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Fire districts ask for mediation; city says it remains open to negotiations
Summary
A public commenter criticized recent negotiations between Fire Districts 5 and 6 and the city as "take it or leave it," and the city manager reported that both fire districts have asked for mediation; the council did not take formal action but staff said mediation is now scheduled to begin.
A public commenter raised concerns during citizen business that negotiations between Fire Districts 5 and 6 and the City of Chehalis had been one‑sided and described the district's negotiating posture as "take it or leave it," saying a merged district could become financially unsustainable in a few years if terms remain unchanged.
The city manager later updated the council that, after previous difficulties in information sharing and a terminated negotiation stance, counsel for Fire Districts 5 and 6 had requested mediation. "We have received notification that the fire districts 5 and 6 would like to, mediate," the city manager said, adding that the city had been open to mediation from the start and that staff want to continue negotiating in good faith rather than rescind prior resolutions.
The public commenter (speaker 8) said the districts had filed for mediation and urged negotiating in good faith to avoid litigation and excessive legal costs. The manager said the city prefers negotiation and mediation over litigation and indicated staff will proceed with the mediation process now that the districts have asked for it.
No final agreement was announced at the meeting and the council did not take a formal vote on annexation or merger terms at this session; the city manager said the city will continue talks and that mediation is the next step.
