First Lundeen Annexation Public Hearing Largely Unnoticed

Just one resident attended and spoke up at the first of two public hearings held by the Enumclaw City Council at its regular meeting on Monday night over the proposed annexation of about 92 acres of land into the city, known as the Lundeen Annexation. The area is roughly bounded on the west by State Route 169, on the south by McHugh Avenue, and in the north by Thunder Mountain Middle School.

The resident, who said she has lived in the area of Thunder Mountain for the past seven years, did not speak about the annexation directly but did let Council know that an improved police presence was necessary in her neighborhood.

The King County Sheriff's Office has not been as effective as they should in policing her neighborhood. "We need law enforcement to be close and to know the people in town and who they're dealing with," she said.

Outside of the hearing, city planner Clark Close reiterated the details of the annexation, as Monday was also Council's first reading of the ordinance that, if approved, would let the city annex the area:

• It encompasses 50 parcels of land.
• It was valued at about $9.26 million according to 2010 estimates from the King County Assessor's Office.
• It includes 97 residents.
• It will adopt a proposed zoning regulation of R-2, or Moderate Density Single Family Residential District. (According to a staff report, there will also be a P zoning, for Public Use District.)
• It will bring the city an estimated annual net gain of $36,857.

In accordance with state law and the city's Comprehensive Plan, the city had already accepted both the 10 percent and 60 percent petitions as of September 2010 and held an open house back in June 2010 which gave affected residents as well as interested citizens an opportunity to ask questions about the annexation.

Questions collected since then and addressed by city staff include (taken from staff report - see agenda packet):

• Q: How will property taxes be impacted?

A: Given the range  of utility taxes that a newly annexed resident may pay, it is difficult to determine the actual net impact. However, it is certain that a resident would pay less in property taxes and pay more in utility taxes. Under the scenarios examined above, a resident annexing into the City would pay roughly $10 less in new and existing taxes.

• Q: What about unplanned growth related to all annexations and the impacts they might have on transportation. Shouldn't the planning process engage citizens, PSRC, events occuring in Black Diamond?

A: The city is working towards a subarea plan that will address many of these concerns and we most recently have established a work program where citizens will be encouraged to attend and plan for the future development and visioning for the urban growth area.

• Q: How do the City's police response times compare to the County's?

A: The city does not maintain statistical data on police response times within the City as we have experienced an extremely quick response to priority 1 calls (emergengy calls for service). Not in progress calls for service are prioritized based upon active calls and generally, again, we enjoy a very quick response.

Geographically, the city (and UGA areas) is located in a much smaller area in comparison to King County patrol districts. Our travel time to a call, which typically encompasses the majority of the response time, is normally much less than the county's. A copy of the police department's policy and procedure protocol is available for public inspection by completing the Request for Public Records Form.

Since this was the ordinance's first reading, Council did not take action Monday. A second hearing is scheduled for Monday, April 25.

Close indicated that while the city has received more annexation proposals, the Lundeen Annexation is the last that the city will see through before it will need to reassess city resources and staff for further annexations.

Other City Council News:

• Enumclaw School District Superintendent Mike Nelson, Director of Business and Operations Tim Madden and attorney Denise Stiffarm addressed Council with a presentation on the need for a city ordinance in place with regards to school impact fees as the district anticipates growth in accordance with its capital facilities plan. Following their presentation, Councilman Sean Krebs said the issue would go back to the Community/Economic Development Committee for discussion before Council hears any recommendations from the committee.
• Community Development Director Erika Shook indicated that there is a Planning Commission Public Hearing next Thursday, March 24 at City Hall. The topic for discussion is the proposed changes to the city's Comprehensive Plan. (At this time it is unclear if this meeting starts at 7 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Check the city website for updates.)
• As part of Council's consent agenda, Fred Sears, who identifies himself as the owner of a small excavating company, has been appointed to position No. 1 on the city's Planning Commission.
• Council approved a resolution the April 26 ballot measure regarding annexation into the King County Library System. Councilman Jeff Beckwith reiterated that the cancellation was not a reflection that the city was abandoning annexation but that it was due to the lack of information available when decisions needed to be made.
• Public Works Director Chris Searcy outlined the bidding process with regards to needed improvements in the Expo Center Fieldhouse restrooms, which due to poor conditions had been a deterrent for potential renters. Council had authorized $40,000 for the work in the 2011 budget, he said, but further improvements were identified since then. Additionally, of six bids, none came close to the $40,000 number. Searcy said staff recommended rejecting the current bids and possibly reassess the work needed to be done. Councilman Mike Ennis, as chair of the Expo Center Committee, concurred though emphasized that the city should act quickly to get these improvements made ahead of several important events coming up in May and June.
• Fire Chief Joe Clow gave an overview of the event in which 13 Enumclaw emergency personnel took part -- this year in memory of police . The cooperation between fire and Officer Chuck Hauswirth of Enumclaw Police reflected on the true cooperative spirit of these public servants, he said. "They shared their lives together."
• Under unfinished business, Councilman Richard Elfers asked for further clarification from City Attorney Mike Reynolds regarding the general role of city-appointed boards and commissions. Elfers asked this against the backdrop of action the city's Library Board had taken in recent weeks to speak out against the city's movement, at the time, toward a library annexation. Reynolds indicated that their roles are similar to those of city staff: they are appointed by the mayor and council and are relied upon to make recommendations in their specialties. Whether or not they ultimately agree with Council's decision, it is "inappropriate" to go out publicly and speak about it. "We can make recommendations but it's beyond our duty to go out and say you disagree," he said.
• Elfers further asked if decision-making with regards to the Expo Center had been hindered because of the nature of the Center being a for-profit business while the city was a public entity subject to keeping information open to the public. Fellow councilmembers indicated they didn't see a conflict between the two, and City Attorney Reynolds indicated that technically, the Expo Center isn't 'for profit.'
• Under new business, Krebs voiced concern from the Enumclaw Chamber with regards to what appeared to be unfinished business in the 2011 budget process. In budget discussions last year, he said, Council was operating under the impression that because the Chamber was not a benefactor of city funds for 2011, the city would not be charging the Chamber rent for 2011. Instead, according to City Administrator Mike Thomas, they would only pay the lease hold excise tax and their utilities. However, no action was taken by Council to put this into the budget. Krebs asked for city staff to look at the numbers and re-evaluate and come back to Council with their findings at the next meeting.