Mayor Hopkins called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. After the usual flag salute, the agenda was changed to move Item 6 to be considered after the executive session. Council Member Huson and Hunt wanted some major changes in how the minutes were worded so the clerk was told to rewrite them.
General Public Comment
Dan Wombacher has not seen any response from the mayor on his subdivision request yet. The mayor said he had emailed it twice. The town attorney did not like having a resident ask such a question during public comment. The mayor said he would print out his response and bring it to Mr. Wombacher's house.
Sherri Forch did not like the wording about the dog licence fees in the last town newsletter.
Business
1. Update on sewer project by Jerry Morrissette: The engineers have developed a rating system for the lines which gives priority to different sections. Pearl Street is one priority area and Tacoma is planning on upgrading the main trunk line soon. The project can be put out to bid by priority groups. The map of the system will be at town hall for review. Morrissette noted that Ruston's sewer system is in very, very bad shape. They are still looking to get construction started this summer.
Soil testing will be done on the soils for metals below the asphalt before the bids are sent out. A program to accomplish this has been developed, estimated to cost about $7,700. No problems are expected given similar testing in the area. Council Member Hedrick moved to allow the mayor to move forward with this plan. Council Member Hardin wanted to be sure the lab is ok. Since EPA was comfortable with the lab, Morrissette suggested moving ahead. The motion passed 5-0.
The smoke testing program will find areas where I&I (inflow and infiltrating) might be a problem on private property. These are areas where storm water can get into the sanitary sewer system. Past studies show about half the I&I come from private property, which will be a concern when it's time to negotiate the new contract with Tacoma for use of their treatment plant. Everyone will be notified when the testing will occur so they won't be alarmed by the smoke. The council will hold a study session on Feb. 15th from 6 until 7 pm to look at town code to allow the town to remove downspouts or correct other problems if they are found on private property (and charge the homeowner).
Point Ruston is providing a new sewer trunk system through their site. This will allow the removal of the current lift station that serves the credit union and other buildings in the area. The work is being done by the City of Tacoma. There are new connections needed from the new main line to the property line for this area now. The council decided to make connections to vacant lots as well as the current systems while the street is torn up at about $2,000 each. A resolution will be prepared to authorize this action at the next meeting.
2. Point Ruston Update (copy of the presentation here): Mike Cohen said the Shoreline Permit appeal in Ruston has been resolved, but a seperate appeal continues on the Tacoma side. The findings by the shoreline review board found that this development will improve views over the previous buildings and that the development will provide public access to the shoreline where there was none before.
The LID project is proceeding with up to $15 million for new infrastructure. The first few weeks were challenging since most of the utilities were not located where the maps indicated they would be.
6 homes have been completed on Stack Hill, adding about $4.8 million to Ruston's tax rolls. A labor harmony agreement has been reached with all the AFL-CIO union groups in Pierce county. The current protests are by the Carpenters Union, who has dropped out of the AFL-CIO and is trying to develop a competing trade organization for building trades.
Point Ruston had a very successful run with the floating sales center in Seattle in 2009 and they are planning another trip in 2010. The priorities for this year are to continue to market Stack Hill with the expectation that 4 to 6 more homes will be built in 2010. The permit process is underway for Building 7 on the lower site.
The LID work should be done this year, with some ideas being floated to celebrate the permanent closure of the tunnel. The new road will include a connection to Baltimore Street, which is expected to carry about 20% of the flow off Ruston Way. Tacoma has agreed any excess LID funds can be used to build the public waterfront walkway.
It has been a challenging year for financing new projects like this one, but the credit market is loosing up now. Cohen is hoping to be able to start back to work soon. They are looking for an organic grocer as an anchor tenant in the proposed building at 51st and Ruston Way, and they are looking at a cinema on the second floor. They now have an agreement with Metro Parks to develop Peninsula Park and hope to work cooperatively on the parks in the rest of the development. Department of Natural Resources is going out to bid soon to remove the old docks.
Hunt wanted to know when the Silver Cloud would starting building. Cohen said their agreement with the hotel was that they would build when the retail core was at least 50% developed. They just renewed their agreement with the Silver Cloud. The tunnel closure has been moved from March until May through July, which was a concern for Don's Market.
3. Resolution 461, Authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with BIAS for financial accounting, etc: The service will cost $2,010 per month for a period of one year. A new budget will be provided once the bank provides on-line access. Passed 5-0
4. Resolution 462, ratifying and adopting a public works construction contract with Marles Corp, dba as Amaya Construction, Inc: This is for the new street lighting work. Passed 5-0
5. Resolution 463, ratifying and adopting a public works construction contact with Cannon Construction, Inc: Also for the street light project. Passed 5-0
7. Ordinance 1305, provide the recovery of permit and other development fees when they are past due (second reading). No discussion, passed 5-0
The meeting adjoined into executive session for 45 minutes to discuss litigation issues.
The meeting reconvened at 9:10 pm.
6. Resolution 460, adopting an agreement with Point Ruston LLC regarding litigation initiated by Point Ruston against Huitt-Zollars: No discussion, passed 4-1 with Hedrick voting no.
Claims and Payroll
Passed 5-0
Mayor's Time
The previous Saturday there was a serious altercation at the Unicorn Tavern that put one of Ruston's police officers in danger. The Ruston officer was surrounded by unhappy patrons inside the tavern when he made an arrest and had to be helped by two off-duty officers who happened to be there. More altercations occurred after the combatants were taken outside. There were 8 police units on scene with 4 arrests over a 3 hour period. The council will be asked to take action with a chronic nuisance ordinance modeled after a similar Tacoma ordinance. The noise ordinance on the books now is not enough. This new ordinance has been tested and is enforceable.
Council Time
Huson met with Columbia Bank on other issues and confirmed they are willing to have the town bank with them again. The long term investment policy is still being developed and a presentation will be made soon on investment alternatives.
Hardin joked that he was concerned that one of the council members allowed himself to be photographed in Olympia.
The meeting adjourned at about 9:30 pm.
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10 comments:
The first downspout they should check is on Town Hall!!!!
Don't know the details of the police entering the UNICORN but it has been a target of the Town of Ruston for many years causing a police chief to resign and the town settling a lawsuit thereof.
The Unicorn has become re-ocurring problem for the past couple of years. We don't need a tragic episode involving our officers to realize that we should take action. Be resonsible, run a clean business and there won't be an issue. Otherwise take all nessesary action to close it down. The out of towners will find another neighborhood dive to ruin. Ruston and Human life are way more important.
I live in the neighborhood and I have zero sympathy for the Unicorn, for the ex-police chief and for the Town's lack of action to establish peace and quiet here. That bar is a blight on our town, a noisy, brawling presence that turns the air blue with obscenities from its drunken customers. It contributes almost nothing in B&O taxes to the Town. Mister Mayor and Town Council members: How about protecting the peace of people who live here instead of ignoring the regular weekend fracas scene there?
Who cares about B&O taxes... they aren't much. How much do they contribute in sales taxes? That's where the real money's at.
The tax issue is nothing compared to the noise and carousing, which are terrible. Ruston shouldn't have to prostitute itself for the sake of taxes at any cost.
As problematical as the Unicorn is to many of us residents, it at least does a business, whereas other businesses in Ruston are having troubles. The casino looks like it's gasping for lack of business with its nearly empty parking lot night after night; 'Clever' just closed after being open less than 6 months; one of the antiques places on Pearl closed; the Ruston Inn has posted signs on its door from time to time saying it's closed for lack of business, etc. Don't know how business is doing at the gas station, the exercise place on Pearl or Don's market. I think Tatanka is fairly healthy.
There can't be much sales tax or b&o tax coming in from these places. Just my observation as I take my twice daily walks around town.
On the other hand the stores on the Tacoma side of Pearl, the Antique Sandwich Co., Jungle Fever and the car part place do a land office business. What's their secret for success?
Oh, last Anon forgot to mention that the G. Edwards or whatever that brokerag place on 51st Street was, also went out of business. There are a lot of For Rent signs in empty business spaces in town now.
I'd be happy to see the casino and the Unicorn go bye bye. I don't think they do nothing for our community except they are the subjects of arguments between people and how many times haave they landed the Town in potential and real lawsuits? Tax revenue? Youve gotta be kidding. Cant we be spared some pain here?
Your intentions and they are your own would be more effective if you picked up the price tag.
Cost to Ruston taxpayers upwards of a million bucks and due to climb even higher.
Think of what the Unicorn costs taxpayers in police calls and presence every weekend and on holiday nights. Think of the police monitoring that goes on at the casino on weekends, summer and holidays. Then add in the reports and paperwork police have to do after the incidents take place. You think we taxpayers should keep footing those bills and also put up with the rowdyness and disorderly conduct of customers from other areas as well as from Ruston? I don't think so.
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