Reminder: Two ‘Civic Center 101’ presentations this week

By Doug Petrowski

City officials have scheduled a series of presentations to provide Mountlake Terrace residents an opportunity to learn more about Proposition No. 1, the $25 million Civic Center bond measure on the Aug. 7 ballot.

Five presentations of “Civic Center 101” are scheduled this month:

Tuesday, May 8, 7 p.m., at the Recreation Pavilion (5303-228th St. S.W.) as part of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Commission meeting

Wednesday, May 9, 7 p.m., at the Mountlake Terrace Library (23300-58th Ave. W.)

Monday, May 14, 7 p.m., in the Council Chambers of interim City Hall (6100-219th St. S.W., Suite 200) as part of the Planning Commission meeting

Tuesday, May 15, 5:30 p.m., at the Recreation Pavilion as part of the Arts Advisory Commission meeting

Wednesday, May 16, 5:30 p.m., at the Mountlake Terrace Library as part of the Library Advisory Board meeting

If approved by voters, the new Civic Center would provide for improvements to the existing library, while adding a new community and senior activity center, public meeting places, a remodeled and expanded police station, city offices, enhanced streetscapes, and a civic green with a spray fountain, ornamental garden and amphitheater that would connect to Veterans Memorial Park.

The new facility would incorporate sustainable design standards and energy-efficient building techniques, and could provide venues for year-round events such as a farmers market, public safety fairs, senior activities, dance recitals, art shows, outdoor movies and concerts.

Approval of the measure would also raise property taxes in Mountlake Terrace beginning in 2014. For the first year, property owners would see an increase of about $7.42 per month on the average home; in 2015 the increase would be about $11.59 per month for the remainder of the 30-year bond.

More information about the proposed civic center is available here.

  1. Remember this bond measure is going to be in addition to the $20.00 car tab tax the Mountlake Terrace City Council/TBD committee passed back on January 3, 2012. This starts in July and is going to include dual axel trailers. When you go in to buy your car tabs it will already be added to the price of your tabs. Buy your tabs early and get out of paying this additional tax this year!

  2. How can they be on both? Looks like Council is trying to stack the Con Committee with Trojan Horses!

    Memorandum

    To: City Council

    From: Virginia Olsen, City Clerk/Community Relations Director

    Via: John J. Caulfield, City Manager

    Date: May 3, 2012

    Subject: Appointment of Pro and Con Statement Committees for Civic Center

    BACKGROUND:

    On April 2, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2588 that provides for the submission of a proposition (Proposition 1) authorizing the city to issue general obligation bonds for the purpose of constructing a civic center. The general obligation bonds would be paid off by annual property tax levies over 30 years. Proposition 1, would be decided by Mountlake Terrace voters at a special election to be held in conjunction with the statewide primary election on August 7, 2012.

    As part of this process, Washington state law requires the City Council seek out people to draft statements in support and opposition of Proposition 1. These statements are then published in the Snohomish County Election Voters’ Pamphlet.

    After soliciting for volunteers, nine individuals contacted the city to serve on either the pro or con statement committees prior to the published deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 27. The following individuals asked to be considered to serve on the committees (listed in the order they contacted the City Clerk):

    Pro Statement Committee

    1. Debbie “DJ” Jakala

    2. Dustin DeKoekkoek

    3. Doug McCardle

    How can Councilman McCardle vote to sit a Con. Statement Committee person? What assurances can Councilman McCardle give us the voters that the person he votes for is really against the Civic Center issue?

    Con Statement Committee

    1. Charles Ham

    2. Chuck Mellinger (C&M Trophy)

    http://yesformlt.com/supporters/
    3. Dave Heppner (Heppner Insurance)

    http://yesformlt.com/supporters/
    4. Leonard French

    5. Jessie Knorr

    6. Dan Kessler

    Following discussion of those candidates interested in serving on the Pro/Con Statement Committees, formal appointment of the Committees is scheduled for the City Council’s May 7, 2012 regular meeting.

  3. People in the community, whether pro or con, as well as the local press and the County Auditor expect a transparently fair process associated with committee selection for the two ballot committees mentioned in the City Clerk’s memo. Since two of the names submitted for the CON committee are the owners of businesses which have already declared their businesses as supporters of the ballot measure, (see link below), I presume they have already been or will be disqualified as potential spokespersons for the CON side.

    How can they be on both? Looks like Council is trying to stack the Con Committee with Trojan Horses!

    Memorandum

    To: City Council

    From: Virginia Olsen, City Clerk/Community Relations Director

    Via: John J. Caulfield, City Manager

    Date: May 3, 2012

    Subject: Appointment of Pro and Con Statement Committees for Civic Center

    BACKGROUND:

    On April 2, the City Council adopted Ordinance 2588 that provides for the submission of a proposition (Proposition 1) authorizing the city to issue general obligation bonds for the purpose of constructing a civic center. The general obligation bonds would be paid off by annual property tax levies over 30 years. Proposition 1, would be decided by Mountlake Terrace voters at a special election to be held in conjunction with the statewide primary election on August 7, 2012.

    As part of this process, Washington state law requires the City Council seek out people to draft statements in support and opposition of Proposition 1. These statements are then published in the Snohomish County Election Voters’ Pamphlet.

    After soliciting for volunteers, nine individuals contacted the city to serve on either the pro or con statement committees prior to the published deadline of 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 27. The following individuals asked to be considered to serve on the committees (listed in the order they contacted the City Clerk):

    Pro Statement Committee

    1. Debbie “DJ” Jakala

    2. Dustin DeKoekkoek

    3. Doug McCardle

    How can Councilman McCardle vote to sit a Con. Statement Committee person? What assurances can Councilman McCardle give us the voters that the person he votes for is really against the Civic Center issue?

    Con Statement Committee

    1. Charles Ham

    2. Chuck Mellinger (C&M Trophy)

    http://yesformlt.com/supporters/
    3. Dave Heppner (Heppner Insurance)

    http://yesformlt.com/supporters/
    4. Leonard French

    5. Jessie Knorr

    6. Dan Kessler

    Following discussion of those candidates interested in serving on the Pro/Con Statement Committees, formal appointment of the Committees is scheduled for the City Council’s May 7, 2012 regular meeting.

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