Mayor Kaemingk called the regular Brier City Council Meeting to order at 7:02 PM and flag salute was given.

Roll Call:

Present: Mayor Kaemingk Councilmembers Gallagher, Krienke, Marley, Moran and Nick.

Absent: Councilmember Lockhart and Rosman.

Staff: Clerk-Treasurer Swisher, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Snowden, Police Chief Almquist, City Attorney Dawn Reitan.

Public Requests & Oral Communications: None

Reports of Committees & City Officials:

Welcomed all the visitors to the meeting.

Mayor Kaemingk opened for consideration to change the order of the agenda. Motion: Move to change the order of the agenda, moving the presentation and discussion of the South County Fire Annexation information before the consideration of Resolution 598 expressing support for the City of Brier proposition No. 1 seeking voter approval to annex into the South Snohomish County Fire and Rescue Regional Fire Authority. Moved by Councilmember Marley, Seconded by Councilmember Nick. Motion Carried.

Approval of Minutes:

Mayor Kaemingk opened for consideration approval of the Brier City Council Minutes of March 28, 2023. Motion: Approve the Brier City Council Minutes of March 28, 2023, Moved by Councilmember Nick, Seconded by Councilmember Gallagher. Motion Carried.

New Business:

Mayor Kaemingk opened the presentation regarding the South County Fire Annexation information. Mayor Kaemingk introduced Fire Chief Hovis, Asst. Fire Chief Maxwell, PIO Leslie Hynes, Chloe Kinsey of BERK Consulting, City Attorney Dawn Reitan and staff. Presentation given by Mayor Kaemingk, Fire Chief Hovis, City Clerk Swisher.

Robert Hatchel, Brier - If the City gave back the .37 to the voters and voted to annex, when would the city be insolvent? He also asked how the Council felt about the state raising the property tax cap from 1% to 3%.

Peter Cowley, Marysville - He thanked the Council for being transparent with this material. He stated that he was not happy with how Lynnwood and Marysville went about their process of annexing into the RFA. When a city is annexed into the RFA, his main objection is with the Snohomish County Fire employment compensation package due to the large expense.

William Bartig, Brier - He is supportive of the annexation but stated he would like to see the .37 cents be invested in City employees, public works and parks. How is the City planning for future needs with population growth?

Matt Smith, Brier - Asked why the Fire, EMS and Benefit Surcharge levys aren't combined on when being voted on by the voters. He is retired and can't afford to pay for all the new taxes being brought forth. If the city is annexed into the RFA, what specifically is the RFA spending the funds on?

Gary Morgan, Brier - We are going from 1.2 million to what in 2025? What will the cost be when we annex, 2.5 million? If the city annexes, do we get the benefit of the contract in 2024? What were the other cities used in the comparables that South County Fire used? He also stated that he would like to see Brier create our own Fire District through bonds and grants.

Kara Kinsley, Brier - Asked for clarification on if the city annexes in and we keep the .37 cents, does the City still go negative in the general fund? Why does the City prefer to be annexed into the RFA vs contracts?

Kevin Davis, Brier - Concerned about residents on fixed income with the huge increases in taxes being proposed, why didn't the council bring this issue up sooner to let the residents of Brier decide what to do the .37 cents? If the annexation is voted down this year and brought back next year, would the rate be different?

Steve Dekoekkoek, Brier - Clarified as to where the city receives its funds - what is the total amount of state taxes the city receives annually and do we get sale tax equalization?

Hisham Othman, Brier - Questioned the annexation start date and current contract end date and why the city can't finish up the current contract.

Zach Cash, Lake Stevens - He is the political director for the local fire union no. 1828 and the union is in support of the annexation.

Questions answered and clarifications given by a combination of Mayor Kaemingk, Fire Chief Hovis, Clerk-Treasurer Swisher, various councilmembers and the Berk Consulting representative.

Ordinances, Resolutions & Orders:

Mayor Kaemingk opened for consideration approval of Resolution No. 598 expressing support for the City of Brier Proposition No. 1, seeking voter approval to annex into the South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Regional Fire Authority. Additional information will be provided.

Motion: Approve Resolution No. 598 expressing support for the City of Brier Proposition No. 1, seeking voter approval to annex into the South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue Regional Fire Authority. Moved by Councilmember Marley, Seconded by Councilmember Gallagher. Councilmember Gallagher stated that he is also retired and is concerned about the costs and the increases taxes. He talked about the benefits of approving the Resolution due to personal/family experiences and stated he was in support of the annexation. Councilmember Krienke mentioned that the current contact was very good at that time, but with the city not keeping up on the costs, the increase being proposed is bigger than it should be. Councilmember Moran expressed support of the annexation due to the appreciation of having the insurance of the emergency personnel close by and spoke about some of the costs associated with the RFA. Motion Carried. No public discussion.

Miscellaneous Business by Call of Councilmembers & City Officials: None

Mayor Kaemingk thanked all the staff, council, City Attorney Reitan, Berk Consulting for their work on this issue. The Mayor also along with Councilmember Krienke thanked the residents for showing up and asking great questions and being involved.

Adjournment

Mayor Kaemingk declared the meeting adjourned at 9:13 PM