North Bend council advances TIP hearing, approves Bosch security upgrades and passes multi-item budget amendment 6–1

At its April 21 meeting, the North Bend City Council took a series of procedural and spending actions: it advanced consideration of the six‑year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), authorized security upgrades to the City Hall Annex, and adopted a multi-part budget amendment that passed 6–1 after debate.

TIP: Mr. Moore presented the draft six‑year TIP (2027–2032), highlighting that the document is forward-looking and that staff had added Ballarat Avenue projects, sidewalk gap work for 2027, and elevated the priority of the Complete Streets segment along North Bend Way. Tribal comments received that morning were shared with council. Councilmember Colin moved — and Councilmember McFarland seconded — to adopt the TIP as a first reading and to keep the public hearing open until the May 19, 2026 City Council meeting for additional comment; the motion passed unanimously.

Bosch contract (AB 26-036): Martin Shaw, Finance Director, asked council to authorize a contract with Bosch Building Technologies to make Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)‑mandated security improvements at the City Hall Annex in an amount not to exceed $80,000. Shaw noted previously authorized tenant improvements with Noblis Construction of $47,252 and high‑speed wiring installed by King County at $20,000. King County will contribute $10,000 toward CJIS improvements. Council discussed that the $80,000 figure was a not‑to‑exceed estimate and that staff had negotiated to limit the work to CJIS requirements. The motion to authorize the Bosch agreement passed unanimously.

Budget amendment (AB 26-037): Finance Director Shaw introduced Budget Amendment No. 5, a package with four items: $75,000 for Project 34 professional services paid from the Economic Development Fund (Fund 108); a city match for a state-funded feasibility study for Project 34 (amount not specified in the amendatory language); CJIS security upgrades for the City Hall Annex (NTE $80,000, to be funded from the General Fund fund balance); and a reclassification of a public‑works project manager to a development review stormwater manager with a revised salary range (monthly range increased from 9,220–12,254 to 11,314–14,490) and an estimated 2026 fiscal impact of $11,646 funded across multiple utility programs and reimbursed by development fees.

During discussion one councilmember objected to bundling disparate items into a single ordinance and said they would vote no on principle because it limited the ability to vote separately on items; the city attorney responded that the ordinance text and operational sections clearly track each amendment and that the approach matches prior practice. On the roll call for AB 26-037 the ordinance passed 6–1.

Votes at a glance: - AB 26-034 (Ordinance amending NBMC Chapters 18.06 & 18.10): motion by Susan Torguson, second Brendan Elwood; outcome: approved unanimously (first-and-final reading). - AB 26-035 (Resolution adopting 6‑year TIP 2027–2032): motion by Ms. Colin, second Rob McFarland; outcome: approved as first reading and public hearing continued to May 19, 2026 (unanimous). - AB 26-036 (Motion to authorize Bosch contract for CJIS security improvements, NTE $80,000): motion by Mr. Rustick, second Mr. McFarland; outcome: approved unanimously. - AB 26-037 (Ordinance amending 2025–2026 biennial budget — Amendment No. 5): motion by Ms. Rustick, second (recorded); outcome: approved 6–1 (one recorded opposition during debate).

What’s next: The TIP public hearing remains open through May 19 for additional tribal and public comment. Staff will continue contract negotiations on CJIS scope and costs and will implement approved budget changes through standard accounting and pay‑schedule updates.