Wednesday's Council Quickies (And I do mean quick! We'll do a more detailed update later. Meanwhile, feast your eyes on photos from last night's "Lady Turk Month" reception.)

In a full capacity council chamber (approx. 80 people), by a show of hands most of them were there to oppose the Morris annexation. Twenty people spoke against annexation, 19 of whom eloquently rejected it. The lone dissenter was either a friend of Cliff Morris' or a quid-pro-quo biz associate who said it was Cliff's "due process right" to annex and develop.

The council wisely unanimously rejected the annexation, except for Porter who cast an abstention. The denial was lead by Councilman Dusty Boucher who had done some research on population figures and growth in Sultan (coincidentally similar to our take on the documents "Impacts 101" we posted earlier this week), and determined that this annexation was NOT in the best interests of the city now, perhaps not for many years. Good call, guys. And kudos to Dusty especially.

Not Kudo-worthy was the united Rowe Peanut Gallery support of Gary Broughton's appeal to waive the impact fees on his new home to replace the one demolished by the city. Rob Criswell was the most vocal, stating the city had an obligation to inform Mr. Broughton that he only had one year in which to build his house to avoid paying impact fees, and that the "city was way out of line" by not doing so. This was echoed by C/M Champeaux (whose demeaner and bright objectivity at the beginning of his term of office seems to have moved to the dark side of favoritism) who stated he agreed with Criswell. He also offered a feisty opinion that he felt charging Mr. Broughton impact fees on this house "was ridiculous." The votes on all of Broughton's impact fee appeals (school, as well as traffic and recreation) were upheld along RoweCo vs. ProSultan lines, with waiver of fees approved by Porter, Criswell, Champeaux and Boucher; voting nay were McPherson, Raney and Everett.(Here's a question for folks to ponder....if you were a council member, with which group would you wish to be more closely associated?)

In a surprise move, Rob Criswell was elected Mayor Pro-tem. Rob is a pretty good representative of a Sultan Man On The Street, but as a replacement for Raney as Pro-Tem? You can't be serious.

Kay George read a letter from Bart Dalmasso, suggesting that coucil meetings be televised. Great idea! I've even suggested that myself. (But do we sniff yet another city enterprise for Mr. Coy hidden with in this suggestion?)

C/M Everett corrected the 12/18/02 minutes on the vote on disapprove the North Wagley water line project, which read as if the council had approved the project. Minutes passed as amended. (Margaret Skogland regaled the council for providing water to some who live outside the city limits, yet don't provide it for those who live inside the city limits,such as herself, Tom Green and Bert Arndt, all of whom, incidentally, wish to develop their property and need the water to do so. She has a point. Yet I can't help but wonder why her attendance at Plng. Comm. and Council meetings coincides with her desires to develop; i.e., as soon as the council approved the codes she needed, she stopped attending virtually any meeting.)

(A note on the Broughton appeal of impact fees: I didn't really feel strongly one way or the other on this issue, and thus, held what opinions I did have. But after the ridiculous arguments put forth last night by Councilmembers Criswell, Champeaux and, to some degree, Boucher, specifically that the city should have ADVISED Mr. Broughton that he only had one year in which to rebuild his demolished home, have revised my thoughts on this. Keep in mind that the mayor of the city during this time was Gary Broughton's brother, Bob Broughton. How could Gary B. NOT have known? And if he did not know, why DIDN'T he know? As a developer, Mr. Broughton (despite the constant refutation of that term by some in town), he should have been at least familiar with that code, at least, have asked. Moreover, as a contractor/builder he could -- and would -- be considered an "expert" witness by most courts, based on his experience, background and credentials. On that basis alone, this appeal should have been denied.)

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