On August 20, 2014, the King County Boundary Review Board (BRB) unanimously agreed to move forward with approval of the City of Shoreline's proposed assumption of the Ronald Wastewater District. The BRB asked their staff to prepare a resolution approving the assumption in King County. The resolution will be voted on at their September 18 meeting and would serve as the final decision by the King County BRB.
"Utility unification is an important step in Shoreline's growth," stated Mayor Shari Winstead. "By combining District operations with City operations, we will be able to provide even more efficient and responsive services to ratepayers and will be better able to plan for Shoreline's future growth. We appreciate the King County Boundary Review Board's thorough review of our Notice of Intent to Assume."
"The District and the City of Shoreline are working collaboratively to ensure the wastewater utility's transition from District to City control goes as smoothly as possible," commented Ronald Wastewater Board President Robert Ransom. "For over fifty years, the Ronald Wastewater District has provided the Shoreline community with quality service. I am confident the City will continue to provide the same quality service District ratepayers have come to expect."
On May 27, 2014, the City submitted its Notices of Intent to Assume the Ronald Wastewater District to the King County and Snohomish County Boundary Review Boards (BRBs). The BRBs are responsible for reviewing proposals for boundary changes by cities, fire districts, and water/sewer districts within their respective counties, including city or district annexations, new city incorporations, and district mergers.
Snohomish County's Boundary Review Board will hold its public hearing on Shoreline's Notice of Intent to Assume on August 28 at 4 p.m. in Everett. Administration East Building (Robert J. Drewel Building) 3000 Rockefeller, Everett 98201.
More information about the City's assumption of Ronald Wastewater District here.
It should be noted that the City's Planning Department solicited letters from the Shoreline Planning Commission, both collectively and as individuals. The Planning Commission met on Aug 7. Chair Scully, and Commissioners Maul and Malek were absent. With barely a quorum, Commissioner Strandberg, a Senior Planner with Snohomish County abstained (Incidentally, Ms. Strandberg's resignation from the Planning Commission was announced at the Aug 18 Meetin of the City Council) . Therefore, with by a vote of three (Easton Craft, Donna Moss, and Bill Montero) out of seven commissioners, the Council-appointed Planning Commission endorsed the Council-directed Notice of Intent (Some also supplied City-solicited individual letters in support of the assumption).
ReplyDeleteWas the planning commission meeting properly noticed? Why did the City planning department solicit a letter of support? All they had to do were hold a public hearing and hold forth for public comment as SEPA requires, and then the planning commission could have indicated their support -- wait! This is the City of Shoreline who can't be bothered with following their own municipal code.
ReplyDeleteWe've all seen what happens to diligent public servants on Shoreline's boards & commissions. Those who buck, i.e., think for themselves, are soon replaced.
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