Langley City Council, May 1, 2023

​Name of Observer: Jane Ficalora
Observed Meeting: Langley City Council
Date of Meeting: 5/1/2023
Members present: Harolynne Bobis, Rhonda Salerno, Thomas Gill, Craig Cyr, Gail Fleming
Members absent: none
Others present (staff, media, public): Mayor: Scott Chaplin, Interim Clerk: Darlene Baldwin, Finance Director: Wanda Grone, Planning Director: Meredith Penny, Director of Public Works: Randi Perry, Chief of Police: Tavier Wasser, Sara Springer from Ogden Murphy and Wallace, Inge Morascini from Lodging Tax Advisory Commission and staff members from Langley Library. Many members of public.
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's report: City has finished hiring a Hearing Examiner. Langley is now a heritage area due to Marine Heritage Event funded by the National Park Service. The mayor attended a Rick Larsen event and learned that due to infrastructure bill there will be availability of money that the city needs to prepare for to be eligible.
-There was a first reading regarding Ordinance to decrease the Mayor's salary and during discussion one member of the public voiced concern that lowering of salary would not be good for the city.
-There was a first reading for Ordinance to raise council members salary.
-There was a first reading for Ordinance to establish Advisory Climate Crisis Action Commission. Council members had differing opinions whether adding more commissions would be more costly and add work to already strained staff. There were ideas put forth that the committee could get more done faster if the organization did not become a commission. Public members voiced concerns and input ideas as well to possible options going forward.
-Public Works director Perry updated council of Use Efficiency Goal Resolution and goal to reduce residential water use by 12/2028 to meet WA State requirement.
-Mayor presented ideas on Water Use Efficiency Goal Task Force. The mayor suggested looking into consultants for help in evaluation of the matter.
Some council and members of Public Works Advisory Commission discussed the current ongoing work that has been completed and plans for future.
Some ideas expressed concern that consultants would not be helpful at this time.
-The remodeling of Langley library in the near future is necessitating the removal of city documents from their current storage in basement of library.
Library staff members attended in person to present possible plans and options for council to help with this upcoming work. A member of the Finance and Personnel Legislative Commission presented some concerns on the financing of the project. The member was careful to state they were a member of FPLC but were not representing on behalf of FPLC at this meeting.
-Lodging Tax Advisory Commision chair Inge Morascini presented options for replacing Langley Billboard Sign on Hwy 525 that has been damaged.

Do you recommend local League action or study on any of these issues? No
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 -
https://cms4files1.revize.com/langleywashington/2023%2005%2001%20Council%20Packet.pdf

Did members adhere to the provided agenda? Yes
Were any non-agenda items discussed? No
Was there adequate discussion of issues? Yes
Were any “Executive Sessions” called? Yes
Was there adequate opportunity for public input? Yes
Was background material available to the public? Yes – see council packet linked above
Did any member recuse themselves during the meeting? No
For what reason?

​List any other concerns or observations:

Observer E-mail: jrfic@yahoo.com Date submitted: 5/3/23