← Back to City Council Digest

City Council Regular Meeting Auto captions

Monday, June 23, 2025

7:00 PM · 46m 59s · Council Chambers, 135 E. Sunset Way, Issaquah WA
Topics tracked across meetings:
Cemetery 10-Year Capital Improvement Plan AB 9006 34/35
Sister Cities Commission Friendship Day Proclamation ID 1849 4/5
Section
Topic
3. SPECIAL BUSINESS
3a
Recognition of Deputy City Clerk Chris Grabowski ID 1882
5 min
3b
Informational Update: Fourth of July Commission Update ID 1893
15 min
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
5a
Accounts: Payables and Payroll of June 23, 2025, $4,837,417.21 ID 1793
Carried 7-0
Approve · packet pp.5–15
Topics: Budget
Staff report:
Finance Department P.O. Box 1307 Issaquah, WA 98027 PH: 425-837-3050 www.issaquahwa.gov
Roll call:
Moved by Deputy Council President de Michele · seconded by Councilmember Marts
In favor: Barbara de Michele, Zach Hall, Kelly Jiang, Russell Joe, Tola Marts, Chris Reh, Lindsey Walsh
5b
Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting, June 9, 2025
Carried 7-0
Approve · packet pp.17–21
Staff report:
CONSENT CALENDAR b) 06-09-25 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page (0000) CITY OF ISSAQUAH City Council Regular Meeting 7:00 PM Council Chambers June 9, 2025 MINUTES 135 E. Sunset Way
Roll call:
Moved by Deputy Council President de Michele · seconded by Councilmember Marts
In favor: Barbara de Michele, Zach Hall, Kelly Jiang, Russell Joe, Tola Marts, Chris Reh, Lindsey Walsh
5c
Four Year Commute Trip Reduction Plan (2025-2029) AB 9010
Carried 7-0
Adopt Ordinance · packet pp.23–55
Topics: Land Use
Staff report:
The City's prior Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) policy, passed in 2009, aimed to improve air quality, reduce traffic congestion, and minimize energy consumption. These regulations were developed to comply with RCW 70.94.521 through 70.94.555, state laws which require cities near congested highways to implement CTR plans for employers with more than 100 employees.
Roll call:
Moved by Deputy Council President de Michele · seconded by Councilmember Marts
In favor: Barbara de Michele, Zach Hall, Kelly Jiang, Russell Joe, Tola Marts, Chris Reh, Lindsey Walsh
5d
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Grant (Gilman Wells GAC Vessel Winterization and Sewer Connection) AB 9034
Carried 7-0
Accept Grant; Authorize Additional Funding · packet pp.57–78
Topics: WaterBudget
Staff report:
City Attorney Review Rachel Bender Turpin City Attorney Review Date: June 10, 2025
Roll call:
Moved by Deputy Council President de Michele · seconded by Councilmember Marts
In favor: Barbara de Michele, Zach Hall, Kelly Jiang, Russell Joe, Tola Marts, Chris Reh, Lindsey Walsh
6. PUBLIC HEARING
6a
2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan AB 9006
Carried 7-0
Conduct Public Hearing · 20 min · packet pp.79–274
Topics: Budget
Staff report:
The CIP is a multi-year plan for the acquisition, expansion, or rehabilitation of land, buildings, and other major infrastructure over a six-year period, and beyond. The plan reflects expected start and completion dates, estimated costs, and proposed financing for the City's capital investment priorities. The plan is reviewed and updated biennially factoring in available resources, changes in City priorities, long-range community objectives, and projects that improve City operational efficiency. The plan represents the City's current estimates of needs, costs, potential funding sources, and timelines.
Roll call:
Moved by Deputy Council President de Michele · seconded by Councilmember Marts
In favor: de Michele, Hall, Jiang, Joe, Marts, Reh, Walsh
7. REGULAR BUSINESS
7a
2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan
Approve Resolution · 10 min
Topics: Budget
10. GOOD OF THE ORDER
10a
Upcoming Council Meetings
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
11a
Executive Session Pending/Potential Litigation per RCW ID 1896
15 min
12. OPEN SESSION
12a
Motion Following Executive Session
0:01 Okay, good evening. Welcome everybody. I
0:04 call the June 23rd city council meeting
0:07 to order. Mayor Polly is excused
0:09 tonight. So I, Council President Walsh,
0:11 will be serving as mayor prom. Um, this
0:15 meeting is being held one week later
0:17 than normal due to Shivoot um a holiday
0:21 that occurred earlier in this month. And
0:24 so as a reminder, we always continue to
0:26 have a remote aspect to our meetings.
0:29 So, both staff and members of the public
0:31 may be participating in tonight's
0:33 meeting remotely via WebEx. Um, we are
0:36 going to start out. The first item on
0:38 our agenda is the pledge of allegiance.
0:39 And I welcome you to stand and join me.
0:45 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
0:48 United States of America and to the
0:50 republic for which it stands, one nation
0:54 under God, indivisible, with liberty and
0:57 justice for all.
1:02 Okay, next item of business. We have a
1:05 special business which is ID 1882,
1:09 recognition of Deputy City Clerk Chris
1:11 Kowski.
1:13 Come join me at the
1:27 well. Excellent. This is always
1:30 a bittersweet moment. Um Chris has been
1:34 a part of our organization for a while
1:36 and you know for us in council we get a
1:39 lot of interaction with our city clerks
1:41 and so it gives us an opportunity to
1:44 really appreciate all the work that they
1:45 have done. So um deputy city clerk Chris
1:48 Gowski will be retiring on June 30th
1:53 and so we just want to take a moment to
1:57 recognize him and thank him for his
1:59 service. Um, Chris has been in city work
2:02 for a while. Started out in the city of
2:05 Olympia and in 2001 became their code
2:09 enforcement officer for the city of
2:11 Olympia, eventually transitioning to
2:12 lead code enforcement officer. Um, and
2:16 one of his achievements there was
2:18 helping the city draft its marijuana
2:20 code back in the day. Um, in 2018 he
2:25 came and joined the city of Isiqua also
2:27 in code enforcement. Um, code
2:30 enforcement is a really challenging job.
2:32 It really requires going out and
2:35 investigating
2:36 um and resolving these complaints. And
2:39 so Chris was really known for doing it
2:42 efficiently and with professionalism,
2:45 which I think was one of the things that
2:48 uh when he was looking for a change in
2:51 November 2021,
2:54 it became a really good opportunity for
2:56 him to join the clerk's team. Um and
3:00 that was where he uh note here brought
3:04 his stage management skills
3:08 and um to our city council meeting. So
3:11 we really appreciate that. Um
3:14 as deputy city clerk, Chris has helped
3:16 the city maintain compliance with the
3:18 open public meeting act um by noticing
3:21 board and commission meetings meetings
3:23 and city council agendas. Um, I know we
3:26 on council have all felt very supported
3:29 um, with all of the information that
3:31 he's been able to bring forth, but
3:34 behind the scenes, he's also taken on a
3:36 bunch of special projects,
3:39 including the development and
3:41 implementation of the city's cultural
3:43 and religious holiday calendar, the city
3:45 hall northwest uh, records
3:49 project, and the dis digitization of the
3:52 cemetery deed application process. And
3:55 so those are just a few of the things
3:58 that you have done since joining this
4:00 team. Um, but we really just want to
4:04 take a moment to appreciate that and
4:06 appreciate all of the work that you've
4:08 done outside of your day-to-day work on
4:12 all of the state and regional um
4:14 committees that you have served. um
4:17 including you just recently got your
4:20 certified municipal clerk certification
4:22 from the inter international institute
4:24 of municipal clerks. So we're just
4:27 really extremely glad that we got you
4:29 for the last seven years. Um and just
4:33 also to thank you for a 30-year period
4:37 of service to local government. It means
4:40 a lot. So we wish you all the best in
4:42 retirement. And would you like to say a
4:44 few words? Mhm.
4:48 Well, clerks don't clerks are kind of uh
4:51 behind the scenes, under the radar kind
4:53 of people. So, I'm not going to say a
4:55 lot except Thank you. Um, wow. Deep dive
4:59 on the old Instagram there. You guys
5:01 went back and uh and uh uh even the
5:03 stage management uh uh comment. So, the
5:07 for those of you that don't know, before
5:08 I started working in public service, I I
5:11 was a an equity stage manager, a union
5:13 stage manager in um Seattle and uh uh
5:18 Vancouver BC um
5:22 uh Nashville, Tennessee, all over the
5:24 place. So, um but yes, I think those
5:27 were skills that Tisha was very
5:29 interested in during the uh interview
5:31 process. She was like, "Tell me more
5:33 about this stage management stuff." And
5:35 I was like, well, I think if I can stage
5:38 manage uh a bunch of rowdy actors, I can
5:40 stage manage a bunch of rowdy city
5:43 council people. But anyway, thank you.
5:46 It's been a great uh
5:50 uh great cap to 30 years. Yeah. Thank
5:54 you.
5:55 [Applause]
7:09 Well, you'll excuse us our moment of
7:12 sentimentality as we uh just thank
7:15 someone who has given a lot of service
7:16 and we appreciate that. Um we have one
7:20 more special um business item which is
7:23 ID1893formational
7:26 update the 4th of July commission and so
7:29 committee chair Paul Winterstein if
7:32 you'll come to the lect turn and
7:35 give us the information we appreciate
7:37 the update.
7:40 Uh thank you. Hi, I'm Paul Winterstein.
7:43 I'm actually executive director of the
7:44 local Isiziqua History Museums, but I'm
7:47 here tonight uh as a representative as
7:50 as as
7:51 was mentioned um chairing the Fourth of
7:54 July commission. So, I just want to
7:55 introduce the commission and the work
7:56 that we're going to be doing. And our
7:58 charter as citizen volunteers and with
8:00 the support of staff is to advise the
8:03 city on the planning for this year and
8:06 next celebration for uh Fourth of July
8:09 parade and celebration. Uh this 2025
8:12 event that's coming up is really this
8:15 exercise is just a warm-up uh for
8:18 planning the country's independence day
8:20 celebration in 2026 which will be the
8:24 semiquincentennial or 250th anniversary
8:27 of our country's independence
8:29 nationwide. That is being branded as
8:32 America 250. So if you haven't heard
8:35 already, you will be hearing America 250
8:37 quite a bit. Now, other me other um
8:39 volunteers on the commission with me are
8:41 Ben Armland, Missy Armland, Amanda
8:45 Bjornson, Frank Garcia, Brenda Spears,
8:49 and council member Chris Ray.
8:53 Now, um really we're just adviserss. The
8:56 city and staff are doing most of the
8:58 work, including executive department
8:59 coordinator Lindseay Marsh, no surprise,
9:02 economic development coordinator,
9:04 freshly minted Jack Pedlo. City's having
9:07 no problem keeping Jack busy. I can
9:09 tell. City administrator Wally Bopitz is
9:12 helping as well. And Thomas and Naomi
9:14 from communications are lending a hand.
9:16 We're getting support from parks and the
9:19 police, public works, and east side fire
9:20 and rescue of course will be on hand for
9:22 the day of the event coming up next
9:24 Friday. So this uh so this year the down
9:27 home Fourth of July event is a kids and
9:29 pets parade on Front Street that'll run
9:33 south from the intersection of Dogwood
9:35 and Rineer Boulevard south to Sunset
9:38 Way. Immediately following the parade,
9:41 parade goers and viewers and all
9:44 community members are invited to join
9:46 the community picnic at the city park
9:49 which is just south of Sunset on the
9:51 west side of the street opposite the
9:53 pool. if it's got a name. I don't know
9:55 the name of that park, but that's where
9:57 it's located. Uh there will be food
9:59 trucks there. There will be uh yard
10:01 games like cornhole. Uh and there will
10:05 be music as well. So, everyone is
10:07 invited to join the party. Come grab a
10:09 meal or bring your own picnic and and
10:12 your blankets and chairs and what are
10:14 whatever you would need to enjoy the
10:17 festivities. So, families,
10:19 organizations, and companies are
10:21 encouraged to pre-register for the
10:23 parade beforehand. You can register
10:25 online on the city website.
10:28 Pre-registration will make it much
10:30 easier for the city staff and our
10:32 volunteers to coordinate and organize
10:34 this event, the the morning of.
10:36 Nevertheless, walkups are welcome.
10:39 Currently, we have organizations such as
10:41 the VFW 3436. We have a local Cub Scout
10:45 pack and some um local tiny gym and the
10:49 little garden school are already
10:51 registered. Now, the parade will roll
10:53 out right at 11:00 a.m. and all who want
10:56 to be in it have to arrive no later than
10:59 10:30 a.m.
11:02 No later than 10:30 a.m. Little. So, get
11:05 there early, please. We have a grand
11:07 marshal for this event. This is our
11:09 local uh Olympian, Kiana Hunter, a Paris
11:12 2024 silver medalist in artistic
11:15 swimming. Uh Kiana will lead the parade,
11:17 riding in a convertible uh provided for
11:20 the occasion by Evergreen Ford. Uh Kiana
11:24 will be hanging around at the community
11:25 picnic afterwards to greet her old and
11:29 newest fans. And finally, um there will
11:32 be other volunteers. Uh the Rotary will
11:35 be a number of Rotary volunteers will be
11:37 on hand to assist and including council
11:41 member Russell Joe will be MCing the
11:44 event. So no matter how much
11:45 entertainment and fun you get out of the
11:47 parade with Russell Joe at hand with a
11:50 mic in his hand will add to the
11:52 festivities significantly.
11:57 So that was my briefing if you had any
11:59 questions. If not I'm I'm done. Council,
12:02 do we have any questions other than
12:04 being just very entertained and
12:06 appreciative of you and the committee
12:09 for all of your work with this planning?
12:10 So, thank you. Thank you very much. Um,
12:13 the next item of business is audience
12:16 comments.
12:17 Members of the public may address
12:19 council at this time in person or
12:20 virtually. Those who signed up in
12:22 advance to make comments will be called
12:24 on first. If you're joining us virtually
12:27 and would like to make a comment, um,
12:29 please raise your virtual hand or send
12:31 the host a chat message. So, if you're
12:33 on the phone, you're going to press star
12:35 three. If you are on a computer or
12:38 smartphone, you'll look for the hand
12:40 icon. If you are in the room and did not
12:43 sign up, I will ask for other speakers
12:45 before closing this public uh this
12:47 portion of the meeting.
12:50 Um, I will also note there is a public
12:52 hearing on tonight's agenda. That is
12:56 AB9006,
12:58 the 2027 2032 capital improvement plan.
13:02 So, with a public hearing, we try and
13:04 consolidate all of the comments on a
13:07 topic like that into one area. So, we
13:09 would ask you to hold that not in this
13:12 general comment period um, but rather in
13:15 the public hearing occurring later in
13:17 the meeting. Um, so clerk, has anyone
13:20 signed up to speak for general audience
13:22 comments or indicated a desire to speak
13:24 this evening? Yes. Okay. For those
13:28 making comments, you're invited to
13:29 address council regarding matters that
13:31 are directly related to Isquest
13:33 programs, projects, services, or events.
13:36 Comments related to political campaigns
13:38 are not permitted. Please address your
13:40 comments to the whole council and not
13:42 individuals. And while we can't directly
13:45 answer any questions here, we can
13:48 contact you to follow up if needed if
13:50 you provide your information. Um, when
13:52 recognized, if you're virtually, you'll
13:54 unmute your microphone or step up to the
13:56 lect turn. You'll press the button,
13:59 although it looks like it's already
14:00 pressed. When it turns red, the mic is
14:03 on. State your name, address, or
14:06 relationship to the city. Speak clearly
14:08 and pause frequently and limit your
14:10 comments to five minutes.
14:12 Um, if you're attending virtually and
14:14 don't respond, we will have to move on
14:16 with the meeting and you're encouraged
14:18 to join. Um, personal attacks, obscene
14:21 language, derogatory remarks, and
14:23 disruptive behavior will not be
14:24 permitted. Um, but we do take your
14:27 public comments very seriously and so we
14:30 thank you for taking the time to address
14:32 us. Um, clerk, can you identify the
14:34 first person who signed up to speak?
14:36 Yes, Alex Zimmerman. Alex, come on up.
14:44 It's working.
14:46 Thank you. My name Alex Zimmerman and I
14:49 want to speak about problem what is I
14:51 see in Isua for four year. What is I
14:55 live here? I'm in a seca probably every
14:57 week. Yes. I live in B but yeah life is
15:01 life. So my name Alexman. I live here
15:04 for 40 year. I'm president of standup
15:07 America. I support Trump from beginning.
15:11 I have 5,000 times speak in council
15:14 chamber. I'm have 6,000 day of trespass
15:18 and Bell prosecute me five times all
15:21 fake and fraud.
15:23 But as you can do it terrorist is
15:26 terrorist or fascist. It's not matter. I
15:29 want speak about something what is I
15:31 thinking very critical or exactly for
15:34 people from ina. I don't understand why
15:38 we included
15:40 pay five five plus dural for gas. Can
15:43 somebody explain to me state Washington
15:46 is only one state who we pay five bucks.
15:50 You understand? Small state like state
15:52 Washington in a small city too. Yeah. We
15:56 pay more than $5. It don't have sense. I
16:00 try understand why is going on. Why
16:02 another I don't talk about California
16:05 because California is not a state.
16:07 California is a country.
16:11 Stupid but country. Yes. So I totally
16:14 understand the small city. You know what
16:15 is mean with small
16:18 state we pay $5 for gas but it's not
16:21 only only $5 for gas but absolutely
16:24 don't have sense comparable to another
16:26 state. We pay for last few year almost
16:28 double for rent in isukua pay double for
16:31 rent like everybody in east size. My
16:34 question right now how is this possible?
16:36 What is going on? For last five year you
16:39 know what is mean? So we pay double for
16:41 rent. Can you explain to me? It's only
16:44 one point. No a second point. Number
16:46 three we pay same price probably double
16:49 or triple for food and the people in the
16:51 sukua pay three times or two times more
16:54 for food. absolutely don't have sense
16:56 and everybody talk yeah we pay before is
16:59 inflation 25 percentage inflation never
17:03 25%age
17:04 it's nothing surprise me you know what
17:06 is mean because statistic what has come
17:08 a couple weeks ago and I repeat you
17:10 before talk about this so we write right
17:13 right now includes isa people in isua
17:18 yeah not too much but yes yeah
17:23 dump jump from number one for five years
17:26 jump from number one to number 10 guys
17:29 when system not matter system Nazi
17:31 Gestapa Democrat Republican or people
17:34 from Mars falling by 10 floor down is a
17:38 collapse I give you example German Nazi
17:42 collapse from 40 to 45
17:45 totally yeah 10 times collapse so that
17:49 union collapsed in 91 from 87 real
17:52 collapse to 91 collapse Totally collapse
17:55 is very dangerous. This exactly what is
17:57 we have now. Yes. Here you don't do
18:00 nothing about this and I explain to you
18:02 why because you acting what is I call
18:06 them Nazi fascist hunter abandita a
18:10 mafia is is all control in west east.
18:14 You know what this mean? Because I live
18:16 here and I speak everywhere. Mesley
18:18 Island Belleview Redmond
18:22 Kirkland right now in Isuku. I spoke
18:24 before too. I don't understand why how
18:27 is this possible? Can you explain to me
18:30 one party system is always fascism?
18:32 Fascism as we have here is absolutely
18:35 devotic fascism and I talk about this
18:38 many time you acting more you more
18:40 dangerous than fascist than Nazi or
18:44 Comey. Giller for example is Stalian for
18:46 example talking about Nazi Nazal you
18:50 know what this mean support Germany he
18:52 support Soviet Union people want life
18:54 better for people you make life worse
18:57 and I don't understand why why you doing
19:00 like aid
19:03 I call this fis idiotic face why you
19:06 doing this why people approximately half
19:09 million people who live in sides you
19:11 know what mean elect democrat can you
19:14 explain Explain to me who can explain to
19:16 me people for elect Democrat when they
19:19 make us life better but you make life
19:22 nightmare for last exactly 5 years so I
19:24 speak right now to everybody are you all
19:27 brainwash idiot a zombie why you are
19:30 less support democrat can you explain to
19:33 me maybe this time right now stopping
19:35 this you start something doing like a
19:37 Trump token you know what mean because
19:39 Trump is the last chance for us bring
19:41 America back we were Trump we were new
19:44 America American Revolution. Thank you
19:45 very much.
19:51 Okay. Um, do we have anybody else
19:54 indicating a desire to speak? No, we
19:56 have a number of uh members of the
19:58 public with us virtually, but no one's
20:00 indicating a desire to speak. Okay.
20:03 Well, we always appreciate commentary.
20:08 Um the next item of business is the
20:13 consent calendar and the mayor noted
20:16 that she does not have any remarks on
20:18 the consent calendar items. Are any of
20:20 the committee chairs or chair design you
20:24 have any items on consent?
20:26 Nope. Okay.
20:30 Um the consent calendar was distributed
20:32 to council in advance. If authorized,
20:34 the author the items on the consent
20:36 calendar will be considered together and
20:38 approved by one motion. Have the
20:40 payables and payroll been reviewed? They
20:43 have. And they have. Uh, does any
20:46 council member desire to remove any
20:48 items from the consent calendar and
20:50 consider it under regular business?
20:53 Seeing none, is there a motion?
20:56 Thank you. I move adoption of the
20:58 consent agenda as presented. Second.
21:01 Okay. Okay. The motion to approve the
21:03 consent calendar as presented has been
21:05 moved and seconded. All those in favor
21:08 signify by saying I. I. I. Those
21:12 opposed. That passes unanimously.
21:16 Okay. The next item of the business is
21:18 our public hearing. And so this is
21:20 AB9006,
21:22 the 2027 2032 capital improvement plan.
21:26 Um public hearing on this item was held
21:29 at the June 9th council meeting and
21:32 given that council had a committee of
21:33 the whole meeting to discuss the CIP on
21:36 June 16th, the hearing was continued
21:39 until tonight's meeting. So this is a
21:41 final opportunity for any members of the
21:43 public to make comments on the proposed
21:45 CIP.
21:47 Um we will then consider taking action
21:49 under regular business. So, I'd like to
21:52 invite Deputy City Administrator Andrea
21:54 Snyder to make some introductory remarks
21:57 before we open the hearing.
22:00 Thank you, Council President Walsh. I'm
22:02 Andrea Snyder, Deputy City
22:03 Administrator. Um, I just plan to keep
22:07 my remarks fairly short and uh they
22:10 mirror the remarks that I would
22:12 otherwise make under regular business.
22:14 Um so we heard some input from city
22:18 council at the last uh committee of the
22:21 whole last week. The input that we heard
22:23 was uh general support for the focus on
22:26 maintenance for the capital improvement
22:28 plan. We heard support for upholding
22:31 past commitments such as Northwest
22:33 Smamish non-motorized project. Um we
22:37 also had heard feedback on putting fire
22:40 station 71 back into the CIP. Um upon
22:44 further discussion and clarification, we
22:46 would be looking at what renovations
22:48 would be appropriate for that facility
22:50 and the administration is not ready with
22:52 that information to come forward at this
22:54 time. The uh previous um project page on
22:58 fire station 71 was for new construction
23:01 and so we still need some time to work
23:03 with East Side Fire and Rescue and our
23:05 facilities uh professionals to
23:07 understand what those renovations are
23:08 and if they meet the capital threshold,
23:10 which is $50,000.
23:12 Uh so we have not put that back into the
23:15 CIP draft. We also heard uh concerns
23:18 from council about being able to afford
23:20 all of the priorities in the CIP and a
23:24 desire to prioritize some of the
23:27 projects that are smaller and uh more
23:30 quickly implemented over some of these
23:32 very highcost longterm visionary
23:36 projects. and um we heard concerns over
23:39 the ability to afford those things and
23:41 complete those projects since funding
23:43 hasn't been identified. While we heard
23:45 that feedback from council um we have
23:48 not taken such projects out of the CIP
23:51 draft that you see tonight. The reason
23:53 for that is uh we wanted to be able to
23:56 keep some projects in in order to be
23:58 able to apply for grants and see if we
24:00 can achieve funding through other means.
24:02 Um, but I think the feedback that we
24:04 received from council is very very
24:06 valuable for
24:09 uh especially for us prioritizing next
24:11 year when we start to draft the budget
24:13 is as you know the CIP is a plan and the
24:17 budget is where we go to implement that
24:19 plan and that's when we're going to have
24:20 to make some really tough decisions for
24:23 um what we can actually afford. And so,
24:26 uh, our response would be that during
24:28 the budget process, uh, we have
24:31 conversations with council about which
24:33 of those projects that we should
24:35 consider, um, trying to fund in certain
24:37 phases and which of those that we should
24:39 not fund, uh, within that next budget.
24:44 Um, because we also heard strong support
24:46 for light rail as well. And light rail
24:48 is also uh, a big invisionary project.
24:50 So, we would like to have the space to
24:52 have more detailed discussions about
24:54 specific projects during the budget
24:56 process.
24:59 And that uh is the feedback that we
25:02 heard from council. Of course, we
25:04 welcome any feedback from members of the
25:06 public on any of these items or anything
25:09 else uh related to the CIP.
25:13 Okay. So, with that um initial
25:15 information, I would like to reopen the
25:18 public hearing at 7:25 p.m. So, again,
25:22 if you're joining us virtually and want
25:23 to make a comment on this, you can raise
25:26 your virtual hand or send the house to
25:28 chat message. If you're on the phone,
25:30 press star three. If you join by
25:32 computer or smartphone, look for a hand
25:34 icon. Um, clerk, has anybody signed up
25:37 to speak or indicated a desire to speak?
25:39 Yes.
25:41 Okay.
25:43 Um, I don't think there's any other
25:46 information
25:47 I need to ask. Um, should we start with
25:52 the first person? Sure. Alex Zimmerman.
26:02 Yeah. Hi, my name Alexman. I live here
26:05 for 40 years.
26:09 I president of Stand Up America. I
26:11 support Trump Ram from beginning. I
26:13 speak in council chamber all over from
26:16 Tacoma to 5,000 time. I have 6,000 day
26:20 of trespass. 6,000 day of trespass look
26:22 like 20 year in jail in B will prosecute
26:25 me five times all five time for
26:27 brigation three times and I will be
26:29 another two. So I want to speak right
26:32 now about something what is I think this
26:34 absolutely hot potato transportation
26:37 because what is I see here in I live in
26:40 many big city in my life you know what
26:42 is mean by definition Seattle yeah in
26:45 country is a small city to half million
26:48 it's not so big yep comparable to
26:51 Shanghai 40 million for example
26:54 guys what has happened in transportation
26:56 in in kin counties is absolutely absurd
26:59 this don't have analogies thinking in
27:01 America you I speak about sound transis
27:04 tree what has cost us now or for another
27:08 year or two $200 billion
27:12 can you explain to me what's going on
27:15 why is this idiot you know what is mean
27:17 democrat mafia doing this what is the
27:20 reason for take $200 billion dollars
27:22 from the people and spend this in pansy
27:25 scam I give you example Bell start a few
27:29 months ago for train between Bell and
27:32 Redmond you know six miles cost probably
27:35 dozen and dozen billion dollars the
27:37 train empty 24/7 nobody use this train
27:41 it's no idiot you know what is mean who
27:43 want us use this train when everybody
27:45 have car it's okay no problem so this
27:48 pis is so interesting I got to for
27:51 example
27:53 sound trans this board they give me
27:54 three year trespass they cannot handle
27:56 me so one man come in talking so you are
27:58 pun this hammock criminal. You always
28:00 supposed to be in jail. You know what
28:02 this mean? For $200 million. I start
28:05 fighting with this. My car for example.
28:07 Oh my baby. What is I for 25 year?
28:10 Almost 25 years. Yeah. Uh uh cost $200
28:13 bucks. They charge me for $10,000. I pay
28:16 $160 for 10 year taxes. So I try going
28:21 court. You know what mean Seattle court
28:24 in talk to judge? No one judge accepts
28:27 this. You understand why you're talking?
28:29 So definition this bandita democratic
28:32 mafia Nazi pig guy call him you know
28:34 what is this mean what is totally
28:36 control two and a half million people I
28:39 give you another classic example Seattle
28:42 few year ago built a tunnel it cost
28:45 approximately from $6 to8 million it's
28:48 not matter too much yeah who care about
28:50 this so right now this tunnel you know
28:53 what is mean listen very carefully depth
28:56 in every year 300 million so what King
28:59 country last year and I present every
29:01 day in king country council meeting make
29:04 decisions so people inqin country
29:06 include people in it you know will be
29:09 pay this 300 million debt who can be
29:12 answer me very simple question what is I
29:14 don't understand when my neighborhood
29:17 for example next my house you know what
29:19 is mean have a fire I need pay for his
29:21 fire for his broken house huh where is
29:25 problem so why can country people
29:29 2 million minus 700,000
29:33 Seattle idiot you know what is mean why
29:35 pay for this idiot for this tunnel who
29:37 can answer me this question nobody why
29:41 democrat mafia in king county you know
29:43 what is mean consil did this why can you
29:46 explain to me it's half sense no this is
29:50 exactly what has happened all over right
29:52 now because democrat don't doing nothing
29:55 for the Simple
29:57 corporations number one or this I told
30:00 you they more dangerous than Nazi or
30:03 comei more dangerous because Nazi Gitler
30:06 for example want make German happy
30:09 soviet Union Stalin for example or
30:11 communist people happy you know what
30:13 this mean democrat don't have sense why
30:17 they doing this corporation make money
30:20 if we talking about pure criminality you
30:22 know what mean Google,
30:25 Google, Amazon, Microsoft, you know what
30:29 this mean? Control everything. How is
30:31 this possible? Kung explain to me.
30:33 Classic fascism is government together
30:36 with corporation make a money control
30:39 people. We have this. Is this possible
30:41 after 250 years? Why I come to America
30:45 40 years ago and I fighting for America
30:47 for all my life? Because I believe in
30:49 America, our freedom of speech, our
30:52 common sense, a country so best of the
30:54 best in this planet. So Trump is last
30:57 chance. We were Trump. We were new
30:59 American revolution. Wake up freaking
31:01 idiot. We need something doing. Thank
31:03 you very much.
31:09 Okay.
31:11 So,
31:12 moving on from that,
31:17 let's see. Um, is anybody else desiring
31:21 to speak?
31:24 No. Okay. Fantastic. Is there any
31:27 objection to closing the public hearing?
31:30 Okay. Hearing none, the public hearing
31:32 is closed at 7:31 p.m. Um, does council
31:37 have any questions on the capital
31:40 improvement plan?
31:44 No questions.
31:46 Okay. So, we're going to move to regular
31:49 business and I will entertain a motion
31:52 to adopt the CIP.
31:57 Um, thank you. Uh, I move to approve
32:01 resolution number 2025-14
32:05 adopting the capital improvement plan
32:07 for 2027 2032 including the six-year
32:11 transportation improvement program.
32:14 Second.
32:17 Okay. Is there any council discussion?
32:22 Council member Hall. Yeah, thank you. Um
32:26 certainly a challenging time to budget
32:28 but also to plan um more generally. So
32:31 also just want to start with a big thank
32:33 you to staff who have done an
32:35 outstanding job given you know declining
32:37 re revenues, rising costs, general
32:39 uncertainty. Um thank you for all you've
32:42 done in this work. Um um as been said,
32:45 we've prioritized kind of maintenance um
32:47 while also planning for some of these
32:48 major construction projects that
32:50 community have prioriti prioritized like
32:52 Northwest Seamish Road, like this
32:54 important water treatment facility that
32:56 we need to start planning for. Um so um
32:59 and also I want to just call out a big
33:01 thanks to staff for identifying a path
33:03 to keep rates as low as possible looking
33:05 into the future um for our rate payers.
33:08 Um that is huge um given the
33:10 uncertainty. Um, and then also just
33:12 building on the comments from deputy
33:13 city administrator around fire station
33:15 71. She's absolutely right. That page
33:17 from a previous CIP was about building a
33:19 new fire station 71. We're definitely
33:21 not there right now. So, it makes sense
33:23 to remove that project and then just to
33:24 continue to work behind the scenes after
33:27 the CIP is in front of us um to identify
33:30 where are those potential things that we
33:32 could do to make life a little bit
33:33 easier in that building. Um, recognizing
33:35 that like you said, there are some like
33:37 the $50,000 rule. So perhaps there are
33:39 even some small things that don't even
33:40 need to live in the CIP. So anyways,
33:42 thank you to staff also for just helping
33:44 carry that forward as well. Um and um
33:47 I'll be voting in favor.
33:50 Great. Any other comments?
33:54 Well, I will just echo the thank you. I
33:56 know th this has not been an easy year
33:59 to try and pull together all of the
34:02 priorities of the city. Um and so I
34:04 think we all appreciate that very much.
34:07 So, if there is no further discussion,
34:09 the motion before council is to approve
34:11 resolution number 2025-14,
34:14 adopting the capital improvement plan
34:16 for 2027 to 2032, including the six-year
34:20 transportation improvement program. All
34:22 those in favor signify by saying I. I.
34:25 I. Those opposed.
34:28 The motion passes unanimously.
34:31 Uh, this is a quick round of business.
34:35 So, next item of business is committee
34:37 and regional reports. Yeah. Uh-huh. I
34:41 mean, we have an executive session
34:42 coming up, but we've got that. So, uh,
34:46 Council Member Jiang,
34:48 um, I have one report from the East Side
34:50 Transportation Partnership meeting. Um,
34:52 so we had a meeting on Friday, June 13th
34:54 at Redmond City Hall in person. Um, it
34:57 was great to see everyone in person. It
34:58 was actually my first inerson uh,
35:00 meeting with this group, so it was good
35:02 to meet everyone. Um so the main items
35:05 that we had were first we shared all the
35:07 uh city's shared priorities and concerns
35:09 related to federal funding. Um a staffer
35:11 from Congress uh woman uh Susan Delben's
35:14 office was there to you know take notes
35:16 and bring it back to DC which was great.
35:20 Um and we heard a presentation from
35:21 WASHDOT on the virtual coordination
35:23 center which coordinates responses to
35:25 transportation incidents across a wide
35:27 array of agencies. Um, so it was
35:29 interesting to learn about how they kind
35:31 of coordinate that across all the
35:32 different local agencies, statewide
35:34 agencies, etc. Um, and the next East
35:36 Side Transportation Partnership meeting
35:38 is on July 11th. And that's it.
35:44 Oh yeah.
35:46 Excellent. Next, um, Council Member Joe,
35:51 thank you. The Cascade Water Alliance
35:53 Board, uh, will be holding their next
35:55 meeting on June 25th. Additional
35:58 information is on the website. Chamber
36:00 of Commerce uh board meeting was
36:02 cancelled. So, uh we didn't have that
36:04 one in June. We'll look forward to the
36:06 next one in July. The mobility
36:09 infrastructure meeting um the next one
36:11 will be July 15th and Council Member Ray
36:15 will give a summary of the meeting in
36:17 June. That concludes my report. Thank
36:19 you.
36:21 Thank you, Council Member Hall. I have
36:24 uh three reports, one longer one and two
36:26 quick ones. Uh first for planning,
36:28 development and environment committee.
36:29 We last met on June 10th. Our only item
36:32 on the agenda was comm 0108 which was
36:34 our title 18 policy amendments. Um there
36:37 were kind of three buckets here. The
36:38 first bucket was minor amendments very
36:40 similar to the clarifying amendments
36:41 that we that we passed a few weeks ago.
36:43 Bucket two was some state required
36:45 amendments, things like allowing
36:46 co-living housing in certain zones. Um
36:49 allowing easier conversion of commercial
36:51 and multi-use spaces to multif family
36:53 use. And then some other technical
36:55 changes around electric vehicle charging
36:56 infrastructure and parking requirements
36:58 for affordable housing. Um and then
37:00 bucket three was the policy amendments.
37:02 These were kind of policy considerations
37:04 that came up from code users actually
37:06 using the code. Um mostly to do with
37:09 kind of wayfinding signage, uh heat pump
37:12 installation and noise control. Um some
37:15 changes around roosters and chickens in
37:17 beekeeping. um and applying a more urban
37:20 code as opposed to King County's code
37:22 which is really better suited to rural
37:24 settings. Um and then also looking at
37:26 the question of common and private uh
37:28 amenity space that was brought up
37:30 actually during our last TOD touch as a
37:32 council uh a few weeks ago in adding
37:34 that same deviation process into code
37:36 that we used there. Um so we agreed with
37:40 uh PPC and the staff recommendations on
37:42 all those amendments. Uh and we also
37:44 expressed some interest in having a
37:46 broader discussion on kind of the step
37:48 back and the amenity space uh questions
37:50 that came up during that to discussion
37:52 looking at those as potential barriers
37:55 to housing development here in town and
37:57 having kind of a priority setting
37:59 conversation as a full council
38:01 recognizing that CPD has a lot on their
38:03 plate right now with very few staff or
38:06 very few planners. So, if we want to
38:08 have kind of that community conversation
38:09 and take this up as a council, we'd need
38:12 to then kind of look at the work plan
38:13 and potentially make some changes. So,
38:14 anyways, that's just a little preview of
38:16 that kind of trade-off discussion that
38:18 we will have when this item comes back
38:20 in July. Um, I think so, right? July at
38:23 a council meeting. Okay. Um and then our
38:25 next meeting is July 8th and on the
38:27 agenda is COMM0142
38:30 Belleview College development agreement
38:32 extension request and COMM0156 impact
38:35 and mitigation fee update. So that's
38:38 that one. Um I have not given a Rya 8
38:42 salmon recovery council uh update in a
38:44 long time. Rya 8 um for those listening
38:46 in is the water resource inventory area.
38:48 8 is the technical name of our watershed
38:51 um here in our area. Um the next meeting
38:53 of the Salmon Recovery Council is July
38:55 17th and it's going to be right here in
38:56 Isiqua. Um our very own Alan Quinn from
39:00 public works is going to be giving a
39:01 presentation on our habitat restoration
39:03 work and storm water management
39:05 strategies and then we're all going to
39:07 get on a bus and go over to Lake Samur
39:08 State Park and uh get a tour of the
39:11 lower Isakiqua Creek restoration project
39:13 uh in the state park. So that'll be fun.
39:17 last just a quick update on epher on
39:19 east side fire and rescue. I should have
39:20 a few updates uh updates for you all on
39:23 fire chief recruitment at our next
39:24 regular council meeting. We have
39:26 concluded stakeholdering and candidate
39:28 profile development in the salary range
39:30 setting and the next phase which now is
39:32 advertising and recruitment starts in
39:34 early July. So stay tuned on that and
39:36 that concludes my report. Thank you
39:39 council member Ray. Uh uh thank you um
39:42 Mayor Prom. Um as council member Joe
39:45 mentioned I will be doing the mobility
39:47 infrastructure committee report. The
39:49 committee met on June 17th. There were
39:51 two uh items on the agenda. One was
39:54 COMM0119,
39:55 the utility rate study, the rate design
39:58 and general facilities charges. Uh we
40:00 received an update on GFC's. Uh we had
40:03 an interesting discussion about the
40:04 impact of the on missing middle housing
40:07 and ADUs of a higher GFC charge. The
40:10 committee provided feedback on the
40:11 proposed changes or charges
40:15 and and these will be included in the
40:16 final rate study results that the
40:18 committee will be reviewing um in total
40:21 in the near future. We also heard uh an
40:25 update on comm 0138 which is the central
40:28 isqua multimodal I90 crossing study
40:31 update and we received an update on uh
40:33 the crossing. We reviewed alternative
40:35 crossing sites uh with the committee
40:37 supporting the administration's
40:38 recommendation for an 11th Avenue to
40:41 11th Avenue multimodal overcrossing.
40:45 The committee had a robust discussion on
40:47 next steps and we agreed with the
40:49 administration's suggestion to bring the
40:52 topic back to the M&I committee for
40:53 further discussion related to the
40:55 overcrossing at a subsequent committee
40:58 meeting. And that concludes my report.
41:02 Thank you, Council Member Arts. Thank
41:04 you, Madame Mayor Prom. The Sound Cities
41:07 Association Public Issues Committee did
41:09 meet Wednesday, June 11th uh from 7:00
41:13 to 9:00 p.m. in a virtual meeting.
41:15 Executive Director Feldstein had a uh
41:18 presentation on feedback from
41:20 municipalities on kind of reigniting the
41:23 PIC and it really comes back to uh
41:26 getting back to PIC's roots which is as
41:28 a policy advisory board for the board of
41:31 the SCA board of directors and uh
41:34 getting back to regular meetings with
41:37 King County Executive which um have been
41:40 reinstituted. So we're very excited to
41:42 see where that takes us. Uh there were
41:45 no other actions taken at the SCA pick
41:47 meeting however and then uh this month
41:49 the services safety and parks meeting
41:51 for the month is canled. So I will
41:53 wander around aimlessly tomorrow night
41:55 rather than uh being here uh dealing
41:57 with services, safety and parks uh
41:59 issues. But uh hopefully uh we'll be
42:03 back to uh you know high action uh
42:07 shortly. Thank you. That concludes my
42:08 report. We will work on that for you.
42:10 Council member Mertz Deputy Council
42:12 President D. Michelle.
42:14 Uh, thank you. So, on June the 18th, I
42:17 attended the board of health um meeting
42:20 and we received a report on infant
42:22 mortality in King County. Uh, King
42:24 County's rate of infant mortality is
42:27 currently 4.3 deaths per thousand live
42:30 births. Uh, that is lower than
42:32 Washington state and significantly lower
42:34 than the United States rate. Uh,
42:36 however, there has been an uptick
42:38 locally over the past two years that is
42:40 worrisome if it continues. Um it is also
42:44 important to note that poor and
42:45 marginalized communities have
42:47 significantly higher infant mortality
42:49 rates uh particularly indigenous
42:51 populations and those communities have
42:53 been receiving uh significant maternal
42:56 health care resources through King
42:58 County. Those are now threatened by the
43:00 proposed federal cuts to healthc care
43:02 funding. um today received a uh email
43:06 from Teresa Moscada who is the chair of
43:09 the board of health and the King County
43:11 Council passed a resolution um opposing
43:16 uh the cuts that are being proposed at
43:18 the federal level to healthcare uh
43:21 specifically Medicaid uh funding. So um
43:25 so King County is uh working on
43:28 advocating against those proposed cuts.
43:32 Um, also on June the 18th, there was a
43:34 regional transit committee meeting. Um,
43:36 and that featured a panel presentation
43:39 for most of the meeting was devoted to
43:41 the topic of transportation and mobility
43:43 plans for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
43:47 Um, I have slides from that meeting and
43:49 I will send those to everybody so you
43:51 can go through. It was an extensive um,
43:54 presentation, you know, multiple
43:56 multiple factors being considered. Uh we
43:59 had a robust discussion from the sound
44:01 cities association representatives at
44:04 the regional transit committee. Um lots
44:07 of of interest in what is happening but
44:10 um uh yeah it is so complex that it's uh
44:15 it is an amazing production that they're
44:18 going through right now. So it was quite
44:21 fascinating. And that ends my report.
44:25 Excellent. Um, I have no report this
44:28 evening and the mayor has no report this
44:30 evening. So, the next item of business
44:33 is good of the order. Does anybody have
44:35 any good of the order items?
44:38 Okay, then I'll just note upcoming
44:40 council meetings. There will be a
44:41 regular council meeting on Monday, July
44:44 7th. This is one week later than normal
44:46 due to the 4th of July holiday.
44:48 Anticipated agenda items include the
44:51 transit oriented development opportunity
44:53 center or TODC
44:56 housing cooperation agreement and the
44:59 policy for naming public facilities and
45:01 parks. The city council retreat I will
45:04 remind you is on Saturday, July 12th
45:08 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. is going to
45:11 be held at the King County Library
45:12 System Service Center. Um, so they've
45:15 reopened that and we will be able to go
45:18 there. We will be sending out a memo for
45:21 you. Um, trying to get that out before
45:23 the 4th of July so that you have a
45:25 little bit of time to prepare for all of
45:28 those items.
45:29 And then there is an executive session
45:33 tonight to discuss pending and potential
45:35 litigation per RCW42.30.110
45:39 PN1 PNI. This item is expected to take
45:42 approximately 15 minutes. Action is
45:45 anticipated to follow an open session.
45:47 So, we will now go into executive
45:50 session.
45:52 Do we want to take a break or are we
45:53 good to move through? Drive right
45:56 through. I got it. We'll go into
45:59 executive session at 7:46 p.m.
46:04 Okay, we are back in open session at
46:07 8:04 p.m.
46:09 Is there a motion?
46:12 Thank you. I move to authorize the city
46:15 administrator to execute a separation
46:17 agreement as discussed in executive
46:19 session.
46:21 Second.
46:23 Okay. Is there any council discussion?
46:28 Okay. Um, if there's no further
46:30 discussion, the motion before council is
46:32 to authorize the city administrator to
46:33 execute a separation agreement as
46:35 discussed in executive session. All
46:37 those in favor signify by saying I. I.
46:40 I. Those opposed, the motion passes
46:44 unanimously.
46:46 Okay. There being no further business,
46:48 the meeting is adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
46:52 Thank you.

Attendance

Council / Members (7)
Barbara de Michele
Zach Hall
Kelly Jiang
Russell Joe
Tola Marts
Chris Reh
Lindsey Walsh
Staff (4)
Wally Bobkiewicz, City Administrator
Andrea Snyder, Deputy City Administrator
Rachel Bender Turpin, City Attorney
Tisha Gieser, City Clerk

Motions and votes (3)

approve the consent agenda as presented. . a)
Moved by Deputy Council President de Michele · seconded by Councilmember Marts
Carried 7-0
In favor: Barbara de Michele, Zach Hall, Kelly Jiang, Russell Joe, Tola Marts, Chris Reh, Lindsey Walsh
Approve Resolution No. 2025-14, adopting the Capital Improvement Plan for 2027- 2032, including the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Program.
Moved by Deputy Council President de Michele · seconded by Councilmember Marts
Carried 7-0
In favor: de Michele, Hall, Jiang, Joe, Marts, Reh, Walsh
Authorize the City Administrator to execute a separation agreement as discussed in
Moved by Deputy Council President de Michele · seconded by Councilmember Marts