Councilor Tad Stillwell
Credit: City of Yelm


– Editor’s note:
At the September 4th council study session, Councilor Tad Stillwell asked if the council could talk to Timberland Regional Library (TRL) as a group, in order to gauge their interest about TRL buying the old city hall building for a library. If TRL would buy the building and the Yelm library move there, Stilwell said the city could “see about getting rid of the $1 million condo” that houses the current library, which would do away with the intense annual O&M expense there. Stillwell added this would put the city in a “great cash position.” This is not the first time Counselor Stillwell has discussed options to sell the library condo and the city conclude the massive annual O&M library expenses.
Click here for the 20 year history of Yelm’s Library condo expenses, 2018 being the 7th year of this contract.


Councilor Colt asked the difference in size between the old city hall building and the current library. Mayor Foster responded that the old city hall would give the library more floor space due to a different configuration [in being located all on one floor.]. He said Timberland Regional Library is interested in talking with the city again about this building. Foster added that Boys & Girls Clubs, Yelm Schools, veterans groups, and the VFW are interested in talking with the city, too. Councilor Kamisnaki noted these groups would like the city to donate the building to them for free (as non-profits and/or public serve organizations).


Councilor Kaminski again provided her real estate views at the study session, as she did about the Fairpoint building. Council should not be swayed by counselor Kaminski’s real estate comments, as she is not a specialist in commercial real estate. One would have hoped after the Fairpoint bldg. purchase kerfuffle that Yelm’s city council learned that they need to engage the counsel of an experienced commercial real estate specialist for advice in purchasing and selling real estate, in order to serve their constituents responsibly!


Mayor Foster said the city is talking with TRL about their interest in the old city hall, yet there was no commitment on Stillwell’s request for the council to meet with TRL as a collective.


– Bottom line:
I am very pleased to see councilors Carmody, Colt, and Stillwell be aggressive in their questions at recent meetings in the public’s interest.