Sunnyside council approves plats, personnel contracts, investments and interlocal agreements in 9/22 meeting

The Sunnyside City Council on Sept. 22 approved a series of resolutions including the Fairview Heights preliminary plat, a finance director employment agreement, delegation and reinvestment of funds in the Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP), renewal of a GEMT consulting contract, several interlocal agreements and a temporary limit on city manager spending authority.

The actions were taken during a regularly scheduled meeting at Sunnyside City Hall where two council members were excused. Most votes were unanimous or recorded as majority approval; one councilor abstained on the municipal-court interlocal agreement with the City of Toppenish.

The council first adopted the consent agenda, approving payroll and claim vouchers and wire transfers for the period ending Sept. 22, 2025.

Among the resolutions the council approved:

- Fairview Heights preliminary plat: The council approved a resolution adopting the planning commission—s recommendation and approving the preliminary plat for Fairview Heights, a proposed 17-lot subdivision on about 3.51 acres in the R-2 zoning district near Fairview Avenue and North Sixth Street. Planner Joseph Calhoun (HLA) summarized the application, noting a mitigated SEPA determination and planning-commission conditions. Motion: "Move to approve the resolution." (mover recorded as Councilor Hart; second recorded). Recorded roll-call includes named yes votes by Councilors Hart, Ripley and Hancock; the motion carried.

- Finance director employment agreement: The council authorized the interim city manager to execute an employment agreement with Monica Hofstadter to serve as Sunnyside—s finance director. Key terms announced in the packet and at the meeting: base pay of $135,200 per year and added language specifying "for cause" termination triggers (including indictment/conviction, fraud, malfeasance, insubordination and intentional or grossly negligent conduct). Council asked to add administrative-leave language to the return-of-property clause; manager indicated that change would be made. Motion: approval of the resolution authorizing execution of the agreement (mover recorded as Councilor Ripley; second by Councilor Hancock). Council voted to approve.

- LGIP delegation and reinvestment: The council approved a resolution updating the LGIP delegate to the finance director, Monica Hofstadter, to allow access for deposits and withdrawals. Separately the council approved reinvesting $1,000,000 into the Washington State Local Government Investment Pool to increase the city—s liquidity (manager and finance director said LGIP funds are easier to access than maturing municipal bonds and recommended the change as a temporary liquidity measure). Motions to update the delegate and to reinvest $1,000,000 were approved.

- Interlocal agreement: municipal court services with Toppenish: Council authorized the interim city manager to execute an interlocal agreement with the City of Toppenish under which Sunnyside provides municipal court services. Staff and the court administrator presented history that Sunnyside has provided Toppenish court services since 2017. Some council members asked for a financial summary of revenues and expenses before renewal; staff said it would be provided to council by email. Motion: approve interlocal agreement. Recorded: Councilor Whitley abstained; at least one councilor (Hancock) voiced concern and sought financials; the motion passed.

- Interlocal agreement: Lower Valley Pathway (Grandview): The council approved an after-the-fact interlocal agreement with the City of Grandview to reimburse Grandview up to $32,185.84 for Sunnyside—s share of the Lower Valley Pathway project. Staff said the project came in under the originally anticipated $100,000 share and that Grandview served as lead agency. Motion: approved.

- AP Triton (GEMT) consulting renewal: The council renewed the agreement with AP Triton Consulting to continue Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) cost reporting and submission services. Staff said GEMT recoveries have historically ranged between roughly $400,000 and $430,000 per year and that the consultant—s service supports that reporting. Motion: approved.

- Limitation on spending authority: The council approved a temporary resolution limiting the city manager and department directors— spending authority to $10,000 until the purchasing/procurement policy is updated during the upcoming budget cycle. Councilors discussed raising the threshold but left the limit at $10,000 with the understanding the policy can be revised during the formal update. Motion: approved.

- Vacation of property north of West Edison: The council approved a resolution beginning the statutory process to vacate property (Elm Street) between 216 and 300 West Edison, including posting the petition for 20 days and scheduling the required public hearing. Staff said utility easements would be retained and that an appraisal would be ordered to determine value prior to final action. Motion: approved.

Votes at a glance: Many motions were called by voice with roll-call confirmations. Where roll-call was read aloud, named yes votes were included in the record (for example, the Fairview Heights plat and the finance-director agreement recorded Councilors Hart, Ripley and Hancock as yes). Where a named abstention or no vote occurred, it is noted above (Toppenish interlocal: Councilor Whitley abstained; Councilor Hancock voiced objection). Several items passed unanimously by roll call.

The council closed the meeting after receiving routine departmental reports and reminders about upcoming budget workshops and a special meeting expected before Sept. 30 to address the interim city manager—s employment agreement, which expires Sept. 30.

Ending: Staff said additional financial details requested by the council (court revenue/expenses, invoices and payout clarifications tied to consent-voucher questions) will be provided to council via email. The council scheduled further budget and special meetings as needed.