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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Olympia City Council Meeting – January 7, 2026 (Discrepancy: Minutes state Jan 6)

City Council & Commissions — Wednesday, January 7, 2026

BodyOlympia, Washington

SessionCity Council & Commissions

DateWednesday, January 7, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:21:05

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:06

Good evening and welcome to the Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 regular business meeting of the Olympia City Council.

0:14

And happy new year.

0:15

This is the first meeting of the new year.

0:18

And so we are very excited for the work ahead for the city.

0:21

And thank you again for the opportunity to welcome us back and to represent you for the coming year.

0:28

So with that, I need a motion to approve tonight's agenda.

0:33

Move approval.

0:35

Second.

0:37

All those in favor of the agenda as published signify by saying aye.

0:40

Aye.

0:42

We have an agenda.

0:45

So I forgot to mention at the top, obviously, all council members are present, including Councilmember Vanderpool joining us by Zoom tonight.

0:53

So we're going to move on to our first item, which is special recognition.

0:58

Item 2A on our agenda, which is the swearing in ceremony of our newly elected and re-elected city council members.

1:05

And they are Clark Gilman for Olympia City Council position four, Kelly Green for Olympia City Council position five, Paul, excuse me, Robert Vanderpool for position six, and Paul Barrent for Council Position number seven, who is also our newest council member uh here on the dais tonight.

1:26

So uh we are gonna begin uh with our swearing in ceremony, beginning with position number four.

1:33

Uh but before we do, we're gonna have our uh council members join us right up here up front, um, they will take their oath.

1:40

Uh I do want to mention that the oath is this is ceremonial.

1:45

Uh these uh officials did take their official oath of office uh last month.

1:51

Uh and so uh this is for ceremonial purposes and to kick off the year with a celebration as well.

1:58

Uh so we're gonna begin with Councilmember Gilman, who has invited uh Mohammed El Sakari to uh administer his oath of office.

2:08

So Mohammed Councilmember Gilman.

2:28

I Clark Gilman, Clark Gilman.

2:32

Do solemnly affirm that I am a citizen of the United States.

2:36

Do solemnly affirm that I am a citizen of the United States.

2:40

And a resident of the state of Washington.

2:42

And a resident of the state of Washington.

2:44

That I will support the constitution and laws of the United States.

2:47

But I will support the constitution and laws of the United States.

2:51

And the constitution and laws of the state of Washington.

2:54

And the Constitution and Laws of the State of Washington.

2:57

As well as Olympia City Ordinances.

2:59

As well as Olympia City ordinances.

3:02

That I will advocate for all people in our community.

3:05

But I will advocate for all people in our community.

3:09

And I will stand for fairness and equity, and I will stand for fairness and equity.

3:15

And I will do the best of my knowledge, skill, and ability.

3:19

And I will do to the best of my judgment, skill, and ability.

3:23

Faithfully, diligently, and impartially perform the duties.

3:28

Faithfully.

3:30

Diligently.

3:30

Diligently and impartially fulfilled.

3:33

Perform the duties, the duties of the Office of City Council position number four.

3:39

Of the Office of Olympia City Council position number four.

3:44

In and for the city of Olympia, Washington.

3:47

In and for the City of Olympia, Washington.

3:50

As such duties are prescribed by law.

3:52

As such duties are prescribed by law.

3:54

And as you begin this term in service, I extend this hand of fellowship and friendship.

4:00

And thank you, Clark.

4:01

Shulkran.

4:02

Thank you.

4:14

Congratulations, Councilmember Gilman.

4:18

Um, and welcome, Mohammed.

4:20

Thank you for coming to swear him in this this evening.

4:24

Uh Councilmember Gilman, do you have a few words that you'd like to share?

4:30

Just this yesterday was the 10th anniversary of my first swearing in.

4:38

And I am so honored for the opportunity to continue to serve.

4:43

I am very proud of where Olympia has been and where we're at today.

4:49

And I look very much forward to working both with the community and with my colleagues on council.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural██████████████████████████████30%

Affordable Housing███████████████████19%

Urban Agriculture██████████████14%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Traffic Safety█████████9%

Housing And Homelessness███3%

Community Engagement███3%

Tenant Screening██2%

Technology and Innovation██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Olympia City Council Meeting – January 7, 2026

Note: The meeting minutes and transcript indicate the meeting took place on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, but the provided date is January 7, 2026. This summary uses the given date but notes the discrepancy.

The Olympia City Council held its first regular meeting of 2026, starting at 6:00 PM and adjourning at 8:21 PM. The meeting included the ceremonial swearing-in of four newly elected councilmembers, public testimony on food system planning and tenant screening, approval of consent items, a 5–2 vote on a tenant screening ordinance, and unanimous referral of speed enforcement cameras and a food system plan to committee and staff.

Swearing-In of Newly Elected Councilmembers

Councilmembers Clark Gilman (Position 4), Kelly Green (Position 5), Robert Vanderpool (Position 6), and Paul Berendt (Position 7) were ceremonially sworn in. They had officially taken office on November 25, 2025. Each shared brief remarks thanking the community and expressing eagerness to serve. Existing council members welcomed them.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved unanimously (7–0) as a block, with Item 4E pulled for separate action:
- Adoption of December 16, 2025 meeting minutes.
- Approval of recommended updates to the City Council Guidebook.
- Renewal and extension of a lease agreement with Great India Cuisine for city-owned property at 116 4th Avenue West.
- Authorization of an agreement with Thurston County for paramedic services.

Public Comments & Testimony

Grace Fletcher (Olympia resident) expressed support for developing a strong local food system plan. She proposed expanding community gardens with dedicated plots for food banks, coordinating fruit tree harvesting, and supporting community fridges. She noted that investing in food access strengthens public safety and social cohesion.
Heather Spratlin (landlord/property manager) voiced opposition to proposed changes to tenant screening practices in Olympia Municipal Code 5.82. She argued the changes place burdens on small local landlords and would not address root issues. She suggested alternatives such as requiring clear alternative identification documents and offering tenant financial literacy programs.
John Ficker (Executive Director, Thurston County Food Bank) thanked the council for recent funding and reported that visits have increased nearly 30% (with 25% of total visits being first‑time users). He expressed concern about declining federal funding and urged the council to include the food bank in planning for a food system plan.
Peter Gutchen (Vice President, Northeast Neighborhood Association) strongly supported Councilmember Madrone’s request for a study session on a comprehensive food system plan. He described the Joy Food Forest (over 300 edible plants) and the community’s readiness to partner with the city.
Councilmembers responded, thanking speakers and acknowledging the passion for food system work and tenant protection issues.

Discussion Items

Tenant Screening Ordinance (Item 4E): Council debated an ordinance amending OMC 5.82 to require landlords to accept alternative forms of identity (e.g., ITIN, birth certificate) and to cap income-to-rent screening at 2.5 times the rent plus utilities. Councilmember Berendt opposed, arguing it would burden small landlords, was unenforceable, and could incentivize property conversion to Airbnbs. Councilmember Madrone countered that the ordinance helps tenants who are currently screened out by large property managers and aligns with the city’s sanctuary policies. Mayor Pro Tem Huỳnh noted the need for data on impacts. The ordinance passed 5–2, with Councilmembers Green and Berendt voting no.
Approval of 2026 City Council Retreat Agenda (Item 6A): City Manager Burney presented the retreat agenda (January 9–10, 2026). Day One (Friday, Jan 9, noon–5:00 PM) includes tribal sovereignty training, committee assignments, and working agreements. Day Two (Saturday, Jan 10, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM) includes priority‑based budgeting, the 2026 work plan, community survey discussion, and a drum circle activity. The agenda was approved unanimously.
Election of Mayor Pro Tem (Item 6B): Mayor Payne opened nominations. Councilmember Madrone nominated current Mayor Pro Tem Yến Huỳnh. No other nominations were made. Huỳnh accepted and was unanimously elected to serve a two‑year term. Councilmembers praised her leadership and partnership with the mayor.
Referral on Speed Enforcement Cameras (Item 8A): Councilmember Green introduced a referral to research designing a speed safety camera program, noting a rise in pedestrian fatalities and a recent sheriff’s operation that issued 15 tickets in a school zone in 25 minutes. Councilmembers raised concerns about equity, privacy, and the distinction from Flock cameras. Gilman urged broader discussion of road design (e.g., narrowing lanes) as a more permanent solution. The referral was unanimously approved for addition to the 2026 Community Livability and Public Safety Committee work plan.
Referral on Olympia Food System Plan (Item 8B): Councilmember Madrone presented a referral to develop a comprehensive food system plan. She emphasized the need for tangible actions, not just a document, and noted that many community organizations (Food Bank, conservation district, neighborhood associations) already have data and are ready to collaborate. Councilmembers expressed strong support, citing affordability, resilience against supply disruptions, and the opportunity to learn from Tumwater’s existing efforts. The referral was unanimously approved for staff to incorporate into the 2026 City Council Work Plan.

Key Outcomes

Consent calendar adopted (unanimous, minus 4E).
Ordinance amending tenant screening practices (OMC 5.82) approved on a 5–2 vote.
2026 City Council Retreat agenda approved (unanimous).
Councilmember Yến Huỳnh unanimously re‑elected Mayor Pro Tem.
Referral to study speed enforcement cameras added to the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee work plan (unanimous).
Referral to develop a local food system plan added to the 2026 City Council Work Plan (unanimous).
City Manager Burney reported that Oly on Ice attendance is up 10% year‑over‑year and revenues increased, with a week and a half left in the season.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 regular business meeting of the Olympia City Council. And happy new year. This is the first meeting of the new year. And so we are very excited for the work ahead for the city. And thank you again for the opportunity to welcome us back and to represent you for the coming year. So with that, I need a motion to approve tonight's agenda. Move approval. Second. All those in favor of the agenda as published signify by saying aye. Aye. We have an agenda. So I forgot to mention at the top, obviously, all council members are present, including Councilmember Vanderpool joining us by Zoom tonight. So we're going to move on to our first item, which is special recognition. Item 2A on our agenda, which is the swearing in ceremony of our newly elected and re-elected city council members. And they are Clark Gilman for Olympia City Council position four, Kelly Green for Olympia City Council position five, Paul, excuse me, Robert Vanderpool for position six, and Paul Barrent for Council Position number seven, who is also our newest council member uh here on the dais tonight. So uh we are gonna begin uh with our swearing in ceremony, beginning with position number four. Uh but before we do, we're gonna have our uh council members join us right up here up front, um, they will take their oath. Uh I do want to mention that the oath is this is ceremonial. Uh these uh officials did take their official oath of office uh last month. Uh and so uh this is for ceremonial purposes and to kick off the year with a celebration as well. Uh so we're gonna begin with Councilmember Gilman, who has invited uh Mohammed El Sakari to uh administer his oath of office. So Mohammed Councilmember Gilman. I Clark Gilman, Clark Gilman. Do solemnly affirm that I am a citizen of the United States. Do solemnly affirm that I am a citizen of the United States. And a resident of the state of Washington. And a resident of the state of Washington. That I will support the constitution and laws of the United States. But I will support the constitution and laws of the United States. And the constitution and laws of the state of Washington. And the Constitution and Laws of the State of Washington. As well as Olympia City Ordinances. As well as Olympia City ordinances. That I will advocate for all people in our community. But I will advocate for all people in our community. And I will stand for fairness and equity, and I will stand for fairness and equity. And I will do the best of my knowledge, skill, and ability. And I will do to the best of my judgment, skill, and ability. Faithfully, diligently, and impartially perform the duties. Faithfully. Diligently. Diligently and impartially fulfilled. Perform the duties, the duties of the Office of City Council position number four. Of the Office of Olympia City Council position number four. In and for the city of Olympia, Washington. In and for the City of Olympia, Washington. As such duties are prescribed by law. As such duties are prescribed by law. And as you begin this term in service, I extend this hand of fellowship and friendship. And thank you, Clark.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
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