INTERVIEW FOR "PART-TIME" CITY ENGINEER:
The council interviewed Jon Stack, an ex-Berryman & Heniger employee and a degreed civil engineer, to replace Gary Bourne as the city's engineer. Currently budgeted is $39,500 for this position. Per Rick Cisar's comments during the interview, that amount is based on $29.85 per hour for 20 hours a week. (That comes out to $31,044 a year, with the remainder applied to benefits.)
It is suggested that whomever is selected will work on a part-time basis to save the city money (6 hours per week at $50/hour). However, the figures don't work out. Mr. Stack's hourly rate is $50 per hour, and his preferred maximum hours worked per week would be 30, with no benefits paid, a total of $78,000 per year. ($50/hr x 6 hrs = $300 x 5-day work week = $1,500 x 52 weeks a year = $78,000) This is the equivalent of another full-time city position.
The Valley Review, Volume 1, Issue 4 stated that Rick Cisar's appointment was a "two for one deal" [i.e., acting as both City Administrator AND City Planner], an action which "saves the City tens of thousands of dollars." Guess Truth In Advertising is still lacking in our local paper, regardless of its moniker.
Mr. Stack seems a capable enough engineer on general project management and sewer/water plant issues, and would probably be a good choice. However, by his own admission during the interview, he indicated he has little or no knowledge of certain subject areas, among them: traffic and transportation, wetland, stream or buffer (environmental) issues, or building or structure review and approval. The city will still need to pay outside consultants for that. He also stated it would probably not be cost-effective to use him to approve land use actions. When asked about his design capabilities, he shied away from that subject, but responded positively to Public Works Director Connie Dunn's query, about whether or not he could design a basic two-block concrete sidewalk, curb and gutter replacement project.
It seems to us that the city is trying to hire themselves a combined sewer/water expert (does the name, "Morris" tinkle any bells?) who can double as a planner as Cisar becomes increasingly over-burdened as city administrator.
PRESENTATION OF OLD-TIME DOWNTOWN PAINTING, AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF MURALS
There was a brief presentation and "photo op" for a lovely painting that represents one of the four murals that will be painted on buildings in downtown Sultan. The painting was designed and created by Holly Jones and Chad Broughton; Chad was called to the front for a Photo Op, but Holly must not have come to the presentation, since she was not called forward.
If this painting is an indication of the quality of murals that will be painted on Sultan's walls, it's very promising, indeed. If you wish to view it, it's currently hung above the portico between city hall's lobby and the entrance to the library, at 319 Main Street. We urge everyone to take a look. (SEE PHOTOS)
COUNCIL MEETING:
Kay George commented that her designer ordinance for ADU's has gotten hung up in the Plng. Commission. The Commission has been working overtime on a little issue known as "Sultan's Comprehensive Plan," a plan that will affect ALL of Sultan for the next 20 years. Mrs. George commented that she had requested this ordinance be written because of the high hook-up and impact fees associated with renovating one of her buildings in order that it could include a revenue-producing ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit), which she plans to rent out. The fees originally quoted amounted to approx. $12,000, and the new ordinance as it currently stands has reduced fees to around $8,000. Mrs. George made the comment that "Nobody in their right mind would build an ADU" if they had to pay that amount. My comment during the closing public comment period was that perhaps Mrs. George should rethink her decision to build an ADU, since it is an optional, not mandatory, action on her part.
Councilmember Porter asked to work with PD to supply free bike helmets for children and for Sultan to pass an ordinance requiring them (actually, the PD already does this, and mandatory helmets for children is already a state law).
Councilmember Everett asked if anyone had reviewed the "as builts" for Gary Broughton's 8-lot formal plat which was approved by council at the June 18th meeting, and stated that one set of plans should be approved by council. Councilmember Raney said he had reviewed a set. (However, still no issuance by the city of formal facts and findings on this plat, which is mandated by law.)
Councilmember Raney requested that the City send a letter to the Monroe Police Officer that was recently injured in a raid.
Stevens Pass Greenway Presentation: The first goal listed in this group's brochure is "Promote the understanding of the connection between natural resources, open space, economic opportunity and community values." They are totally non-political and refuse to take any positions on such issues. They currently share an office with Cadman in Gold Bar, but their mission, as stated in that first goal, is consistent with their policy of "no sides." Councilmembers Porter and Criswell were both overly concerned with the group's potential for stopping or curtailing projects and/or siphoning off property rights because of their seemingly-pro-environmental appearance.
EDC (Economic Development Committee) Meeting, June 11, held at Flower Racing (By the way, why isn't the date, time and location of this meeting published so that non-business owners can attend and learn what's going on?)
The meeting discussed Sultan's Centennial, which will occur August 8, 2005. Discussed and selected Amayesing Woodwork as the featured business (see photos below). Student Council member (not sure why this was given during EDC report) position is "up for grabs" again, per code. Current councilmember Brennan Deveraux (who, by the way, received a 4.0 this year, no surprise, I guess) has written a letter expressing his interest in returning again next year. The Association of Washington Cities gave the city an award for the Industral Park Master Plan.
ACTION ITEMS:
- LETTERBOXING program was adopted by unanimous vote.
- Pipeline construction project (from Piplein #5 to WTP fenceline) was awarded to the only bidder, Pacific Northwest Construction, for $123,000. Buno Construction, a recent city award "favorite" did not bid. Price includes PRV (Pressure Reduction Valve/Vault) and all other materials and construction of the project.
- CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) Grant Application: Approval was given to pursue grant funding for five projects: Reapplication for a redesign for Sultan Basin Road (SBR); sidewalks for First Street; sidewalks for the south side (eastbound) side of SR 2 for the 5th Street signalization project; First Street reconsideration (for roadway); and the 5th Street signalization project. [Note: During extensive discussion in the Comprehensive Plan hearings, Councilmembers Kraut, Fallgatter and Kirkman, as well as many residents, have been disturbed that a Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) is not being done concurrently with the Comp Plan. Their concerns have arisen due to the fact that, besides the 6-year Road Plan, the city has no current CFP, which is supposed to be updated each year). In my closing comments last evening, I mentioned that I do not recall seeing these five grant application items on Sultan's CFP/Road plan, but I was mistaken, at least, partially so. All of these projects appear on the road CFP, with the exception of the south side SR 2/5th St. sidewalks. For residents' further information, before the city can apply for any grant, the item should be part of a current capital facilities plan.]
- It was a short meeting, ending, gratefully, just after 8:00 PM
BUSINESS
OF THE MONTH: AMAYESING WOODWORKS, LLC,
Owner, Ken Mayes: "Let us 'Amayes'
You"
ph: 360-793-2560; fax 360-793-3901; cell 425-418-8678; website: WWW.AMAYESINGWOODWORKS.COM
Each month the city will feature a new business in city hall's lobby.
