Arguments regarding a resolution about Governor Inslee’s emergency powers were heard from city council members during the last Deer Park council meeting. However, ultimately the fear of retribution was the deciding factor in the vote.

Pavement & New Housing
There were two items of new business relating to construction that will be taking place in Deer Park. The first was about East Crawford near Bobmart, which will undergo pavement preservation late this summer. The second was about JUB Engineers observing another step in the Shamrock Glen housing development.

Council voted unanimously in favor of both.

Resolution Supporting Termination of Governor Inslee’s Emergency Powers
The purpose of the resolution was to support state legislators’ efforts creating laws to balance the powers between the branches of state government. The resolution was initially suggested by former Councilmember Joe Polowski, who had presented a template and spoke at a previous meeting. The motion was made by Councilmember Jason Upchurch and seconded by Councilmember Caleb Stapp. Upchurch was not given the opportunity to introduce the resolution before debate.

Against The Resolution
Councilmember Helen “Dee” Cragun stated that “…I am very protective of our funding, state funding especially, we send a letter over there condemning the whole thing puts a black mark against Deer Park, and I am very protective of that…” 

During Councilmember Heather Newsom’s turn to speak, she briefly expressed her agreement with Cragun.

Though Councilmember Ron Scholz spoke at length about the Governor’s abuses of emergency powers he concluded with “I don’t want our community to suffer from a lack funding if the Governor chooses to get vindictive…”

For The Resolution
“…Our freedom is not for sale, if our freedom is what we have to trade for grant money, they can have the money, we should never allow the Governor to keep this undue authority…” said Upchurch, wrapping up his comments about the resolution. 

Providing further insight, Stapp contrasted the city council’s ability to end the Mayor’s emergency powers with the absence of the same powers for state legislators.  Stapp said, “Currently we as a council have the power to remove those emergency powers from the Mayor, whereas the State Legislator does not have that power to take those away from the Governor in our current state law.”

Resolution Vote
Mayor Tim Verzal did not allow comments from the audience or any rebuttals before taking the vote. The vote was split 2 to 3, with Upchurch and Stapp in favor and Cragun, Newsom, & Scholz against.

Upcoming Council Workshop
There will be a workshop for City Council members to discuss Swinyard Park and City Hall. The workshop will be at City Hall on February 23 at 7 pm. This meeting is intended to allow the council to discuss ideas. The council will not be taking any formal action, and public input will not be permitted.

You can watch the recording of the meeting using the links below.

Key Points

• 00:00 – Call to Order & Roll Call
• 00:25 – Invocation & Pledge of Allegiance
• 01:30 – Approval of Agenda & Meeting Minutes
• 02:05 – New Business – Crawford Pavement
• 04:55 – New Business – Shamrock Glen
• 07:15 – Resolutions – Support Ending Governor Emergency Powers
• 18:46 -Consent Agenda
• 19:40 – Report of Departments
• 24:40 – Report of Officers
• 28:30 – Comments from Audience