Yelm council approves phase‑1 water design contract, backs Veterans Park grant and rezones 20 parcels

On July 14, 2026, the Yelm City Council approved several items aimed at advancing the city’s water supply and park improvements and adopted a rezoning ordinance for 20 parcels.

The council authorized a professional services agreement with RH2 for Phase 1 design and engineering of a new source well, reservoir, water treatment plant and an associated water‑rights transfer. Council member Wood moved to authorize the mayor to sign a professional services agreement with RH2 not to exceed $288,100; the motion was seconded and carried. A presenter for the project described the work as “just phase 1” and said the study will cover ground exploration, quantity and quality analysis, water rights and the infrastructure elements (well, treatment, reservoir, piping and booster pumps).

Staff also presented Resolution 672 authorizing the city to submit an application to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) for the Veterans Park Memorial Walk project. Elizabeth, speaking for staff, said adoption of the resolution is an administrative requirement of the RCO application process and recommended approval. Council moved, seconded and adopted Resolution 672.

Related to the park project, council authorized Amendment No. 2 to the professional services agreement with Land Development Consultants to provide construction‑phase engineering and administration for Phase 1. Staff stated the amendment increases the contract by $213,983, bringing the total to $866,631 and that funding has been identified from previously appropriated project funds, including grant funding and local match. The motion language recorded in the meeting transcript includes a figure of $213,009.83; the council adopted the authorization. (Transcript contains both numbers; the staff summary and the motion language differ in the recorded dollar amount.)

Gary Cooper, the city’s planning and building manager, presented Ordinance 1151, which would rezone 20 parcels inside city limits. Cooper said 18 parcels currently zoned industrial would be changed to a mix of R4 (four units per acre) and R6 (six units per acre) to better transition to adjacent county zoning; two parcels currently zoned commercial would be rezoned to R16 (16 units per acre). Cooper said several property owners requested the rezones and the planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval on June 16. Council member moved to adopt Ordinance 1151; the motion passed with one recorded nay.

The council also approved the mayor’s appointment of Trenton Berdron to the salary commission to fill a vacancy. Staff noted the commission meets periodically and that Human Resources will provide administrative support.

Votes at a glance: - Professional services agreement (RH2) for Phase 1 water design: motion carried; authorization not to exceed $288,100. (Mover: Council member Wood; second: Council member Kaminski; official vote tally not specified in the transcript.) - Resolution 672 (RCO grant application, Veterans Park Memorial Walk): adopted. (Mover recorded in transcript; transcript indicates unanimous voice vote.) - Amendment No. 2 (Land Development Consultants, Veterans Park Phase 1 construction administration): authorized; transcript records staff increase of $213,983 and motion language showing $213,009.83. (Vote carried; individual vote tallies not specified.) - Ordinance 1151 (rezoning 20 parcels): adopted; one nay recorded. (Mover recorded in transcript; individual yes/no per member not detailed.) - Appointment to salary commission (Trenton Berdron): approved.

What this means: The actions move early design and construction‑administration work forward on a major water project and the Veterans Park Memorial Walk, and change zoning on 20 parcels to residential designations at densities staff described as R4, R6 and R16. Funding for the park’s construction‑administration services was described as already identified through project funds, grants and required local match.

Next steps: staff will proceed with Phase 1 design tasks under the RH2 agreement, the city will pursue the RCO grant for Veterans Park, and construction administration will proceed under the amended Land Development Consultants agreement once contract execution is completed. The loop project bid opening was announced for July 22 and other administrative follow‑ups (appointments, project scheduling) were noted for staff.