Fate of Gravel Lot Spurs Comments from Community, Business Leaders

The fate of the  is a hot topic among community and business leaders of late.

Six citizens felt strongly enough about a city resolution to purchase the property that they came to the City Council meeting Monday night to share their perspectives during public comment.

Janet Berthon, though not a city resident, conveyed both her and her sister's belief that the property is currently an eyesore and the idea of turning the land into a public park and meeting place would be a welcome change.

Diane Franchini and Debbie Fank, reading letters by Arts Alive! artists Lorrie Maras and Nancy Cary, similarly informed the Council of local artists' support for the project. "You have the ability to create something of beauty," Franchini said.

Tracey McCallum, the director of the Chamber of Commerce also spoke of her support on behalf of the Chamber, who would have moved forward on the idea themselves but were hindered by insurance costs. A park would help keep people in the community and keep them shopping downtown, she said. And if the city were to purchase the property, she has several ideas for it and would partner with the city to to plan various events to best utilitize it.

"I really think it's a great opportunity that we have to make the community better and stronger," she said.

Mike Qualls, of Prudential Life Insurance & Financial Services across the street offered Council several ideas and food for thought regarding how best to use the property.

Darrel Dickson, a local business owner and president of the Enumclaw Rotary Club, offered a counterpoint. The city continues to lose money on the golf course and the Expo Center, and the library is in dire need of funds as well. "Is this really our top priority?" he asked

There are three parks within walking distance already from downtown, he said. The city should be looking at inducements to "create business -- not another potentially underutilized park."

That being said, Dickson would support a private effort to purchase the property and build a park -- he opposes the use of taxpayer money for this effort. "That's not what my city should be doing," he said.

In spite of the fervor, Council voted to postpone action on the resolution until they had a full Council present -- Councilman Sean Krebs was absent on Monday. The next meeting is Monday, June 13.

Nonetheless, Councilman Jeff Beckwith offered a middle-ground approach as another option for discussion when the resolution is back on the table. The city should purchase the property as an investment, using a specific city fund that could carry the financial weight of the present action. But it should do minimal work on the property at this time while still providing the space for the community to use the lot for gatherings and other ideas presented at the meeting. 

The purpose would be to gauge how well the land would be utilized by citizens; if it's not popular, the hope is that as the economy improves, the city may then find a buyer for it in the future, he said.

Library Information Day Coming Up

City Administrator Mike Thomas updated Council on efforts to reach the public regarding the future of the city library. 

Library Director Bob Baer has been working with the Library Board to better define the vision for the city library should the city end up not , as had been previously discussed, he said.

To that end, the Library Board and staff will be hosting an open discussion for the public on Tuesday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the library meeting room, with an organized public forum set to begin at 7 p.m.

If you have a strong opinion about how you'd like to see the city manage the library or would like more information about all options, this gathering is for you.

In Other News:

• Council approved an ordinance relating to noise control at the Expo Center. In line with a similar method used by the city of Puyallup for its Fairgrounds, this ordinance exempts the Expo Center from noise restrictions imposed on other areas of the city if they relate to noise coming from events such as parades, sporting events and other public events like fireworks shows, music and carnivals between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.
• Council reviewed a first reading ordinance related to the Elk Meadows project that seeks to subdivide 2.07 acres into 12 single family residence lots and one stormwater management tract at the northeast corner of Warner Avenue East and Watson Street North. The Hearing Examiner had recommended approval of this preliminary plat, subject to conditions, according to City Planner Clark Close (see pages 56-66 of the agenda packet). Several Council members commented on the issue of Type 9 streets used in this proposal, following the last meeting's discussion of these streets related to the preliminary plat.
• Thomas gave Council an update on the progress of the Welcome Center: two hurdles have been overcome, he said -- one related to the proper acquisition of state and federal permits and the other related to funding. While the project has benefitted from a variety of grants, the city is working on an agreement with the Forest Service where it would help fund the construction of second-floor office space at the cost of roughly $600,000, he said. As such, the Forest Service is seeking ownership interest in the building but would still be paying rent as well. This is beneficial for the city, Thomas said, as it ensures the Forest Service would have a vested interest in the Welcome Center for the next 20 to 30 years, helping to pay for building maintenance and upkeep while keeping staff in town. The alternative would have been, at best, an expectation of five-year lease commitments from the various agencies including the Forest Service, the state Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. Mayor Liz Reynolds added that the Chamber of Commerce is also looking to partner with the city on the Welcome Center. Construction for the building, Thomas said, could begin in late fall.

Overheard during the Council Meeting: "It's like Judge Judy, only that's the Mayor..."