Ruston By Another Name

Most of the time, the Ruston news alerts don't mention anything about our hometown here in Washington. They usually refer to sports in Ruston, Louisiana or parts for the Ruston train engine. Occasionally they reference someone with the name Ruston.

Today's list included this article about a letter written by Major Ruston to the father of a young army captain in World War I. The letter outlined how Captain Salomons died a hero after refusing to leave his sinking ship until all his men had made it to safety. The home parish in England had 128 men die in this tragic collision between two ships. You can read the full story here...

Multiplex Theater at Point Ruston

The News Tribune announced today that Point Ruston has secured a commitment from Cinemark Holdings, Inc. for a mulitplex theater in the center of the new development. No commercial construction is expected for at least two years. The retail area was originally planned for the area within Ruston's borders, but its unclear where the theater will be located. You can read the full story here...

A Little About Ruston's New Councilmember

I invited our newest councilmember to share some background so we could get to know him better. Bruce Judd was appointed at the last council meeting and will serve for two years until the next regular election. When I spoke to him after the meeting, he mentioned he had been an attorney but had a stroke, which impacts his ability to speak. Here are more details he shared in an email: 

I am finished University of Washington Law School  in 1979.  I had a stroke in August, 2005.  I had aphasia.  My aphasia are global aphasia and pure word deafness (I can hear but not understand some words).  My aphasia are:  1. inability to comprehend language;  2. inability to speak spontaneously;  3. inability to form words;  4.  inability to name objects;  5 .  poor enunciation;  6.   excessive creation and use of personal neologisms;  7.   persistent repetition of phrases;  8.  agrammatism (inability to speak in a grammatically correct fashion);  8.  incomplete sentences;  9.  inability to write; 10.   limited verbal output;  and 11.   difficulty in naming.  My aphasia are not like memory impairments, attention disorders or perceptual problems. 

Welcome to our newest town leader!

We're Gonna Celebrate!

A celebration is in the making to commemorate the new Ruston Way - the first tangible completion of new development on the former industrial property. The party happens on April 21st. The ribbon cutting kicks things off at 9:30 and the first race starts at 10 am. There will be both a fun run and an elite race for the pros.

Legal manager for Point Ruston Loren Cohen had this to say about plans for the ceremony; "Rep. Norm Dicks, Tacoma Mayor Strickland and Council Member Ryan Mello are planning to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony, plus a few other local dignitaries are invited who should really make this event special. I’m hoping that the Ruston council and Mayor will all turn out as well... and coupled with the police and fire dept. vehicles, and hopefully a Pierce Transit bus, this could be a really cool commemoration of the new Ruston Way!"

Ruston Councilmember Jim Hedrick has agreed to speak for the town. Hopefully many will wander down from the hillside and join in the celebration. We are finally on our way!

How Much $ Is Enough?

Councilmember Lyle Hardin posed an interesting question after the council meeting last night... What dollar amount is enough to sell the Ruston School building? I don't think that's the best focus as town leaders consider their options for the aging building, but Hardin insisted it is a vital piece of the puzzle and he wants to know what residents think.

The council heard another presentation last night from Al Olson about his team's findings that the best option is to tear the building down and sell the property. Olson said their team had an offer on the table, although the mayor said he has not seen anything. Mayor Hopkins assured everyone there will be no rush to sale.

So what are your thoughts as our leaders explore the issue? Is there enough money to justify tearing down this piece of our history? What priorities should the council consider? Is there a use you think would work for the building or should the property be put to an entirely different use?

Feel free to comment here and I'll pass them along to our elected leaders. Or contact them directly (emails listed to the left on this page).

Council Agenda For Tomorrow

The council is considering several issues at the meeting tomorrow night (February 21st) from extending the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries (to include gardens) and several other changes in town codes to discussion about the pending appointment to fill the council vacancy and a discussion with Al Olson regarding the school building.

Remember the public is not allowed to participate in the discussion during the meeting. We have two minutes to address the council on all agenda items and any other concerns we may have during public comment. Hope to see everyone there tomorrow at 7 pm in the community center!

More Dreamers Wanted

Come dream about the future of the Point Defiance Aquarium on Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Details below...

Council Meeting Notes: Feb. 6, 2012

The meeting started at 7:04 pm with all elected officials present. The agenda was approved as presented and the minutes from the previous five meetings were approved 4-0. Minutes now include the full police and fire reports (here).

Staff reports are usually at the second meeting of the month, but the mayor had town engineer Jerry Morrisette give an update on the sewer project. Morrisette said overall the project is going reasonably well with only minor change orders so far on the north side of town, which is the more difficult section. No winter shut down has been needed yet. The crew is headed up Pearl Street next, then down 52^nd. Morrisette updated some problem areas (pictures below) and Councilmember Hardin asked about more he had heard about. Councilmember Hedrick questioned the letter from UDSA requiring a release. Morrisette assured him it was standard language. Councilmember Hunt asked that the town web site be kept up to date on where they are working. Mayor Hopkins said he had asked the town’s oversight folks to ensure the contractor do a better job of not tracking material onto the street.

Public Comment

Kevin Moser stated he was against the sale of the school building.

Ken Brown presented a letter signed by his neighbors asking that the dirt alley behind their homes be paved.

Diane from Click Network introduced herself and stated she was available if any questions came up about the franchise agreement listed on the agenda. Hedrick asked if it was customary for a developer to approach their utility and request conduit placement within a municipal boundary without notifying the municipality. He was also frustrated that the rest of town would not be offered Click service. Diane said the utility’s policy makers decided in 1997 that only areas covered by their electrical service would be allowed to access the Click network. Staff has the system designed and would like to service the town. Hardin asked if the utility routinely installed conduit before getting the franchise agreement in place. Hopkins noted seeing Click conduit in the Stack Hill development for several years that was never part of an agreement.

I offered comment on several issues and expressed my disappointment at the town’s decision to withhold information about the council applicants.

Business

1.      1.  Ordinance 1347 – Right of Way Encroachment Permit (4^th Reading): Hardin clarified this new language does not require an annual renewal and fences, retaining walls and plants do not require a permit (but new driveways and walkways will). The town attorney said that many other municipalities have similar regulations and are complaint based (it takes a complaint to trigger the requirement). Hunt pointed out that the new version did not have the language that was previously approved. After amendment to correct the language, the ordinance passed 4-0.

2.       2. Ordinance 1342 – Title 19 Amendment to Appeal Procedures (2^nd Reading-Public Hearing): There was no public comment given. This brings Ruston code in line with state law and passed 4-0.

3.       3. Ordinance 1349 – Repeal Ruston Municipal Code 1.14 Fees (2^nd Reading): This action removes any specific fees from the code so they can be updated without the need to change the code. Under the current system, it costs money to codify the code each time the fees are changed. The update can now occur via resolution when needed instead of an ordinance. Passed 4-0.

4.       4. Resolution 499 – Master Fees: The first set of fees was presented. There was concern that the costs for the encroachment permit would be too onerous for businesses. The town wants to encourage bistro tables or other enhancements for local shops, but not incur any costs or liability. The language was changed to only charge the actual costs rather than a flat fee. Councilmember Kristovich asked if businesses really have to pay all these fees for a one-time repair (permit cost, consultant charges) plus the business license and now encroachment fees if they put a sandwich board out front? After confirmation all the fees apply, the measure was approved as amended 4-0.

5.       5. Ordinance 1351 – Click Franchise Agreement (2^nd Reading): Hedrick stated he would vote no because he was upset about how the developer approached Click without notifying the town. Hunt clarified this is not like the Comcast franchise agreement where monthly fees are collected (this only covers the instillation of empty conduit). She will vote yes so the town can recoup their attorney fees. Hardin wanted to know what would happen if the council did not approve the agreement. The town attorney pointed out this indemnifies the town and requires permits before any actual cable is ever installed. Hardin said he would vote for this, but warned the Click representative to never do this to the town again. The agreement passed 3-1 with Hedrick voting no.

6.       6. Ordinance 1345 – Zoning Violation Procedures (1^st Reading): Hedrick questioned having the town planner do the enforcement rather than the mayor. Hunt was concerned that there may not always be a planner on staff at the time enforcement is needed. The language was changed to allow the mayor to appoint a designee.

7.      7.  Executive Session – RCW 42.30.110(1)(c): The council met in executive session for about 15 minutes to discuss “personnel matters”.

Claims and Payroll: Approved 4-0

Mayor’s Time

Hopkins outlined the council’s decision reached during executive session on how they were going to handle the council appointment. Only one application had been received by the deadline from Bruce Judd. A second application was received the next morning from Michael Schonecker. The council will read Mr. Judd’s answers at the next meeting to a set of questions the council compiles. The council will then decide if they will appoint Mr. Judd or open the position for applications again. The town has until the end of March to appoint someone.

The mayor announced that the town had reached an agreement with Point Ruston to continue their lease of portions of the school building for two more years. The new lease includes a gradual increase over a year to the amount the town needs to cover their costs. It does not make the building pencil out but it brings it closer. He said the town would not make any hasty decisions on the building and will look to reduce utility costs as much as possible.

He felt the recent ice storm brought the point home for one of his top priorities – to underground utilities throughout town. He has asked the town engineer to lay out a plan to phase it in. He wants to underground power to Rust Park and provide light to the gazebo there. He is looking at ways to remove the street light near the bridge that is not needed since the area is so well-lit.

He has appointed Patty Turner to the civil service commission. He has also tasked Hunt to review the utility rates to make sure the town is collecting what they need to cover their costs.

Council Time

Hedrick confirmed the one year timeframe for Point Ruston to upgrade their lease rate. He believes the fallen tree at Winnifred and Commercial still poses a public danger even though the branches have been removed from the sidewalk. He offered a thank you to the Ruston Fire Department. He was stuck in Olympia during the recent snowstorm when his pregnant wife experienced severe cramps. The department arrived quickly and even shoveled out the driveway so the ambulance could pull up to the door. Thankfully the problem was only the flu. Finally, he noted that he is only elected official that will hold his seat for the next 4 years. Everyone else will face election next year.

Hunt noted that the sewer rates in Tacoma just went up. She confirmed she will review all the utility rates. She said a neighbor on Commercial Street is still asking for speed bumps to be installed immediately because cars travel too fast on that road.

Hardin suggested installing a roundabout near the entrance of the park rather than the bumps. He offered his congratulations to the mayor for securing a new lease with Point Ruston. He apologized to the public for not being clearer in their advertisement about the process they will use to fill the council vacancy.

Kristovich felt speed bumps for Commercial Street were more affordable and could be installed quickly.

The meeting adjourned at about 9:20 pm.

Pt. Defiance Planning Meetings Today

The News Tribune has a great article outlining what's new and on the horizon for Point Defiance Park (here). Metro Parks is holding planning meetings today at 1 and 5:30 pm at the Tacoma Nature Center to outline future dreams for the park.

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