Langley City Council, May 15, 2023

​Name of Observer: Jane Ficalora
Observed Meeting: Langley City Council
Date of Meeting: 5/15/2023
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. Sara Springer from Ogden Murphy and Wallace and staff members from Langley Library.
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:
-Public comment period included Jill Edwards announcing the organization of a pride parade for July of this year. It will be the first pride parade since 2008.
-Council member Cyr announced Island Transit to add new routes and to be running routes on Sundays. He encouraged everyone to show support and get on a bus June 4th - the first Sunday the buses are to add routes.
-Mayor Chaplin reported that the Association of Washington Cities will have an annual conference in Spokane June 22 and member cities can send three representatives to vote. He suggested council may find 3 volunteers to send at the next meeting. https://wacities.org/events-education/conferences/awc-annual-conference
-Ordinances for changes to Mayor and council members salary were voted on and passed.
-Ordinance to establish Advisory Climate Crisis Action Commission was voted on and passed as well.
-Community Planning Director Meredith Perry updated council that the State Environmental Policy Act notice for the Housing Action Plan has been posted for public comment and will conclude May 22. A poll is to be sent out this week to Planning Advisory Board and Council to gather feedback on
proposed housing changes.
-The options for removal of city documents for remodeling of Langley library were discussed at length with a detailed power point presentation by Mayor Chaplin. Progress was made in deciding temporary storage and the hiring of digitization specialists.
-Council member Salerno announced the upcoming Whidbey Water Story all day event that is a collaboration of Whidbey Island Center for the Arts and Langley Climate Crisis Action Committe with science and water experts. https://soundwaterstewards.org/event/whidbeys-water-future-in-a-changing-climate-2/

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/2023-05-15%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? No
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? For what reason? No

List any other concerns or observations:

Observer E-mail: jrfic@yahoo.com Date submitted: 5/21/23