Pacific council adopts sewer-rate ordinance, approves water-main contract amendment and tables LTAC measure

The Pacific City Council on Feb. 9 approved multiple motions affecting utility rates, infrastructure design and city contracts.

Mayor Kave opened the regular meeting at 6 p.m. and the council moved through several business items before adjourning at 7:30 p.m. On final reading the council adopted Ordinance 2025-2121, amending Pacific Municipal Code section 14.48.015 to incorporate King County’s annual sewer service rate adjustments. Council Member Putnam moved the ordinance on final reading; the roll-call vote was 6-0 in favor (Ayes: Kerry Garberding, Helms, Jackson, Petersen, Putnam, Boles).

The ordinance updates the city’s sewer rates to align with the county charge that the municipality passes through to ratepayers. City staff present at the meeting included City Administrator George Martinez and Finance Director Beth Wright, who were listed among those available to answer implementation questions.

The council also approved Resolution 2026-1031, a third amendment with engineering firm Gray & Osborn for water-main design and construction related to the Ellingson project. Council Member Putnam moved the resolution and it passed on a 6-0 roll-call vote. The amendment covers continued design and construction services for the project; specific contract-dollar figures were not specified in the meeting record.

Council Member Kerry Garberding moved to table Resolution 2026-1030, a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) program item, for further discussion at the Feb. 23 council meeting; that motion carried by voice vote, 6-0. The council’s action means no LTAC program changes were adopted at this meeting and the item will return for additional consideration.

The meeting’s consent agenda cleared several routine but substantive items, including Resolution 2026-1027 to purchase evidence lockers for the Police Department evidence-room remodel, Resolution 2026-1028 accepting a King County Parks grant for gymnasium floor replacement, and Resolution 2026-1029 awarding a contract to Athletic Hardwood & Synthetic System for gym floor installation. The council also approved an appointment: Beatrice White was appointed to the Park Board to complete a term expiring Dec. 31, 2027.

Votes at a glance

• Ordinance 2025-2121 (sewer rates): adopted on final reading, roll-call vote 6-0.
• Resolution 2026-1031 (Gray & Osborn 3rd amendment — Ellingson water-main): approved, roll-call vote 6-0.
• Resolution 2026-1030 (LTAC program): tabled for Feb. 23, 2026; voice vote 6-0 to table.
• Appointment — Beatrice White to Park Board: approved by voice vote 6-0.
• Consent agenda (resolutions 2026-1027, 2026-1028, 2026-1029; claims/payroll/minutes): approved, roll-call vote 6-0.

Why it matters

The sewer-rate ordinance ties local sewer charges to King County’s annual service adjustments and will affect customer billing when county rates change. The Gray & Osborn amendment advances water-main design and construction for the Ellingson project, a local infrastructure undertaking. Tabling the LTAC item delays any immediate changes to how lodging tax proceeds would be reviewed or recommended. The consent items advance capital work and evidence-room improvements the city has previously budgeted.

The council did not provide detailed contract-dollar amounts or an estimated schedule for implementation of the Gray & Osborn amendment during the public meeting. The LTAC item will return to the Feb. 23 agenda for further council consideration.

The meeting record is limited to the motions, votes and general staff presence listed in the minutes; it does not include extended staff presentations or detailed fiscal exhibits in the published minutes.