31 great data to help think about what is
2:27:34 going to be uh how is that impacting our
2:27:36 targets and what are how is that going
2:27:38 to impact which actions and policies and
2:27:40 plans we do we um uh update within that
2:27:44 plan um as well as we'll have two years
2:27:47 of government operations data so we can
2:27:49 start looking at that Trend over over
2:27:51 time as
2:27:52 well and with that um that's my
2:27:56 presentation I'm happy to take any
2:27:58 additional questions or um hear any
2:28:01 discussion on this on this
2:28:03 data questions discussion
2:28:07 cun thank you for the presentation and
2:28:10 for sticking with us um so late in the
2:28:13 evening um so you you mentioned that
2:28:16 there were differences in the data
2:28:18 availability and um so we weren't going
2:28:20 to go back and do the older redo the
2:28:23 older inventories um with the same
2:28:26 methodology but the IAP also has a lot
2:28:29 of the goals based on the 2007 numbers
2:28:33 um so it's a percentage reduction based
2:28:35 on that 2007 numbers and so my question
2:28:39 is um how are you thinking about those
2:28:43 those targets that were set based on
2:28:45 that older inventory
2:28:47 and um with your plot with the yellow
2:28:50 bars are you are you mostly focusing on
2:28:52 the trend in the recent years and using
2:28:54 that to determine if we're on track or
2:28:55 are you thinking about it in a different
2:28:57 way yeah thank you for that question so
2:28:59 that was actually a big topic of
2:29:01 conversation across the East Side cities
2:29:03 as we were thinking about these
2:29:04 inventories what do we update um each of
2:29:06 the Cities kind of took different paths
2:29:09 most of them kind of settled on this
2:29:11 updating um you know a few years of data
2:29:14 so that we could have at least you know
2:29:15 some some years of of Apples to Apples
2:29:18 comparison um we have some of our uh IAP
2:29:22 targets set to a 2007 Baseline we also
2:29:25 have some IAP targets set to a 2017
2:29:27 Baseline so there's already some just
2:29:31 differences in our IAP in terms of what
2:29:33 those baselines are um and when I think
2:29:36 about what our plan is moving forward um
2:29:40 we were um hoping to have that
2:29:43 conversation around whether or not we
2:29:45 wanted to update that base Baseline as
2:29:47 part of the IAP check-in or the IAP
2:29:50 update process in 2025 and
2:29:53 2026 um so at that point having the
2:29:55 conversation with um the community with
2:29:58 the environmental board with City
2:29:59 Council on whether or not it made sense
2:30:01 to up update those Baseline years
2:30:03 recognizing um that methodology change
2:30:07 um and we recently did have some
2:30:08 conversations with iiy local governments
2:30:10 for sustainability and you know for
2:30:12 instance they were suggesting that most
2:30:14 governments that have these climate
2:30:15 action plans actually use a 2018 or
2:30:18 later uh inventory year as as their
2:30:21 Baseline year so
2:30:23 um different cities are approaching it
2:30:26 in different ways and and our thought
2:30:28 right now was to um give those five
2:30:31 years of of uh comparable data and then
2:30:34 really dive deep into that question of
2:30:35 Baseline year during the icap update
2:30:39 process any other questions for the team
2:30:43 Merz so uh I mean I find this
2:30:45 fascinating and super valuable to to do
2:30:48 U hopefully that's self-evident to
2:30:50 everybody um the the piece that I'm
2:30:53 maybe not seeing is when you talk about
2:30:56 where the reductions have been so far
2:30:58 the the actual magnitudes of what has
2:31:00 contributed to to those reductions right
2:31:03 because what it seems like it really
2:31:05 wants to do is point to where can we
2:31:07 make additional public policy decisions
2:31:10 as as a municipality to continue to
2:31:12 impact that right some of these things
2:31:14 are happening as you say as a result of
2:31:15 things that are going on at state and
2:31:17 federal level right um but what can we
2:31:19 do you know if you were to get a 2%
2:31:21 increase in bicycle use what would that
2:31:23 do versus a 2% increase in the use of
2:31:27 electric vehicles you know where are the
2:31:29 where are the things and and some of
2:31:31 those aren't necessarily things that
2:31:32 point to exactly what the council can do
2:31:34 but it does point to where are the what
2:31:36 is the magnitude of the of the
2:31:38 improvements that can be made and then
2:31:41 also by the way where and there are
2:31:42 things that we as a council can have
2:31:44 impact on and I think that would be um
2:31:46 the next step on something like that how
2:31:48 can we continue to contribute to a
2:31:50 reduction in both absolute and per
2:31:52 capita CO2 equivalent
2:31:55 thanks any other
2:31:59 questions well thank you for this
2:32:02 informational item tonight there's no
2:32:04 city council action being asked for um
2:32:07 it is fascinating I think you have a lot
2:32:09 of data dorks up here really like to see
2:32:11 numbers and cphs and charts so I do
2:32:14 remember in the 2007
2:32:16 analysis talking with staff and finding
2:32:18 out a bit disappointing that we actually
2:32:21 went up in total emissions but per
2:32:24 capita we went down now to see that
2:32:26 Trend changing in this recent edition of
2:32:28 2022 date is very exciting thank you for
2:32:31 that sure would it be appropriate to
2:32:34 make a comment not a question okay um
2:32:38 instead of a question just wanted to
2:32:39 make sure that there was a opportunity
2:32:41 to make my comments so um firstly a lot
2:32:45 thank you for the presentation a lot of
2:32:46 cities are not as up toate as this
2:32:49 inventory is and so having a 2022
2:32:52 inventory is really great that's a um
2:32:55 after a lot of the major impacts of
2:32:58 covid-19 have um reduced as far as their
2:33:01 impacts on emissions and so it is really
2:33:03 helpful to have the inventory um from
2:33:06 2022 so firstly wanted to congratulate
2:33:09 you on the effort to get that updated
2:33:11 inventory together for our
2:33:13 decision-making purposes um I think one
2:33:16 of the takeaways is that a lot of the
2:33:19 reductions so far have been due to
2:33:22 actions that we've perhaps advocated for
2:33:25 but have not been our direct actions
2:33:26 like the actions of the state and the
2:33:28 actions of the utilities um that serve
2:33:30 us electricity and so uh I think what
2:33:33 that means to me is that in the next
2:33:35 phase there will be a lot more that the
2:33:38 residents as well as the city needs to
2:33:39 do to reduce those emissions um to
2:33:42 continue making that progress so the
2:33:44 first part was was other and we we need
2:33:47 to continue to Advocate um to the state
2:33:49 and to our utilities but at the same
2:33:51 time the next phase will be um there
2:33:53 will need to be more changes um and uh I
2:33:59 I also think um it'll be great to share
2:34:02 this with the community as far as um
2:34:05 putting it into terms about here's where
2:34:07 you can have an impact and here's how
2:34:08 you can help meet these goals we have a
2:34:11 community that's very interested in
2:34:12 making sure that we are meeting our
2:34:14 climate action goals um and then also I
2:34:16 think there's some interesting takeaways
2:34:18 in terms of the municipal operations
2:34:20 piece especially interesting to me is
2:34:22 the large uh impact of the pool
2:34:25 operations especially in light of our um
2:34:28 recent discussions about expansion of
2:34:30 the pool and making sure that we are um
2:34:33 meeting the community need for a pool
2:34:35 but also meeting the community need to
2:34:36 reduce our greenhouse gas emissions
2:34:38 footprint um so again great job really
2:34:41 insightful um really great to see a a
2:34:44 recent year of data
2:34:46 and um look forward to seeing it
2:34:48 translated into more concrete actions in
2:34:51 the near
2:34:52 future council
2:34:54 president thank you I think I had a very
2:34:56 similar read through I highlighted
2:34:58 things like the government data and the
2:35:01 pool um and the conflict there between
2:35:04 what we want to provide as services but
2:35:07 also the direct impact on emissions um I
2:35:11 wanted to particularly highlight
2:35:13 appreciate the government operations
2:35:16 data because that really is the first
2:35:18 thing that is in our control but it only
2:35:22 represents 1% of our community emissions
2:35:26 and so I'm like okay I'm raring to go on
2:35:29 that it's 1% but it's 1% so that speaks
2:35:33 back to the policy changes of what are
2:35:37 those important impacts that we can make
2:35:40 from a policy standpoint that will
2:35:43 affect the built environment and the
2:35:44 transportation um emissions for the rest
2:35:48 of the community so really important to
2:35:51 see these two pieces woven together to
2:35:56 understand some of the challenges such
2:35:58 as the 25% of our emissions that are
2:36:00 employee commutes um and some of the
2:36:03 opportunities such as the percentage
2:36:06 that is natural gas that we can work to
2:36:09 make a change um so really useful
2:36:14 information I hope the the environmental
2:36:16 board choose on it and then really does
2:36:21 take a look at what are those policy
2:36:23 changes that we could contemplate and
2:36:26 how they move the needle um because I
2:36:29 think we're ready we're ready to look at
2:36:31 some of those so but this is the first
2:36:34 part of it thank
2:36:35 you those are great comments any other
2:36:38 comments I think part of what you heard
2:36:40 from the environmental board leadership
2:36:42 team tonight too is a desire for them to
2:36:45 have those convers conversations um I
2:36:47 was encouraging them during their
2:36:49 Retreat not to have those conversations
2:36:51 at the retreat but to have them as part
2:36:53 of their regular ongoing meetings so
2:36:55 that the public can participate as well
2:36:57 making sure we're doing our work in a
2:36:59 space where the public can come to but
2:37:01 those are great comments any other
2:37:03 comments thank you
2:37:06 team thank you the next item is good of
2:37:09 the order and uh it is what time are we
2:37:14 at right now 937 um I have three things
2:37:18 that I can fly through but um before I
2:37:20 get into them they're a little meaty I
2:37:23 just they're oneoff meetings I just
2:37:24 wanted to plant a seed in case there's
2:37:26 some conversations that council members
2:37:27 want to have at a future date does
2:37:29 anybody else have good of the order
2:37:31 stuff they want to thr in council
2:37:32 president thank you um just wanted to
2:37:36 thank the council for a productive
2:37:38 Retreat um that we had on Saturday we
2:37:40 met from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
2:37:43 including two meals um
2:37:46 just providing a little bit of feedback
2:37:49 we heard you haven't had any opportunity
2:37:52 to take action on all of this yet um but
2:37:55 the listening session we still need to
2:37:58 debrief and we are committed to bringing
2:38:01 a set of options back to the council um
2:38:05 budget strategy I have talked with the
2:38:08 city administrator feeling good about
2:38:10 the information if you guys have any
2:38:13 feedback on how you felt those convers
2:38:16 went what more you need either get in
2:38:18 contact with us or the administration I
2:38:21 know they're always interested in those
2:38:23 conversations but generally I feel like
2:38:26 we have set ourselves up well for the
2:38:29 next set of conversations including
2:38:32 asking our questions um to the
2:38:34 administration as far as the information
2:38:36 that we're going to need for the next
2:38:39 conversation so wanted to say we heard
2:38:42 we will get back to you and thank you
2:38:46 any other good of the
2:38:48 order okay you're going to hear me
2:38:50 speaking really fast here the first one
2:38:52 I want to give a quick update on was the
2:38:54 Attorney General's organized retail
2:38:55 crime task force this was established
2:38:58 last year and those of us that worked on
2:39:01 uh helping to advocate for funding for
2:39:03 this also asked that the Attorney
2:39:06 General continued the task force that
2:39:07 we're able to Monitor and see um
2:39:10 progress um there's a couple pieces of
2:39:12 legislation out there right now that
2:39:13 could help with our um work on organized
2:39:17 retail crime and that is that the state
2:39:19 is and these May are these were valid
2:39:22 when we went to the meeting they may be
2:39:23 off the table now but um
2:39:26 proposing asset for forfeiture for those
2:39:29 that are leading these organized Rings
2:39:31 proposing ability to indict perpetrators
2:39:34 instead of charging since they typically
2:39:36 flee once charged grants may be made
2:39:38 available to small businesses and a
2:39:40 proposal to seize vehicles that are used
2:39:42 in ongoing retail so this is some ways
2:39:44 that the state may be able assist us in
2:39:46 this and we are very supportive of it
2:39:48 the task force is made up mostly of
2:39:49 large retailers Union uh
2:39:52 representation a few cities and some law
2:39:56 enforcement we did report that isqu
2:39:58 still has um shoplifting at record high
2:40:00 levels um almost all of it organized uh
2:40:03 stolen vehicles um are usually staffed
2:40:06 with individuals who are struggling and
2:40:08 living outside and have various
2:40:09 challenges and so we're still seeing the
2:40:12 model that was that evolved during Co is
2:40:15 still very much present in our Market um
2:40:18 we have seen an 11% drop from the peak
2:40:20 but the peak was very significantly
2:40:23 above what was going on in 2019 300%
2:40:26 increase in stolen vehicles in isqua
2:40:28 from 2019 pre pandemic we're not seeing
2:40:30 any Improvement in that and about half
2:40:32 of our retailers are working with us in
2:40:36 our local organized retail crime but
2:40:38 that tells you that half or not so there
2:40:41 are some initiatives at the national
2:40:43 level to try and get all retailers to
2:40:45 participate in working with law
2:40:47 enforcement and cities to reduce this um
2:40:50 Trend um they're finding um at the
2:40:52 national level that this is Cross County
2:40:55 across state and actually from other
2:40:58 countries so this has become a really
2:41:00 really big thing um there are only two
2:41:03 investigators currently on the AG's team
2:41:06 they're hoping to get more staff but
2:41:08 with just two it is going to take some
2:41:09 more time it is taking time to get um uh
2:41:13 enough information to be able to charge
2:41:15 there's also a lack of prosecutorial
2:41:17 capacity at both the county and the
2:41:18 state level that is also hindering
2:41:20 prosecutions um the retailer input from
2:41:22 retailers about their staff is that
2:41:24 stress anxiety and the manager
2:41:26 supervisors employees is at all-time
2:41:27 high younger staff are struggling with
2:41:29 PTSD as victims or observers of extreme
2:41:32 violence and managers are trying to
2:41:33 provide mental health support the
2:41:35 financial losses are still extreme even
2:41:37 with the Investments and providing
2:41:38 additional security and hardening um the
2:41:41 retailers Association has created
2:41:43 something called the vibrant communities
2:41:45 Network which is National retails
2:41:46 stepping up to focus on data analytics
2:41:49 and to compel all retailers to
2:41:51 participate in working with local law
2:41:53 enforcemen so it's not very good is the
2:41:56 bottom line it's not much better than it
2:41:58 was when we started attacking it here as
2:42:00 a city council two and a half years ago
2:42:04 um that one of the other highlights I
2:42:06 wanted to give you was I got to go up to
2:42:08 Providence Point for a nice little um
2:42:11 meeting with a group that they
2:42:13 call um gosh I forget uh News and Views
2:42:19 and um I told them I would come back and
2:42:22 and talk about some of the concerns um I
2:42:25 provided some updates on some local
2:42:27 projects um we talked about um School
2:42:31 sighting as you know they're still
2:42:33 really concerned about the project that
2:42:35 will be happening adjacent to their
2:42:37 Community um they do know that we have
2:42:39 electeds working on the bond committee
2:42:41 and would like to actually invite you up
2:42:42 for a News and Views session of your own
2:42:46 um and uh they were very interested in
2:42:49 getting information about the sister
2:42:51 city visit and the last one is just some
2:42:54 highlights from the recent us Conference
2:42:57 of Mayors meeting in January um just to
2:43:00 let you know that um this three or four
2:43:03 day meeting in DC is a time for Mayors
2:43:05 usually six to 700 Mayors gathered
2:43:07 together and talk about issues facing
2:43:09 communities there's nothing really going
2:43:11 on in isqua that isn't happening
2:43:13 everywhere else so as you can imagine
2:43:15 the conversations around systems of care
2:43:18 which is something Deputy council
2:43:20 president D Michelle and I have talked
2:43:21 about a lot um how are we helping those
2:43:24 who are suffering from addiction mental
2:43:25 illness behavior health related issues
2:43:28 and with their points of entry into the
2:43:30 system they're talking about this all
2:43:31 around the country because um we have
2:43:34 very cold handoffs between Services
2:43:36 right now in many many places including
2:43:38 us lots of talk about homelessness a
2:43:41 case study the from mayor Cassie
2:43:42 Franklin and Everett talked about the
2:43:44 challenges of locating shelters and um
2:43:47 that was fascinating fenel was a huge
2:43:50 conversation and the um discussion of
2:43:54 the state of local Authority
2:43:55 jurisdictions are facing it all around
2:43:58 the country where legislators are
2:43:59 stepping in and changing the rulebooks
2:44:01 on them um here right now it's happening
2:44:04 in housing and land use in other places
2:44:06 they're taking away airport authorities
2:44:08 they're taking away court systems so all
2:44:10 kinds of anxiety and stress around uh
2:44:13 local Authority being ER roted
2:44:16 anti-Semitism islamophobia was a big
2:44:18 topic and what we can do with messaging
2:44:20 in our community gun violence um and
2:44:24 then posos lots and lots on posos it's a
2:44:27 also opportunity that I get to get some
2:44:29 time in either the congresswoman's
2:44:30 office which I did this time or our
2:44:32 Senators but just to let you know that
2:44:35 the stuff that you are tackling here
2:44:37 everybody is working on our issues are
2:44:39 the same as the rest of the country and
2:44:41 I appreciate the creativity of this
2:44:43 Council in high piloting things test
2:44:46 driving things being open to new
2:44:49 approaches that's not typical that is
2:44:51 very isal so just so you know uh and
2:44:54 that was it those were the three recent
2:44:56 meetings that I had and if anybody else
2:44:59 has a good of the order item I'm going
2:45:01 to move into upcoming Council
2:45:03 meetings Okay February 12th Committee of
2:45:06 the whole meeting anticipated agenda
2:45:07 items include Cascade water Alliance
2:45:10 water supply contract options a regional
2:45:12 Coalition for housing strategic plan uh
2:45:15 and the city work plan and the February
2:45:17 20th city council regular meeting has
2:45:19 been cancelled there is no executive
2:45:21 session this evening so there being no
2:45:23 further business we are adjourned at

Motions and votes (8)

Adopt a substitute resolution, Exhibit A to agenda bill 8553, incorporating the Committee of the Whole recommendation to remove the $9 electronic records transmission charge and instead charge an electronic record copying fee of $0.25 per record with a waiver of the first $3 of fees. . . b)
Moved by WALSH · seconded by HUNT
Carried 7-0
Direct Administration to further consider the expansion of the Julius Boehm Pool's capacity in the coming year(s) in balance with the other capital investment priorities and explore possible funding sources and develop a funding strategy that includes regional grants (County and State), and other pa…
Moved by MARTS · seconded by JOE
Carried 7-0
Adopt Ordinance No. 3045, adopting amendments to the City Financial Management Policy.
Moved by REH · seconded by HUNT
Amend Section 4.5, Level of Purchasing and Contract Commitment Authority, to change the following sentence to read: “Maximum contract length, including any contract amendments and extensions, without Council approval is three years, with the exception of software as service and software licensing ag…
Moved by WALSH · seconded by REH
Carried 7-0
Amend Section 4.5, Level of Purchasing and Contract Commitment Authority, to require Council approval of any agreement for lease of City-owned property, except when such lease is for a term of less than one year and the value of the lease agreement does not exceed the Mayor’s contract approval thres…
Moved by DE MICHELE · seconded by JOE
Carried 7-0
Amend the signing threshold table in Section 4.5, Level of Purchasing and Contract Commitment Authority to require City Council approval of non-public works contracts that exceed $200,000 per year. (In support: Hunt, Marts). MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED, 7-0.
Moved by MARTS · seconded by HUNT
Failed 2-5
In favor: Hunt, Marts
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. a) ID 1630 - Accounts: Payables and Payroll of Jan. 16, 2024, $6,223,544.26; Approved. b) Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting, Sept. 18, 2023; Approved. c) ID 1548 - Informational Update: Lead Water Service Line Inventory Overview; Received Report. d) ID 15…
Moved by DE MICHELE · seconded by MARTS
Carried 7-0
Main motion as amended: APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED. a) ID 1630 - Accounts: Payables and Payroll of Jan. 16, 2024, $6,223,544.26; Approved. b) Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting, Sept. 18, 2023; Approved. c) ID 1548 - Informational Update: Lead Water Service Line Inventory Overview; R…
Moved by (main motion as amended) · seconded by
Carried 7-0