Yelm City Council Member Brian G. Hess

01/12/2026

📣 City Council Study Session Update - Get Involved, Yelm!

This week, we held our first City Council Study Session of 2026, and I wanted to share some highlights with you.

We started the meeting by welcoming our City Councilmembers. Mayor DePinto administered the Oath of Office for Positions 3-7. We’re happy to have returning Councilmembers in Positions 4, 5, 6, and 7, and we also welcomed our newest Councilmember, Griselda Arias, in Position 3.

Councilmembers were briefed on updates to the City’s Personnel Policy. These changes focus on making the policy clearer and easier to understand. The Council will review these updates at the January 13 City Council meeting.

We also heard about possible future annexation. A Public Hearing will be held on January 13, and this is a great chance for community members to share questions, concerns, or support. The City has been working closely with the County and has already reached out to property owners in the area. More information is available on the City of Yelm website.

Another topic was City Council involvement in local and regional committees. These committees help make sure Yelm has a voice in important decisions and can help bring funding and resources back to our community.

We discussed selecting a Mayor Pro Tem, which will happen at the January 13 meeting. This role steps in for the Mayor when needed and helps represent Yelm at meetings and events.

We also talked about a City Council Retreat planned for spring. This time allows Councilmembers to learn more about City departments, budgets, and upcoming projects so we can better plan for Yelm’s future and work together as a team.

Lastly, we received an update on the 640-acre development being sold to Blue Fern Developer. The City is working closely with the developer to make sure the project is done responsibly. We discussed traffic planning, zoning, and funding for the Southern Loop. Property taxes are not expected to increase, and any bonds would be paid by the developer - not residents.

💬 Your voice matters!
You can watch the full Study Session online, and the agenda for the January 13 City Council meeting is available on the City website. You’re always welcome to attend in person at City Hall or join online.

Thank you for staying engaged and helping shape Yelm’s future!

Links provided in Comments.

01/06/2026

If you are 50+ years old and live in Yelm and surrounding area, this is a great organization and community to join.

06/04/2024

Yelm Community Members please come and have your voice heard with the City of Yelm - Government Leadership. You can ask questions and bring up concerns. Hope to see you there.

Join us for a community conversation with local leaders!
We’re excited to invite you to a special evening Community Conversation where you can connect with your local leaders and discuss the issues that matter most to you. This is your chance to share your thoughts, ask questions, and collaborate on solutions. Let’s work together to make our community stronger and more vibrant.
June 12, 2024
6-7 pm
Yelm Community Center

06/03/2024

Happy Monday Yelm Community Members. Below you will find the schedule for the City of Yelm meetings. Please set your calendars if there is a meeting you wish to attend or participate in. Some can be attended virtually and some are not. Any questions or concerns please reach out.

Welcome to Yelm, Washington

05/25/2024

Here is the link to the May 28th Yelm City Council meeting. On the agenda page there is a link to sign up to participate virtually. Also the meeting can be watched live via YouTube. Any questions or concerns please reach out.

05/25/2024

🌞 Discover Thurston County in June! 🌳

June is the perfect time to explore the vibrant activities Thurston County has to offer. Start with the Yelm Farmers Market, where one can enjoy local produce and local crafts every Saturday 10:00am to 3:00pm. There is also the **Olympia Farmers Market**, where you can enjoy fresh produce, local crafts, and live music every Saturday and Sunday. Don't miss the **Yelm Prairie Days** on June 21-23, featuring fun activities for all ages and concert to start Yelm's 100 year founding celebrations.

Nature lovers can embark on a scenic hike at **Nisqually Wildlife Refuge** or kayak on **Capitol Lake**. For history buffs, the **Washington State Capitol Tour** offers a fascinating glimpse into our state's past.

Families will love the **Hands On Children's Museum**, hosting special summer programs throughout June. Catch a performance by **Harlequin Productions** at the State Theater for a delightful evening of local theater.

The link will take you to June's various activities and celebrations within Thurston County.

Join us in celebrating the best of Thurston County this June – there's something for everyone! 🌿🎉

Go native and experience our local community events

05/25/2024

As we come to Memorial Day, a day we recognize the ultimate sacrifice given by some Servicemembers, here are some activities to do near home. Please enjoy the weekend and please take a moment to remember Those Who Gave All in defense of our country.

04/29/2024

🌟🏙️ Let Your Voice Shape the Future of Yelm! 🏙️🌟

The City of Yelm is embarking on an exciting journey to create a Comprehensive Plan that will guide our community's growth and development for years to come. And we want YOU to be a part of this important process!

As we strive to build a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable city, your input is invaluable. That's why we're launching an extensive outreach campaign and survey to gather feedback from residents like you.

This is your chance to share your vision for Yelm – what do you love about our city? What improvements would you like to see? How can we ensure that future generations continue to thrive here?

Whether you're a long-time resident, a newcomer, or somewhere in between, your perspective matters. By participating in the survey and attending outreach events, you'll have a direct impact on the decisions that shape our community's future.

Together, we can create a Comprehensive Plan that reflects our shared values and aspirations, while addressing the unique needs and challenges of our city. Your involvement is key to ensuring that the plan truly represents the voices of all Yelm residents.

So, let's roll up our sleeves, get involved, and make our voices heard! Visit https://yelm-wa-comprehensive-plan-hlplanning.hub.arcgis.com/ to access the survey and learn more about upcoming outreach events. Together, we can build a brighter future for Yelm! 🌟🏙️

Create your own initiative by combining existing applications with a custom site. Use this initiative to form teams around a problem and invite your community to participate.

04/29/2024

📣 Join us for an important community conversation on May 8th! 🗣️ Mayor DePinto, Public Service Director C**t, and Police Chief Carlson will be hosting an open dialogue to discuss pressing issues, share updates, and answer your questions.

This is a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with local leaders, voice your concerns, and contribute to the collective well-being of our community. Your input matters, and together, we can work towards solutions that benefit us all.

Mark your calendars and make your voice heard! Let's come together to build a stronger, more connected Yelm. See you there! 🌟

Join Police Chief Carlson on Wednesday, May 8th, as well as Mayor Joe and Public Services Director Cody C**t for this month's Community Conversation.
We do these events monthly as a way to get to know the people in our community and answer any questions they may have.

04/22/2024

Please remember the next Yelm City Council meeting is April 23rd at 6:00pm at the Yelm City Hall. Items on the agenda are:

a) Ordinance No. 1111 Changes to Yelm Municipal Code Chapter 10.24 Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1111, changes to Yelm Municipal Code 10.24 regarding stopping, standing, and parking.

b) Ordinance No. 1114 changes to Yelm Municipal Code 18.22.050 Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1114, changes to Yelm Municipal Code 18.22.050 Adult Care Facilities.

c) Ordinance No. 1112 2023-2024 Budget Amendment Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 1112, amending fiscal years 2023-2024 Biennial Budget. Setting actual 2024 beginning fund balances, and carryover of projects that were not completed in 2023 and must be completed in 2024. The general fund's actual beginning fund balance increased due to onetime revenues, grants, and cost savings. Additional items were added that were not foreseen at the adoption of the original 2023-2024 biennial budget.

d) Amendment No.1 to contract for Comprehensive Plan update. Motion to authorize Mayor DePinto to approve Amendment No.1 with Houseal Lavinge in the not to exceed amount of $773,870 for the Comprehensive Plan Update.

e) Public Services Agreement with Nisqually Construction for the Construction of the Downtown Parking Lot. Motion to authorize Mayor DePinto to sign the Public Services Agreement with Nisqually Construction in the not to exceed amount of $306,885.41 for construction of the Downtown Parking Lot.

04/22/2024

Do you have any conservation goals? Do any within the survey match yours? Take the survey and have your voice heard.

What conservation goals are important to you?

Help us find out what conservation goals are a priority to you by answering the questions in this survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G3L3H8S

04/22/2024

Please share if you know of an organization that would benefit from this.

We’re accepting proposals from entities to help Washington communities access federal grant funding and tax assistance for clean energy projects. This funding was allocated through the Climate Commitment Act, with a large part of each program intended to support overburdened communities.

The two appropriations are designed to support community-based organizations, local governments, ports, tribes, and other entities across the state.

Federal Grant Writing Assistance Program
• Pre-proposal conference: Wednesday, May 1 at 12 p.m.
• Proposals due: Thursday, May 23
• Learn more: https://bit.ly/49Osbsy

Federal Clean Energy Tax Credit Assistance Program
• Pre-proposal conference: Tuesday, May 7 at 3 p.m.
• Proposals due: Thursday, May 30
• Learn more: https://bit.ly/3xCemQA