Yelm City Council roundup: Clerk selected as WMCA President, Panda Express approved, more

The Yelm City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 24, was filled with updates during the committee reports portion of the gathering, where it was announced that Yelm’s city clerk was selected to represent clerks at the state level, Panda Express was approved and more.

According to Todd Stancil, Yelm City Administrator, Kathy Linnemeyer recently attended the annual Washington Municipal Clerks Association and learned she’ll be reaching a big milestone in her professional career.

“Kathy will be sworn in as the next President of the Washington Municipal Clerks Association in March of next year — proudly representing clerks across the state of Washington,” Stancil said.

Additionally, Stancil noted the City of Yelm and Yelm Police Chief Rob Carlson have announced the arrival of a new police record specialist — Olivia Roberts.

“Olivia Roberts will be replacing longtime employee Donna McCann, as she prepares to retire at the end of April,” Stancil said. “Olivia brings with her years of law enforcement records experience from the City of Lacey. As mentioned above, Donna McCann will retire from the City of Yelm and begin her next chapter at the end of April.”

Stancil added that McCann’s last day of work was Tuesday, March 31 — concluding the career of the City’s longest tenured employee.

“Donna has served the City of Yelm for over 30 years. She’s the longest (tenured) employee ever for the City of Yelm. There will be a function for her at the Yelm Community Center before she leaves.”

Councilor Joseph Richardson spoke on behalf of the public services committee and said there are several projects in the works for this summer.

“We got good news regarding Railway and Middle Road bids,” Richardson said. “It looks like they’re going to start and complete over spring break, which is crazy fast. It’s amazing to actually see stuff get done quickly.”

He noted that in the future, sidewalks will be added along those two roads to further increase pedestrian safety.

Richardson added that another project, which will span from state Route 507 to Third Street and Mosman Avenue, will be completed “most likely” this summer.

“Plus, there’s going to be some ADA compliance to the sidewalk that comes up to 507. That’s going to get upgraded,” Richardson said. “There are some concerns. They talked about Third Street with some drainage issues. They’re going to try to level it out. There’s going to be, hopefully, some drainage improvement. When it rains the way it does, things tend to puddle up. They’re going to remedy that as best they can.”

Additionally, Richardson said that a new parking lot across from Longmire Park will be completed on April 19.

He also provided an update on a new fast food chain preparing to debut in Yelm.

“Panda Express is approved and should be done by Thanksgiving is what I hear,” Richardson said. “I’m excited.”

Councilor Griselda Arias, representing the general government committee, said a meeting was held on Tuesday, March 24, prior to the Yelm City Council meeting. She said those in attendance received an update about the development of 640 acres by Blue Fern Development and information about public records request fees.

“Both of these will be coming to council in the form of a study session or regular meeting to talk about or take action on,” Arias said. “We also talked about some future meetings. That’s all.”