North Bend City Council Meeting – September 15, 2026

The North Bend City Council met on September 15, 2026, at 7:00 PM at City Hall, 920 SE Cedar Falls Way. Mayor Miller presided. Councilmembers Elwood, Joselyn, Koellen, Rustik, Torguson, and Tremolada were present; Councilmember McFarland was excused. The meeting included the consent calendar, committee reports, and introductions for five action items (AB26-081 through AB26-085), all of which passed unanimously by 6-0 votes. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved for the City Council Meeting of September 1, 2026, and the City Council Work Study of August 25, 2026.
• Payroll: Approved for September 4, 2026, in the amount of $411,303.35.
• AB26-079 / AB26-080 (Utility Rate Discounts): Approved ordinances amending the North Bend Municipal Code and the Taxes, Rates & Fees Schedule to provide a discounted residential utility rate for low-income senior citizens and disabled customers residing outside the city limits.
• Item #3 (Checks): Councilmember Torguson pulled this item for discussion to confirm that a $7,500 quarterly payment to North Bend Art & Industry was included and properly authorized. Following clarification from the Deputy Finance Director, the item was approved 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comments during the Audience Participation portion of the meeting.
• No testimony was provided during the public hearing for Ordinance AB26-081 (School Impact Fees).

Discussion Items

• AB26-081: School Impact Fees Ordinance: Senior Planner Jamie Burrell introduced the ordinance. Ryan Stokes, Assistant Superintendent of the Snoqualmie Valley School District, presented the district's updated Capital Facilities Plan, which includes a rebuild of North Bend Elementary School. The new fee schedule responds to state law changes requiring six fee categories based on housing type and bedroom count, moving from an annual to a biennial update cycle. Fees for smaller single-family homes (2 bedrooms or less) will decrease under the new structure, while fees for larger homes (3+ bedrooms) will increase. Councilmembers engaged in significant deliberation. Councilmember Rustik confirmed the fees apply only to new development burdens. Councilmember Joselyn supported the “growth pays for growth” principle and stressed the need to advocate for future school bond measures. Councilmember Tremolada expressed skepticism about state growth management projections but supported the ordinance. Councilmember Torguson voiced concerns regarding the cumulative tax burden on residents but ultimately approved the measure. The motion passed 6-0.

• AB26-082: SCORE Jail Services Interlocal Agreement Amendment: City Administrator Amber Emery presented a recommendation to shift the city’s primary misdemeanor jail booking from the City of Issaquah to SCORE. The city was paying approximately $25,000 per month for five guaranteed beds at Issaquah that were underutilized. Additionally, Issaquah frequently declined bookings for medical reasons, forcing officers to take detainees to the hospital and then to SCORE anyway, wasting significant staff time. The new agreement provides a lower daily rate ($78.75 vs. over $100) and robust virtual court services. The motion passed 6-0. The city will issue a 90-day notice to terminate the Issaquah contract.

• AB26-083: FHWA RTCC Grant for North Bend Way / Mt Si Road Roundabout: Public Works Director Tom Mohr presented a resolution accepting a federal grant of just over $2 million for roundabout construction. The city’s match is $346,000, funded by transportation impact fees and transportation benefit district funds. Councilmember Elwood praised the favorable grant match ratio. Construction is planned for 2027 or 2028. The motion passed 6-0.

• AB26-084: FHWA TAP Grant for Tanner Trail Extension: Public Works Director Mohr presented a resolution accepting a federal grant of just over $1.18 million to extend the Tanner Trail from the Public Works entrance to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail crossing. The local match is $184,000. Councilmember Joselyn highlighted the benefits of connecting downtown to the regional trail network and commended staff for securing the grant. Construction is planned for 2028. The motion passed 6-0.

• AB26-085: Collective Bargaining Agreement (Office, Clerical & Technical Employees): Administrative Services Director Lisa Escobar presented the ratified CBA with Teamsters Local 763 covering 12 employees. The agreement provides cost-of-living salary increases and matches the longevity bonus structure of the public works department. The motion passed 6-0.

Key Outcomes

• All five main agenda items (AB26-081 through AB26-085) were approved by unanimous 6-0 votes.
• The City Council authorized the mayor to execute the SCORE jail services amendment and was informed of the city’s plan to terminate the contract with the City of Issaquah jail.
• Upcoming events highlighted by Mayor Miller and City Administrator Emery included: a Community Shred Event on September 19, a Police Chief meet-up on September 16, a Town Hall on e-bikes/scooters/motorcycles on October 6, and the North Bend Blues Walk on October 3.
• Councilmember Joselyn’s suggestion for informational signage at active city capital projects was positively received and is being explored by staff.