Council Meeting Tonight

If you love politics is a small town, especially when things are quiet and chugging along, then you'll love tonight's council meeting. The council will declare the sewer replacement project substantially complete, add regulations about how to enforce subdivision requirements (after issues came up on the Stack Hill development) and finalize new rules for nuisance vegetation. The meeting starts at 7pm at the Joyce Community Center if you want to get your dose of small town politics!

We Have Lights!

The new street lights, minus the above ground wires, are now functioning beautifully along the east end of Commercial Street. The lights are back on the Winnifred Street Bridge too. Take an evening stroll in the area soon and enjoy!

Races Galore

Are you ready to race? Or at least watch someone else race? If so, then Ruston is the place to be this spring. Even if you're not excited to watch the action, be prepared for road closures on these dates:

• March 16th - St. Paddy's Day Run (map) will loop up Ruston Way, down Bennett, across the Winnifred Street Bridge, down 49th to Baltimore to Commercial, back over the bridge and exit back out Ruston Way.
• April 20th - Ruston Way 5-K (map) is scheduled to start at the south end of Point Ruston, loop back the site and then down Ruston Way.
• May 5th - Tacoma City Marathon (map) brings runners up Ruston Way, down Bennett and 54th to Point Defiance Park.

Dust off your running shoes and start training now. It's gonna be another fun season!

Lights Out In Ruston

The central part of Ruston has gone dark, for the time being at least. The lights on the Winnifred Street bridge are not working, most likely related to the under-grounding of the electrical lines in the area. No word on when the lights will be back on.

But new lights are shining along the as-yet-unopened Waterwalk thru Point Ruston. Small halos of light line the water's edge out there, a beacon of good things to come!

Weekend Fun Next Door

If you are looking for something fun to do after the hype and sugar-high of Valentines Day, consider taking the kids to watch the sharks eat their version of a treat this weekend. It's a nice stroll to the zoo from any house in Ruston...

Link for more information here

Council Meeting Tomorrow

There are plenty of items on the agenda for tomorrow night. Come join the fun at 7pm at the community center if you dare!

Baltimore Street To Open By June

The Ruston council approved a specific schedule requiring Point Ruston to complete improvements of Baltimore Street at their special council meeting on January 29, 2013. The construction will be coordinated with a Tacoma Water project on the same road and opened by June. Notes from the meeting are below:
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The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bruce Hopkins at 7pm. All elected officials were present. The agenda was approved with no changes. There were no public comments.

Business

1. Resolution 541 – Update of Stack Hill Plat Conditions: Ruston planner Rob White outlined the proposed action, which is being done at the request of the developer. The required improvements to Baltimore Street under the Stack Hill plat had not been completed on time. Point Ruston proposed to coordinate the road construction with a Tacoma water line project on the same street. The proposal creates phases; 1) street, curb and gutter on the east side of the centerline would be completed with the water project by June, 2) by end of year Point Ruston would complete the remainder of the project (lighting, landscaping). Councilmember Hedrick asked if developer had agreed to this schedule. He had discussed the same issue with them two weeks ago and it sounded like the same schedule he heard from them. He confirmed that the premium had been paid on the bond and that the bond would remain in place through whole project. Town engineer Jerry Morrissette confirmed that the bond amount was sufficient to cover construction costs if the developer went into default.  Councilmember Judd had Councilmember Kristovich confirm what improvements would be done when. Councilmember Hardin confirmed where those details are outlined and enforceable.

Hardin was concerned what would happen if the Tacoma water project was delayed. The attorney said the schedule for Point Ruston does not rely on the water project; if this schedule is not met, Ruston will go after bond to complete the work.  Councilmember Hunt wanted all the construction items listed out in the resolution. White noted the details are laid out in the plans attached to the plat approval. The attorney outlined changes since the draft was published; mostly corrections to the agenda bill (49^th Street for 29^th, 15% should be 150% mark up, some changes to the wording on page 4, completion by 12/31/13). Hopkins asked Morrissette what the road would look like if Tacoma was delayed on their work on the western side of the street - the Tacoma method was to grind out the top 2” and then overlay with new asphalt. Hopkins confirmed the structural integrity of both sides would be ok. White noted that Ruston could require a temporary patch if needed. Hunt confirmed that Baltimore Street should be open by June.

Hedrick announced he would vote in favor of the resolution. The schedule was consistent with what he was told by the developer in his two meetings with Point Ruston. Hardin asked if there were any reasons why Ruston would not be allowing building permits on Stack Hill (was anything dependent on this road work). The two issues were not related. He also announced he would vote in favor of the resolution. He didn’t care what the News Tribune thought; the important thing was that Ruston had a good relationship with the developer. The town had not pressured the developer or taken the bond when they missed their deadline for the Baltimore Street work. He hoped the council would not be vilified in future for that. The resolution was approved 5-0.

Mayor’s Time

Nothing

Council Time

Nothing from anyone.

The meeting adjourned at 7:36pm.

More Underground Utilities

Mayor Bruce Hopkins has been very vocal about his goal to underground utilities in Ruston. It's a costly proposition, but the council has expressed agreement. With the current budget running at a deficit, everyone agrees the full project will have to wait.

In the meantime, Hopkins has his staff working on plans to accomplish the task (priority areas, preliminary engineering, etc.) - which may lay the ground work for grant applications. And smaller sections of line are going underground whenever finances or other work create an opportunity. One such small section at Commercial and Winnifred is just about complete. Baltimore Street from Commercial to N. 49th was completed late last year. Folks in the area get a preview of the enhanced views that will eventually be seen all over town.

Ruston To Hire Environmental Consultant

There are several items on the agenda for the council to address at their meeting tomorrow night. Among other things, they are poised to appoint new planning commissioners and approve a change in the zoning code for the lots behind the former Coles Tavern. They also plan to hire Richard Brady & Associates to assist with plan reviews that need some environmental expertise. Brady & Associates is familiar with Superfund issues. The contract is for a not-to-exceed cost of $100,000 over 2 years, with the costs passed on the developer.

The meeting starts at 7pm at the Joyce Community Center (5219 N. Shirley) tomorrow night (February 5th).

New Garbage Rules

Today is garbage day in Ruston. With the new-to-us garbage collection system, our trusty maintenance guys are again reminding us the new system does more than save wear and tear on their backs, it requires some changes for residents as well:

• Carts (a fancy name for the new cans with wheels) need to be set on the edge of the alley/street on collection day with the lid opening facing the road (handle towards the property).
• Carts must be at least 4 feet from other objects on either side or behind.
• Lids must be closed or the contents spill before they reach the truck.
• Please make sure the carts have enough clearance from overhanging eaves or gutters so they won't hit anything as they are picked up.

The crew reports that the new system is working well and everyone seems pleased. If you want advice on where to place your carts, one of the guys can stop by and show you. Just call Town Hall at (253) 759-3544 to arrange a visit.