The Centralia City Council convened for its latest meeting, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councillor Sarah Althouser. Attendance was taken, confirming the presence of several council members, while Deputy Mayor McGee was noted as absent.

The council swiftly moved to approve the meeting agenda, which passed unanimously. Following this, public comments were invited on non-agenda items, with a structured process outlined for both in-person and virtual participants.

Harry Lutz, a resident of Centralia, addressed the council regarding the city's animal ownership regulations, specifically the limit of two dogs and two cats per household. Lutz presented several arguments for revising this ordinance, citing the lack of operational animal shelters in Lewis County and the potential for increased pet ownership to alleviate pressure on local shelters. He also highlighted issues with rodent control in his neighborhood, asserting that more pets could help manage the rodent population.

Lutz criticized the existing code as arbitrary and inconsistent, noting that neighboring counties allow for significantly more animals. He argued that the current regulations are difficult to enforce and do not consider the needs of older residents who benefit from the companionship of pets. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility in pet ownership and urged the council to reconsider the limitations imposed by the ordinance.

The council did not engage in a question-and-answer session during public comments but encouraged residents to leave their contact information for further discussions. The meeting continued with additional public comments from other residents.