North Bend City Council Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026

Mayor Miller called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at North Bend City Hall. Councilmembers Joselyn, Koellen, McFarland, Torguson, and Tremolada were present; Councilmembers Elwood and Rustik were excused. The council approved the agenda, processed the consent calendar, heard public comment and committee reports, and voted unanimously on two action items. The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the August 4, 2026 City Council meeting and the July 28, 2026 workstudy session.
• Approved payroll of August 5, 2026 (warrants 79271–79276) in the amount of $416,491.78.
• Approved checks of August 18, 2026 (warrants 79268–79270 and 79277–79336) in the amount of $1,297,422.64.
• Approved AB26-069, authorizing Supplement No. 2 with KPFF for the North Bend Way/Mt Si Road Roundabout Project.

All consent items passed 5-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Debra Landers, representing North Bend Art & Industry, announced the Art in Nature Walk with 13 days remaining, the September 12 Snoqualmie Valley Art Studio Tour, and the September 19 Art Supply Swap. She introduced new youth board member Evy Sinclair and expressed support for local arts and youth leadership.

Commission & Committee Reports

• Community & Economic Development Committee (Torguson): Reviewed unit lot subdivision and lot-splitting code updates, Snoqualmie Valley School District impact fees tiered by bedroom count, the Adventure North Bend website maintenance contract, and July economic development activity. The Wyndham Hotel project is in pre-construction.
• Transportation & Public Works Committee (Koellen): Discussed roundabout-related agreements, a water supply amendment, and federal construction funding resolutions for the North Bend Way/Mt Si Road roundabout and Tanner Trail extension.
• Public Health & Safety Committee (Koellen, for Elwood): Heard updates from Eastside Fire and Rescue and Police Chief Hall, including June (654) and July (605) calls for service, e-bike/e-motorcycle enforcement, and outlet mall larceny issues.
• Finance & Administration Committee (McFarland, for Rustik): Reported a clean state audit, a favorable June budget status report, and continued work toward the next biennial budget.
• Planning Commission (Henderson): Recommended parking regulation amendments after an August 5 public hearing and will consider capital facilities element amendments on September 2.
• Parks Commission and Economic Development Commission: Did not meet in July; next meetings are August 26 and August 27, respectively.
• Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee (Torguson): Held its inaugural joint meeting August 13 with Fire District 38; next meeting is August 27.
• Chamber update: A general election candidate forum is planned for October 13 at the North Bend Theater; Best of the Valley nominations close August 27.

Discussion and Action Items

AB26-070 – Parametrix Supplement No. 2 for South Fork Avenue Extension and Starfish Roundabout Projects

Public Works Director Tom Mohr presented the request for a $225,938.70 supplement to the design contract with Parametrix. The agenda title included the apparent typo “South Tom Mohr Fork Ave. Extension,” while staff and minutes consistently referred to the South Fork Avenue Extension and the North Bend Way/Northwest 8th Street (Starfish) Roundabout Projects. The supplement covers additional environmental analysis and permitting, including work related to 6PPD from tire wear affecting salmon and orcas, separating approximately 150-sheet plan sets, and right-of-way services involving a King County Conservation Futures land exchange at the Tollgate property. Mohr noted total project construction is about $9.6 million, design costs are about 14.5% of construction (below the 15–18% target), and bidding the roundabout a year early may save 5–10%, or roughly $180,000–$360,000. Councilmember Koellen moved approval, expressing support that the project will help city traffic and trucking routes. The motion passed 5-0.

AB26-071 – Parks Element Amendments for 2026 Comprehensive Plan Update

Planning Manager Mike McCarty presented the resolution approving amendments to the Parks Element. The review process began in January with the Parks Commission, followed by a May 28 public workshop and a June 17 joint public hearing with the Parks and Planning Commissions. Amendments revise level-of-service standards, including a new multi-use trail standard; incorporate Snoqualmie Tribe docket requests; update capital facility projects; and update maps. Both commissions recommended approval, with the Parks Commission also recommending development of a new parks, recreation, and open space plan next time, and the Planning Commission recommending a future review of pool level-of-service standards. Project Belay and a south-city park acquisition were added to the capital facilities plan to preserve park impact fee options. Councilmember Joselyn noted the significance of revisions responding to Snoqualmie Tribe comments, and Mayor Miller cautioned about the maintenance costs of park assets. The resolution (Resolution 2191) passed 5-0.

Mayor, Council & Administrator Concerns

• Councilmember McFarland described wildfire devastation seen in Spokane, urged caution in dry conditions, and referenced the Billy Joel song “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”
• Councilmember Joselyn reported a malicious mischief incident in which a vehicle displaying a Snoqualmie Tribe flag had five tires punctured, expressed outrage, and urged community members to care for one another.
• Councilmember Torguson echoed wildfire concerns, noted the Snoqualmie Tribe’s Tuesday gas price of $3.99/gallon in August, and asked for improved packet formatting.
• Councilmember Koellen urged caution with increased wildlife in town.
• Councilmember Tremolada announced the Si View Metropolitan Park District ribbon-cutting on August 27 at 3:30 p.m. and shared mental-health statistics: 42% of adults experience loneliness at least weekly, including 16% daily, up almost 10% from last year; more than one in four Americans have talked to a mental health professional in the past year; and 60% report less stigma than 10 years ago.
• City Administrator Emery thanked summer IT intern Rishé Pierre and provided a wildfire preparedness update, including CERT and planning for vulnerable populations, following outreach from the Seattle Times.
• Mayor Miller announced: 2027 Comprehensive Plan amendment proposals are due October 15 at 4:30 p.m.; a Stage 2 burn ban has been in effect since August 7; Stage 1 water conservation restrictions began August 15; and residents should practice outdoor recreation preparedness with the “10 essentials.”

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved 5-0.
• Consent calendar approved 5-0.
• AB26-070 approved 5-0, authorizing a contract supplement not to exceed $225,938.70 with Parametrix.
• AB26-071 / Resolution 2191 approved 5-0, approving the Parks Element Amendments for the 2026 North Bend Comprehensive Plan Update.
• Future referrals: unit lot/lot splitting and Adventure North Bend contract items on September 1; school district impact fees on September 15 with a public hearing; Regional Fire Authority committee next meets August 27; Planning Commission next meets September 2.
• The council voted to adjourn at 7:58 p.m.