Council adopts three measures: surplus equipment, secure‑connectivity agreement and curb grant application

At the meeting on Sept. 8, 2025, the City Council adopted three resolutions by voice vote: a resolution declaring certain city equipment surplus, a resolution authorizing a secure‑connectivity service agreement with Washington Technology Solutions (Watech), and a resolution authorizing the mayor to submit a curb grant application for up to $100,000 with a 20% match. Council members voted "Aye" on each measure and none opposed.

Resolution R25‑061 declared a set of city items surplus so they can be disposed of or sold; the list included one used pickup and related vehicle transmission concerns, miscellaneous wiring removed during wastewater treatment plant work, stainless UV lamps from the treatment process, two older blowers, four 17‑horse motors slated for future replacement in a lift station, a small home‑sized chipper, several string trimmers and older gate cameras. Staff noted the transmission cost on one vehicle was about $8,000 and recommended surplus disposition rather than repair. The motion was moved and seconded and carried on a voice vote.

Resolution R25‑066 authorizes the city to accept a Watech primary services agreement to provide a direct connection to the state government network and to replace the current VPN arrangement. Staff described a one‑time setup fee and monthly charge for the Watech service and estimated that decommissioning local servers and changing the VPN will save the city approximately $9,000 a year. The city indicated the recurring Watech cost would be roughly $285 per month plus a one‑time $500 fee; staff said the change will simplify management and speed VPN configuration tasks. The council moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by voice vote.

Resolution R25‑067 authorizes the mayor to submit a curb grant application (a joint economic development application with the Port) with a maximum grant amount of $100,000 and a required 20% match. Staff said the city and port would split the $20,000 match equally (about $10,000 each) if the grant is awarded. Council members clarified that the motion authorizes application only; authorizing the actual expenditure of matching funds would come later if the grant is approved. The council approved the application authorization by voice vote.

Next steps noted in the meeting: staff will proceed with disposal steps for surplus items, execute the Watech agreement and, if awarded, return to council to authorize the city share of the curb grant match.