Buckley City Council members officially approved the acquisition of 150 acres of White River property from Puget Sound Energy, at a total cost of $300,000. The land is along the south side of the White River, west of state Route 410, and north of Buckley.
The action came during a regular council meeting on Nov. 9.
“Its (sic) been a long negotiation, but it certainly appears that the end is in sight.” So read the opening of the bill’s summary statement as presented to council.
Indeed, the deal to purchase the land has been years in the making. PSE shut down its White River power center in 2003. Cascade Land Conservancy, a conservation nonprofit, has since tried to purchase the land to preserve its growth and wildlife. Cascade eventually abandoned its plans to itself purchase the land in favor of brokering the deal for the city to make the purchase, a duty it continued through March of this year.
Council members took more than 20 minutes in executive session before reemerging to approve the deal with six votes for and one vote against.
The $300,000 price tag on the land comes in at $32,500 less than anticipated, according to the bill. The purchase will be made in installments, with $50,000 down and five annual installments of $50,000 plus 2 percent interest on the balance. PSE will hold the deed on the land until it is paid for in full.
In other action, the council:
• heard public comment on the 2011 proposed budget and a 2011 property tax and emergency medical services levy.
• approved the sale of bonds to fund construction of a new fire station (see bonds story, page 19).
• accepted completion of the sewer conveyance line project, while acknowledging continued issues of settling along Collins Road.
• accepted a scope of work for the design of a road realignment project that includes state Route 165, SR 410, Ryan Road and 112th Street East. Cost of design engineering services for the project is $519,000.
• approved an amendment to participation in Pierce County Enhanced 911 to grant reimbursement funding to the PSAP program from the county.
• approved a jail service contract with the town of Ruston.
