CITY COUNCIL MINUTES March 19, 2025 City Council of the City of Ephrata, Grant County Washington met in regular session on March 19, 2025. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Bruce Reim. Members Present: Mayor Bruce Reim, Mayor Pro-Tem Matt Moore, Council members Phil Borck, Kathleen Harris, Beau Lamens, Sarah McDonnell, Valli Millard, and Mike Warren. Staff Present: City Administrator Ray Towry, City Attorney Anna Franz, Community Development Director Ron Sell, Finance Director Kristen McDonnell, Chief Financial Officer Leslie Trachsler, Public Works Director Rob Harris, City Engineer Shawn O'Brien, Recreation Coordinator Gunner Blankenship, Fire Chief Jeremy Burns and Police Chief Erik Koch. Pledge of Allegiance was said. This meeting is being recorded. Megan Diamond signed in to speak to Council. Agenda: Agenda was amended removing Item d. from the Consent Agenda and adding Item i. Public Comment to Section III. Presentations: None Consent Agenda: Motion was made to approve consent agenda. (m/s Warren/Harris) 7 ayes, 0 nays, motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are as follows: Claims #101740 through #101796 in the amount of $1,110,805.94 Claims #101738 through #101739 in the amount of $402.13 EFT to State of Washington in the amount of $32,713.64 EFT for Credit Card Fees in the amount of $11,736.76 Minutes of the March 5, 2025, Council meeting Special Event Applications: i. Chamber of Commerce Business Expo ii. Columbia Ridge Bike Rodeo iii. Dirt Abides Beezley Burn Mtn Bike Event iv. Grant Bike Rodeo Staff, Committee, and Agency Reports: Council directed questions to various directors for clarification on submitted monthly staff reports. Mayor Reim recognized Megan Diamond and gave her 3 minutes to address Council. Logo Discussion: The City of Ephrata currently uses a City Seal created in 2008 but plans to adopt a new logo for branding and communication while reserving the seal for formal documents. A modern logo will help create a strong civic identity, boost community pride, and ensure consistency across platforms like the City's website and mobile app. The proposed designs were inspired by Ephrata High School digital art students, with elements from their concepts incorporated into the final options. At the last council meeting, council members received variations of logo concepts that they were instructed to provide feedback on. Council members will continue to review and narrow down logos and vote on the final selection during the April 2, 2025, meeting. Council discussion ensued on placing the Ephrata School District "E" on the side of the water tower. Council was in consensus and directed Director O'Brien to proceed. Annual Financial Report Review Committee: The Annual Financial Report is prepared annually per the Washington State Auditor's BARS guidelines to ensure uniform accounting and financial reporting for local governments. It serves as a resource for local managers, provides a consistent reporting framework, and supports transparency for stakeholders, including the City Council, granting agencies, and the public. The 2024 report must be submitted to the State Auditor's Office by May 30, 2025. As the governing body, the Council is responsible for understanding the City's financial condition, with the review process serving as a tool for in-depth analysis and accuracy verification. Council members Borck and Harris volunteered to be on the Review Committee. Police Vehicle Purchase: The Police Department follows an eight-year vehicle rotation plan, requiring two new vehicles annually. In 2024, surplus funds were allocated to purchase an additional vehicle, and on November 6, 2024, the City Council approved the purchase of three 2025 Dodge Durango's. However, after ordering the vehicles, Barry's Automotive abruptly closed, leaving their status unknown. Efforts to locate them have been unsuccesstul, and recent mechanical issues with Dodge vehicles have prompted a shift in preference to the Ford Interceptor SUV. Since the 2024 surplus was returned to the general fund, 2025 funds will now be needed to complete the purchase and upfitting. Notice of Intent to Annex = Set Date for Public Hearing: Grant County selected a site adjacent to Ephrata's city limits for its new correctional facility under state provisions for siting Essential Public Facilities. Water and sewer services were extended beyond city limits per state law, and a Development and Annexation Agreement designates the property as Public Facilities per the City's Comprehensive Plan. The County has agreed to annex the 21-acre facility and assume existing city indebtedness. Additionally, Grant County is considering expanding other public facilities on nearby land, which, per city policy, must be annexed before receiving city utilities. Staff recommends expanding the annexation to include the entire County property adjacent to the facility, with simultaneous adoption of a Public Facilities zoning designation and debt assumption. Motion to accept the proposed annexation subject to adoption of a zoning designation of Public Facilities, require assumption of existing City indebtedness, and set public hearing on the annexation request for April 16, 2025. (m/s Borck/Moore) Council discussion ensued, 7 ayes, 0 nays, motion carried. Downtown Lights: The Chamber of Commerce proposed replacing seasonal Christmas lights with year-round white twinkle lights to enhance downtown Ephrata's ambiance and updating wom-out banners for a fresh look. During the March 3rd Parks Commission meeting, Chamber President Jenni Bates presented the proposal, which received strong support. The Parks and Recreation Department and the Chamber have coordinated with Public Works to plan the updates if approved by City Council. The Parks Commission unanimously recommended Council approve the installation of the twinkle lights and banner replacements. Motion to approve the Parks Commission's recommendation of allowing the Chamber to update the downtown lights and banners. (m/s Warren/McDonnel, 7 ayes, 0 nays, motion carried. Softball Field improvements: The Ephrata Enforcers have proposed renovating two existing backstops at the Ephrata Sports Complex to create fully functional softball fields, expanding tournament and community event capacity. The project includes establishing dirt infields with Turface, installing bases, adding gravel behind backstops, and setting up temporary fencing for tournaments. With over ten tournaments scheduled this year, the Parks Commission strongly supports the proposal, recognizing its economic and recreational benefits. Estimated to cost $12,000-$15,000, the project will be fully funded and completed by the Enforcers, with no financial contribution from the City. Upon completion, Ephrata Parks & Recreation will have full access to the fields. Pending City Council approval, work could begin within a week and finish in approximately two weeks. Motion to approve the Parks Commission's recommendation of allowing the Ephrata Enforcers Softball Group to renovate/refurbish two softball fields at the Sports Complex. (m/s Millard/Lamens) 7 ayes, 0 nays, motion carried. Administrator Towry reminded Council of the scheduled training with David Rabiner tomorrow night, Thursday, March 20th starting at 5:30 p.m. Mayor adjourned to executive session at 6:41 p.m. to discuss litigation or potential litigation [(RCW 42.30.110 (1) (1)] for approximately 30 minutes. Mayor began executive session at 6:46 p.m. Executive session adjourned at 7:15 p.m., no decisions were made, or action taken. Mayor adjourned meeting at 7:15 p.m. * Etseet Bruce Reim, Mayor ATTEST: RabiuahDa Lèslie Trachsler, Chief Financial Officer