December 2010 City Newsletter

CityHappenings
Mountlake Terrace
DECEMBER 2010
Wet & Cold Winter
Get Prepared for Winter Storms
Two years ago our region experienced snow and ice events that were
declared a federal disaster. It is important to understand the city’s plans
for snow and ice events and to prepare yourself and your family for a
winter that is expected to be colder and wetter than usual.
When it snows or there is potential for ice to develop on city streets,
the Public Works Department has five trucks equipped with plows and
sanding bodies and one truck equipped with deicing applicator ready
to respond. Snow plowing and deicing routes are prioritized by the
following factors: volume of traffic and speed of traffic, terrain, transit
routes, routes to schools and routes used by emergency services. Crews
will concentrate on primary and secondary routes that have the heaviest
traffic or significant grade. Once these routes have been cleared, crews
begin plowing third tier routes to serve residential neighborhoods.
What has the city improved since 2008? One new truck with a
plow and sanding body was added to the fleet this year in addition to
pre-wetting systems on two of the city’s trucks that mix a deicing solution
in sand as it is spread. When there is significant snowfall or prolonged
conditions, the Public Works Department will mobilize for snow removal
and anti-icing/deicing in three shifts around the clock.
There are many things citizens can do to prepare for snow and ice events:
1) Move vehicles from city streets until snow removal is complete, as crews
can plow better when cars are not parked on the street; 2) Locate alternate
parking if you live on a steep hill; 3) Stay off roads unless absolutely
Continued on page 6
cityofmlt.com
230th Reconstruction
Completes Crucial Link
Former City Councilmember Patrick McMahan received
the honor of cutting the ribbon for the 230th Street
Reconstruction Project. He is joined by members of the City
Council, city staff and honored guests. The city received
an ARRA grant of $818,156 and a $245,995 grant from
Washington State’s Transportation Improvement Board for
this project that creates a safe, convenient, and attractive
route for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit patrons.
It extended from 56th Avenue to the 228th Street Bridge and
the roadway serves as a vital connection from the west side
of the city to the Town Center.
ContactYour Council
[email protected]
Recreation Pavilion
Important Dates:
Mayor
Jerry Smith
(425) 774-7335
Mayor Pro Tem
Laura Sonmore
(425) 231-9176
Councilmember
Doug McCardle
(425) 772-1615
Councilmember
Kyoko Matsumoto
Wright
(425) 776-6846
Councilmember
Michelle Robles
(425) 308-0127
Councilmember
Rick Ryan
(425) 771-7068
Councilmember
John Zambrano
(425) 744-0174
★ December 20-31 Modified Schedule
★ December 25 - Closed
Funding Requests Considered by Congress
★ January 1 - Closed
Focus on Sidewalks, Safety and Stormwater
The City Council has been working
with our federal and state partners to
focus on acquiring funding for specific
capital projects. Since 2007, the city has
leveraged almost $5.0 million in federal and
state funds. Three federal requests for Fiscal Year
(FY) 2011 are currently being monitored
including: 1) Emergency response interoperability equipment ($300,000) to replace and
upgrade radio network, communications
infrastructure and equipment for the Police
Department; 2) Lakeview Trail ($1,000,000)
to construct improvements needed to
connect the Mountlake Terrace Transit
Center at I-5/236th St. West to Interurban
Trail along Lakeview Drive; and 3) Lake
Ballinger/McAleer Creek Watershed
Partnership ($1,200,000) through the 2010
Water Resources Development Act funds
to implement the Lake Ballinger/McAleer
Creek Watershed Forum Strategic Action
Plan. The Plan includes efforts to address
flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and
Mayor Jerry Smith with Senator Patty Murray and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Sonmore at a
meeting in Washington, D.C. in September.
Councilmember John Zambrano and Mayor Pro Tem Laura Sonmore attended the
Mountlake Terrace High School Gridiron Boosters Annual Auction event held earlier
this fall. Great season Hawks!
2
Mountlake
Terrace
water quality.
Funding for the following key projects
is anticipated to be requested for FY 2012:
1) 56th Avenue Street Reconstruction, 230th
to 236th to help facilitate the redevelopment
and revitalization of our downtown; 2)
Stormwater Detention & Water Quality
Improvements in support of a regional storm
water facility to detain and treat runoff from
existing paved areas in the Town Square
vicinity including the Civic Campus; 3) Safe
Routes to School Sidewalk Projects for 214th
Street between 40th and 44th connecting to
the high school and for the east side of 54th
Avenue between 220th and 223rd connecting
to Mountlake Terrace Elementary School;
and 4) Energy Efficiency Improvements
to update all city-operated streetlights and
technologies in support of our facilities.
CityHappenings
Council Highlights
October
• Awarded Contract for 214th Street and 44th
Avenue Traffic Signal Construction
• Approved Submittal of Application for CDBG
Grant for Sidewalk Improvements on 54th
Avenue (234th to 236th)
• Adopted Ordinance Establishing Parking
Restrictions on 236th Street
• Presentation on Proposed 2011-2012
Biennial Budget and Six-Year Financial
Forecast (2011-2016)
• Public Hearings on Resolutions to Oppose
Initiatives 1100 and 1105
• Proposed 2011-2012 Biennial Budget
Department Presentations
• Reviewed Freeway/Tourist Zoning Code Update
• Public Hearing and Adopted Freeway/Tourist
Zoning Code Update Ordinance
• Reviewed Transportation Improvement
Program (2011-2016)
• Reviewed Zoning Code Amendment for
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Civic Campus —
What’s Next?
The bond measure to finance a new
Civic Campus in our downtown was
not approved by voters on November
2 , w h i c h l e a v e s m a ny p e o p l e
wondering, what’s next? Some things
are certain. City business will continue
as usual from the leased Interim City
Hall building and other city facilities.
The city has managed its resources
well and programs and services have
not been cut or reduced in the 20112012 budget that was recently adopted
by the City Council.
In the meantime, the city is conducting a post-election telephone
survey to help assess what factors were
or were not important in considering
Proposition 1 as well as what the
community wants for the future. The
results of this survey are expected to
be ready for presentation to the City
Council by mid-December. The City
Council will take some time to review
the results and decide how it wants to
proceed, perhaps as part of their goal
setting meeting held in early 2011.
The future of our downtown and
key commercial areas is very important
to the financial stability of our city and
to our residents as we move forward.
There are a number of things to
consider including financing options
for the future Civic Campus, scope
and timeline of the project, economic
development, more room required
for public safety, library upgrades,
the desire for community meeting
and event space, and downtown
revitalization.
As the Council determines
any future actions, the public process
will be communicated via the city’s
website, news releases, Channel 21,
City Manager weekly report, and
other communication tools. Updates
will also be communicated in the City
Happenings newsletter that is published
every other month.
cityofmlt.com
• Third Quarter Crime Statistics and Code
Enforcement Report
• Reviewed Proposed 2011-2012 Biennial Budget
• Reviewed Interlocal Agreement to Develop
a Lake Level and Outlet Study for Lake
Ballinger/McAleer Creek Watershed Forum CIP
November
• Approved Interlocal Agreement to Receive a
TDR Grant
• Public Hearing and Adopted 2011-2012
Biennial Budget Ordinance
• Public Hearing and Adopted 2011 Property
Tax Ordinance
• Public Hearing and Adopted Transportation
Improvement Program (2011-2016)
Ordinance
• Public Hearing and Adopted Electric Vehicle
Charging Station Ordinance
• Reviewed Comprehensive Plan and
Concurrent Zoning Map Amendments
• Adopted 2011-2015 Recreation and Park Fee Resolution
• Approved Professional Services Contract with
The Johnston Group
• Adopted Water and Sewer Connection Fees Ordinance
• Third Quarter Financial Report and
Performance Measures
3
Investment in Infrastructure
A Look Back at the
Last Six Years
The city has a huge investment in its
water, sewer, stormwater facilities and its
streets, sidewalks, traffic signals, and traffic
control installations. These improvements
provide basic services that support commerce in the city and make possible the
standard of living our citizens enjoy.
Over the past six years, the City Council
has provided great leadership in implementing projects and programs that protect the city’s investment in its existing
street and utility infrastructure. The City
Council has maintained an aggressive
program of pavement preservation with
overlays and neighborhood chip seals.
The sewer system capital program
08
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included reconstruction of two of the
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th
Comple
nd -236 ) –
2
city’s four sewage pumping stations.
3
verlay (2
ues W O
An ongoing program to upgrade
th /66th Aven
65
decades old traffic signal systems was instituted. Where some efforts have been aggressive, others have been unprecedented. The
52nd/53rd Avenues Water Main Construction
project in 2009 was the largest water main
5
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installation ever undertaken by the city.
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The Council has also boldly embarked on
Completed Proje
ls
ai
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constructing
new facilities to work toward
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Sidewalks
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fulfilling
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city’s vision of the future and
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52nd Ave., 212th to 22
improving
quality
of life. These include conth
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213th
& Ramps
58th Ave., 212 th Pl. to th
structing
new
sidewalks,
street reconstructh St. and 64 Ave. Sidewalk
218
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60th Ave., 214 to 21th
tions
that
provide
new
sidewalks
and bike
nd St. Sidewalk Connection,
222
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220th St., 39 to 44 th
facilities,
and
stormwater
improvements
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Pa
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th
St. Bridge
th
nd
230th St., 56 to 228
that reduce flooding and restore natural
alks, 44 to Cedar
223rd and 42 Sidew
water courses. A new water reservoir was also
ry
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Way Eleme
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Street Overlathys
constructed to meet the city’s future needs.
th and 46th Sidewalks, 231
th
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230
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Cedar Way
48th Ave., 212 rd to 21 th
Even in these difficult economic times,
rd Sidewalk Ramps, 46 to
th to
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48th Ave., 233 to 23
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48th Ave., 244tthh Inters th
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56th Ave., 236 to 24
th St., 56th to I-5
236
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Signals & Traffic
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65th/66 Ave., 232 th
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Sig
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Neighborhood Street
Upgrade
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56th and 236 Signal
58th Ave., 220 to 22
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Chip Seal
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th St., 56th to Ballinger Wa
216
244
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Projects in 2006-2010
nd and 212th Signal Upgrad
th Ave., 220th Pl. to 224
52
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th Ave., 232nd to 234
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226 /2
228
chip seal application
4
Mountlake
Terrace
CityHappenings
— Building for the Future
the Council has maintained an ambitious
program of construction by carefully
balancing infrastructure needs with
ongoing city services. This accomplishment
has been aided by a very competitive
bidding climate for construction and a
determined effort to secure grants and
other funding partnerships.
By its actions, the City Council has
worked steadily and effectively toward its
goal to “review and prioritize capital infrastructure needs and implement projects.”
Examples of this progress are evident as
one travels through the city on new roadways and sidewalks. Other not so obvious
yet very important improvements are the
hidden infrastructure such as replacement
of aging water and sewer lines that are
approaching and in some cases surpassing
50 years old.
This past six-year Capital Improvement Program has been the most
successful since the city’s beginning
back in 1954. Please see the following
expansive lists of larger scale projects
that were completed since 2005. These
projects have positively impacted our
quality of life in many ways such as
walkability, connections to shopping
and public transportation, safety,
ADA accessibility, water pressure
and capacity, sewer connections,
and water quality to name a few.
0
2005 – 201
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Water Utility
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2.13 MG Reser Water Main, 212th to 2th30 th
th , 56 to 59
nd /53rd Avenues
52
at 236
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Replacement
244th
Water Service
56th , 236 to
at
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la
Rep
Water Service ain, 212th to 213th
th
th Ave. Water M
58
214th to 216 th
th Ave. Water Main,
th to 236
60
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65th /66 Wat
56 to 59 th
th St. Water Main,
0
th
23
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Main, 56 th to 6 th
237th St. Water
9
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to
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th St. and 43
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231st and Ced
230 th Str
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Complete ction –
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2005 – 201
0
Sewer Utility
Cedar Grove P
ump Station
Cedar Grove Fo
rce Main
Terrace Ridge
Pump Station
Terrace Ridge
Force Main
52 nd Ave. Sew
er Reconstruct
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212 to 213 th
52 nd Ave. Sew
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242 nd to 244 th
Sewer Relocat
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4 to
Lyon Creek Tr
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Sewer Extensio k
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@ 38 th Ave.
cityofmlt.com
5
Wet & Cold Winter continued from page 1
necessary; 4) Give yourself extra time to get to your destination and
allow extra room between you and the vehicle ahead; and 5) Review
the priority routes and plan your trip accordingly.
When you encounter trucks engaged in snow or ice removal please
do the following: yield the right of way if you can do so safely; keep
back at least 50 feet; and do not attempt to pass.
Snow, windstorms, floods, earthquakes, fire, and extended
power outages are emergencies that can happen at anytime so it is
important to be prepared before they strike. The city’s first obligation
is to protect life and public health and it could be several days before
the city can respond to individual requests. Therefore, prepare now
to take care of yourself, your family, and your pets for several days in
an emergency and make an emergency kit.
Emergency kits should contain a variety of items such as bottled
water, canned food, batteries, prescription medications, and personal
hygiene items. For your car, keep sand to improve traction, snow
shovels and clothing and blankets to keep you warm. For a complete
list of how to prepare for winter visit: www.ready.gov/america/
beinformed/winter.html and check the city’s website at www.cityofmlt.
com under For Residents/Emergency Preparedness.
Results in from Stormwater
Mountlake Terrace recently participated
in a stormwater community research survey
along with the cities of Duvall, Edmonds,
Kenmore, Mill Creek and Woodinville. The
survey consisted of 27 stormwater related
questions that were asked of 100 Mountlake
Terrace residents. The questions related
directly to knowledge about stormwater issues
and practices respondents had adopted that
protect the quality of stormwater. For seven
of the questions or practices polled for the
six cities, responses or practices tallied were
correct less than 50% of the time. Results will
6
Mountlake
Mountlake
Terrace
Terrace
be examined for each of the seven questions in
this and subsequent issues of City Happenings.
Question #16 of the survey:
When I wash a motor vehicle at home,
the soapy water ends up in a ditch or on the
street. Do you agree or disagree? 79 percent
of Mountlake Terrace respondents said yes,
I agree.
Why does it matter?
Unless you live in a residential area of
Mountlake Terrace built within the last
10 to 15 years, all water that enters the
CityHappenings
CityHappenings
Survey
stormwater system travels directly into a local
creek without any water quality treatment.
Stormwater runoff scoops up and carries a
variety of pollutants into our surface streams.
Soapy water and the chemicals in detergents
are just some of the pollutants from vehicle
washing that are harmful to fish and other
aquatic life. A recent study by the City of
Federal Way found pollutants in stormwater
runoff coming from charity car wash sites
that included petroleum hydrocarbons,
heavy metals (particularly copper from
brake linings), phosphorous and nitrogen
9,000
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y – 9¢
City E
MS –
5¢
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Hospit - 5¢
al – 2
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City –
8,000
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$
$
2,
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$
2,
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$
$
2,
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2,
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$
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$
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$
4,000
$
3,
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6,000
2,000
1,000
0
Woodway Edmonds
Lake
Stevens Snohomish Monroe
Mill Creek Mukilteo
Brier
Bothell
Marysville Arlington Stanwood
Mountlake
Everett Lynnwood Terrace
The total property taxes paid in 2010 by the owner of an average value home
as compared to other Snohomish County cities. The average homeowner in
the City of Mountlake Terrace paid a total of $2,218 in property taxes in 2010.
containing detergents, surfactants in the
detergents that allow dirt and grease to be
washed off, and solid debris washed off of car
exteriors and impervious surfaces.
How can you help?
1) Park your car on an area where the water
can filter into the ground.
2) Divert the drainage away from any storm
drains.
3) Use a hose with a shut-off valve to reduce
possible runoff from the
grassy area.
cityofmlt.com
16¢
State
S
Fund chool
– 23¢
7
98
10,000
$
On the Road:
Drive defensively. Traffic is heavier during the holidays
and weather conditions may not be good. Drivers may
have indulged in too many holiday spirits or be distracted
by what they still need to get done. Enjoy the holiday
parties but never drink and drive. Have a designated
driver or plan for a taxi to get you home safely.
2010 Typical Total Property Tax Paid
Per Residence for Snohomish County Cities
8,
At Home:
Whether you are traveling or staying home for
the holidays, take these simple steps to keep your
neighborhood from being a target for crime. Make your
house look lived in if you are away. Put lights on timers and
have a neighbor keep and eye on your place. Have Crime
Watch volunteers check your house. It is a free service
offered by the Police Department and request forms are
on our website or call (425) 670-8260. Look out for your
neighbors and report strange or suspicious activity. Turn
on outside lights and lock up your house, outbuildings
and vehicles in driveways. Don’t leave anything in
your car.
The dollar breakdown above shows the portion of each property tax dollar
that funds the various jurisdictions from property taxes collected in 2010.
The City of Mountlake Terrace receives 21 cents from each dollar of property
taxes paid, of which 5 cents goes directly to fund Emergency Medical Services.
The largest portion of each property tax dollar (63 cents total) funds the State
School Fund and Edmonds School District.
$
Shopping:
Searching for just the right gift can be distracting. A
little planning will help to keep you from becoming a
crime victim during the holidays. Carry your valuables
wisely. Use a small, comfortable handbag that you can
keep close to your body or a wallet you can carry in an
inside jacket pocket. Carry cash in a front pocket and only
bring along the cash you need. Use credit/debit cards for
purchases and put them away in the same place after each
purchase. Only carry the cards you need.
Plan to buy high-end items last. If you must store them
in the trunk of your car to do more shopping, move
your car to another location in the parking lot. Keep the
receipts with you. Shop with a friend, but if you must shop
alone, be aware of your surroundings when you return
to your car. Get your keys out and have your cell phone
handy. If someone looks suspicious, go back in the store
and ask for security or strike up a friendly conversion with
other shoppers in the parking lot, even if they are not
close by. This creates a connection to someone, who is
now watching out for you and you for him or her.
Edmo
nds
Distric School
t – 40
¢
Holiday Crime Prevention
4) Dump your soapy water out in the sink
or on an area where it will filter into
the ground.
5) If you don’t have a good place at home
to wash your car, we ask you to take
it to a commercial car wash (either
self-serve or machine wash) where the
wash water is recycled or drains to the
sanitary sewer.
For more information, please contact
Stormwater Program Manager Mike Shaw
at (425) 774-6295.
77
6100 219th Street SW, Suite 200
PO Box 72
Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043
presorted
standard
us postage paid
city of Mountlake
terrace, WA
ECRWSS
POSTAL CUSTOMER
P l e a s e R e c y cl e T hi s N e w s l e tt e r .
P rint e d w ith S o y B a s e d I n k s .
CityDirectory
Animal Control
(425) 744-6256
Building Permits
(425) 744-6267
Business Licenses
(425) 744-6211
city manager
(425) 744-6205
CODE ENFORCEMENT
(425) 744-6254
Engineering
(425) 744-6273
Fire Business Line
(425) 551-1200
Library
(425) 776-8722
Passports
(425) 744-6224
Pet Licenses
(425) 670-8260
Planning
(425) 744-6266
Police Business
(425) 670-8260
Public Works
(425) 670-8264
Pavilion & Pool
(425) 776-9173
Recycling & Transfer Station
(425) 388-3425
Street Lights Out
(425) 670-8264
Traffic Ticket/VIOLATIONS Bureau
(425) 744-6228
Utility Billing
(425) 744-6214 (425) 775-0420 fax
CALL 911
FOR FIRE, MEDICAL AND
POLICE EMERGENCIES
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Arts of the Terrace
A record crowd packed the Mountlake
Terrace Library for the 32nd Annual Arts of
the Terrace Artists’ Reception in October. The
opening event featured an awards ceremony
with “Best of Show” honors presented to
Louise McDowell for her bronze sculpture
entitled “Another Chapter.” The piece will
be on display at the library. McDowell is also
the artist of the firefighter sculpture outside
of Fire Station 19.
The regional juried art show, sponsored
by Friends of the Arts and the Arts Advisory
Commission, has grown tremendously in
popularity over the years with 270 works
entered in 2010 and over 200 guests at the
opening night ceremony.
The Arts Commission dedicated this
year’s show in memory of Manu Sood, who
served on the Arts Advisory Commission
from 2005-2009. A silent auction was held
Saturday evening, raising over $2,000 to
benefit the Manu Sood Art Scholarship Fund
for a graduating senior from Mountlake
Terrace High School. Congratulations to our
volunteers for putting on such a fantastic
show and enriching our community!
MeetingSchedule
City Council Meetings
Library Board
First and third Mondays at
7 p.m. at the interim City Hall
Third Wednesday of each month
at 5:30 p.m. at the Library
Arts Advisory Commission Planning Commission
Third Tuesday of each month
at 7 p.m. at the Pavilion
Second and fourth Mondays
at 7 p.m. at the interim City Hall
Community Policing
Advisory Board
Recreation and Park
Advisory Commission
Last Tuesday of each
month at 6:30 p.m. at
the Police Station
Second Tuesday of
each month at 7 p.m. at
the Pavilion
Coffee with
the City
Wednesday
JANUARY 12, 8 a.m.
Jungle Room
WEDNESDAY
FEBRUARY 2, 6 p.m.
Center Court
Recreation Pavilion
5303 228th Street SW (425) 776-9173