North Bend City Council Meeting - July 21, 2026

The North Bend City Council met on July 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM in City Hall, 920 SE Cedar Falls Way, North Bend, Washington. Mayor Mary Miller presided. Councilmembers Joselyn, Koellen, Rustik, Torguson, and Tremolada were present; Elwood and McFarland were excused. The meeting included approval of an amended consent agenda, audience comments from two residents, committee and commission reports, two franchise agreement introductions, a pulled consent item for floodplain management support, and council/staff concerns. All votes were 5-0.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes from the June 16, 2026 City Council meeting and the June 23, 2026 Workstudy.
• Payroll: Approved June 18 payroll ($303,289.14) and July 2 payroll ($358,281.22).
• Checks: Approved July 7 checks ($1,425,593.08) and July 21 checks ($1,445,693.43).
• AB26-059: Approved Ordinance 1858 authorizing a franchise agreement with Forged Fiber 37, LLC.
• Note: AB26-060 was pulled from consent and moved to the main agenda.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Debra Landers (North Bend Art & Industry) reported on July monthly events and announced a STEM summer camp funded by a 4Culture grant, serving financially burdened youth (two from Reclaim and two from Encompass). She noted the first half-day campers were so engaged that their mother requested full-day attendance.
• Melissa Castillo (North Bend Art & Industry) updated on the Art in Nature Walk along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, with installations in North Bend, Fall City, and Carnation. She noted 64 of 69 tree rounds were distributed and plans for a larger event next year, with donated logs already acquired.

Discussion Items

• AB26-061 – Comcast Franchise Agreement (First Reading): Public Works Director Tom Mohr presented the staff report. The city's franchise agreement with Comcast expired in 2009, but Comcast continued operations under expired terms. The new 10-year agreement (with three 5-year renewals) includes updated indemnification, a5% franchise fee on cable gross revenues (historically $104,000–$143,000 annually), and compliance standards. The Transportation & Public Works (TPW) Committee recommended approval. A motion was made and seconded, setting the second reading for August 4, 2026. Passed 5-0.
• AB26-062 – Level3 Communications Franchise Agreement (First Reading)： Mr. Mohr explained that this agreement, also expired (in2020), is similar to the Comcast agreement but, per state law, the city cannot collect a franchise fee from Level3 (a telecommunications company). The city can recover administrative/legal costs after execution. TPW recommended approval. A motion set the second reading for August4,2026. Passed 5-0.
• AB26-060 – Amendment No.5 with Perteet for Floodplain Management Support： This item was pulled from consent because the contracting firm had an ownership change; the original agenda listed “Ardurra” but the actual party is Perteet (formerly Ardura). Councilmember Joselyn moved approval of the amendment (up to$50,000), noting it is a housekeeping item. Passed 5 -0.
• Council& Staff Concerns： Multiple councilmembers addressed community events and public safety. Councilmember Jocelyn highlighted the Haystack Festival( July10) and Block Party( July18), thanking staff for downtown events. Councilmember Tremolada urged reporting suspicious activity to police, noted an e -bike incident causing injury and pet death——suggesting council revisit the issue —and shared mental health statistics:29% of high school students reported poor mental health in the past30 days;19% of U.S. adults have been told by a doctor they have a depressive disorder. Councilmember Rustik praised the Block Party and Car Show( July19). Councilmember Koellen thanked the King County Sheriff for a helmet -incentive program, provided bear safety advice (stand firm, be loud; do not flee), and urged staying on trails. Councilmember Torguson noted the Trail Youth Coffee now opens at8 a.m., and suggested improved wayfinding signs for downtown parking based on public input. Acting City Administrator Chaw thanked staff for Block Party setup/cleanup, FEMA reimbursement work for2025 floods, the new CivicClerk Agenda Management Portal, Neo Gov payroll software, and the Business& Occupation Tax Online Portal. Mayor Miller announced Wildfire Ready Toolkits, the2027 Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle( proposals due October15), a yard waste recycling event( July25,8 a.m.–12 p.m.at Public Works), and a heat wave safety reminder.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved as amended (5-0).
• AB26-061 (Comcast franchise) advanced to second reading on August4,2026(5 -0).
• AB26-062 (Level3 franchise) advanced to second reading on August4,2026(5 -0).
• AB26-060 (Floodplain Management Support Amendment No.5 with Perteet) approved, amount not to exceed$50,000(5 -0).
• Next Steps:
  • Second readings for both franchise ordinances on August4,2026.
  • A workstudy discussion on the North Bend Bar and Grill/Plaza issue was suggested by the CED Committee.
  • The Sound Cities Association will send a letter urging King County Solid Waste to moderate fee increases.
  • A first meeting between North Bend and Fire District38 regarding a potential regional fire authority is scheduled for August13,2026.
  • Comprehensive plan amendment proposals due by October15,2026.
  • E -bike regulations may be revisited in the future.
• The city encourages residents to use the Wildfire Ready Toolkit and to participate in the July25 yard waste event.