North Bend City Council Meeting - November 3, 2026

On November 3, 2026, the North Bend City Council met at 7:00 PM at City Hall. Mayor Mary Miller presided, with five council members present (Councilmembers Jocelyn and Torgeson absent and excused). The meeting included proclamations, a presentation, public hearings, and action on multiple agenda items. All consent calendar items and most main agenda items were approved unanimously, except for a criminal justice tax ordinance which was tabled to June 2027.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously approved: October 20, 2026 meeting minutes; payroll warrants 79655–79658 totaling $406,523.52; checks 79659–79719 totaling $1,003,341.17; Resolution AB26-099 accepting the SR-202 Sidewalk Gap Project; Ordinance AB26-100 amending NBMC 14.12.130(B) for floodplain management; Motion AB26-101 authorizing a contract with Otak for city project review; Motion AB26-102 authorizing a contract with G&O for design of the South Fork Lift Station Rehabilitation Project.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during audience participation, either in person or online.

Proclamations

• Encompass Day Proclamation: Mayor Miller proclaimed November 9, 2026 as Encompass Day in Carnation, Duvall, North Bend, and Snoqualmie, celebrating Encompass’s 60th anniversary. Nella Cunningham, Executive Director, accepted and outlined a strategic goal to serve every child in the valley needing pediatric therapy or early learning by 2030, estimating an additional 1,000 children per year.
• Gold Star Families City Proclamation: Mayor Miller designated North Bend as a Gold Star Families City. Monica and Patricia, representatives of Gold Star Families of Washington, spoke about the importance of the designation and their personal connections to North Bend.

Presentation

• Empower Youth Network: Executive Director Helene Wentink presented the organization’s work in youth suicide prevention (559 middle school students in North Bend received “How to Help a Friend” training in 2026), substance use prevention (755 North Bend students exposed to campaigns), mentoring (30 youth in North Bend with mentors, 25 adult mentors from the city), youth engagement activities, and resource coordination (10 North Bend families served in 2026). Council commended the shift from fear-based to health-focused messaging.

Discussion Items

• AB26-103 – Criminal Justice Tax (0.1% Sales Tax): Finance Director Martin Chaw introduced an ordinance to impose a 0.1% criminal justice sales tax, estimated to generate $330,000 annually to partially offset rising police costs (from $2.8 million in 2025 to $5.1 million by 2028). Councilmember McFarland moved to table the ordinance to the second council meeting in June 2027, citing the need to evaluate other pending tax measures (levy lid lift, fire services RFA). The motion passed unanimously.
• AB26-104 – Meadowbrook ULID No. 7 Bond Anticipation Note Refinance: Deputy Finance Director Elaine Morse and bond counsel Deanna Gregory explained the refinancing of a $1.2 million design bond anticipation note and a $7.5 million construction note into one note at a fixed rate of 5.60%, extending maturity to September 1, 2027. The ordinance was approved unanimously on first and final reading.
• AB26-105 – 2026 Comprehensive Plan Amendments: Planning Director Mike McCarty presented amendments to the parks element (new multi-use trail standard, policy revisions) and capital facilities element (updated police contract, functional plan updates). These elements had been adopted by resolution earlier (Resolution 2191 on August 18 and Resolution 2198 on October 6). The ordinance adopting the amendments was approved unanimously.
• AB26-106 – 710 Pump Station Stream Restoration Design Contract: Public Works Director Tom Mohr described storm damage in December 2025 that caused erosion behind the 710 pump station. A contract with Gray & Osborne for design services (not to exceed $382,874, with 75% FEMA reimbursement) was recommended. Initial emergency repairs were completed. Council also noted that staff will contact DNR regarding potential sedimentation from logging. The motion was approved unanimously.

Mayor, Council & Administrator Concerns

• Councilmember McFarland urged vigilance in election counting.
• Councilmember Elwood reported that Eastside Fire & Rescue covers 80% of technical rescue calls and received over 1,100 applicants for 14 positions; crime at the outlet mall is down 60%; and Chief Hall introduced the Blue Bridge program allowing officers to use donated funds on debit cards to assist people in need.
• Councilmember Cullen thanked Jennifer Kirk for her work at Reclaim, a shelter service for the Snoqualmie Valley.
• Councilmember Restick highlighted a Seattle Times article on unintended consequences of affordable housing policies in Seattle.
• Mayor Pro Tem Tremulata reminded residents to prepare for winter storms and support local businesses.
• Administrator Amber Emory announced a fall emergency management town hall on winter preparedness.
• Mayor Miller announced the third annual Holiday Window Fest (Nov 13), the Friends of the North Bend Library holiday bazaar (Nov 21), and encouraged clearing storm drains. She thanked staff and shared that 125 fourth graders visited city hall.

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar and all main agenda items except AB26-103 were approved unanimously.
• AB26-103 (criminal justice tax) was tabled to the second council meeting in June 2027.
• AB26-104 (bond refinance), AB26-105 (comprehensive plan amendments), and AB26-106 (pump station design contract) were approved on first and final reading.
• FEMA will reimburse 75% of the $382,874 design cost for the 710 pump station restoration.