Enumclaw council tackles 2020 projects

Among them is seeking conceptual plans for a downtown pavilion.

By Kevin Hanson • January 23, 2020 1:30 am
Tags:
The Enumclaw council has had several plans for the lot behind Arts Alive! and the Chamber of Commerce fall through, and are looking for some new ideas. Photo by Ray Miller-Still The Enumclaw council has had several plans for the lot behind Arts Alive! and the Chamber of Commerce fall through, and are looking for some new ideas. Photo by Ray Miller-Still
The Enumclaw council has had several plans for the lot behind Arts Alive! and the Chamber of Commerce fall through, and are looking for some new ideas. Photo by Ray Miller-Still The Enumclaw council has had several plans for the lot behind Arts Alive! and the Chamber of Commerce fall through, and are looking for some new ideas. Photo by Ray Miller-Still

Kicking off the Enumclaw City Council’s first meeting of 2020, Mayor Jan Molinaro shared his vision for the coming 12 months.

While acknowledging there will be plenty of issues cropping up, the mayor noted “there are three items out there than will need some form of decision and closure.”

First on the mayor’s list was the Enumclaw Aquatic Center, an aging facility in need of work. The city has spent both time and money the past couple of years, Molinaro said, has professionally-generated studies in hand, and has committed to some upgrades this summer.

Now, he said, the city must “decide on a long-term option and how it will be funded.”

Second on Molinaro’s list is defining the needs for governmental functions and what the space needs will be. He noted that will be addressed during an upcoming council workshop.

Finally, Molinaro noted the need for a decision regarding a much-talked-about downtown pavilion. The issue has “lingered for several years,” he said, as the city has tossed around possibilities for the square block bordered by Cole and Railroad streets, between Initial and Stevenson avenues.

That last item had been included in the “unfinished business” section of the Jan. 13 agenda and was tackled by the full council. During a conversation spearheaded by Councilman Hoke Overland it was agreed that the city will issue a formal Request For Proposals, aimed at getting some conceptual designs for a pavilion. That step is necessary, Overland said, before the city can determine what construction costs might be.

Councilman Chance LaFleur offered some words of caution, noting the city already has major projects on its plate, like the swimming pool. “I want to make sure we’re focusing on things we can get done instead of just having another piece of paper on the shelf,” he said, asking if a pavilion plan is “something we want to dedicate resources to right now.”

Following discussion, LaFleur offered the motion to move forward with an RFP.

In other action during their Jan. 13 meeting, members of the Enumclaw City Council:

■ chose a firm to oversee construction of two asphalt trails on the city’s north side. One section of trail will run north from Battersby Avenue to the city limit and be a continuation of the popular Foothills Trail. A second trail will also originate on Battersby, stretching between Garrett and Farman streets. In a memo to council, Public Works Director Jeff Lincoln noted that “construction management needs to be provided by a consultant firm with experience in federally funded projects.” The only firm responding to a city advertisement was Bothell-based WH Pacific, which was awarded the $115,370 contract.

The total budget for the two trails, which total 1.4 miles of pavement, includes a little more than $1 million in federal funds and $321,485 from the city, collected in the form of parks impact fees.

■ approved a contract that will lead to the improvements at the city-owned swimming pool that had been mentioned earlier in the meeting. The $47,000 contract, awarded to Schemata Workshop Inc., covers the design and planning for projects that will see improvements to the deck and liner at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center, along with upgrades that will keep the facility in compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The pool improvements are largely made possible by two grants: $258,000 from the state for the pool deck and plaster liner, plus $125,000 from King County for ADA upgrades.

■ witnessed the swearing-in of veteran Councilman LaFleur. Doing the honors was Mike Reynolds, city attorney. LaFleur was elected in November to another four years in the Position 4 seat on the city’s seven-member governing body.

In a separate vote, fellow council members unanimously chose LaFleur to again serve as mayor pro tem. In that role, LaFleur runs council meetings in Molinaro’s absence.

■ heard that the city’s Planning Commission will host a public hearing tomorrow (Jan. 23) to take input on regulations regarding short-term rental properties. The session will begin at 7 p.m. in council chambers at Enumclaw City Hall, 1339 Griffin Ave.

■ agreed to change the start time of their Jan. 27 meeting from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m. The early start will allow council time to discuss the city’s current use of available space and coming needs.

Tags: