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Residents urge recognition for Acting Chief Geates and request pump truck; concerns raised about appeal
Summary
Public commenters urged the city to recognize Acting Chief Geates, asked Public Works to obtain a small pump truck for flood responses, praised park shower upgrades, and questioned whether the current chief's appeal could affect a new hire.
Several residents used the public-comment period to raise personnel and operations concerns. Thomas Page asked the council to "recognize Officer Geates for his dedication to the department /City as he served as Acting Chief for the last several months" and also requested that Public Works consider acquiring a small pump truck for flooding and pumping needs. Burr Beckwith asked whether hiring a new chief made sense "if there is a possibility that Ryan Cox could get his position back with the department at the end of his current appeal case," raising a procedural concern about overlapping personnel processes.
Other speakers included Ryan Boldman of the Soap Lake Prevention Coalition, who announced a coalition meeting Aug. 26 and discussed youth vaping prevention work, and Katie Buchanan, who thanked the city that "the new shower heads at the beach... work very well." Councilmember Carson answered a query about councilmembers' Chamber involvement, saying two members currently sit on the Chamber board and had recused themselves from a prior vote.
