Members of the Tenino City Council convened for their first regular meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and welcomed two newly elected councilors — Tianne Curtiss and Adam Carney.
To begin the meeting, Tenino Mayor Dave Watterson administered the oath of office to both Curtiss and Carney alongside incumbent Tenino City Councilor and Mayor Pro Tem Linda Gotovac. All three ran unopposed for their prospective council seats.
During the meeting, the council approved the purchase of a pair of secondhand trucks for the Tenino Public Works Department.
The first was a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with 29,029 miles for $38,189.48, and the second was a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado with 70,688 miles for $21.486.19.
Money for the purchase of both vehicles was allocated in the city’s 2026 budget.
Also approved was a construction contract for Longview-based construction company Gibbs & Olson to repave a 4,500-foot section of Old Highway 99 Southeast from the west end of Tenino city limits to the entrance of Miles Sand & Gravel on Highway 99.
The contract’s total was $81,395, and was funded by a Washington state Transportation Improvement Board grant.
However, the most contentious agenda item during Tuesday’s meeting was who would serve as mayor pro tem this year.
Gotovac served as mayor pro tem, responsible for assuming Watterson’s duties in his absence.
“I would like to stay on as mayor pro tem,” Gotovac said.
However, Tenino City Councilor Jeff Eisel also volunteered to serve as mayor pro tem.
“I would like to stand for mayor pro tem,” Eisel said. “I think I’m ready, and council, I think, needs to have a backup pro tem. In fact, I think everybody on the council, in turn, should spend a year doing that. So we have not just that backup in case the mayor pro tem is not available, but also I think sitting in that mayor’s chair gives a perspective on the city that the councilor doesn’t have.”
Gotovac maintained her desire to continue as mayor pro tem though, and while Tenino City Councilor Elaine Klamn did nominate Eisel for the position, Curtiss nominated Gotovac to retain the role.
The vote for Eisel’s nomination was held first and failed 2-3, with Gotovac, Curtiss and Carney voting against it.
Gotovac’s nomination was then approved by a vote of 3-2, with Eisel and Klamn voting against it.
The next regular Tenino City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, starting at 7:30 p.m. in Tenino City Hall.
