Public outcry demanding justice for Yvonne McDonald dominates Olympia city council meeting

Last night’s Olympia city council meeting included approvals of the exclusive contract with Comcast, an Eastside Street Art Crossing Concept Plan and a labor agreement with the police department.  A group of six Olympia residents called for justice for Yvonne McDonald.

The death of Yvonne McDonald

McDonald died on Aug. 7, 2018, and there are still many unanswered questions surrounding her death. (See sidebar story.)

The official investigation stated that Henry Morales, the street sweeper that discovered McDonald’s body in the road, called the police to report the body before continuing on his route. McDonald was pronounced dead at a hospital later that evening. Though the coroner’s report cites alcoholism complications and blunt force abdominal trauma as contributions to McDonald’s death, the manner of death was still listed as undetermined.

Concerned citizens, most notably McDonald’s niece, Talauna Reed, spoke last night to demand justice for McDonald and question the council regarding the investigation into her death.

Reed requested that the city contract for external investigations of city employee Henry Morales and police Chief Aaron Jelcick, Officer Jordan Reisher and Sergeant Al Weining of the Olympia police department; Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock; former City Manager of Olympia Steve Hall; and Thurston County Medic One Paramedic Quinn Gagnon..

Current City Manager Jay Burney commented on the investigation of Yvonne McDonald during the meeting. After reaching out to all three of her McDonald’s sisters and getting their approval, Burney forwarded the investigation to an outside investigation firm. He also stated that he would be transmitting all documents related to the investigation to the firm and expects the work to wrap up in a few months.

Police Labor Agreement

Linnaea Jablonski, city human resources director, spoke on behalf of the approval of a labor contract between the Olympia and the Olympia Police Guild. Though there was deliberation among the councilmembers, especially after the public comment section that had just passed, the motion to approve the labor contract was made and passed.

Comcast

The current contract isn’t set to expire for another year, so said approval would just be a continuation of the existing contract. Strategic Communications Director Kellie Purce Braseth, Ken Fellman of Kissinger and Fellman P.C., and Hans Hechtman, senior director of legal and regulatory affairs at Comcast, presented the plan to renew the franchise agreement.

Thurston Community Media CEO Deborah Vinsel spoke in favor of renewing the agreement, explaining that the latest FCC regulations changed how the contract would no longer offer free options for internet.

Councilmember Jim Cooper commented that internet service through Comcast is frequently unreliable. With the pandemic keeping many at home and online, it is essential that people maintain their connections. He also asked Hechtman to speak about data limits Comcast puts on people who utilize their service for streaming. Hechtman explained that Comcast is in a constant state of improvement and that the speed of its Internet service and its reliability amidst the pandemic spoke for itself. Hechtman also confirmed the existence of data limits; he said they begin after a user has consumed 1.2 terabytes of data. Hechtman said that 99% of users never reach the limit, which would require 22 days of streaming in high definition.

With questions answered and concerns met, Cooper issued a motion to approve the renewal of the contract, and it passed.

Public art project approved

The Eastside Street Art Crossing Concept Plan includes eight separate art projects to be put into place across the city.  The goal of the plan is to yield an all-around stronger sense of place in Olympia, among other things.

Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Stephanie Johnson testified, along with Andrea Wilbur-Sego, the artist that would be creating the art for the second project.

With 25 years of experience as a  woodcarver and ancestry of woodcarvers dating back generations, Wilbur-Sigo stated that wood carving is an essential element to artistic expression in the Squaxin Island and Skokomish tribes.

Wilbur-Sigo presented a story highlighting what the 10 feet tall cedar carvings would represent for the tribes in Olympia and the people utilizing their land. The project was approved; installation is planned for August 2021.

Sanctioning militia groups

Councilmember Clark Gilman expressed a desire to find opportunities for law enforcement to prevent opportunities for white supremacist and other extremist groups to harm the populace. Gilman voiced concern that sanctions could affect those that didn’t fit the description of white supremacists or extremists. So long as the justice system was biased, Gilman said he understood citizens’ demands for the council to have the police write citations and push weapon charges for dangerous groups holding unorganized gatherings, he didn’t see a solution on the initial path he was looking at.

“I don't think it's in the council's purview to demand particular organizations take particular actions," Gilman said.

Mayor Selby reminded those in attendance that city offices will be closed on Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day and wished everyone safety over the weekend before adjourning the meeting.