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Council approves consent agenda; resident raises concerns about transfer of $17.5 million fire station asset
Summary
Washougal City Council approved a six-item consent agenda by unanimous consent March 10. During public comment, Anthony Mitsidis urged the council to provide more information about a proposed transfer of a $17,500,000 fire station asset to a regional fire authority and warned it could affect the city's balance sheet and borrowing capacity.
The Washougal City Council unanimously approved its consent agenda, consisting of six items, at the March 10 meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Fritz moved to accept the consent agenda "as presented unanimously" and a council member identified as Paul seconded; no roll-call vote was recorded during the meeting minutes.
During public comment prior to the vote, Anthony Mitsidis addressed the council about an upcoming regional fire authority plan and raised questions about the planned transfer of a recently capitalized fire station. "Fire station, I think, is a very positive move that we, we capitalized in November. That's $17,500,000," Mitsidis said, asking the council to provide more information on the proposed transfer of the asset to the regional fire authority and how that transfer might affect the city's balance sheet and credit position.
Mitsidis said he was concerned the city would remain liable for debt payments while the benefits of the asset could extend beyond the city to a broader regional authority. "I worry that that might jeopardize our balance sheet in terms of our position to take on bonds and our credit rating with our investors," he said, and he asked for more public information and staff follow-up so patrons understand the fiscal implications.
Council members did not take formal action on the issue during the meeting; staff indicated city personnel could follow up with the commenter after the meeting. The consent agenda items were approved and the meeting moved to reports and communications.
The meeting packet lists the consent agenda as items a through f; details of those individual items were not read into the record during the public meeting and are not specified in the transcript.
No ordinances, resolutions or formal transfers related to the fire station were passed at the March 10 meeting; Mitsidis' comments were recorded as public comment only.
