Enumclaw council moves YBRS surcharge repeal to committee, approves insurance change and EV charging site-host agreement

The Enumclaw City Council on March 24 held a public hearing on Ordinance 2807 (repeal of the YBRS water-rate surcharge), then voted to untable the ordinance and referred it to the Public Works Committee so staff can hold a community meeting and report back.

During the hearing the city clerk read Ordinance 2807 by title. Public Works Director Brian Spindor said the city will host a community meeting on March 26 for residents of the affected area. Council discussion noted two resident positions: some want the city to assume the system fully and end the surcharge; others want the dedicated funds to remain committed to local projects in the YBRS area. Council member Wright said the committee will consider whether to keep the funds segregated or fold them into the utility balance after the community meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 2807 (repeal YBRS water-rate surcharge): motion to untable approved; subsequent motion to refer Ordinance 2807 to the Public Works Committee until after the public meeting was approved (moved to committee). No final repeal vote recorded. - Ordinance 2808 (right-of-way permit insurance requirements): approved on second reading. The ordinance amends Enumclaw Municipal Code to align commercial general liability and umbrella insurance limits for right-of-way construction permits with Washington Cities Insurance Authority guidance; staff said permits may still be pulled with $1,000,000 general liability and a $1,000,000 umbrella. - Resolution 1836 (EV direct-current fast-charging station site-host agreement): approved. The resolution authorizes the mayor to sign a site-host agreement with EV Charging Solutions Inc. for a preferred city parking-lot site on First Street; the company will install and operate the equipment, pay the city a revenue share (5¢ per kWh) and assumes infrastructure costs and maintenance. Council members said the company estimates city revenue of roughly $200–$400 per month; a permit feasibility check with Puget Sound Energy was pending.

Consent and public works contracts: the council approved the consent agenda, which included award of the 2025 hard-surface repair project to Strickland & Sons (base amount reported at $575,000; contingency and final total in packet) and a pavement-preservation overlay project with an estimated total cost of $651,761; the Transportation Improvement Board will reimburse the city for 85% of that overlay project and staff reported an additional $200,000 from REET in the funding plan.

Council also discussed a draft letter to the Department of Ecology about the city’s wastewater treatment plant discharge permit and signaled intent to question the permit’s flow assumptions if state responses are not satisfactory.

What was decided: Ordinance 2807 was not repealed tonight; it was untabled and sent to the Public Works Committee for further public engagement. Ordinance 2808 and Resolution 1836 were approved by council vote. Several public-works projects moved forward on the consent agenda with contract awards and funding sources noted.

Ending: The council recessed into a 10-minute executive session and then adjourned at 8:20 p.m.