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Tenino council approves grants, a $50,000 renewables contract and a budget amendment; reviewer praises clerk—27s ARPA reconciliation
Summary
Council approved a Cascadia Renewables contract tied to a solar/battery grant, a Creative District grant agreement and several administrative items; council also amended the 2025 budget to add grant revenue and recognized clerk treasurer—27s work reconciling ARPA funds that avoided a potential $200,000 repayment.
At its May 13 regular meeting, the Tenino City Council approved multiple grant-related contracts and administrative changes.
The council approved a $50,000 contract with Cascadia Renewables to manage a grant-funded solar and battery-storage installation at a city warehouse. Staff said the contract is fully covered by the grant and Cascadia was selected from the small works roster to provide project management services. “This one’s a 100% covered. It’s in the grant, $50,000,” a council member said.
Council also approved the Tenino Creative District grant agreement and an interlocal agreement with Thurston County Public Works to install Creative District signage under the grant. The council authorized removal of Veronica Barnes and addition of Nancy Reddick on the city’s Timberland bank accounts, and approved a three-year extension for the Lions Club’s use of the quarry house after the Lions purchased a replacement stove.
On special events, the council debated and then approved a motion to waive the special-event fee and deposit for the 2025 Stone City Arts Festival. One council member raised concerns the waiver might conflict with a prior directive to limit fee waivers because of budget constraints; the mayor said staff will research the previous decision and bring clarification at the next meeting.
Council approved an amendment to the 2025 budget to incorporate newly awarded grants. The clerk treasurer reported a time-consuming reconciliation of federal ARPA funds; staff found additional expenditures and completed the report, which, according to the clerk, avoided a potential repayment of roughly $200,000 to the federal government tied to underreporting on earlier submissions. “She saved us $200,000,” a council member said in recognition of the work.
No ordinances requiring second reading were adopted at the meeting; most items were approvals or administrative actions recorded by voice vote.
