Sunday, November 28, 2004
Walter's Lakewood Journal
Vol 1, No. 7
Disclaimer: these are statements, opinions and assorted ramblings from a member of the Lakewood City Council who speaks only for himself, and in no way, shape or form for the city or the council. The purpose of this newsletter is solely to provide unofficial information from one individual's perspective. For the official city viewpoint and information, visit http://www.ci.lakewood.wa.us/
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who might want to keep upon Lakewood issues. Anyone can sign up for this newsletter athttp://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=16322z but be sure to look for a confirmation notice in your e-mail. You have to reply to that notice before my e-mail service will sign you up. My service does everything it can to avoid contributing tospam.
BUDGET UPDATE
SEWER SURCHARGE VOTE
TREE LIGHTING
GO BACK IN TIME
LINKS ABOUT LAKEWOOD
BUDGET UPDATE
The Lakewood council met on Nov. 22 to discuss a number of possible changes to the tentatively approved two-year budget covering 2005 and 2006. There's an easy way to tell you what is on the table, so far - and give your opinion at the same time! At the end of this item, you'll see a link to an anonymous survey. You will see that while the survey is easy, the question of what programs and/orstaff to cut is not easy at all.
In the meantime, you need to know that the city's choices have expanded. When last you and I talked, the council was faced with making about $1.4 million in changes in order to build a police station and finance it through traditional financing methods. Since then, various council members and staff have proposed an alternate way of financing a station: buy the land, but then lease the building from a developer. In this plan, the developer carries the financing costs and construction, eliminating a lot of issues for the city. Under this scenario, the city would buy land with existing funds in 2005 and only have to cut about $600,000 from the budget in 2006.
However, Council member Helen McGovern suggested that we begin saving in 2005,so these cuts could be made in advance. And there's another issue - with us doing nothing, the tentative budget eats into the city reserves by about$800,000. Eating into reserves is not a good thing. It's certainly not a good habit to begin. So we can either assume that sales tax revenues increase, or trim spending, or both.
This is the sort of issue facing a lot of cities these days; for a lot of us, sales tax is simply very important. Aberdeen, for example, had its budget saved this year simply because a Home Depot opened up. But their officials are well aware that a Home Depot will not open up every year.
And let's get this on the table: You might well ask why no one suggested the leasing alternative before the police bond vote. That would be a good question. I wish I knew the answer. I, myself, learned about the alternative after the bond proposal failed, and think this new option is worth investigating.
Anyway, here's a list of what is 'on the table' so far, and your chance to speakout: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=13015744011 You may need to cut and paste that URL into your browser. Surveymonkey is a silly name, I know, but it's a great service. Your responses will be anonymous unless you choose to identify yourself in the comments.
The council will next discuss the possible budget changes on Dec. 6, and may brainstorm more ideas then. There will be a chance for public comment before all is said and done, believe me.
SEWER SURCHARGE
Would you be willing to pay about a dollar a month more for your sewer service to help extend sewers to American Lake Gardens and Tillicum? The council is scheduled to vote Dec. 6 on whether to apply for a loan that assumes this payment mechanism.
If you have already been following this issue, you may recall that a subcommittee of myself and John Arbeeny recommended the city do some analysis before telling residents and commercial sewer users that we need to pay in. Among other things, in order to tell you if you should pay $1 a month more, we need to know:
- what the return would be on the investment (would your surcharges or taxes eventually be reduced by improvements in those areas? Would the areas change in ways that might reduce troublesome issues in those neighborhoods?)
- exactly how current residents in Tillicum could avoid burdensome charges or rules when the sewers arrive along the street (For example, there are folks worried they will have to move because of the expense of hooking up homes)
- describe as precisely as possible the exact nature of the threat to public health and property - the health and pollution issues that make sewers a community emergency as opposed to something just nice to have (just how bad is the pollution problem?).
As far as I know, the report by John and myself got filed - if you know what I mean - so I can't tell you I have all the answers to these questions. So thenew questions are, is it appropriate to delay this loan, and risk a higher financing charge, because those other questions are not answered? Or is the need for sewers so obvious that the city should not wait? Heck, I don't know - I guess we find out Dec. 6.
TREE LIGHTING
Lakewood's annual holiday celebration and tree lighting is between 4 and 6:30p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, at Lakewood City Hall. It's a family oriented event. You can munch on cookies, sip chocolate, and enjoy the magic of crafts, toys andSanta Claus. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Lakewood Youth Council Food Drive.
GO BACK IN TIME
Speaking of family oriented: Saturday, Dec. 11, seems to be an incredibly popular date this holiday season. For example, the city of Lakewood holiday party, and my own company's holiday party, are that evening. I cannot talk you out of going to the city party or your company party. However, if you do have options, I have a fun recommendation for that evening.
Re-enactors will relive Christmas of 1859 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Fort Steilacoom Museum and Interpretive Center. The museum is located within the four remaining buildings at the entrance of Western StateHospital; they date back to 1858, and represent the original Fort Lewis, if you will - the first official U.S. presence in Washington Territory.
Those of us who volunteer put on our wool clothing and travel back in time to Fort Steilacoom as it might have been at Christmas in 1859. You can tour thecandle-lit quarters of Lt. Col. Silas Casey and soldiers of the fort and their families and guests from Fort Nisqually, the town of Steilacoom, and Victoria.They'll be engaged in Christmas merry-making, conversation of the time, tree trimming, dancing to the tunes of a fiddler, and caroling.
There will be hands-on ornament making for your children or grandkids. And the Sutler's Store has a good stock of books, toys, and souvenir items for your gift shopping.
The admission for this family oriented Christmas at Fort Steilacoom is $4 foradults, $2 for a child or $8 for a family. No reservations are required. Tickets will be available at the door of the former chaplain's home, the building on the right as you look at the complex.
LAKEWOOD IN THE NEWS(Some links may require that you sign up for access)
New type of school in the Clover Park district:http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/education/story/4224002p-4014849c.html
Another military museum in Lakewood: Does this have great potential, or what?http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/4246034p-4037066c.html
Disagreement over luxury golf course plan: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/uplace/story/4213455p-4002001c.html
The last council meeting was something of a first for me: the first time I was on the losing end of a 6-1 vote. So let me explain. The issue is whether Lakewood should endorse a proposal by the county and University Place to study the golf course plan. Lakewood was asked because we are part of a three-way agreement with those parties over the Chambers Creek properties. No one can change the agreement without the consent of the other two parties, unless they cancel the agreement entirely. Lakewood is involved, of course, because the creek is at our northern border.
I think the root of the oddity here is that a three-way consent is required. That's the fundamental tension. If UP and the county want to study the golf course, I'm fine with that. The course is entirely within the boundaries of UP. If UP wants to study the feasibility of a golf course, that's surely their right. I'd be pretty miffed if Lakewood wanted to do something with ChambersCreek in Oakbrook, and UP or the county said no. So on the whole, I am glad that the study is proceeding.
The reason I voted no is that the financing for the golf course would put county sewer funds at risk, by the county's own admission. And I object to using sewer funds for that purpose and particularly for putting them at risk for that purpose. I would also object to using sewer funds to finance a police station, a bathroom in Fort Steilacoom Park, or pretty much anything unrelated to sewers.
Obviously, I would love to see the sewer fund used to help expand sewers intoTillicum. After all, Lakewood residents have been paying into that fund for years. The people of Tillicum deserve an extension of civilization into their neighborhood.
The News Tribune article above suggests that the county thinks other areas might be more deserving. That may or may not be true. But even if the county wants to spite Lakewood by extending sewers into other areas - even if - that's still more appropriate than putting those funds at risk to build a golf course for therich and famous. Period.
CLOSING CREDITS
Publisher and editor: Walter Neary P.O. 99702 Lakewood, WA 98499-0702
wtneary@walterneary.net
http://www.walterneary.net
-- To unsubscribe/change profile:http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=24166520x-72d56045
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Forward this post
Vol 1, No. 7
Disclaimer: these are statements, opinions and assorted ramblings from a member of the Lakewood City Council who speaks only for himself, and in no way, shape or form for the city or the council. The purpose of this newsletter is solely to provide unofficial information from one individual's perspective. For the official city viewpoint and information, visit http://www.ci.lakewood.wa.us/
Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone who might want to keep upon Lakewood issues. Anyone can sign up for this newsletter athttp://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=16322z but be sure to look for a confirmation notice in your e-mail. You have to reply to that notice before my e-mail service will sign you up. My service does everything it can to avoid contributing tospam.
BUDGET UPDATE
SEWER SURCHARGE VOTE
TREE LIGHTING
GO BACK IN TIME
LINKS ABOUT LAKEWOOD
BUDGET UPDATE
The Lakewood council met on Nov. 22 to discuss a number of possible changes to the tentatively approved two-year budget covering 2005 and 2006. There's an easy way to tell you what is on the table, so far - and give your opinion at the same time! At the end of this item, you'll see a link to an anonymous survey. You will see that while the survey is easy, the question of what programs and/orstaff to cut is not easy at all.
In the meantime, you need to know that the city's choices have expanded. When last you and I talked, the council was faced with making about $1.4 million in changes in order to build a police station and finance it through traditional financing methods. Since then, various council members and staff have proposed an alternate way of financing a station: buy the land, but then lease the building from a developer. In this plan, the developer carries the financing costs and construction, eliminating a lot of issues for the city. Under this scenario, the city would buy land with existing funds in 2005 and only have to cut about $600,000 from the budget in 2006.
However, Council member Helen McGovern suggested that we begin saving in 2005,so these cuts could be made in advance. And there's another issue - with us doing nothing, the tentative budget eats into the city reserves by about$800,000. Eating into reserves is not a good thing. It's certainly not a good habit to begin. So we can either assume that sales tax revenues increase, or trim spending, or both.
This is the sort of issue facing a lot of cities these days; for a lot of us, sales tax is simply very important. Aberdeen, for example, had its budget saved this year simply because a Home Depot opened up. But their officials are well aware that a Home Depot will not open up every year.
And let's get this on the table: You might well ask why no one suggested the leasing alternative before the police bond vote. That would be a good question. I wish I knew the answer. I, myself, learned about the alternative after the bond proposal failed, and think this new option is worth investigating.
Anyway, here's a list of what is 'on the table' so far, and your chance to speakout: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=13015744011 You may need to cut and paste that URL into your browser. Surveymonkey is a silly name, I know, but it's a great service. Your responses will be anonymous unless you choose to identify yourself in the comments.
The council will next discuss the possible budget changes on Dec. 6, and may brainstorm more ideas then. There will be a chance for public comment before all is said and done, believe me.
SEWER SURCHARGE
Would you be willing to pay about a dollar a month more for your sewer service to help extend sewers to American Lake Gardens and Tillicum? The council is scheduled to vote Dec. 6 on whether to apply for a loan that assumes this payment mechanism.
If you have already been following this issue, you may recall that a subcommittee of myself and John Arbeeny recommended the city do some analysis before telling residents and commercial sewer users that we need to pay in. Among other things, in order to tell you if you should pay $1 a month more, we need to know:
- what the return would be on the investment (would your surcharges or taxes eventually be reduced by improvements in those areas? Would the areas change in ways that might reduce troublesome issues in those neighborhoods?)
- exactly how current residents in Tillicum could avoid burdensome charges or rules when the sewers arrive along the street (For example, there are folks worried they will have to move because of the expense of hooking up homes)
- describe as precisely as possible the exact nature of the threat to public health and property - the health and pollution issues that make sewers a community emergency as opposed to something just nice to have (just how bad is the pollution problem?).
As far as I know, the report by John and myself got filed - if you know what I mean - so I can't tell you I have all the answers to these questions. So thenew questions are, is it appropriate to delay this loan, and risk a higher financing charge, because those other questions are not answered? Or is the need for sewers so obvious that the city should not wait? Heck, I don't know - I guess we find out Dec. 6.
TREE LIGHTING
Lakewood's annual holiday celebration and tree lighting is between 4 and 6:30p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, at Lakewood City Hall. It's a family oriented event. You can munch on cookies, sip chocolate, and enjoy the magic of crafts, toys andSanta Claus. Please bring a non-perishable food donation for the Lakewood Youth Council Food Drive.
GO BACK IN TIME
Speaking of family oriented: Saturday, Dec. 11, seems to be an incredibly popular date this holiday season. For example, the city of Lakewood holiday party, and my own company's holiday party, are that evening. I cannot talk you out of going to the city party or your company party. However, if you do have options, I have a fun recommendation for that evening.
Re-enactors will relive Christmas of 1859 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Fort Steilacoom Museum and Interpretive Center. The museum is located within the four remaining buildings at the entrance of Western StateHospital; they date back to 1858, and represent the original Fort Lewis, if you will - the first official U.S. presence in Washington Territory.
Those of us who volunteer put on our wool clothing and travel back in time to Fort Steilacoom as it might have been at Christmas in 1859. You can tour thecandle-lit quarters of Lt. Col. Silas Casey and soldiers of the fort and their families and guests from Fort Nisqually, the town of Steilacoom, and Victoria.They'll be engaged in Christmas merry-making, conversation of the time, tree trimming, dancing to the tunes of a fiddler, and caroling.
There will be hands-on ornament making for your children or grandkids. And the Sutler's Store has a good stock of books, toys, and souvenir items for your gift shopping.
The admission for this family oriented Christmas at Fort Steilacoom is $4 foradults, $2 for a child or $8 for a family. No reservations are required. Tickets will be available at the door of the former chaplain's home, the building on the right as you look at the complex.
LAKEWOOD IN THE NEWS(Some links may require that you sign up for access)
New type of school in the Clover Park district:http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/education/story/4224002p-4014849c.html
Another military museum in Lakewood: Does this have great potential, or what?http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/4246034p-4037066c.html
Disagreement over luxury golf course plan: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/uplace/story/4213455p-4002001c.html
The last council meeting was something of a first for me: the first time I was on the losing end of a 6-1 vote. So let me explain. The issue is whether Lakewood should endorse a proposal by the county and University Place to study the golf course plan. Lakewood was asked because we are part of a three-way agreement with those parties over the Chambers Creek properties. No one can change the agreement without the consent of the other two parties, unless they cancel the agreement entirely. Lakewood is involved, of course, because the creek is at our northern border.
I think the root of the oddity here is that a three-way consent is required. That's the fundamental tension. If UP and the county want to study the golf course, I'm fine with that. The course is entirely within the boundaries of UP. If UP wants to study the feasibility of a golf course, that's surely their right. I'd be pretty miffed if Lakewood wanted to do something with ChambersCreek in Oakbrook, and UP or the county said no. So on the whole, I am glad that the study is proceeding.
The reason I voted no is that the financing for the golf course would put county sewer funds at risk, by the county's own admission. And I object to using sewer funds for that purpose and particularly for putting them at risk for that purpose. I would also object to using sewer funds to finance a police station, a bathroom in Fort Steilacoom Park, or pretty much anything unrelated to sewers.
Obviously, I would love to see the sewer fund used to help expand sewers intoTillicum. After all, Lakewood residents have been paying into that fund for years. The people of Tillicum deserve an extension of civilization into their neighborhood.
The News Tribune article above suggests that the county thinks other areas might be more deserving. That may or may not be true. But even if the county wants to spite Lakewood by extending sewers into other areas - even if - that's still more appropriate than putting those funds at risk to build a golf course for therich and famous. Period.
CLOSING CREDITS
Publisher and editor: Walter Neary P.O. 99702 Lakewood, WA 98499-0702
wtneary@walterneary.net
http://www.walterneary.net
-- To unsubscribe/change profile:http://www.mailermailer.com/x?u=24166520x-72d56045
To subscribe:http://www.mailermailer.com/x?oid=16322z
