Ruston Clerk Resigning

Ruston Town Clerk Karen Carlisle has given her resignation effective December 1st. She is moving on to more peaceful activities. We wish her all the best in her new adventures. Stop in to say goodbye and add your well wishes. More details later....

Not Everyone Is Happy?

There is an article yesterday in the News Tribune about the changes around the bowl at Point Defiance (click here to read). It appears not everyone is happy about the new landscaping designs for the area. The open house is planned for tonight at the lodge at the park, stop in to give your input (click here for details).

Point Ruston LID Update

Loren Cohen sent the following update on what is going on behind closed roads....

Five barge loads of fill material are being imported to the site, which includes approximately 20,000 tons of clean trench backfill and 5,000 tons of pea gravel. This material will be used for the construction of the first phase of master infrastructure project which will complete the installation of the deep 96” manhole and 2,800 lineal feet of sanitary sewer system. The road closure is planned to last through November 25th, with Ruston Way and the tunnel back open for Thanksgiving.

Here are some pictures from the work:

(1): The first bucket load of materials from the dig of the manhole.

(2) The 96” manhole area with a trench box installed to keep sloughing from occurring.

(3) Stockpile of clean backfill materials and pea gravel onsite.

Point Defiance Open House

There is an open house scheduled for this Thursday, November 19th to discuss the changes and improvements to the bowl area. If you'd like to comment and/or ask more questions about the sledding hill or other plans, please stop by the Point Defiance Lodge between 6 and 7:30 pm on Thursday.

2010 Budget (First Draft)

The first iteration of the 2010 budget is available on Ruston Reports (here). There were changes made at the meeting last night that already impact the budget; the police department won their argument to keep LESA record management and other services for $40,000 and the council approved the taxes on our utilities, estimated to bring in about $60,000 next year.

My scanner has trouble with legal size pages, so some of the notes are cut off ~ but you can get a flavor of what the mayor proposed. I believe full copies of the budget are available at Town Hall or let me know and I can get you a copy of mine (kpickett22@yahoo.com).

Quick Notes

Just a few quick notes about the meeting tonight, more details later...

• All business items were approved except the utility deposits (which were tabled)
• 2010 draft budget has forecast deficit of $130,000 (compared to $600,000 last year)
• Lots of thank you's and congratulations for Council Member Albertson's last meeting. Council Member Stebner will serve until the end of the year because he was elected, but since Albertson was appointed, the winner of the election will take over as soon as the election is certified. Lyle Hardin will take over at the next meeting on Dec. 7th.

Study Sessions Tonight

There will be two study sessions tonight before the regular council meeting to discuss issues in more detail. On tap:

• 5:30 pm: Meter Deposits
• 6:00 2010 Budget

Stop in for all or some of the fun!

Council Meeting Agenda: Nov. 16, 2009

There are several ordinances up for final readings at the meeting this Monday. One of them will add new taxes to all utilities in Ruston. Unlike reserve funds, these revenues will go directly into the general fund for use anywhere the council sees fit. This will tax things like electricity, garbage, sewer, phones (including cell phones), natural gas, gasoline.

The ordinance would take effect in February and does not list a specific tax rate, only that the rate will be "equal to the maximum percentage allowed...". The mayor let me know late yesterday that the rate is capped at 6% and can only go higher if approved by voters. He estimated the increase would average about $10 a month on energy costs (power and/or natural gas) and probably about $3 per month on phones (although the issue is still being researched). The full packet of information (including the ordinances) is availble on Ruston Reports here...

Also on deck, among other things, are increased scope and cost for the town engineer for the expanded sewer project, fire inspections and the 2010 budget. It should be a fun night ~ come by at 7 pm and let the council know your thoughts.

Tunnel Closure Delayed

UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov. 11th: The News Tribune has more details about the closure and future plans for the tunnel and Ruston Way (read article here). Final closure of the tunnel is scheduled for this spring ~ progress at long last!
______________________________________________

The closure of the tunnel has been pushed back by a day. The closure is now scheduled to begin Thursday morning, November 12th. The closure is still estimated to last 2 weeks.