Yelm City Council committee report highlights upcoming projects, Boys and Girls Club expansion, more

Toward the conclusion of the Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, councilors and city staffers used their time during the “standing council committee report” portion of the meeting to highlight several upcoming projects, a potential Boys and Girls Club expansion and more.

First, Councilor Joseph Richardson — who highlighted the public services committee meeting from earlier in the day — provided an update on the upcoming activated alleyway construction, also known as the Fuller Footpath project.

“We had a Fuller Footpath update. Basically, they closed with the low bidder (Activate Construction Incorporated) in the amount of $2,231,231 for construction,” Richardson said. “Also, they have $430,000 for management. We know when you have things like that you need management to make sure they get their job done. Also, those were the same individuals, ACI, who did the loop contract. There was a $30,000 difference between the next bidder.”

Richardson also reminded the council that there’s $1 million in grant funding set aside for the construction portion of the Fuller Footpath project. Another topic of discussion in relation to this project was food truck access, and how many spots there should be for those types of vendors.

Mayor Joe DePinto noted that in addition to the Fuller Footpath project, ACI also bid on the Yelm Loop project.

“They are trying to get this done quicker than what the timeline states. Take it with a grain of salt, but it is looking like they are going to start construction this year,” DePinto said. “I know there was a concern with WSDOT that they might start next year. They are going to try to do everything they can for the Yelm Loop on here. I anticipate them bidding on some other projects here too, locally. We have some roundabouts coming up. Likely, we’ll see them bid to lower some costs for us. They don’t have to mobilize, and they’re already here locally.”

According to Richardson, there was also an update from Elizabeth Jones, Yelm projects and grants manager, that construction for Phase 1 of the Veterans Park and Memorial Walk would begin on Monday, Aug. 31.

Richardson added that water, sewer and storm facilities were also discussed during the public services committee meeting.
“When we have the water bill, we think the water bill is horrendous,” Richardson said. “We have to remember there’s three parts to the water bill — water, sewer and storm.”

He noted that during an upcoming study session meeting in September, there will be an explanation for all of the ordinances that Yelm needs to adopt with the new rates. Richardson claimed that the storm facilities rate will go up roughly $80-cents, but sewer facilities will go down roughly $3. He believes the average person will save about 2% annually with these changes.

Richardson also outlined several projects, including the sidewalks at Railway Road and Middle Road. He noted that the City of Yelm is currently working on acquiring right-of-ways.

“Sidewalks are important because it helps the school out,” Richardson said. “If there are no sidewalks for students to walk, then they have to have them bused. This is one of those things that is very important to our community to have sidewalks built.”

Additionally, he claimed that a water main replacement and sidewalk improvements are coming soon on Creek Street.

On the topic of upcoming traffic improvements, Richardson said the City of Yelm has submitted 60% plans for approval from WSDOT for the roundabout projects at SR 507, Bald Hill Road SE and Morris Road SE.

“A lot of what the city has to do is waiting on confirmation and waiting for WSDOT to basically say, ‘Hey, you’re good. Thanks,’ eight months later,” Richardson said.

Following the conclusion of Richardson’s initial comments, Councilor Tracey Wood asked him about the price tags of $2,231,231 for the Fuller Footpath project and if the $430,000 cost for project management was included in the $2.23 million cost.

DePinto noted that it would be an additional cost, and Cody Colt, Yelm Public Works director, noted that funding will come from a mix of local and grant money.

Councilor Brian Hess was up next, and spoke on behalf of the general government committee. He noted there’s some “good stuff coming up.”

“We discussed two items that we’re looking forward to council having to research and be part of. One of them is the Boys and Girls Club,” Hess said. “They are looking at applying for a $3 million grant to expand their current facility. The challenge is that facility. They lease from us, the city. We still own that property. We’re going to have, possibly in September, we’ll have a quick briefing on that.”

On the topic of Blue Fern Development’s 640-acre project, Hess noted that the development company and the City of Yelm are waiting on the development agreement to be approved before the conceptual design can move forward.

“The development agreement is just the general things of who’s going to pay for what, who’s responsible for taking care of what,” Hess said. “It’s not codes. It’s not what buildings are going to look like or what streets are going to look like. We’re getting close with that one.”

Hess added that once the development agreement is approved by Yelm City Council, initial conceptual designs will soon be ready for submission.

Lastly, Yelm City Administrator Todd Stancil recapped the city administrator staff report and noted that a lateral police officer from Yuma, Arizona, began his job with Yelm Police Department on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

Stancil also recognized Yelm City Clerk Kathy Linnemeyer, who has been accepted into the prestigious Northwest Women’s Leadership Academy for 2026-27. He claimed that only 30 applicants to the program are admitted each year.

“Great job representing the City of Yelm, and congratulations, Kathy,” Stancil said.