The Newcastle City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 18. If you missed watching it live, you can always see videos of past Council and Commission meetings, which are generally posted the following business day.
Here are the highlights from last week’s meeting. See the Agenda Packet for additional information and documentation.
On January 18, Council convened at 5:30 to hold a 70-minute executive session ahead of the regular 7:00 p.m. meeting.
The council discussed, voted on, and rejected a change to council rules that would have reinstated council confirmation of the mayor’s committee appointments. (Council still confirms the mayor’s appointments to advisory commissions and the city manager’s appointment of the municipal judge.)
Did you know that each council meeting includes a report from the City Manager? This is usually a written item included in the agenda packet, and it includes updates on items such as staffing, upcoming events, and more. The City Manager will supplement this report with verbal additions during the meeting, as there are often updates that occur after the meeting agenda is published. Read the January 18 City Manager’s Report here.
Towards the end of the meeting, Council approved the filing in Superior Court of legal action related to the recent Hearing Examiner ruling overturning the Community Development Director’s code interpretation on a variance related to PSE’s Energize Eastside project.
Additional items of note:
- No public comment was received at this meeting. We love hearing from you, and you’re always welcome to call into the public comment session at council meetings to let us know your thoughts and hopes for the city!
- We received a report on upcoming legislative actions promoted by the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Advisory Committee (MSWMAC) related to recycling programs.
- We received written-only reports of the Community Activities and Planning Commissions.
- Council adopted Resolutions 2022-883 (a landscape maintenance contract) and 2022-884 (the 2022 consolidated fee schedule) as presented. The fee schedule included the most recent changes to local school district impact fees.
- Council approved minutes and audit of bills.
- Council adopted Ordinance 2022-639 (subdivision code corrections) as presented.
- Council discussed subject matter and scheduling for their first-quarter retreat.
Do you want your City Councilmembers to know your preferences and opinions on City issues? You can always email them directly at [email protected], or you can submit public comment, either live at a Council Meeting or by writing to the City Clerk at [email protected].