I have been remiss in not getting this notice up till now. Longtime owner of the corner gas station Ted Shaffer died last month. His daughter Jane and son Bob ran the operation at 51st and Pearl during the last decade or more. Ted was born and raised in Ruston. His mother lived here most of her life as well. He carried more history of this town than we'll ever know and was a mainstay both economically and visually with his business.
Bob wrote the following about his dad. There will be a memorial scheduled at a later date. Cards can be send c/o the Shaffer Family, 13911 97th Ave. NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98329.
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Ted Shaffer, owner of Shaffer’s Automotive, passed away 12-16-2011 to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. He died quietly in the hospital after a massive stroke. He is preceded by his wife of 58 years Marilyn and is survived by his children, Jane, John and Bob. Ted and Marilyn had seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Ted grew up in Ruston and volunteered to serve our Country at age 17 in 1942. He participated in the Pacific during WWII in the invasion of Saipan, Palau, Tanya and Okinawa. After the war Ted became a Journeyman Machinist working at the railroad then at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. Ted will be remembered most as the owner of Shaffer’s Automotive, a business he started in 1955 and operated for 55 years.
I'm still trying to catch up... Here is what I found intersting from the December 19th council meeting:
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The meeting began at 7:05 pm with all council members present (Councilmember Kristovich arrived after the study session). After the flag salute, business item 5 was changed to Resolution 1350 instead of Resolution 501 because it needed to be approved tonight (to balance the year-end budget). The agenda was approved as amended. The minutes from September 19th, October 3rd and 17th were approved as presented with no changes.
Staff Reports
Police: Chief Kunkel gave the run down on the calls for November (I could not hear most of it). There were no questions from the council.
Fire: Chief Torbet reported that the new breathing apparatus had been ordered. There was a discussion about what changes were needed to the fire department budget to cover the expense. Councilmember Hardin asked for an update on the fire fighter injured at the academy. Torbet said they are recovering and the academy is not going to charge them for the training. The fire fighter will repeat the course next year.
Sewer: Town engineer Jerry Morrisette provided an update on the sewer replacement project. The contractor is making good progress given the dry December weather. The two houses on Shirley Street that had flooded basements had previously had their storm sewers connected to their sanitary sewers. When the sewer was replaced, those illegal connections were removed. The mayor has directed the engineer to explore ways for the town to pay to connect the storm sewers correctly on these properties (both are elderly owners) while other funding is sought to repay the town. It sounds like there will be money available to the property owners, but it will take some time.
Public Comment
Ron Stanley of 5227 N. Highland complained about the change in water flow onto his property after the sewer work in his area.
Business
1. Pine Cone Exercise: Barbara Nelson from Pierce County Emergency Management explained this was a statewide exercise scheduled for June 5th to test the emergency management system. Ruston is invited to participate. The deadline to confirm participation was today (December 19th). I didn’t hear a clear response from the council.
2. Ordinance 1340 – Street Excavation Permit Standards (2nd Reading): The town attorney outlined the new regulations, which exclude small scale landscaping if the excavation is less than 12 inches. There are potential applicants that would fall under this regulation so she urged action now. The measure passed 5-0.
3. Ordinance 1348 –Master Use Permit (1st Reading): This would apply to entities doing multiple excavation and is modeled after state law. The attorney said she would bring back an ordinance that lays out the fees for all these permits. The council did not have any further comment.
4. Ordinance 1347 – Right of Way Encroachment Permit (3rd Reading): The town attorney said the permit would be required for any structure within the town right of way and must be renewed annually. It requires that the property owner insure the structure and indemnify the town from liability. Councilmember Hardin did not want it to apply to driveways and walkways. He felt it was onerous to suddenly require yearly permits for longstanding structures like this. The council confirmed that grass and flowers were ok, but not trees. Both Councilmembers Huson and Hedrick felt the definitions were too broad as presented. Huson stated that he does not even have a town license for his dog, the last thing he was going to do was get an annual license for his hedge.
5. Ordnance 1350 – 2011 Budget Amendment (1st Reading): Mayor Hopkins apologized with the late notice. He is not happy with the accounting consultant and will work to ensure the budget is tracked better in the future. The council confirmed the changes in the budget and that this transfer from reserves of $196,000 meant a total of $266,000 was taken from reserves for the year. The mayor has directed the town maintenance men to be sure they are charging their time to the healthy utility accounts. He confirmed the clerk-treasurer is spending time on the utilities but he expected that to lessen over time. The deficit for the school in 2011 was $40,000. Huson waived the second reading, which was approved 5-0 and the ordinance was approved 5-0.
6. Discussion – Franchise Negotiations: The attorney said the town is negotiating agreements with Puget Sound Energy, Burlington Northern Railroad and Click network. She expected to present the agreements to the council by the first quarter of 2012. Click is only asking to lay empty conduit in the Point Ruston development and they will have to come back for a new agreement before actually laying cable. Hunt said Click had told her they would never provide service to the rest of Ruston. She did not like the idea of only part of the town being served. Hedrick suggested that BNSF give the town the portion of Rust Park that they own in exchange for this agreement. The mayor suggested they also trim trees on their property that are blocking views. Hardin confirmed this is the franchise from 100 years ago. The duration of the new one will be 10 years.
7. Discussion – Employee Medical Benefits: The mayor explained that the medical plan the town currently has is no longer available. There is a similar plan for $20 less per month, but he is reluctant to make any changes until the union has signed off.
8. Ordinance 1344 – 2012 Budget (3rd Reading): The mayor thanked Chief Kunkel for his work on the police budget. He was able to bring it within $1,000 of last year’s budget. This budget has a $220,000 deficit that will have to come from reserves. The ordinance passed 5-0.
Claims and Payroll passed 5-0 after Hunt questioned some police purchases.
Mayor’s Time
Hopkins thanked Huson for his time serving on the council and asked him to consider sticking around two more years. Hopkins described Huson as well prepared for each meeting and always entertaining.
Council Time
Huson thanked the mayor for his praise and the citizens for electing him. He felt the last two years on the council had been very enjoyable.
Hedrick said he didn’t know anyone who had given more of their time and intellect than Councilmember Huson. His leaving will be a big loss for the community.
Hunt echoed the same sentiments and encouraged Huson to get his application turned in and serve 2 more years.
Hardin described Huson as a mentor and thanked him for his service.
Kristovich called Huson a Ruston rock star and promised to learn how to pound on the table harder while he was gone in his honor.
UPDATE @ 2 pm: Chief Kunkel reports that the northbound lane of Pearl Street is open as of about 11 am, the southbound lane is still closed from 49th to 51st.
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Pearl Street is completely closed down for at least a couple more hours according to Ruston Police Chief Jeremy Kunkel. The water main beneath the street has broken and is undergoing repairs. No reports of the residential water supply being impacted yet.
In addition, the sewer replacement project has 51st Street closed intermittently for excavation at the alley (one lane open at times). The tunnel remains closed for construction as well. For the time being, the only way to get in or out of town is using side streets or coming in from Baltimore to 49th. Good luck out there!
Police Chief Kunkel sent out these details for anyone dealing with storm damage:
The Pierce County Emergency Operations Center will begin today collecting damage information from homeowners and business owners affected by this week’s winter storm. Residents and business owners in Pierce County that suffered damage should call the Pierce County Damage Assessment Center at 1-866-798-6363 (toll free) Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Callers should have the following information available:
* Name and address of affected property
* Contact information (cell phone, relatives phone number, “new” mailing address)
* Type of insurance (homeowners)
* A description of damage, even if uninsured
* A personal estimate of uninsured losses
* Estimates of the fair market value of the damaged home or business (it is not necessary at this point for property owners to have a contractor’s estimate)
The findings from this assessment will be used by the Governor to request a possible disaster declaration and federal disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This process could take up to a couple of weeks or more. FEMA disaster assistance, if and when it becomes available, only covers uninsured losses.
Among the immediate steps that individuals and families should take include:
* Call your insurance agent to check on your coverage
* Keep detailed records of all clean-up and repair costs, including photographs
* When the time comes to make repairs, be aware of local permit requirements and do a thorough check of potential contractors
Visit Pierce County’s Blog for up to date emergency information: http://blog.piercecountywa.org/emergency/
It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I am reminded again today how grateful I am to live next to a world-class park like Point Defiance. Glad to see everyone safe, warm and enjoying our little town today! If you have photos to share, email them to kpickett22@yahoo.com.
The Ruston council recently held a study session to discuss the school building costs and options. Most of the council expressed support for selling the building. Following are my notes from the study session, held December 19, 2011.
_____________________________________ Study Session: Ruston School Building Discussion – evaluating current financial position and possible uses and/or disposition of the property.
The mayor called the study session to order at 6:12 pm. Councilmember Kristovich was excused. Councilmember Hunt began by explaining she had been in contact with Jeff Jaygosh, who works for CRB Ellis (a real estate company) and lives in Ruston. CBRE is willing to do a marketing plan but would expect to be allowed to then market the building for the standard 6% commission. Hunt thought they might be able to talk them down a bit on the commission. She had not followed up with them in time to get them at tonight’s meeting. The mayor has authorized them to look at the building and they will get something to the town by early 2012.
The mayor then talked about the current situation with the tenants in the building. Asarco did not exercise their final option year with the lease and Point Ruston now has about 45% of the building on a month to month for $1,725 per month ($2.54 per square foot). The mayor had proposed increasing the rent $8 per square foot, which was not approved by the tenant. The mayor estimated $5.74 is the town’s current cost per square foot.
There was some discussion on the leasehold excise tax, which Ruston has to pay but gets reimbursed by the tenants. Jane Hunt’s partner, Al Olson was asked for his opinion on what the market rate for office space was in the Tacoma area (answer was inaudible).
Councilmember Huson wants to insist that Point Ruston pay $3,396 plus their utility costs to remain in the building. Councilmember Hedrick thought the best the town could do was break even on renting the building but it puts the town in a business they have no expertise in. He felt the best thing was to put the building on the market and sell it. Hunt agreed especially since it gets the property back on the tax rolls.
The mayor confirmed that for the short term he would insist that Point Ruston pay $5.74 per square foot or move out. If that happens, the town will board up the building.
Councilmember Hardin stated again that the council needed to get public input before making a final decision. The Joyce family and others may have concerns about losing the community center. Hunt did not think people would be upset. She had presented the situation to her neighbors and asked them which part of the $50,000 deficit they wanted on their utility bill, but no one had expressed interest in keeping the building. Huson did not think there would be any public interest. He felt putting a note in the town newsletter would be enough.
Hedrick asked if anyone from the public wanted to speak. Al Olson was the only one to comment. He said he was interested in this old ugly building, but the town needed to market it for sale.
The mayor wanted to proceed with paving the parking lots before marketing the building. He said he has asked Ken Brown to reestablish the real estate committee to look at all the town’s surplus properties.
The town council has a big agenda to tackle tomorrow night at their regularly scheduled meeting. Snodgrass and Freeman will present a proposal to do feasibility study on relocating the police department and council chambers so the school building can be sold (details here). The town attorney has issued an analysis of how they can handle the council vacancy (here), although the council had previously invited applications through the end of January for the position. And the ordinance regulating encroachment onto town rights-of-ways will be discussed again (here).
The fun begins at 7 pm at the Joyce Community Center in the school building (5219 N. Shirley Street). I hope to see everyone there, some big decisions could be made on several issues...
UPDATE January 17 @ 12:50 pm: Loren Cohen confirmed today that Ruston Way will hopefully open prior to the April 21st date set for the opening event. The run that is scheduled will include both a professional run and a fun run for armatures. The race director has trained others for the Olympics and knows the business well.
Point Ruston announced recently that the new Ruston Way will reopen on April 21, 2012. Local businesses continue to feel the pain of reduced traffic and express disappointment that the promise for an opening in early 2012 could not happen sooner. Progress continues with new curbs laid along the new alignment this week. A party is planned for the road opening on Saturday, April 21st. There will be a 5K race and fun walk to benefit the YWCA and the Tacoma Waterfront Association.
Work has begun again on the Copperline building. Apartments are under construction now and set to open in early fall. Work will then begin on the condos in the building. Condos are priced between $554,950 and 1.5 million.
The sales center on the ferry will reopen on site this summer along with the first part of the waterfront walkway. The rest of the waterwalk should be open over the fall and winter months. There is hope to break ground on the retail core towards the end of 2012. Tours of the site are available and other sales information from Sales Manager Russ Wickett at (360) 280-5064 or russ@pointruston.com. Point Ruston's January 2012 newsletter is available here.
Our friend and neighbor Sonny Brossoit was found dead in his home last Tuesday. I understand a family member called for a welfare check after not hearing from him. The police had to break down the door and found Sonny's body inside. There are no signs of foul play. A autopsy is underway with results expected by this coming Tuesday.
Sonny was a regular throughout Ruston, riding his bike and stopping for many an interesting chat. He was bluntly honest, had a ready smile and very handsome ponytail. He was one of the reasons why Ruston is so unique. He will be missed.
Please enjoy your time listening and sharing your thoughts. Comments are encouraged and are monitored for civility and accuracy.
Upcoming Events
Council: Meets every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7pm at Joyce Community Center, 5219 N. Shirley Street. Meetings are currently held online. Upcoming agendas are on the city website here...
Ruston Officials
Town Hall: 5117 N. Winnifred, Ruston, WA 98407: 759-3544, townclerk@rustonwa.org
