Chewelah public meetings in 2025

City Council

The Chewelah City Council agenda for December 17, 2025 contains only references to meeting materials and does not list any specific agenda items. As a result, the council appears set to address only procedural matters.

The council unanimously approved Ordinance 1018, a 2025 budget amendment. The council approved Ordinance 1019 updating dog licensing fees, with a 3‑3 tie broken by Mayor Baxter’s vote. The council unanimously approved the 2026 Service Agreement with the Airport Manager. The council approved the 2026 Service Agreement for Building/Development by a 6‑1 vote.

• Approved Ordinance 1018 (2025 Budget Amendment) – unanimous
• Approved Ordinance 1019 (Dog Licensing Fee Update) – 3‑3 tie broken by Mayor (passed)
• Approved 2026 Service Agreement – Airport Manager – unanimous
• Approved 2026 Service Agreement – Building/Development – 6‑1
• Approved Consent Agenda – unanimous
• Approved meeting agenda – unanimous

City Council

The council unanimously approved a historic cemetery preservation grant (Resolution 25-41). It also approved annual stipends for volunteer firefighters (Resolution 25-42) with a 5‑1 vote. Council members voted unanimously to advertise the vacant Council Position #1 in the newspaper and on the city website. The appointment of a Mayor Pro Tem and a Tri‑County Health Department board member was postponed until the January meeting.

• Approved Resolution 25-41 Historic Cemetery Preservation Grant (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-42 Annual Stipends for Volunteer Firefighters (5-1)
• Approved advertising for Council Position #1 in paper and website (unanimous)
• Added appointing Mayor Pro Tem and Tri‑County Health Dept Board Member to New Business (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda (unanimous)
• Oath of Office administered to Mayor, Council Position #6, and At‑Large member (unanimous)
• Mayor Pro Tem & Health Board appointment postponed to January meeting
• Adjourned meeting at 7:39 pm (unanimous)

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission will meet to review the written testing process for entry-level police officers. The body will also vote on the approval of minutes from two previous November meetings.

• Entry Level Police Officer Written Testing Process

The commission unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the November 4 and November 17 meetings. They also unanimously voted to table the adoption of the draft entry‑level police officer written test pending revisions. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved November 4 and November 17 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Tabled adoption of entry‑level police officer written test (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

City Council

The Chewelah City Council meeting will vote to adopt several items, including the 2026 property tax levy and updates to the floodplain ordinance. Council members will also consider a Teamsters collective bargaining agreement, a resolution for the Avista Natural Gas Project and its connection fee, and an employee personnel policy update. A public hearing on the floodplain ordinance updates is scheduled as part of the agenda.

• Ordinance 1017: 2026 Property Tax Levy – Approve
• Ordinance 1013: Floodplain Updates – Approve
• Teamsters Law Collective Bargaining Agreement – Approve
• Resolution 25-39: Avista Natural Gas Project & Connection Fee – Approve
• Resolution 25-40: Employee Personnel Policy Update – Approve

The council approved Ordinance 1017 for the 2026 property tax levy, removing Section 1 and deleting the 1% increase in Section 2. It also adopted Ordinance 1013 floodplain updates, several resolutions, and the Teamsters Law collective bargaining agreement. A motion to advertise for a council position failed on a 3‑4 vote. All other motions passed unanimously.

• Approved Ordinance 1017 (2026 Property Tax Levy) with Section 1 excluded and 1% increase in Section 2 deleted (unanimous)
• Approved Ordinance 1013 (Floodplain Updates) excluding Sections 15.12.220 and 15.12.270 (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-36 Surplus VAC Truck (unanimous)
• Approved Teamsters Law Collective Bargaining Agreement (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-39 Avista Natural Gas Project & Connection Fee (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-40 Employee Personnel Policy Update (unanimous)
• Failed motion to authorize City Administrator to advertise for Position #1 (3‑4 vote: 3 ayes, 3 abstained, 1 nay)
• Approved consent agenda (unanimous)

Civil Service Commission

The Chewelah Civil Service Commission will meet on November 17, 2025 at City Hall. During the executive session the commission will discuss the qualifications of applicants for public employment as required by RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). The remainder of the agenda consists of routine items such as call to order, consent agenda, old business and new business.

• Executive session – qualifications of applicants for public employment (RCW 42.30.110(1)(g))
• Consent agenda (routine approvals)

The Civil Service Commission unanimously approved the meeting agenda, entered a 30‑minute executive session to discuss police chief applicant qualifications, extended the session twice (30 minutes and 45 minutes), and then adjourned. No substantive policy or personnel decisions were made beyond procedural actions.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Entered 30‑minute executive session on police chief applicant qualifications (unanimous)
• Extended executive session an additional 30 minutes (unanimous)
• Extended executive session an additional 45 minutes (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

City Council

The council approved several budget‑related ordinances and agreements, including the 2025 budget amendment, the 2026 budget adoption, and utility rate changes. It also approved the airport fuel pricing resolution and a lease agreement for the airport lot. The resolution to fund a surplus VAC truck was rejected, and the ordinance to adopt the 2026 property tax levy failed on a tie vote.

• Approved Resolution 25-34 Special Airport Fuel Pricing (unanimous)
• Rejected Resolution 25-36 Surplus VAC Truck (3‑1 vote)
• Approved Keller Partners 2025 Agreement (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-37 HEAR Grant (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-38 2026 Utility Rates (3‑1 vote)
• Approved Ordinance No. 1015 2025 Budget Amendment (unanimous)
• Approved Ordinance No. 1016 2026 Budget Adoption (unanimous)
• Failed Ordinance No. 1017 2026 Property Tax Levy (2‑2 vote)

Civil Service Commission

The commission will meet to review the written testing process for entry-level police officers and the testing process for the Police Chief. The meeting includes an executive session to discuss applicant qualifications.

• Entry level police officer written testing process
• Police Chief testing process and questions
• Executive session regarding qualifications of applicants for public employment
• Appeal hearing update

The Civil Service Commission unanimously appointed Charles Martin to the vacant Civil Service Secretary position. The commission also approved sending a written test to qualifying police chief candidates on November 7 and scheduling a special meeting on November 17 to review the tests. Adoption of the entry‑level police officer test was tabled until the next regular meeting.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved prior meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Entered 30‑minute executive session (unanimous)
• Appointed Charles Martin as Civil Service Secretary (unanimous)
• Sent written police chief test to candidates on Nov 7 and set special review meeting for Nov 17 (unanimous)
• Tabled adoption of entry‑level police officer test until next meeting (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council is scheduled to hold a budget workshop at 5:30 PM followed by a regular council meeting at 6:30 PM. The agenda includes documents for both sessions.

• Budget workshop scheduled for 5:30 PM
• Regular council meeting scheduled for 6:30 PM
• Meeting materials and packets available for review

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission will consider finalizing the Secretary/Chief Examiner job description. The commission will also discuss the testing process for the Police Chief position. Standard agenda items such as call to order, agenda approval, consent agenda, and adjournment are also on the agenda.

• Finalize Secretary/Chief Examiner job description
• Discuss Police Chief testing process

The commission unanimously approved the agenda with an added update on an appeal hearing and approved the minutes from September 2 and September 11. It also unanimously authorized posting the vacant Civil Service Secretary/Chief Examiner position once the job description is finalized, with applications to close on October 31, 2025. The board discussed the police chief testing process but deferred any decisions to the next meeting. The meeting was adjourned unanimously.

• Approved agenda addition for ‘Update on Appeal Hearing’ (unanimous)
• Approved 09‑02‑25 & 09‑11‑25 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Authorized posting vacant Civil Service Secretary/Chief Examiner position, closing Oct 31 2025 (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

City Council

The October 1, 2025 Chewelah City Council agenda lists only links to minutes, packet, and agenda PDFs. No specific resolutions, contracts, or hearings are detailed in the agenda text. Therefore the meeting appears to be procedural with no substantive items disclosed.

City Council

The council unanimously approved the Wildfire Mitigation Plan and the Six‑Year Transportation Improvement Plan. It also accepted several grant resolutions, including Department of Commerce grants for climate planning and comprehensive plan updates, a US DOT roundabout grant, and a T‑Mobil grant. The Stevens County Interlocal Agreement for District Court Services was approved, and the council adopted resolutions affirming the rule of law and an emergency facility agreement with the U.S. Forest Service. All votes were unanimous except two resolutions that passed 4‑1.

• Approved Wildfire Mitigation Plan (unanimous)
• Approved Six‑Year Transportation Improvement Plan (unanimous)
• Approved Stevens County ILA for District Court Services (unanimous)
• Accepted Resolution 25-25 – affirm rule of law (unanimous)
• Accepted Resolution 25-26 – DNR/USFS emergency facility agreement (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-29 – Dept. Commerce grant: comprehensive plan update (4-1)
• Approved Resolution 25-30 – SCJ Alliance comprehensive plan & clean energy element (4-1)
• Approved Resolution 25-31 – US DOT grant: roundabout planning (unanimous)

Civil Service Commission

The Chewelah Civil Service Commission will meet on September 11, 2025 at 3:00 pm in City Hall. The agenda includes standard procedural items and an executive session to review qualifications of applicants for public employment under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). The commission will also receive an update on the Secretary/Chief Examiner job description. No other decisions are indicated.

• Executive Session – review qualifications of applicants for public employment (RCW 42.30.110(1)(g)) – 1 hour
• Old Business – update on Secretary/Chief Examiner job description
• Consent Agenda – standard items
• Approval of/changes to Proposed Agenda
• Call to Order – procedural

The commission unanimously approved the proposed agenda. A one‑hour executive session was opened to discuss qualifications of applicants for public employment. Two of five police officer applicants passed testing and will be recommended to the city for interviews. The meeting was then adjourned unanimously.

• Approved proposed agenda (unanimous)
• Entered 1‑hour executive session on applicant qualifications (unanimous)
• Recommended two police officer candidates for city interviews (no vote recorded)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Civil Service Commission

The commission approved the meeting agenda and added an update on the third seat posting. It approved the minutes from the August 12 and 14 meetings. Commissioners appointed the Spokane Hearing Examiner’s Office to handle a citizen appeal. A special meeting was set for September 11, 2025 to review police officer test results.

• Approved agenda with added old‑business item (unanimous)
• Approved August 12 and 14, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Appointed Spokane Hearing Examiner’s Office to preside over appeal (unanimous agreement)
• Scheduled special meeting for September 11, 2025 at 3:00 pm to review police officer candidates (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 3:17 pm (unanimous)

City Council

Council members and staff met on August 27, 2025 to review the city’s budget. The meeting included discussion of financial, personnel, operational, and funding strategies. No motions, votes, or approvals were recorded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:02 pm.

City Council

The council voted 2-4 to reject Resolution 25-24, which would have closed the RV Park for the 2025 season. Motions to excuse absent Councilmember McCoy, approve the agenda, and accept the consent agenda all passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned unanimously at 9:02 pm.

• Excused absent Councilmember McCoy (unanimous)
• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Accepted consent agenda (unanimous)
• Failed to adopt Resolution 25-24 RV Park closing for 2025 season (2-4)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Civil Service Commission

The commission will meet to hold a legal discussion with Mr. Waters and discuss the Secretary-Chief Examiner position. The meeting includes an executive session with legal counsel regarding agency enforcement actions.

• Legal discussion with Mr. Waters
• Discussion of Secretary-Chief Examiner position
• Executive session regarding agency enforcement actions

Commissioner Roberts resigned to avoid a perceived conflict of interest and the mayor will appoint a replacement. The commission voted unanimously to enter a 30‑minute executive session on performance and legal matters. The executive session ran from 3:13 pm to 3:43 pm, with the commission planning to make a final decision at its next meeting. The meeting was then adjourned by a unanimous vote.

• Entered 30‑minute executive session (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

Civil Service Commission

The commission approved the June 30, 2025 minutes and set a new regular meeting time of the first Tuesday each month at 3:00 pm. It voted to give each commissioner an individual city email address and authorized the city to begin recruiting a new police chief. A special meeting was scheduled for August 14, 2025, and Commissioner Nupp was elected chair. The commission also approved using the existing civil‑service test with physical exams for current applicants and allowed the commission to hire an attorney if needed.

• Approved 06-30-25 meeting minutes (2-0, 2 ayes, 1 abstained)
• Established regular meeting time: first Tuesday each month at 3:00 pm (unanimous)
• Requested individual city email addresses for each commissioner (unanimous)
• Authorized City to begin recruiting a police chief (unanimous)
• Scheduled special meeting for August 14, 2025 at 3:00 pm (unanimous)
• Elected Commissioner Nupp as chair of the commission (2-0, 2 ayes, 1 abstained)
• Approved reviewing current applicants using existing civil‑service test and beginning physical tests (unanimous)
• Approved permission for commission to hire an attorney if needed (unanimous)

City Council

The council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 1012, updating the business licensing threshold. A resolution adding volunteer firefighters to the Deferred Compensation Program passed 4‑1. A proposed amendment to the cannabis operations code was rejected 4‑2. Several routine procedural motions, including excusing an absent member and adopting the consent agenda, were also approved unanimously.

• Excused absent Councilmember Kabosky – motion carried unanimously
• Added 20‑minute executive session – motion carried unanimously
• Accepted consent agenda – motion carried unanimously
• Cannabis Operations ordinance amendment failed – 4 nays, 2 ayes
• Approved Ordinance No. 1012 (business licensing update) – motion carried unanimously
• Adopted Resolution 25‑23 for volunteer firefighter DCP participation – 4 ayes, 1 abstained
• Adjourned meeting – motion carried unanimously

City Council

The council unanimously appointed Julie Culverwell as the city Clerk/Treasurer. It also approved a Detention/Medical Services interlocal agreement with Stevens County (6‑0, 1 abstention), adopted Resolution 25‑22 on electric utility rates (4‑3, 1 abstention), and passed Ordinance No. 1011 on fireworks (5‑0, 2 abstentions). Additionally, Brandon Hansen was sworn in to fill Council Position #1.

• Brandon Hansen appointed to Council Position #1 (unanimous)
• Consent agenda accepted (unanimous)
• Julie Culverwell appointed Clerk/Treasurer (unanimous)
• Detention/Medical Services ILA with Stevens County approved (6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstained)
• Resolution 25‑22 Electric Utility Rates approved (4 ayes, 2 nays, 1 abstained)
• Ordinance No. 1011 Fireworks approved (5 ayes, 0 nays, 2 abstained)

City Council

The council unanimously appointed Dorothy Knauss as mayor after a brief discussion. Ordinance No. 1010 was adopted with changes recommended by the public‑presenter. The council also approved Resolution 25‑21 to fund energy‑conservation projects and agreed to advertise two vacant council positions. Additional actions included approving the city‑park art pedestal lease and confirming the consent agenda.

• Ron McCoy appointed Mayor Pro Tem (5‑0, 5 ayes, 1 abstained)
• Agenda accepted (5‑1, 5 ayes, 1 nay)
• Dorothy Knauss appointed mayor (unanimous)
• Consent agenda approved (unanimous)
• Ordinance No. 1010 adopted (5‑0, 5 ayes, 1 abstained)
• Vacant council positions to be advertised for two weeks (unanimous)
• City‑park Art Pedestal Lease Agreement approved (unanimous)
• Resolution 25‑21 Energy Conservation Funding approved (unanimous)

City Council

The council rejected the original water rates resolution as written. It then approved the same resolution with changes after clarifications. Additional actions included canceling the July 1 meeting, approving the consent agenda, and tabling the art pedestal lease agreement.

• Excused absent Councilmember Dollar (unanimous)
• Added Electric Charging Stations to Council Comments (unanimous)
• Canceled July 1 meeting (unanimous)
• Approved consent agenda (unanimous)
• Tabled Lighted Art Pedestal Lease Agreement (unanimous)
• Rejected Resolution 25‑20 water rates as written (6‑0)
• Approved Resolution 25‑20 water rates with changes (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

City Council

The Chewelah City Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance No. 1006 prohibiting cannabis use in public parks. It also approved the IBEW #77 electric department collective bargaining agreement, the Teamsters Local 690 public works agreement, Resolution 25-18 for financial advisory services, Resolution 25-19 recommending a 2025 lodging tax, and the related water‑rate resolutions. All motions passed with all members in favor.

• Approved Ordinance No. 1006 prohibiting cannabis in public parks (unanimous)
• Approved IBEW #77 Union Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Electric Department (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-18 Financial Advisory Services (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-19 2025 Lodging Tax Recommendations (unanimous)
• Approved Teamsters Local #690 Collective Bargaining Agreement for Public Works (unanimous)
• Added Teamsters Local 690 CBA to agenda (unanimous)

Airport Governing Board

The Airport Governing Board voted to hold meetings once a month and to post agendas and minutes on the city website. It also tasked the Airport Manager and the Clerk/Treasurer with providing monthly financial data. The board approved standardizing Residential Through the Fence agreements, limiting them to owner agreements only, and modifying the insurance requirements. A definition of “taxiing” on Richmond Lane was adopted.

• Approved monthly meeting schedule (once per month)
• Agreed to post agendas and minutes on the city website
• Tasked Airport Manager and Clerk/Treasurer to provide monthly financial data
• Approved standardization of Residential Through the Fence agreements
• Limited Residential Through the Fence agreements to owners only
• Approved modification of insurance requirements for Residential Through the Fence agreements
• Defined “taxiing” on Richmond Lane as planes moving under their own power

City Council

The council voted to excuse Councilmember Tim Dollar and absent member Jim Caruso, with all members in favor. The motion was carried unanimously. The council then voted to adjourn the meeting, also unanimously. No other substantive actions were taken.

• Excused Councilmember Tim Dollar and Jim Caruso (unanimous)
• Adjourned the meeting (unanimous)

City Council

The council voted 5-2 to adopt Resolution 25-02 establishing police recruitment and retention incentives. It also unanimously approved an investment in the Local Government Investment Pool (Resolution 25-12) and a development agreement with Earl Nash (Resolution 25-14). A 4-3 vote approved the application for a Department of Commerce Climate Planning Grant (Resolution 25-13).

• Approved Resolution 25-02 police retention & recruitment incentives (5-2)
• Approved Resolution 25-12 investment in Local Government Investment Pool (unanimous)
• Approved Resolution 25-13 application for Climate Planning Grant (4-3)
• Approved Resolution 25-14 development agreement with Earl Nash (unanimous)

City Council

On April 2, 2025, the Chewelah City Council took action on several items, including tabling a police retention resolution and approving a public camping ordinance. The council approved a resolution to acquire a surplus ARFF fire truck by a 4‑1 vote. After an initial 2‑3 defeat of the Park Entrance Project bid award that included ski lift chairs, the council later approved the same bid without the chairs by unanimous vote. Additional unanimous approvals were made for a bond counsel engagement letter, an engineering services contract extension, and a REET fund appropriation.

• Tabled Resolution 25-02 (Police Retention & Recruitment) – 3-2 passed
• Approved Ordinance 1001 (Public Camping) – unanimous
• Approved Resolution 25-07 (Surplus ARFF Truck) – 4-1 passed
• Failed Resolution 25-08 (Park Entrance Project Bid Award with ski lift chairs) – 2-3 failed
• Approved Resolution 25-08 (Park Entrance Project Bid Award without ski lift chairs) – unanimous
• Approved Resolution 25-10 (Letter of Engagement for Bond Counsel) – unanimous
• Approved Resolution 25-11 (Engineering Services Contract Extension) – unanimous
• Approved Resolution 25-09 (REET Fund Appropriation) – unanimous

City Council

The council voted 4-2 (with one abstention) to accept Resolution 25-06, granting a construction permit for the Hwy 395 project. It also unanimously approved amendments to the meeting agenda, the consent agenda, and the Airport Insurance Renewal. Additional unanimous actions included adding a council‑comments section to the agenda and adopting the amended Resolution 25‑05. The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 p.m.

• Added council‑comments item to agenda; motion carried unanimously
• Approved the consent agenda; motion carried unanimously
• Amended Resolution 25‑05 to include council‑comments area; motion carried unanimously
• Adopted amended Resolution 25‑05; motion carried unanimously
• Accepted Resolution 25‑06 Hwy 395 construction permit as written; vote 4‑2‑1 (4 ayes, 2 nays, 1 abstained)
• Approved Airport Insurance Renewal; motion carried unanimously
• Adjourned meeting; motion carried unanimously