Olympia honors Councilmember Jim Cooper after 15 years of service

Olympia — At its final regular meeting of 2025 the Olympia City Council recognized Councilmember Jim Cooper for 15 years of service with a proclamation, tributes from colleagues and regional partners and a series of ceremonial gifts.

Mayor Dante Payne read a proclamation honoring Cooper’s 15 years on the dais and thanking him for leadership on fiscal stewardship, regional relationships and community partnerships. Councilmembers, former mayors and former city managers praised Cooper’s role in shepherding the Metropolitan Park District, supporting staff and building financial practices that helped the city recover from the recession.

“Jim has provided diligent and fiscally responsible leadership through his long-time service on the finance committee,” the proclamation read. Former City Manager Steve Hall and former Parks Director Paul Simmons recalled Cooper’s steady leadership on budgets and parks planning and credited him with helping secure local matches that attracted more than $12,000,000 in state and federal funding tied to the Metropolitan Park District. Jeff Johnston, executive director of the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency, thanked Cooper for ten years as the city’s representative and for a decade as board chair.

Staff announced a ceremonial street sign in Cooper’s name and a tree-planting and plaque at Kettle View Park scheduled for Dec. 18, and the council presented a signed framed photo and flowers to Cooper and his family. Jim Cooper — who said he plans to step back from elected office to spend more time with family and continue in appointed roles such as his housing authority commission seat — thanked colleagues and staff and reflected on the partnerships he helped build during his tenure.

The council recessed to take photographs and the meeting continued with its regular agenda. Cooper’s final formal council vote took place later in the meeting when he moved the tenant-screening ordinance on first reading.