Council confirms Police Chief Edgar Rheinfeld as interim city administrator; some members warn of public-safety strain

City Attorney Danielle Marchant told the council that the current city administrator has resigned effective Aug. 29, 2025, and presented Resolution No. 2025-27 to confirm Mayor Poyer's selection of Chief Edgar Rheinfeld as interim city administrator effective at that time.

"The city code and the RCW is silent on interim appointments," Marchant said, so the city is seeking council confirmation as a conservative practice. Mayor Poyer proposed Chief Edgar Rheinfeld as the interim appointee.

Several council members voiced concerns that assigning the police chief to both duties at once could divert attention from public safety. Council member Atkinson (speaker 6) said his opposition was not about confidence in Rheinfeld's abilities but about the risk of overloading him: "Public safety is one of the core reasons for local government ... I don't want a decision that would increase his responsibilities to risk distracting or diverting his attention from these vital functions."

Other council members expressed support and urged a rapid hiring process for a permanent city administrator. Council member (speaker 10) said he would vote yes but asked that department directors proceed quickly with recruitment so the interim role would be short-term.

The council adopted Resolution No. 2025-27 by voice vote to confirm the mayoral appointment of Chief Edgar Rheinfeld as interim city administrator; several members recorded statements on the public record asking for expedited recruitment and director involvement in the process.

What happens next: Chief Rheinfeld will assume the interim duties when the current administrator's resignation becomes effective; council members asked department heads to speed candidate review and hiring for a permanent administrator.