Farmington Town Council at odds

FARMINGTON — The town held its monthly town council meeting Monday, Dec. 16, discussing several topics including laws regarding recording minutes, a new snow plow and appointing a new member to the board.

The first item on the agenda was the approval of the November 2024 Consent Agendas.

Meeting minutes

In discussion Council Member Mike Erickson stated there were several inaccuracies and omissions from the regular town council meeting Monday, Nov. 18, minutes.

“There was an omission, complete omission of discussion around a controversial email and then what followed,” Erickson said, noting this included discussion about the official web site and social media.

According to Erickson, a statement in the meeting minutes made by Mayor Blanche Rhea was inaccurately written, with the last sentence not being said.

“Mayor Rhea stated that she would like the Council meetings to stay professional and everyone to get along. And if that doesn’t happen, other measures will be taken to keep the peace at future meetings,” states the November minutes.

There was an argument back and forth of the accuracy of the statement.

“We need to record what happens at this meeting accurately,” Erickson said, in response to statements that there would be no arguing.

“It was not said,” a community member said, who later during citizen comments stated, “Verbatim at the end of the last meeting the mayor said her closing statement, it was said ‘In the future I hope we can all get along, and that’s all I have to say about that.’ That was verbatim.”

The citizen further stated there has been problems with the meeting minutes in the past.

Lengthy discussion was had on the topic concerning an RCW handed out by Erickson which states, “The town clerk shall keep a full and true account of all the proceedings of the council,” (RCW 35.27.220).

Rhea later stated there was an earlier discussion at the past meeting the town was doing action minutes which do not require great detail and it is up to Town Clerk Lynn Yarnell how she chooses to record the minutes.

Yarnell later agreed that she could record the meeting, but preferred it to be on camera.

Council Member Josh Gamez stated he did not recall what exactly was said at the November meeting.

Erickson brought forth concerns regarding the check register presented to the council during the October regular meeting and transition to the November meeting.

“There was a week of the check register that was actually not approved,” he said, adding this was for the week of Oct. 22 through the 28.

“I would like to put that in front of council for consideration,” he said.

Yarnell stated there were no checks at the time and Rhea said they would look into it.

Rhea asked the council to make a motion on approving the minutes as presented for the November meeting. A motion was made by Council Member Lavon Walser, seconded by Gamez, with a no from Erickson.

Rhea asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda, Walser motioned, Gamez seconded and Erickson stated no.

Meeting conduct

Rhea stated before the meeting got too far she wanted to remind the council about professional conduct.

“As you know, you were all bound by the oath that was taken when you were appointed or elected to your council position, as a council member you are also bound by showing professional conduct at all times both to your community members and your co-council members,” she said.

She further stated there would no sarcastic, hateful, rude, condescending or personal snide remarks.

“Therefore, again no more disruptive and chaotic meetings, as it serves no good purpose to anyone,” she said.

Rhea handed a paper to the clerk stating everything she said would be verbatim into the meeting minutes.

“You’re wrong,” interjected a community member.

In other news

The town is going forward on getting a building permit ordinance in place and is placing a critical area ordinance, which Rhea said she and Yarnell would be finalizing, due to being required by state law.

Erickson stated that he had not recalled a critical area ordinance draft being written and approved by council at this point.

Rhea stated she has talked to Ziply who will be starting construction on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.

In new business the council unanimously passed Resolution 425.33, establishing banking accounts and credit cards.

Walser reported the snow plow was out of commission, having the transducer going out which would cost approximately $4,000 to fix.

The council voted unanimously to sell the old one and look into a newer model with a blade on it.

Turnover, new council member

The Farmington Town Council has had a big turnover of members, with Jason Brausen giving a letter of resignation on Oct. 14, and Haleigh Varney resigning on Oct. 18, leaving the council at a total member count of three.

The council interviewed Mark Hellinger to take a spot on the council.

Hellinger was asked questions regarding how he would contribute to keeping the peace at meetings and how to improve the turnover.

Hellinger stated he is deeply concerned about the town staying incorporated and would love to discuss with the council how to keep the peace.

Before the vote, Erickson stated Hellinger has experience as Mayor Pro-Tem and knowledge about the town and its ordinances.

Erickson presented the council, which usually votes with their votes written on paper for new council members, an RCW stating the vote had to be open.

Walser stated she would like to table the law and investigate it more before voting.

“I make a motion to openly vote, no secret vote,” stated Erickson.

“If it says we shouldn’t do it, then regardless of how we’ve done it in the past, we should probably stop doing it, if it’s illegal,” stated Gamez.

Rhea stated Walser was saying this is the first time council has been presented with the law and so wants to table it and investigate it.

“Why do we need to study it more, it’s the law, the RCW right off of the Washington State website,” Erickson stated.

“Because apparently people aren’t familiar with it, and they want to study it a little more plus they have the opportunity to call Sandy Jamison at the elections office and talk to her about it. I mean, that’s their choice, it’s not your choice,” Rhea responded.

A motion was made by Erickson on the vote, with both a yes vote from him and Gamez and a no from Walser.

Hellinger was elected to the council with yes votes from Erickson and Gamez and Walser abstaining.

Rhea stated Hellinger would be sworn in by the clerk next week.

Citizen concerns

A concern was brought forth during citizen comments regarding fundraising for events in Farmington and earlier statements from Rhea that the insurance rates are high for such events.

The citizen asked if there has been any research done on fundraisers and noted they have offered to get involved with no one taking them up on the offer, as well as asking if there was research done on insurance being high.

“There’s been no research done into it. As you know, we’ve been very busy,” responded Rhea.

“Especially this last summer, so I have not had the time to do that. I have also suggested to you get somebody together and do it, I can’t babysit you.”

The citizen responded they were not asking her to do that, just if the Mayor had personally researched it, to which she responded she had just told them.

“Getting back to the comments about respect, I would have to offer that there needs to be some on your part, as well towards council and audience,” responded the citizen.

There were no council comments or further comments from the Mayor and a motion was made to adjourn the meeting.