On February 15, 2022, Council convened at 4:30 p.m. to hold an executive session and a special joint meeting in advance of the regular 7:00 p.m. meeting. 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.
Special Meeting: 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Before the regular meeting, a special meeting was held so that the Council could hold an executive session to discuss matters related to the performance of a public employee. The council reconvened at 6:00 p.m. for a joint meeting with the Planning Commission.
At this time, Commissioners presented a proposed work plan for 2022 and responded to questions and comments of councilmembers. Key subjects and overall schedule in the proposed work plan included:
Quarter 1: January-March 2022
1. Mobile Food Vendors ordinance
2. Planned unit development (PUD) standards ordinance
3. Comprehensive Plan amendment schedule ordinance
Quarter 2: April-June 2022
5. LID development standards ordinance
6. 2022 Comprehensive Plan docket resolution
Quarter 3: July-September 2022
7. 2022 Comprehensive Plan update resolution
8. Community design conversation
9. Multifamily housing ordinance (see amendment below)
Quarter 4: October-December 2022
11. Housekeeping amendment ordinance
This work plan was adopted later in the evening, during the regular meeting.
Regular Meeting: 7:00 p.m.
Several councilmembers offered comment reflecting on the life and legacy of former Newcastle Mayor Jean Garber, who passed away February 11. Read more about Jean.
Interstate 405 Project Update by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
The city council received a presentation outlining updates on WSDOT’s I-405 widening project focused on the 12-mile segment between Bellevue and Renton. View the project slides for more information.
Management Partners presented an overview of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, including broad categories of eligible use. Recent changes in guidance now allow municipalities to assume up to $10 million in pandemic-related revenue losses, which provides greater flexibility in documenting use of the funds. (Newcastle’s ARPA allocation is $3.4 million.) A follow-up discussion is expected at the March 15 meeting. View the presentation slides for more information.
Amendment to City Manager’s Contract
Council voted to extend the terms of the contract for city manager services through 2022 and to add a 4% salary increase.
Settlement Agreement on Puget Sound Energy’s Appeal of the Director’s Interpretation in the Land Use Planning Action Currently Pending in King County Superior Court
After a short executive session, Council voted to authorize the city manager to work with the city attorney to resolve the Director's Interpretation in the LUPA (Land Use Planning Act) appeal currently pending in King County Superior Court, on terms substantially like those proposed by Puget Sound Energy (PSE), and to authorize the city manager to sign a settlement agreement on terms substantially like those proposed by PSE.
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].