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Woodland Council approves ordinance first reading and two police MOUs; routine agenda items pass unanimously
Summary
At its Feb. 18, 2025 meeting the Woodland City Council voted to excuse two members, approved routine consent items and passed the first reading of Ordinance 15‑70 (amending WMC 13.04.024) and two memoranda of understanding with the Woodland Police Officers Association.
WOODLAND, Wash. — The Woodland City Council took multiple procedural and personnel votes during its Feb. 18 meeting, approving the first reading of an ordinance on irrigation service suspension for nonprofit organizations and authorizing two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Woodland Police Officers Association (WPOA).
Votes and outcomes
- Motion to excuse Council members Rounds and Dowdy: Motion made by Council member Hall, seconded by Council member Friend. Vote recorded by the clerk: Council member Burke — Aye; Council member Hall — Aye; Council member Friend — Aye; Council member Houston — Aye; Council member Freimark — Aye. Outcome: approved.
- Approve agenda: Motion by Council member Burke, seconded by Council member Freimark. Vote: unanimous (Burke, Hall, Freimark, Houston, Friend — Aye). Outcome: approved.
- Approve minutes (Feb. 3, 2025): Motion by Council member Houston, seconded by Council member Burke. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Approve vouchers for February: Motion by Council member Houston, seconded by Council member Friend. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
- Ordinance 15‑70, amending WMC 13.04.024 (nonprofit suspension of irrigation services): Motion to approve at first reading (maker and seconder not specified on the record). Roll call votes: Council member Freimark — Aye; Council member Houston — Aye; Council member Hall — Aye; Council member Burke — Aye; Council member Friend — Aye. Outcome: first reading approved; final reading scheduled for a subsequent meeting.
- Authorize mayor to sign MOU with the Woodland Police Officers Association for a peer review process for promotional evaluations for sergeant: Motion made and seconded. Roll call: Hall — Aye; Burke — Aye; Friend — Aye; Houston — Aye; Freimark — Aye. Outcome: approved.
- Authorize mayor to sign MOU with the Woodland Police Officers Association to protect promotional opportunities for WPOA officers and members (re‑entry into the guild if promoted to non‑represented positions): Motion made and seconded. Roll call: Friend — Aye; Freimark — Aye; Hall — Aye; Burke — Aye; (Houston recorded earlier) — Aye. Outcome: approved.
What the MOUs do
City staff said the MOUs were requested by the union (the “guild”) to give represented officers a voice in promotional processes and an opportunity to return to association membership if they later move back into represented positions. The mayor and police chief said the agreements are intended to support internal promotions and retain institutional knowledge.
Procedure and context
City clerk Amanda conducted roll call votes on each motion. The council recorded no opposed votes for any listed items on the Feb. 18 consent and action calendars.
The council’s approval of Ordinance 15‑70 was a first reading; staff said the change will allow nonprofit irrigators such as Lilac Farms to apply for annual suspension of irrigation services and be placed on notice of nonuse following the required process. Final adoption will require a subsequent council vote.
Formal actions recorded at the meeting were motions approved by majority or unanimous roll call; no ordinance adoptions or final budget decisions were made on Feb. 18.
