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Snoqualmie council directs staff to seek North Bend transfer of law-enforcement authority to Snoqualmie police
Summary
After an executive session on potential litigation, the Snoqualmie City Council voted to direct staff to begin negotiations — up to and including litigation — seeking that North Bend confer law-enforcement authority to Snoqualmie Police Officers after May 31, 2025, and to pursue reimbursement for policing during the termination period.
At its May meeting, the Snoqualmie City Council voted to direct staff to begin negotiations, up to and including litigation, to have North Bend confer law-enforcement authority to Snoqualmie Police Officers after May 31, 2025, and to seek reimbursement for police services during the termination period.
The action followed an executive session called under Washington law to discuss legal matters. City Attorney Dina Burke told the council the session was held pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), which allows executive sessions to consult with legal counsel on potential litigation. Attending the closed session were Burke; City Administrator Mike Chambliss; Finance Director Drew Bote; Interim Police Chief Gary Hirase; Budget Manager Janet Walker; and outside counsel Jeremy Roller.
A council member reconvening the meeting said, “Snoqualmie is fully committed to protecting the residents of both cities,” and moved that staff be directed to start all necessary steps — “from negotiation up to and including litigation” — to obtain the transfer of law-enforcement authority after May 31, 2025, and to seek reimbursement for police services during the termination period. A second was given; the motion passed after members voted aloud “aye.”
Council members had earlier voted to excuse Mayor Pro Tem Brian Holloway and Council Member Washington while they were expected to arrive later. The executive session was announced as lasting roughly an hour and was extended several times before the council returned to open session.
The council’s motion is procedural: it directs staff to pursue legal and negotiation steps. The transcript records that the council authorized staff to pursue negotiations and potential litigation but does not record any specific agreement from North Bend or an executed interlocal agreement. The motion’s text also directs staff to seek “appropriate reimbursement for police services during [the] termination period,” but the council did not specify reimbursement amounts or a timetable for completion.
No roll-call vote tally appears in the meeting record; members voted verbally and the chair declared the motion passed. The council adjourned immediately after the vote.
What the council approved: staff direction to begin negotiation and, if necessary, litigation seeking (1) that North Bend confer law-enforcement authority to Snoqualmie Police Officers after 05/31/2025 and (2) reimbursement for policing during the termination period. The meeting record does not show any formal agreement with North Bend, dollar amounts, or a staff report with implementation steps.
