Rainier public meetings in 2025
18 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The Rainier City Council meeting on Dec 9, 2025 includes a public hearing on the 2026 preliminary budget and the adoption of Resolution 554, the 2025 Hazardous Waste Management Plan. The council will also approve the agenda, consent agenda items such as meeting minutes, claims, and the November 2025 Treasurer’s Report, and administer oaths of office for Shelley Roth.
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of consent agenda (minutes, claims, Treasurer’s Report)
- Public hearing on 2026 Preliminary Budget
- Adoption of Resolution 554 – 2025 Hazardous Waste Management Plan
- Administer oaths of office for Shelley Roth
The council approved the acquisition of the Middleton Ridge parcel G from Rainier Equity Ventures. It also approved Building Code changes (Ordinance 739) and fee amendments (Ordinance 740). All three actions passed unanimously.
- Approved agenda (4-0)
- Approved consent agenda
- Approved acquisition of Middleton Ridge parcel G (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 739 building code changes (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 740 fee amendments (5-0)
City Council
The Rainier City Council meeting will approve the agenda and consent agenda, then conduct a public hearing on the 2026 preliminary budget. Staff reports will be presented, and new business includes accepting the Middleton Ridge parcel from Rainier Equity Ventures and adopting Ordinance 739 to add fire codes to building regulations, as well as Ordinance 740 to amend fee sections.
- Public hearing on 2026 Preliminary Budget
- Accept Middleton Ridge parcel from Rainier Equity Ventures
- Ordinance 739 – building code changes to include fire codes
- Ordinance 740 – amendments to fee sections
- Approval of agenda and consent agenda
The council approved the meeting agenda (5‑0) and the consent agenda covering vouchers 8774‑8792 and two EFTs totaling $21,310.30. It voted to accept the Middleton Ridge parcel G from Rainier Equity Ventures (5‑0). Ordinance 739 (building code changes) and Ordinance 740 (fee amendments) were each approved unanimously (5‑0). The meeting was adjourned at 5:31 p.m. (5‑0).
- Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda covering vouchers 8774-8792 and two EFTs $21,310.30
- Accepted Middleton Ridge parcel G from Rainier Equity Ventures (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 739 – building code changes (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 740 – fee amendments (5-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 5:31 p.m. (5-0)
City Council
The City Council will hold a public hearing regarding Ad Valorem taxes. The body is expected to take action on Ordinance 738 concerning these taxes.
- Public hearing on Ad Valorem taxes
- Action on Ordinance 738 regarding Ad Valorem taxes
The council approved the meeting agenda and consent items, including $21,310.30 in vouchers. They decided not to add a Desert Storm flag to Vet’s Park. The council accepted the Middleton Ridge parcel from Rainier Equity Ventures and approved two ordinances—Ordinance 739 (building code changes) and Ordinance 740 (fee adjustments). The meeting was adjourned at 5:31 p.m.
- Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda vouchers $21,310.30 (approved)
- Decided no Desert Storm flag for Vet’s Park (5-0)
- Accepted Middleton Ridge parcel from Rainier Equity Ventures (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 739 building code changes (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 740 fee amendments to RMC (5-0)
- Adjourned meeting (5-0)
City Council
The City Council will consider several ordinances regarding land use, residential parking, and water service charges. The meeting includes a presentation from Thurston County Emergency Manager Kyle Bustad.
- Ordinance 736: Adopting the 2025-2045 Rainier Comprehensive Plan
- Ordinance 730: Parking requirements for residential developments
- Ordinances 731, 732, and 733: Land use, accessory dwelling units, and Child Care Centers
- Ordinance 735: Land use and multiple dwellings
- Ordinance 737: Delinquent charges and procedures for water service
The council approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda covering several claim vouchers and electronic fund transfers. It also approved Ordinances 730 through 735, Ordinance 736 adopting the 2025‑2045 Rainier Comprehensive Plan, and Ordinance 737 on water service delinquent charges. All motions passed unanimously with a 4‑0 vote. The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
- Approved meeting agenda (4-0)
- Approved consent agenda with claim vouchers 8749‑8758, 8766‑8773 and EFTs totaling $48,834.30 (4-0)
- Approved Ordinances 730‑735 covering parking, accessory units, emergency shelters, unit‑lot subdivisions, building conversions, and co‑living housing (4-0)
- Approved Ordinance 736 adopting the 2025‑2045 Rainier Comprehensive Plan (4-0)
- Approved Ordinance 737 relating to delinquent water service charges (4-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 5:40 p.m. (4-0)
City Council
Council reached consensus to give staff a 7% pay increase (3% COLA and 4% performance incentive). They approved sending a gratitude letter to the artist and replacing the deteriorated sculpture with a plaque. The council added a shelter over the Wilkowski Park BBQ pit to the public works wish list and authorized a city‑wide clean‑up notice program. Funding of $50,000 was set aside for 100 new water meters in 2026 and a twice‑yearly city clean‑up day was planned for April and October.
- Approved 7% employee pay increase (3% COLA/4% performance incentive) – consensus
- Approved letter of gratitude to artist and replacement plaque for deteriorated sculpture
- Added shelter over Wilkowski Park BBQ pit to public works wish list
- Directed Brian and Bill to send notices for proactive city‑wide code‑enforcement clean‑up
- Planned twice‑yearly city clean‑up days in April and October
- Allocated $50,000 in 2026 budget for 100 new transponder water meters
City Council
The Rainier City Council meeting will consider routine approvals. Members will vote to adopt the meeting agenda, the consent agenda, and the prior meeting minutes. They will also approve outstanding claims and review the July and August Treasurer’s Report. Public comment and staff reports will be heard before adjournment.
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of consent agenda
- Approval of regular meeting minutes
- Approval of claims
- Review of July and August Treasurer’s Report
City Council
The City Council will meet to approve the agenda, consent agenda, and claims. The primary item for action is a proclamation for National Voter Registration Day presented by Rylee McAllister.
- National Voter Registration Day Proclamation by Rylee McAllister
The council approved the meeting agenda unanimously. It also approved the consent agenda, which included July 22 claim vouchers 8638‑8650 and one EFT for $6,408.22, July 8 payroll of $41,202.72, and August 12 claim vouchers 8658‑8677 with three EFTs totaling $41,646.69. Finally, the council unanimously adopted the proclamation designating September 16, 2025 as National Voter Registration Day.
- Approved agenda (5‑0)
- Approved consent agenda covering claim vouchers 8638‑8650 and one EFT $6,408.22, July 8 payroll $41,202.72, and claim vouchers 8658‑8677 with three EFTs $41,646.69 (5‑0)
- Approved National Voter Registration Day proclamation (5‑0)
City Council
The Rainier City Council will meet to approve claims and treasurer's reports for May and June. The council will also receive information regarding a citizen petition for safety measures at the Gehrke Park intersection.
- Citizen petition for safety measures at Gehrke Park Intersection presented by Christe Smith
The council voted 5‑0 to approve the meeting agenda and again 5‑0 to approve the consent agenda, which included claim vouchers and payroll items totaling $126,? (the amounts listed). The meeting was then adjourned by a 5‑0 vote. No other substantive actions were decided.
- Approved agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda (5-0)
- Adjourned meeting (5-0)
Planning Board
The Planning Commission will decide whether to recommend the Comprehensive Plan Draft to the Council. The board will also receive information on six ordinances related to state house and senate bills.
- Comprehensive Plan Draft recommendation
- Ordinance 730 – Parking SB 6015
- Ordinance 731 – Accessory Uses HB 1337
- Ordinance 732 – Complying w/ HB 1220
- Ordinance 735 – Co-Living ESHB1998
City Council
The agenda consists of procedural boilerplate. The council will vote on the approval of the agenda, the consent agenda, and the adjournment of the meeting.
- Approval of regular meeting minutes
- Approval of claims
At the June 10, 2025 regular meeting, the Rainier City Council approved several actions related to Ordinance 729. The council raised the mayor’s salary to $850, removed the council‑member compensation provision, and adopted the amended ordinance, with votes of 4‑1, 5‑0, and 4‑1 respectively. Earlier motions to raise the mayor’s salary to $1,100 and $700 failed, and the agenda and consent agenda were approved unanimously.
- Approve agenda – passed 5‑0
- Approve consent agenda – passed 5‑0
- Raise mayor salary to $1,100 – failed (no second)
- Raise mayor salary to $700 – failed 2‑3
- Raise mayor salary to $850 – passed 4‑1
- Remove Section 4 (council compensation) – passed 5‑0
- Approve all sections of Ordinance 729 as amended – passed 4‑1
- Adjourn meeting – passed 5‑0
City Council
The Rainier City Council will hold a regular meeting to discuss the 6-Year Street Plan presented by Adam Lyons and enter an executive session on code enforcement policy. The consent agenda includes approval of minutes, claims, and the April Treasurer's Report.
- Discussion of 6 Year Street Plan by Adam Lyons
- Executive session on code enforcement policy (20 minutes)
- Approval of consent agenda: minutes, claims, and April Treasurer's Report
The council unanimously approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda items. It then approved Resolution 553, adopting the six‑year street plan presented by Adam Lyons, with a 5‑0 vote. A request to raise the mayor's salary was discussed but no decision was made, and the city attorney will prepare a staff report for the next meeting. The council adjourned the meeting with a unanimous vote.
- Approved agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda (vote not recorded)
- Approved Resolution 553 street plan (5-0)
- Mayor salary increase request deferred (no decision)
- Adjourned meeting (5-0)
Planning Board
The Rainier Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting with mostly procedural items. The only substantive item is an informational discussion of the Comprehensive Plan regarding utilities, capital facilities, and transportation. No votes are scheduled on these topics.
- Comprehensive Plan discussion on Utilities, Capital Facilities, and Transportation (information only)
The Rainier Planning Commission approved the meeting agenda with a 3‑0 vote. It then approved the March 25, 2025 minutes, also by a 3‑0 vote. The commission adjourned the meeting at 6:01 p.m. with a unanimous 3‑0 vote. No other substantive actions were taken.
- Approved agenda (3-0)
- Approved March 25, 2025 minutes (3-0)
- Adjourned meeting at 6:01 p.m. (3-0)
City Council
This meeting is largely procedural, with approval of minutes, claims, and the treasurer's report. The main substantive item is an informational presentation from the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) on the Regional Transportation Plan. No new or old business is listed on the agenda.
- Presentation from TRPC on the Regional Transportation Plan (information only)
- Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes (consent agenda)
- Approval of Claims (consent agenda)
- March 2025 Treasurer's Report (consent agenda)
The Rainier City Council approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda, which covered claim vouchers and electronic fund transfers totaling $87,542.80 and other payroll items. The council also approved adding a National Guard flyer to the May water bills. The meeting was adjourned after a unanimous vote.
- Approved meeting agenda (4-0 vote)
- Approved consent agenda covering claim vouchers 8489-8505, $87,542.80 EFT, March payroll $38,716.92, April vouchers 8513-8525 and $28,519.51 EFTs
- Approved inclusion of National Guard flyer in May water bills
- Adjourned meeting (4-0 vote)
Planning Board
The Rainier Planning Commission will hold a public comment period and consider approval of a conditional use permit for Wayne's Propane. The board will also continue discussion on the Comprehensive Plan update. No other substantive items are on the agenda.
- Conditional Use Permit – Wayne's Propane
- Comprehensive Plan discussion (old business)
The Rainier Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for Wayne's Propane at 205 Binghampton St. with conditions, as recommended by staff. The commission also approved the agenda and the minutes from the February 18, 2025 meeting. No other substantive decisions were made; the rest of the meeting was procedural and included a discussion of comp plan chapters.
- Approved conditional use permit for Wayne's Propane at 205 Binghampton St. (3-0)
- Approved agenda (3-0)
- Approved minutes from 2/18/2025 meeting (3-0)
City Council
This is a procedural meeting of the Rainier City Council, with the main actions being approval of the consent agenda (previous meeting minutes and claims) and the overall meeting agenda. No specific ordinances, resolutions, or public hearings are listed for discussion or decision.
- Approval of consent agenda including regular meeting minutes and claims
- Public comment period
- Staff reports (information only)
- New business and old business (no details provided)
The Rainier City Council approved the consent agenda and appointed a Mayor ProTem for 2025. Maureen Baker was initially nominated but declined, and the council then appointed Councilmember Arnbrister by a 5-0 vote. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting was largely procedural with staff reports.
- Approved amended agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda including claim vouchers and payroll (5-0)
- Appointed Arnbrister as 2025 Mayor ProTem (5-0)
Planning Board
The Rainier Planning Commission will hold a regular meeting with a single substantive item: a discussion of the Comprehensive Plan led by Emily Terrell of Sound Municipal Consultants. Other items are procedural approvals of the agenda and minutes, public comment, and adjournment.
- Comprehensive Plan Discussion – Emily Terrell, Sound Municipal Consultants
The Rainier Planning Commission held a regular meeting with no substantive decisions. They approved the agenda and the minutes from December 19, 2023, and heard a presentation from consultants about the 2025 Comprehensive Plan update, including new legislative requirements and survey results. The commission will review the draft Chapter 1 at the next meeting on March 18.
- Approved 2/18/25 agenda (3-0)
- Approved 12/19/2023 minutes (3-0)
City Council
The Rainier City Council will consider two action items: a review of outside agency grant applications and an amended agreement with defense attorney Bill Cameron. They will also hear a presentation from TRPC and approve routine consent items.
- Outside Agency Grant application review (action item)
- Defense Attorney amended agreement with Bill Cameron (action item)
- Presentation by Marc Daily from TRPC (information)
- Approval of regular meeting minutes and claims (consent agenda)
The Rainier City Council approved donating $2,000 to each of the two outside agencies that applied for grants: the Rainier Senior Center and We Love Rainier. The council also approved an amended contract with Eloquence Law/Bret Woody to include trial fees. The consent agenda, including claim vouchers, payroll, and meeting minutes, was approved unanimously.
- Approved $2,000 donation to Rainier Senior Center (5-0)
- Approved $2,000 donation to We Love Rainier (5-0)
- Approved amended contract with Eloquence Law/Bret Woody to include trial fees (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda including claim vouchers, payroll, and minutes (5-0)
City Council
The Rainier City Council will consider Ordinance 728 to adopt an updated credit card policy and approve a contract appointing Bret Woody as the city's public defender. The consent agenda includes approval of regular meeting minutes, claims, and the December 2024 treasurer's report.
- Ordinance 728 adopting updated credit card policy
- Contract appointing Bret Woody as public defender
- Approval of regular meeting minutes (consent agenda)
- Approval of claims (consent agenda)
- December 2024 treasurer's report (consent agenda)
The Rainier City Council approved Ordinance 728, adopting an updated credit card policy, and approved a contract with Eloquence Law/Bret Woody for public defender services. Both motions passed unanimously (5-0). The meeting also included public comment about traffic safety at Centre St/Binghampton and staff reports on ongoing projects.
- Approved agenda (5-0)
- Approved consent agenda including December 10, 2024 minutes, claim vouchers 8389-8415, 3 EFTs totaling $89,711.00, and December 2024 Treasurer's Report (5-0)
- Approved Ordinance 728 adopting updated credit card policy (5-0)
- Approved contract for new public defender, Eloquence Law/Bret Woody (5-0)