Council to form ordinance committee to review noxious-weed ordinance, fire mitigation and contractor referral language

City staff and councilmembers agreed Feb. 3 to convene an ordinance committee to revisit the city’s noxious-weed ordinance and related processes for enforcement and fire mitigation. Building official Robert Thompson requested the committee meet to consider adopting the county’s noxious-weed list and to review how the city will proceed with enforcement letters and legal approaches.

Councilmembers raised fire mitigation as a related priority and asked the committee to consider whether the ordinance should include fire-risk language in addition to a noxious-weed list. Staff said their attorney has been assisting in reshaping the enforcement letter language to address legal limits and protect property-owner rights.

Separately, council discussed a referral requirement tied to procurement. The council reviewed a request to consult MRSC (Municipal Research and Services Center) and to consider revising procurement language related to RCW requirements that currently prioritize the lowest bid. One councilmember asked to add language that would require positive referrals from three references rather than only completion verification; staff indicated they have already contacted relevant parties and would add the item to the ordinance committee agenda.

The council set the ordinance committee membership (councilmembers Lauren Meeker, "Ellie" as named in the meeting, and Mylan Walling) and asked staff to schedule the committee meeting. The committee will report back to full council with recommendations.