Langley City Council, August 7, 2023

​Name of Observer: Jane Ficalora
Observed Meeting:   Langley City Council
Date of Meeting: 8/7/2023
Members present: Rhonda Salerno, Thomas Gill, Craig Cyr, Gail Fleming
Members absent: Harolynne Bobis
Others present (staff, media, public):  Mayor: Scott Chaplin, Temporary Clerk: Christian Abraham, City Administrator: Mark Rentfrom, Planning Director: Meredith Penny, Director of Public Works: Randi Perry, Finance Director: Wanda Grone, Chief of Police: Tavier Wasser (arrived late), Representatives of City Commissions
There were also members of public on zoom - they are not shown unless they make a comment.

Summarize the main issues discussed at the meeting:
• Mayor Scott Chaplin reported on attending a meeting in Everett earlier in the day by the invitation of Representative Rick Larsen. Attending as well were five other congressmen and all the County Commissioners. The mayor learned federal funding for infrastructure projects will be available in near future and suggested council prepare to take advantage of that opportunity.
• New City Administrator Mark Rentfrom presented a power point to introduce himself and provide some information on his work background.
• Both Mayor Scott Chaplin and Finance Director Wanda Grone spoke on budget planning matters. Director Grone showed council updates she suggested to the city's Budget Mission Statement and Fiscal Goals document. Mayor Chaplin asked for council to schedule two workshops for budget process overview.
• Planning Director Penny came prepared to lead the council through an Island County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy's (CEDS) outreach exercise. The county is looking for local input and has requested a Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis be completed. CEDS is collecting SWOT analyses feedback from industries and jurisdictions within Island County. Director Penny has completed the SWOT exercise with commissions and was prepared to complete the analysis with the council or to have council review the commissions' analyses. Council members were not prepared to do the exercise at the time of the meeting. Council planned to complete the analysis at the next Wednesday meeting. They tentatively decided to
provide both the commissions' completed exercises with council comments, aswell as their own, to CEDS.

List any issues on the agenda relevant to any LWV state or local positions or programs: 
(League positions can be found here.
Fair & Adequate Revenue
Shorelines, Wetlands and Land Use

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues?   No 
If ‘yes’ what action do you recommend?

Was the meeting conducted in an open, business-like, and civil manner?  Yes – All in attendance were polite and the motions were discussed and voted on in an orderly manner.

 Consider the following questions and respond if relevant: 
Was the agenda made available prior to and at the meeting? Yes
Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Members adhered to amended agenda.
Were any non-agenda items discussed?  No
Was there adequate discussion of issues?  Yes
Were any “Executive Sessions” called? No
Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes
Was background material available to the public? Yes
Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No
If yes, for what reason?

List any other concerns or observations:

Observer E-mail: jrfic@yahoo.com                                           Date submitted:  7/18/2023