The Pullman City Council had its first joint meeting with ASWSU since before COVID-19 during a Tuesday night meeting to discuss the interests of both groups.

Joint ASWSU and City Council meetings started in 1997 to improve community relations, Mayor Glenn Johnson said. Tonight’s meeting was to focus on the two groups getting acquainted. 

ASWSU President Brian Patrick updated the City Council on what ASWSU has done during his term, including helping get more support for Veteran Affairs at WSU and speaking to legislators about Sam’s Law. 

ASWSU President-elect Jacob Martinez discussed his goal of making mental health resources more accessible to WSU students. Councilmember Nathan Weller said this is an issue he has also looked into and would be willing to help. 

Nuthaphol “Kody” Ongpituk,  ASWSU director of safety, spoke to the council about implementing training for students who do not know how to drive in the snow. Johnson said he is interested in possibly helping set this up. 

Community development director RJ Lott presented an ordinance to the City Council that makes minor edits to the Pullman Municipal Code. This includes a reduction in the number of planning commissioners and required training for commissioners. 

The council moved to approve the ordinance. 

Lott also proposed an ordinance to amend Pullman city code sections related to affordable housing. Currently, the city code limits unrelated occupants in a unit to three, which directly conflicts with state law, Lott said. 

The council moved to adopt the ordinance.

Clayton Forsmann, deputy director of public works, presented a resolution to authorize the execution of a ground lease between the Friends of Gladish and the City of Pullman. 

The Friends of Gladish own the Gladish Community & Cultural Center. Their current parking on the north side of the building is owned by the city, Forsmann said. 

The resolution would give the Friends of Gladish the chance to continue using this space and would cost $2,848.62 annually, he said. 

The council moved to adopt the resolution. 

Human resources manager Heidi Evans presented a motion to the city administrator to add an HR generalist position as previously requested. The addition of this position would help support the HR manager and allow for the department to further the goals of the city, Evans said. 

The council moved to adopt the motion. 

Ray Lamoureux, Pullman Fire Department deputy chief, presented a motion to accept a $15,000 grant award from the Department of Labor and Industries for a Firefighter Injury and Illness Reduction program. 

The program includes training for safety personnel, improvements to safety plans and the opportunity for grant dollars, Lamoureux said. 

The council moved to accept the motion. 

Economic development manager Jennifer Hackman presented a request for the City Council to appoint one of its members for the marketing panel. The City Council nominated council member Megan Guido for the position. 

The City Council also moved to confirm Kate Watts to the Neill Public Library Board of Trustees until December of 2026.