Council approves utility rate study consultant, IT statement of work and fire monitoring; reappoints tree board member

The Green River City Council on (date of meeting) approved several administrative contracts and appointments and recessed to an executive session at the end of the meeting.

Votes at a glance: - Agenda approval (motion to approve agenda with an executive session to discuss litigation, no action to be taken): Moved by Councilman Berg, seconded by Councilwoman Mazur; vote: unanimous — motion carries. - Reappointment of Kathy Hemker to the Green River Tree Board for a three-year term beginning Feb. 4, 2025 and expiring Feb. 4, 2028: Moved by Councilwoman Mazur, seconded (recorded); vote: unanimous — motion carries; appointment confirmed. - Statement of work with IT1 Source LLC for a data-center assessment: Moved by Councilman Kilpach, seconded by Councilman Williams; vote: unanimous — motion carries. Staff said IT1 will review server stacks, map infrastructure, and recommend server-cluster options ahead of planned server replacement. - Authorization to contract New Gen Strategies & Solutions to perform an updated utility rate study ($47,500): Moved by Councilman Kilpach, seconded by Councilman Berg; vote: 5 in favor, 1 opposed (Councilman Williams); outcome: motion approved. Council discussion included whether to outsource the study or complete analysis in-house and concerns about the study’s timing and cost; staff and supporters said an independent third-party study provides impartiality and will incorporate recent material changes to project cost, grant funding, and usage trends. - One‑year agreement with State Fire DC Specialties LLC for fire-alarm monitoring at the new wastewater treatment plant ($45/month): Moved by Councilman Shetter, seconded (recorded); vote: unanimous — motion carries. Staff said State Fire installed the system and monitoring will call the fire department and city staff if alarms trigger. - Consent agenda and motions to adjourn to executive session were approved by voice votes (motions and seconds recorded; no opposed votes recorded on consent items). The meeting adjourned to executive session for litigation discussion; council said no action would be taken after the session.

Ending: Councilmembers raised questions about the utility rate study’s timing and cost; staff said the updated study is intended to reflect large recent changes in project scope, inflation and grant assumptions and to provide a defensible, independent roadmap for rate planning. The council authorized staff to proceed with the named consultants and contracts pending legal review when noted in motion language.