Mayor Kaemingk called the regular Brier City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM and flag salute was given.

Roll Call:

Present: Mayor Kaemingk, Councilmembers Gallagher, Krienke, Lockhart, Marley, Rosman, Allen and Othman.

Staff: City Clerk-Treasurer Swisher and Interim Chief Hawley

Public Requests & Oral Communications:

Jim Miller, Brier-Shared that there will be a radio room exercise taking place on Saturday, March 30^th.

Reports of Committees & City Officials:

Mayor Kaemingk congratulated City Clerk-Treasurer on being selected as the as 2024 Clerk of the Year by the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA). Mayor Kaemingk read into the record:

The City of Brier is pleased to announce that Clerk-Treasurer Paula Swisher was selected as 2024 Clerk of the Year by the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA) at their annual banquet, March 21. The coveted award is presented without prior knowledge of the recipient and Swisher was surprised by Mayor Kaemingk and her daughter at the WMCA conference in Yakima.

This prestigious honor is selected from a statewide pool of candidates nominated by Mayors, City Managers, Administrators, Municipal Clerks and other senior officials. Clerk of the Year nominees are scored by the WMCA Awards Committee for their significant contributions or outstanding service to WMCA, the profession of municipal clerk, and to their municipality in the following areas: leadership, organization, administration, communications, legislative and governing body procedures, records management and/or public relations.

Swisher has served the City of Brier community for the past 21 years. Mayor Dale Kaemingk stated, "In addition to serving as both Clerk and Treasurer, Paula has many other roles including HR director, IT supervisor, risk management official, event scheduler coordinator and more. She helps direct the focus of City Councilmembers and help keep our Boards and Commission on task. Paula demonstrates ambitious standards of ethics and fairness and is truly the hub of the wheel at Brier."

Mayor Kaemingk noted that one of Swisher's key accomplishments this past year was meeting with members of the South County Regional Fire Authority (RFA) and communicating information to the City Council and community. Thanks in part to her efforts, the RFA ballot measure passed by an overwhelming margin by Brier voters. Mayor Kaemingk also touted Swisher's ability to negotiate contracts.

Swisher has obtained designations as Certified Municipal Clerk and Master Municipal Clerk by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. She has volunteered for WMCA since 2004, ascending to President of the professional development organization in 2019. Over the past two decades, she has served on numerous committees in her spare time, providing leadership to WMCA and mentorship to other municipal clerks.

Statewide recognition isn't new to Swisher. In fact, she has won the WMCA President's Award of Distinction twice, in 2009 and most recently in 2023. "The City of Brier extends our congratulations to Paula for this honor," added Kaemingk. "We are fortunate to have her on our team and serving our community."

Mayor Kaemingk attended the last mayor's meeting that covered juvenile crime, and attended the Comprehensive Plan Open House Wednesday, March 20^th.

Councilmember Lockhart reviewed the Claims on Thursday, March 21^st.

Councilmember Allen did a ride along with Officer Otake on Thursday, March 21^st.

Council Rosman attended the Parks Board Meeting on Wednesday, March 13^th and the Comprehensive Plan Open House Wednesday, March 20^th.

Mayor Kaemingk opened for Interim Chief Hawley to report the Incident Breakdown Reports for 2023 and 2024. Interim Chief Hawley gave a brief overview of the Police Department and the trainings that have taken place. He also gave an overview of the Incident Reports for the 2023 and 2024 and discussed juvenile crime at the Mayor's request.

Approval of Minutes:

Mayor Kaemingk opened for consideration approval of the Brier City Council Minutes of March 12, 2024. 7:31 PM Motion: Approve the Brier City Council Minutes of March 12, 2024, Moved by Councilmember Gallagher, Seconded by Councilmember Lockhart. Councilmember Othman made a correction to the March 12^th Brier City Council Minutes: Councilmember Allen seconded the Motion, not Councilmember Othman for approval of the February 27^th meeting minutes. Motion Carried.

Miscellaneous Business by Call of Councilmembers & City Officials:

Mayor Kaemingk opened for consideration approval to cancel the Brier City Council Workshop Meeting on April 2^nd. 7:32 PM Motion: Approve to cancel the Brier City Council Workshop Meeting on April 2^nd. Moved by Councilmember Gallagher, Seconded by Councilmember Marley. Motion Carried.

City Clerk-Treasurer Swisher asked if any of the Councilmembers would be able to volunteer and help the Park Board at the Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 30^th.

Auditing of Accounts:

Mayor Kaemingk opened for consideration approval of the March 2024 Claim Checks. 7:36 PM Motion: Approve March 2024 Claim Checks No. 45510 through No. 45515, Checks No. 45520 through 45555 and EFT Transaction in the amount of $136,205.83. Moved by Councilmember Lockhart, Seconded by Councilmember Gallagher. Motion Carried.

Adjournment

Mayor Kaemingk declared the meeting adjourned at 7:37 PM.