King County Elections certified the results of the Aug. 17th Primary Election Wednesday morning (Sept. 1st), and announced a total voter turnout of 39 percent, the highest for a primary since 2004, with 421,157 ballots returned.

“We saw a respectable rate of participation considering this was not a Presidential election year,” said Sherril Huff, King County Elections Director. “We were able to process ballots very efficiently and got some great support from many voters who returned their ballots early.”

The general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 2nd, and ballots will be mailed Oct. 13th.

Here’s more from the county’s election website:

As with any election, some ballots could not be counted because they were postmarked after Election Day or had issues with the voter signature. Voters can use the online Ballot Tracker to make sure their ballot was received and sent on to be counted. Voters who may have experienced problems with their signatures or mailing address should be sure to update their registration information now so that they are ready for the upcoming November General Election.

Ballots for the General Election will be mailed on October 13. The deadline to update voter registration information for the election is October 4. New Washington voters can register in person through October 25.

In this election, 8,800 ballots were returned after Election Day. Voters are reminded that ballots must be returned to a Ballot Drop Box before 8:00 p.m. or postmarked by Election Day.

Here are final results that affect our area:

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT NO. 33

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: *

20128

/

54670

36.82%

State Senator Legislative Dist No. 33

Jack Michalek

Prefers Republican Party

8120

42.14%

Karen Keiser

Prefers Democratic Party

11107

57.64%

Write-in

43

0.22%

State Representative Legislative Dist No. 33 – Position 1

Tina Orwall

Prefers Democratic Party

12306

94.68%

Write-in

691

5.32%

State Representative Legislative Dist No. 33 – Position 2

Dave Upthegrove

Prefers Democratic Party

12651

95.14%

Write-in

646

4.86%

SOUTH KING FIRE AND RESCUE

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: *

26059

/

69179

37.67%

South King Fire & Rescue Proposition No. 1

YES

11898

48.60%

NO

12586

51.40%

* Reflects the voter registration count as of August 5, following the official logic and accuracy test

Note : The totals on this report reflect the results for King County only.

by Ralph Nichols

Other Highline-area cities – Burien, SeaTac and Tukwila – have economic development directors or managers. So do other neighboring cities including Federal Way and Kent.

But until now, Des Moines has gone without one – despite a sagging local economy and a need for the city to position itself to attract new retail and other businesses when recovery begins.

That changed when the Des Moines City Council, on a 4-2 vote, created the position of “temporary full-time economic development manager.”

City Manager Tony Piasecki advised the council that, if they approved the proposal, he would appoint Marion Yoshino as the city’s first economic development manager. Yoshina had worked as a volunteer in that capacity since early this year.

She will be paid $70,512 – at $40 an hour – through next April 30, the equivalent of an annual salary near the lower end of the range for similar positions in some other suburban cities in the Puget Sound area.

“Some businesses have survived the recession well,” Piasecki told council members. “They’re the ones we want to bring here. We need to have our act together … to welcome them to our city … to go out and find them.”

Since coming to the city as a volunteer, Yoshino “has shown a tremendous amount of growth,” he continued. “She relates well to those businesses we want to attract.”

Mayor Bob Sheckler and council members Matt Pina, Dan Sherman and Carmen Scott voted to create the position. After voicing concern about city priorities after sharp budget cuts were made in the 2010 budget, Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Kaplan and Councilwoman Melissa Musser voted no.

“I agree there’s a need, but reluctantly I can’t support it,” said Kaplan, noting that utility tax revenue has dropped for the first time this year.
He questioned the city’s ability to pay for the new position for a third of next year and, noting there are other areas in which the city could apply $70,000, said “I just can’t, in good conscience, commit additional resources.”

Musser called the position “a luxury I wish we could have. But it doesn’t feel right. I can’t put it up there on my list of priorities.”

Pina, also wrestling with committing the funds for a new position, observed “that what makes this different is that it can be a revenue-generating opportunity … if we lose momentum here, it will be pretty hard to get it back. It will cost us more in the long run not to do this than to do it.”

Although absent, at a previous meeting Thomasson had stated his opposition to the move, calling it the “camel’s nose under the tent” and urging that the funds – from business and occupancy (B&O) tax revenues that are higher than anticipated – be used to help rehire a police officer.

Sheckler said, however, that “neighboring cities are getting ahead of us … we’re giving them an advantage. When the recession ends, I want us to get off to a running start.”

Acknowledging the difficult decisions Kaplan and Musser had to make, he added that what they said about the economy and city priorities are “very important … things we should keep in mind, too.

by Ralph Nichols

That retail activity is lagging in Des Moines comes as no surprise to city leaders, who continue to deal with a struggling “main street” on Marine View Drive, along with slumping sales tax revenue.

Now a survey conducted by the city reports that almost half of all responding Des Moines businesses – 41.5 percent – say their current volume of customers is less than what they need.

The same number of businesses – in both the downtown Marina District and along Pacific Highway South – says their customer traffic is just “OK.”

Only 17 percent of those responding said the number of people walking through their doors is “excellent.”

Results of the survey, which was mailed on May 15 to 332 licensed businesses, were recently reported to the city council by Marion Yoshino – now the city’s full-time Economic Development Manager.

Only 58 businesses responded to the survey. Yoshino told council members the low response may be due in part to difficulty owners for whom English is a second language had with the questionnaire.

She also noted that “those who had a strong opinion to express would be more likely inclined to respond … those businesses that are successful may be otherwise occupied and not take time to complete a survey.”

For these and other reasons, the survey provides insights into the local business community, but is not statistically valid.

Still, “this does give us some clear ideas about how we can move forward,” Yoshino said. “It also says to business, ‘We have heard you.’”

The best news for Des Moines, based on the information received, is that over 75 percent of responding businesses intend to remain in the city for at least the next three years:

• 48.1% plan to remain at their current location
• 15.4% will expand or remodel at their current location
• 13.5% will relocate within the city

Another 19.2 percent plan to relocate outside Des Moines, and 1.9 percent each will sell their business or the owners will retire.

More good news for the city is that 19 percent of businesses that have had interactions with local government in the last three years described their experiences as “excellent”; 57.1 percent called them “good.”

The city was given a “fair” rating by 16.7 percent, while only 7.1 percent described them as “poor.”

Beyond these encouraging findings, Mayor Bob Sheckler noted that a renewed Destination Des Moines (read our previous coverage here) is taking on “a brand new scope” to promote the city.

Destination Des Moines “will no longer be working on the premise of becoming a new Chamber of Commerce … it will be working on [local] events.

“Hold on and see what happens,” Sheckler added. “It’s going to be a pleasant surprise for everyone … next year’s Waterland Parade will be something else.”

The survey also underscored the small-business nature of much of the commercial activity in Des Moines. Ninety-six percent of responding businesses have eight or fewer full-time employees, with over 40 percent having only one employee.

In addition, 55.8 percent said the city “should take action to promote better maintenance or renovation” of commercial buildings and adjacent areas.

Responses to suggestions for ways the city might improve its downtown and highway business districts include:

• Colorful banners and flower pots along arterials and public art:
  • Very helpful: 47.3%
    
  • Somewhat helpful: 43.6%
  • Not helpful: 9.1&
• Pedestrian-friendly features such as sidewalks, benches, lighting improvements:
  • Very helpful: 54.5%
    
  • Somewhat helpful: 32.7%
  • Not helpful: 12.7%
• More police patrols:
  • Very helpful: 25%
  • Somewhat helpful: 34.6%
  • Not helpful: 40.4%
    
• A promotional city website that highlights Des Moines attractions:
  • Very helpful: 57.7%
    
  • Somewhat helpful: 32.7%
  • Not helpful: 9.6%
• Relaxing building or sign code restrictions:
  • Very helpful, 47.3%
    
  • Somewhat helpful: 27.3%
  • Not helpful: 25.5%

by Ralph Nichols

The Des Moines City approved on Aug. 5 the final agreement with Water District 54 for the Downtown Water System Improvement Project, which is expected to begin early next spring.

Council members adopted the agreement on a 6-0 vote after water district commissioners informed them it has been pre-approved for its share of construction costs – estimated at about $550,000.

The district will also provide funding for the project – estimated at a cost of $1.8 million – from its capital reserves.

Although the exact dollar amount needed by the water district won’t be known until bids are open, commissioners said their lender has said they can get at least that amount. The project may go out for bids by or before early fall.

A $486,000 federal earmark grant – secured by Congressman Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, and dedicated to water system improvements in Des Moines – will pay for the city share of the project’s cost.

In addition, the city will waive all permit fees incurred by the water district, not impose right-of-way fees, absorb all administrative costs associated with permitting and administration of the federal grant, and act as lead agency for obtaining state approval for the project.

Construction to install a new 12-inch water main under Marine View Drive between S. 219th and S. 227th streets is expected to begin in March or April as soon as weather permits, with work completed in about three months.

The 12-inch main will be located along the edge of Marine View Drive to avoid obstacles beneath the street. It will include 12-inch cross connections to east-west lines at S. 220th, S. 222nd, S. 225th and S. 227th streets.

In addition, the district will install 12-inch water mains on S. 220th, S. 222nd, S. 225th and S. 226th streets, connecting the Marine View Drive line west to 7th Ave. S.

Commissioners told council members that, with their pre-approved loan amount, the district now has adequate funds to pay for installation of water mains along cross-streets as part of this project as well – something they anticipated earlier would have to be put off to another year.

The fact the district is a utility will help it obtain the necessary financing since loans for capital projects by utilities are virtually guaranteed through their rates, thereby enabling them to get good terms from lenders.

“That’s all very good news,” Mayor Bob Sheckler said following the council meeting. “Previously [the commissioners] were concerned they would be able only to do Marine View Drive, and the other later.

“Now they can do it all in one fell swoop, which will result in the disruption of downtown businesses only once.”

One of the ironies of the recession-plagued economy, Sheckler noted, is that it puts the city in a good position to receive favorable bids.

“This is a major step forward in the development of the Marina District,” he added. “It now allows us to look more closely at types of construction and building heights that could bring new development that would attract both additional retail and residents downtown.”

by Ralph Nichols

Voters in Burien, Normandy Park and North Highline will help decide the only two contested races in the Highline area on the Aug.17 primary election ballot.

Ballots must be postmarked by next Tuesday, Aug. 17, or deposited in a King County Elections ballot drop-box by 8 p.m. that day.

There are no contested legislative district or local primary races in Des Moines.

A contest that has gained high-profile status is the race for the King County Council seat from District 8, which includes Burien, Normandy Park and North Highline.

The eventual winner in November will complete the unexpired term, with one year remaining, which was vacated by Dow Constantine after his election last fall as King County Executive.

And that outcome, depending on who is elected, may significantly alter the complexion of the county council.

Constantine’s replacement, former Seattle City Councilwoman Jan Drago, did not file for election to that post.

The quartet of candidates includes:

• Tim Fahey, a South Park carpenter who is basing his campaign on the need for immediate action to build a new South Park bridge and the failure of the county to replace the structure before it was permanently closed to traffic.
• Normandy Park City Councilman Shawn McEvoy, who has served as mayor and is a small business owner, and who cites his environmental record for protected critical areas in and surrounding the city.
• Former state Sen. (and Rep.) Joe McDermott of West Seattle, who is running on his 10 years in the Legislature, where he served as a Democrat before resigning to run for this position. He is endorsed by Constantine.
• Diana Toledo of West Seattle, who says her experience from 15 years as a county enforcement coordinator, animal cruelty investigator and licensing supervisor will help her reform and restore financial responsibility to King County government.

Fahey and Toledo both oppose the proposed .02-cent sales tax increase that advocates say is needed to avoid layoffs of sheriff’s deputies, prosecutors and court personnel next year. They maintain that savings can be found within the county budget to avoid those cuts.

McEvoy and McDermott both support the sales tax measure.

In the 34th Legislative District, which includes Burien and North Highline, Democrats Joe Fitzgibbon, Mike Heavy and Marcee Stone, and Independent Geoffrey “Mac” McElroy are running for State Representative, Position 2.

The winner in November will replace state Rep. Sharon Nelson, a Democrat who is running for the State Senate to fill the office vacated by McDermott.

• Fitzgibbon, who is chairman of the Burien Planning Commission, has been a legislative aide to Nelson and also a King county Council legislative aide.
• Heavey currently is director of Outreach and Constituent Relations for the King County Council, and has worked in fraud and identity theft prevention for Expedia.com.
• McElroy owns Mac’s Triangle Pub in White Center. A military veteran, as a member of the White Center Chamber of Commerce he is involved in community development.
• Stone, a legal administration professional who has worked for several law firms, has been a professional actor and a local political activist.

Dear Editor –

There seems to be a lot of confusion about Proposition One that our local fire district, South King Fire & Rescue, has put on the upcoming Primary election on August 17, 2010. Unlike cities and counties, junior (which SKFR is one) taxing district’s sole source of income comes from property values in the fire district. With the economy in a major slump the last couple of years, it has increasing had to look at ways to cut back and balance its budget without cutting back on services.

The District Commissioners decided two years ago to establish a “contingency ” fund knowing that the economy was on a downward cycle and they would need to protect the district as best as they could under the circumstances. This fund will not last past 2011 and without a way to stabilize revenues, service levels may have to be curtailed or reduced. SKFR is one of only three fire districts in the state to have a Class 2 insurance rating (Seattle and Bellevue are the others) there are NO ones. The Prop One measure on the ballot is to help the district maintain this high level of service.

There has been a lot of rhetoric flying around recently about our taxes going up by a whopping 60%. These people are simply confused about this different form of taxing property. Proposition One allows our district to stabilize its revenues for the next 6 years by instituting a Benefit Charge. Normal taxes are levied at $1.50 per $1,000 of property value. Under a Benefit Charge, the $1.50 is rolled back to a $1.00 and the remainder amount is calculated on the square footage of the property structures. The Board of Commissioners will set this rate every year in an open public process depending how much is needed to stabilize revenues and allow the district to maintain the high level of services the public has come to rely on.

Many other Washington State fire districts long have used this form of taxing properties without overly burdening its citizens unfairly.

I hope voters get involved in the election process and vote for Proposition One. By voting yes we are voting to maintain fast response times to fire and Emergency Medical Services responses so important to our community. As a side note, EMS now counts for over 80% of the calls for service in the district.

– Wayne Corey
Publisher
www.publicsafe.org

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Have something you'd like to say? Then email us your "Letter to the Editor" by clicking here. Be sure to include your real name and a way to contact you, and, pending our review, we'll most likely post it. Otherwise, feel free to leave a Comment below...]

UPDATE 5:45pm 7/21/10: We’ve added Audio, as well as Photos of the event as shot by Michael Brunk, to the bottom of the story:

by Ralph Nichols

All four candidates for King County Council District 8 agreed at a July 20 forum that county government must become more efficient, more effective, and related better to suburban cities.

Beyond that, Tim Fahey, Joe McDermott, Shawn McEvoy and Diana Toledo offered varying approaches – some pronounced, others marginal – on how to improve the way the county operates.

Sponsored by The B-Town Blog, the forum was moderated by KIRO radio talk show host Dave Ross. A panel of Journalists, including this Reporter, along with T.M. Sell, Phd, Professor of Journalism at Highline Community College, and George Erb, Editor of the Puget Sound Business Journal. Questions were also offered up by several of the 35 or so attendees.

The four will square off in the Aug. 17 primary election, with the top two vote-getters facing each other in November.

Current District 8 County Councilwoman Jan Drago, who was appointed to replace Dow Constantine after he was elected King County Executive last year, is not seeking election to that office.

Fahey, a carpenter who resides in South Park, was motivated to run because of the closure of the South Park Bridge after years of failure at all levels of government to replace it.

McDermott, from West Seattle, has served in the State Legislature since 2001 and was appointed State Senator in 2007. He ran unopposed for the seat in 2008.

McEvoy is a city councilman and a former mayor of Normandy Park.

Toledo is an enforcement coordinator for King County, where she has worked for 15 years.

“King County has been a little dictatorial with the way they treat the suburban cities,” Burien City Councilwoman Kathy Keene noted when the forum opened to questions from the audience. “How will you work with us so we can do our job better or be a better partner with you?”

[Note: Candidate responses will be presented in the order they answered specific questions.]

Fahey – “King County does not know better for Burien what’s good for Burien. You guys can make decisions for yourself.”

McDermott – “I want to continue to work with the cities, not come and tell you what to know.” Former State Rep. and former Mercer Island City Councilman Fred Jarrett, now Constantine’s deputy executive, is helping the county build relationships with the cities.

McEvoy – Cities need to be an “equal partner … a regional partner” with the county, which needs to maintain regular contact with the cities.

Toledo – “There is no doubt that over the past decade or more, King County has exhibited an arrogance that turned the cities off by shoving things down their throat. There is evidence that this is shifting” and the county “needs to continue to be part of that shift.”

White Center resident Liz Giba wanted to know their positions on future annexation of the remaining North Highline unincorporated area by either Burien or Seattle:

McDermott – “The key is there is going to be a public vote” and the county should remain neutral. “It’s up to the public in the area to decide.”

McEvoy – The determining factor should be “what is best for the citizens of the region. White Center would be far worse off going to Seattle … Burien is the best fit for White Center.”

Toledo – “Burien is the best choice for the North Highline area. As a council member we should have an opinion and should voice that opinion.”

Fahey – “I fully and actively am in support of annexation by Burien.” North Highline “needs would be better served” in Burien than in Seattle,” and the area would remain free of the “yoke of Seattle’s business tax.”

Will they vote for or against the 0.02 percent sales tax increase to help fund public safety that the current county council approved on July 19 for placement on the November ballot?

Toledo – I will vote for public safety. I will vote for protecting our people. But I will not vote for it [the tax increase] … I’m particularly disturbed by the characterization of the sales tax [increase] as it’s for public safety.”

Fahey – “Certainly not a sales tax increase. We need to find where wasteful spending is going on.” A lot of King County deputies disagree with Sheriff Sue Rahr “that she can’t cut her budget” without cutting officers.”

McDermott – “I support it. It’s a small increase that will bring in $59 million in 2011 and $80 million in 2012. The choice is between that and cutting 60 deputies and 12 prosecutors.”

McEvoy – “I’m not a big fan of tax increases but I would say this is vital … it’s a temporary tax increase.”

What would they do with Metro Transit in light of a new study by the Washington Policy Center, which found that Metro got sales tax increases in 2000 and 2006, by 2009 had collected 20 percent more from those tax hikes than it needed, but had implemented only a third of the new bus service promised while diverting 60 percent of this revenue into bus driver salaries for average raises that are two times the rate of inflation.

Fahey – Metro bus service is “heavily subsidized” and commuters “should be willing to pay $5 per ride … as a union person, I always hate to see this come down to the union.” The popular ride-free-zone in downtown Seattle not only reduced Metro revenue but attracts “undesirable people” and creates “a law enforcement problem.”

McDermott – Initiative 695, which was approved in 1999 to limit car tab fees to $30, “is to blame” for a lot of revenue lost to Metro and other transit agencies. “We need to build relationships with other transit agencies” throughout the state … we need to hold people accountable. I want to be careful not to blame public employees but hold costs down.”

McEvoy – In addition to what the Washington Policy Center found, another Metro program to increase suburban bus service – the 40/40/20 plan – “has not been allocated as stated … it’s time for Seattle to pay its fair share” for bus service … we need to look at efficiencies and consolidation.”

Toledo – “This question highlights why I’m running for the county council … what does real reform, real accountability mean?” Although it’s hard to comment on the salary increases for drivers, the report shows a need “to cut some at the management level.”

What is the single most effective thing that can be done to help business in King County?

McDermott – “Provide all the things that people value,” including “transportation to work and from work” and getting supplies to businesses and products out.

McEvoy – “We need to foster an environment conducive to small business” and “initiate public/private partnerships to encourage small businesses.”

Toledo – “We need to cut red tape … and look at ways to create jobs that will bring in more taxes.”

Fahey – “Transportation and access to businesses obviously is paramount. Government cannot generate enough jobs.”

Citizens want all of the services government can provide for free. So what services should be cut?

McDermott – “The easy things to take out have been picked off a long time ago. We need to look at what government no longer needs to do.”

McEvoy – “We do need to examine central services. We need to make sure service levels match budget levels. There are probably some inefficiencies … no one thing is glaringly obvious … if junior programs get whacked, I’m sorry.”

Toledo – The county needs “to seek out more private partnerships … I have seen individuals collecting six-figure salaries, not because of what they know but who they know. We spend millions of dollars on audits and when the problems are not fixed a couple of years later, we ask for more audits … we need to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.”

Fahey – “The cornerstone … is eliminating the [county] Department of Transportation … except to analyze roads and prioritize projects. Let the county fund projects … [and] replace all sercie work with union low-bid contracts.”

Is it the role of local government or the private sector to develop jobs?

Fahey – “The highest priority of elected officials is concern about jobs … everything said about unemployment is true – it’s dispiriting and sags your initiative … this government needs to get out of the way and make it easier for business to do business here … and hire people.” Examples of interference by government are cumbersome permitting and business licensing processes.

McDermott – “The public sector definitely has a strong role to play in job creation.” Ways to do this include Sound Transit development, building a new South Park Bridge, and apprenticeship programs.

McEvoy – It is “imperative for local government to be involved in economic development. It is in King County’s interest to build a strong economy” through infrastructure that helps “small and disadvantaged businesses” and encouraging “a quality of life that builds a strong workforce.”

Toledo – With a $60 million [county] budget shortfall, we need to look at ways to help get us out. Unless the sales tax and property tax [revenues] go up, the gap will increase.” Red tape and overregulation are “detrimental … we definitely need to provide for public safety … but when it goes too far it impedes economic activity.”

Instead of increasing taxes to cover his state’s budget shortfall, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is taking on public employee unions to get them to renegotiate contracts and reduce pay raises and benefit packages. Should King County adopt this approach?

Toledo – We can find money by cutting wasteful spending. Our priorities are out of what in King County? Why cut sheriff’s deputies when there are other priorities?”

Fahey – “I admire Gov. Christie. I definitely would like to see contracts re-examined. I don’t think it’s unreasonable for people in government service for taxpayers to hold them to a different standard” including heavy cuts in middle management that would save King County “tons of money.”

McDermott – “The perception that public employees have not paid a price is in error … over 10,000 state employees were laid off” in the last two-year budget cycle. “It’s not the council’s role to unilaterally reopen union contracts” already approved.

McEvoy – “People want more government for their money, not more money for government. But it’s not the council’s place to reopen contracts. I agree that we need to cut mid-management.”

Here’s a Photo Slideshow of the forum as shot by Michael Brunk:

Click to Play Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

AUDIO: Here’s an MP3 of the raw audio from last night’s forum. Please note that it is incomplete, only because of some minor technical glitches that stopped the recorder; however, it contains one-hour and 36-minutes of audio of the event:

by Ralph Nichols

Des Moines council members approved on July 15 the use of $1,400 in city funds to help pay Mayor Bob Sheckler’s airfare to China for the 1st World Emerging Industries Summit 2010.

But not before Councilman Dan Sherman repeatedly tried to block the contribution by the council.

Sheckler received a personal invitation in June from Wang Rulin, governor, Jilin Province of China, Dominique de Villepin, global chairman of the Asia-Pacific CEO Association Worldwide, and Zheng Xiongwei, global executive chairman of the association.

All his expenses for attending summit from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 – except travel – will be paid by the Chinese government.

Full airfare is expected to cost as much as $3,500, Sheckler informed the council before the vote.

Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kaplan and council members Melissa Musser, Matt Pina and Carmen Scott joined Sheckler in approving the expense.

The $1,400 is the balance remaining in this year’s general fund budget for authorized travel expenses by City Council members.

Before casting his no vote, Sherman displayed apparent ignorance of Chinese culture and customs by suggesting the city send someone other than the mayor, perhaps Economic Development Manager Marion Yoshida, to the summit.

Sheckler noted, however, that this invitation was extended to him personally following a successful trip he made to China last November, where he made contacts with government leaders and business investors.

For the city to send someone in his place, he said, could be viewed as an insult by the Chinese hosts. “Sending a substitute would set that person up for failure.” Sheckler added later that “failure is what Dan Sherman wants.”

Sherman also questioned without offering specifics the legality of ties the mayor is developing between Des Moines and Chinese officials and investors – a suggestion that appeared to leave other council members perplexed.

Voicing support for the city’s contribution, Councilwoman Carmen Scott noted that Sheckler “went [to China] last year, not at the city’s expense, and the city is already reaping rewards from that trip. So I think we should pay for a small portion of his trip this time.”

Sherman, however, countered that plans for a hotel financed by a Chinese investor, which will be located on Pacific Highway South, were already moving forward by the time Sheckler was in China.

Sheckler agreed the hotel already was being planned at the time of this trip – for Tacoma – and that contacts he made with the developer while there resulted in the project going to Des Moines instead.

The 300-plus-room hotel, now in the design and permitting stage, will include a four- or five-star authentic Chinese restaurant (not Chinese-American) and, possibly, retail space.

Earlier, he called the invitation “quite an honor … I look forward to the exchanges I will have with my hosts, and reporting back to our city when I return.”

He said Chinese investors “are looking for good opportunities for investments in Des Moines that will give them a good return for their dollar. Their interest is in profitable investments.”

And they like the Des Moines area because they can’t get its views of Puget Sound anywhere else “without paying premium dollars for them.”

Our sister site The B-Town Blog wants to remind our readers of its next Candidates Forum, featuring the contenders vying for Dow Constantine’s former seat on the King County Council.

It will be this Tuesday, July 20, from 7pm to 8:45pm at the Highline School District’s E.R.A.C. Building, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W. in south Burien, across the street from Azteca Restaurant and just north of Hi-Line Lanes.

Moderator for the evening will be longtime local reporter and radio talk show host Dave Ross. Ross’s show airs 9am to noon Monday through Friday on 97.3 KIRO-FM.

All four candidates for the seat have been invited and all four have agreed to attend.

They are:

• Diana Toledo, former King County employee.
• Shawn McEvoy, former Normandy Park mayor and current Normandy Park city council member.
• Joe McDermott, current 34th district state senator.
• Tim Fahey, professional carpenter and South Park resident.

The forum format is to have area journalists ask questions for the first 45 minutes or so, followed by questions from the public. There is no admission charge and anyone and everyone is welcome to attend.

The 8th District council seat everyone is duking it out for is currently held by Jan Drago. Drago is not running for election.

The primary is August 17. Mail-in ballots will be sent to voters later this month. The two candidates garnering the most votes advance to the general election in November.

By Ralph Nichols

Mayor Bob Sheckler will return to China late this summer – invitation in hand – for the 1st World Emerging Industries Summit 2010.

Sheckler, who said his invitation is “quite an honor,” hopes to interest investors there “in any type of development that would complement the city, either on the highway or downtown.

“This has to be a two-way street. We can’t just take and not give,” he added. “They are looking for good opportunities for investments in Des Moines that will give them a good return for their dollar. Their interest is in profitable investments.

“I look forward to the exchanges I will have with my hosts, and to reporting back to our city when I return.”

Sheckler said Chinese investors like the Des Moines area because they can’t get its views of Puget Sound anywhere else “without paying premium dollars for them. And the marina is a huge attraction to them.

“We’re squared away to bring in investments on Pacific Highway and to downtown now that the water issue is taken care of – and to Des Moines Creek Business Park,” he continued.

Sheckler was invited as the result of personal contacts he made with government leaders and business investors during his China trip last year.

He went there in November to build foundations for a sister-city relationship with Changle and an exchange program between Chinese community college students and Highline Community College.

But Sheckler came home with a lot more – an agreement for a multi-million-dollar hotel in Des Moines in addition to those relationships.

In addition to the hotel, with more than 300 rooms, this development – at the old state vehicle emissions testing site along Pacific Highway S. north of Kent-Des Moines Road – will feature a four- or five-star Chinese restaurant and, possibly, retail space.

“It will be a true Chinese restaurant,” Sheckler noted. “Not a Chinese-American restaurant.”

The project is currently in the planning and design stage. Groundbreaking for construction is expected sometime next spring, perhaps sooner.

Matt Chan of Normandy Park, who is planning the multi-phase Waterview Crossing development on Pacific Ridge, accompanied Sheckler on his China trip last year and introduced him to business investors there.

Sponsored by the Chinese government, the Aug. 31-Sept. 3 summit – “New Industrial Revolution & Green Economy” – will include business talks on investment and cooperation, information and technology exchanges, and promotion of international economic cooperation in emerging industries.

International political leaders, ministers and elected representatives of federal, state and provincial, and local governments, leaders of Fortune 500 companies and other industry-leading companies, representatives from industry and related international organizations, and top economists have been invited.

The invitation came from Wang Rulin, governor, Jilin Province of China, Dominique de Villepin, global chairman of the Asia-Pacific CEO Association Worldwide, and Zheng Xiongwei, global executive chairman of the association.

“As Des Moines continues to reach across the Pacific to Chinese investors who are interested in the potential for them in Des Moines,” Sheckler declared, “I feel confident that the majority of city council members will embrace these opportunities for future economic development.”

by Ralph Nichols

King County Executive Dow Constantine liked what he saw during a brief tour of Des Moines – guided by Mayor Bob Sheckler and City Manager Tony Piasecki – Thursday morning (July 8).

“Des Moines has so many natural advantages … with great views everywhere,” Constantine said as the visit wrapped up, citing in particular the city’s marina and Beach Park on Puget Sound.

He also expressed excitement over recent progress by the city and Port of Seattle toward development of Des Moines Creek Business Park on 89 vacant acres north of S. 216th St. just west of Pacific Highway S., and plans for revitalizing the downtown marina district.

“This will help Des Moines and it will help all of King County,” Constantine added. “Quite frankly, it will help tax revenues as well … once the economy turns around, it looks like Des Moines is poised for quick economic recovery.”

Sheckler said later “it was a pleasure to have Executive Constantine visit our city. He showed considerable interest in what the city has to offer, and my impression is that he will be supportive of our economic development efforts.”

The tour marked Constantine’s 27th visit to cities throughout King County since he became county executive late last November. He went to Normandy Park later in the day, and has already made visits to SeaTac and Tukwila.

Constantine said he plans to visit Burien later this year, although he has already been there – which was in his district as a King County councilman – on at least two occasions as executive.

He noted these visits are part of his stated objective of “laying a foundation between the county and its cities” for new, cooperative relationships to realize and share mutual benefits.

“I have managed to make it clear to our city partners that we really want to work with them. We want to work with cities as we want them to work with the county on issues of mutual interest.”

Joining the tour were Councilwoman Melissa Musser, Assistant City Manager Lorri Erickson, and Parks and Recreation Director Patrice Thorell.

by Ralph Nichols

A long-simmering disagreement between the city and Water District 54 over upgrades to the water system in downtown Des Moines was expected to boil over at the June 3 council meeting.

There was even a possibility that the city would begin the process of assumption – the takeover of the water district – if council members didn’t get the answers they wanted.

Instead, the meeting began with Water District 54 Commissioner John Rayback informing them that “the commissioners think the district can now put a line down Marine View Drive.”

Following their May 20 council meeting, several lawmakers expressed frustration over what they considered to be a pull-back by the commission from what they thought had been a preliminary agreement reached at a joint meeting in April for installation of a new 12-inch water main along Marine View Drive.

To do this, Rayback said, the water district “will need the city’s assistance and will need concessions from the city.”

City assistance would include a $486,000 federal earmark secured by Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, which is dedicated to water system improvements in Des Moines, Rayback told council members.

“And the city needs to waive all permit fees” associated with the project “if you’re really serious,” he said.

This project “will still be very expensive … we need to keep costs down.” But, Rayback added, “We think it can be done.”

The water district will draw from its capital reserves to provide additional funding for the job.

“From the district’s point of view, putting pipe in the ground is money well spent,” Rayback said.

“I couldn’t agree more,” remarked City Manager Tony Piasecki.

The district “very probably will have to go into debt a little bit,” Rayback noted. “We’re willing to look at it.”

When asked for details about their plan, water district engineer Warren Perkins told the council, “We will come back to the city with a proposal.”

“What I’m hearing from the district is actually encouraging,” replied Mayor Bob Sheckler, who then pressed Perkins for a date certain.

“This has been a controversial subject for many years,” Sheckler said. “And a lot of criticism of the district is that it says it will do something and then nothing is done.”

Perkins offered “six weeks, maybe sooner.”

“Let’s say four weeks,” Sheckler countered.

Perkins agreed, and Water District 54 officials are now scheduled to submit their project proposal to council members on July 1.

If the plan for installing the new water main along Marine View Drive receives council approval at that time, “we can … get it designed and out to bid, and start work in the early spring [2011],” Sheckler said.

“Hopefully we can wrap this up on July 1. I’m very encouraged.”

City Manager Tony Piasecki added, “I’m very, very encouraged.”

The 12-inch water main on Marine View Drive, which may be installed beneath a sidewalk because of obstacles beneath the street, will include 12-inch cross connections to east-west lines at S. 220th, S. 222nd, S. 225th and S. 227th streets.

Those lines could be capped and connected later to the main along Marine View Drive, depending on the cost of the primary project.

Water District 54 Commission President Alli Larkin said following the meeting that what changed in the district’s approach to upgrading downtown water service was a decision to put “on hold all our cross connections and putting our money into the Marine View Drive Line.”

She said the district “then can go in later and do the cross connections,” which would include connecting with loops the end of water lines that now dead end along 7th and 8th avenues.

Perkins said some looping might be able to be done as part of this project.

South King Fire & Rescue has, in the past, said the downtown water system falls short of providing a required sustained flow of 3,500 gallons per minute for three hours for fire suppression, while still providing water service to the rest of the area at reduced pressure.

Water District 54 has disagreed with that analysis.

Loren Reinhold, the city’s assistant director of utilities and environmental engineering, told council members the project now proposed “will provide the necessary water supply downtown.”

Rep. Dave Upthegrove will be holding “drop-in hours” at various area locations once a month through August, starting Tuesday, June 22nd in Burien.

Upthegrove, who serves the 33rd District and lives in Des Moines, is doing this so he can “meet informally with Highline-area constituents.”

“I’m always happy to meet one-on-one with people, and they can call my legislative office to make an appointment,” Upthegrove said in a statement. “But in addition, I wanted to give constituents from the Highline area a chance to simply drop by and talk to me about legislative issues and concerns.”

He’ll be available to meet on each fourth Tuesday during June (the 22nd), July (the 27th) and August (24th), and will hang out at the recently-opened Infusion Tea & Coffee Shop at 15607 First Ave South in Burien, from 1:30pm – 2:30pm.

Additional “drop-in” hours will be held June 14, July 12, and August 9 (second Tuesday of each month) at the following South King County locations and times:

• 11:00 a.m. to Noon
  Kent City Hall lobby
  220 4th Avenue South, Kent
• 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  Highline Community College Student Union Building – second floor information table
  2400 S. 240th Street, Des Moines (at Pacific Highway South)

Appointments are not necessary, which will allow for area residents to just “drop-in” and speak with him.

Upthegrove notes that these “drop-in hours” are in addition to his standing offer to meet with constituents at a time and location of their convenience.

Here’s a press release with more details:

With the 2010 Legislative Session now concluded, Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines) has returned home to Des Moines and has set aside specific dates and times to meet informally with Highline-area constituents.

On each fourth Tuesday during June, July, and August (June 22, July 27, and August 24), Upthegrove will be available at the newly-opened Infusion Tea & Coffee shop at 15607 1st Avenue South in Burien (corner of 156th and 1st Avenue South) from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.  This will enable people to meet with him without having to schedule an appointment in advance.

Upthegrove notes that these “drop-in hours” are in addition to his standing offer to meet with constituents at a time and location of their convenience.

“I’m always happy to meet one-on-one with people, and they can call my legislative office to make an appointment.  But in addition, I wanted to give constituents from the Highline area a chance to simply drop by and talk to me about legislative issues and concerns,” Upthegrove said.

Additional “drop-in” hours will be held June 14, July 12, and August 9 (second Tuesday of each month) at the following South King County locations and times:

11:00 a.m. to Noon
Kent City Hall lobby
220 4th Avenue South, Kent

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Highline Community College Student Union Building – second floor information table
2400 S. 240th Street, Des Moines (at Pacific Highway South)

State Representative Dave Upthegrove, who represents the 33rd District, which includes Des Moines, SeaTac, Normandy Park and large parts of Kent and Burien, will be holding a re-election campaign kickoff BBQ on Sunday, June 6th at the Greaer Kent Historical Museum from 4:30pm – 6:30pm.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Rep. Dave Upthegrove’s re-election campaign kickoff BBQ.

WHEN: Sunday, June 6th from 4:30pm – 6:30pm.

WHERE: Greater Kent Historical Museum, located at 855 East Smith Street in Kent (253-856-5185).

INFO: From a flier:

Celebrating our Community Roots…

Enjoy an old-fashioned BBQ and visit with local community leaders as we raise money to kickoff the 2010 re-election of State Representative Dave Upthegrove.

Donations to “Upthegrove Campaign” will be gratefully accepted.

“Born and raised here in South King County, the best way I can give back to my community is to be effective and deliver results,” – Rep. Dave Upthegrove

Another South King County native, Kent City Council President Jamie Perry, will serve as Master of Ceremonies of a brief program.

Come rain or shine….we’ll be inside in bad weather, and outside if the weather is nice. Ample parking in the lot and on the streets behind the museum.

Representative Dave Upthegrove 2010 Campaign Kickoff

Sunday, June 6th:

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

at the

GREATER KENT HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Congressman Adam Smith will be hosting an Open House this Wednesday, June 2nd, from 7pm – 8:30pm at the Des Moines Activity Center, which is located at 2045 South 216th Street.

Smith “is looking forward to meeting with constituents to listen to concerns, answer questions, and discuss issues facing Congress,” including:

• The Budget
• Military and Veterans
• Healthcare and more.

Space is limited so please RSVP if you are able to attend (253) 593-6600 or 1-888-SMITH09 or (rsvpsmith@mail.house.gov).

According to Smith’s website, the 9th District includes:

“…parts of King, Pierce and Thurston Counties. Approximately 50 percent of the Ninth District’s population resides in King County, 40 percent in Pierce County, and 10 percent in Thurston County. The Ninth Congressional District is a classic suburban district, covering the cities and other communities of the South Puget Sound region. Its geography is diverse, including many miles of Puget Sound shoreline, lush valleys carved by ice-age glaciers, and all with a stunning view of the majestic Mount Rainier standing tall at 14,410 feet.”

by Ralph Nichols

A public hearing on an application for a planned unit development at Pacific Ridge took an unexpected twist and, later, an usual turn during the May 27 Des Moines City Council meeting.

Before the hearing began, Mayor Bob Sheckler recused himself to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest in the matter – an application for phase one development of Waterview Crossing, an urban community planned for the Pacific Ridge neighborhood.

He said “one council member,” who was not identified publicly, “feels there may be such an appearance” because of his trip to China last November with Matt Chan, the principal developer behind Waterview Crossing.

Although City Attorney Pat Bosmans “found no actual conflict,” Sheckler noted that a public hearing “must have the appearance of fairness” and, to avoid a possibility that the council’s eventual decision could be overturned on appeal, left the dias.

Prior to stepping aside, Sheckler added, for the record, “those things I’ve been accused of never happened. And [Chan] is one of the most honest persons I’ve ever met. This developer, unlike some who do a project, take the money and leave town, is a respectable part of the community.”

He also observed this episode “shows the difference between the private and public sectors. “All my life I’ve been in the lending business for developers. [In the private sector] I would have been praised for all the efforts I’ve made to bring development about, rather than some of the criticism I recently received.”

With Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kaplan on vacation, the five remaining council members then selected Scott Thomasson to preside over the public hearing, which was halted before lawmakers began asking questions of city staff, the developers, and citizens who testified.

The brakes were applied by Thomasson in response to an earlier announcement by Bosmans, before a presentation of the project began, that she had been contacted by a council member who raised timely allegations regarding another council member’s impartiality in this hearing process.

A decision on the eligibility of the council member under challenge to participate is expected before June 10, when this public hearing will continue.

The identity of that council member was not made public, but there is speculation it is Dan Sherman – a vocal critic of the planned Waterview Crossing development who was not in a closed-door executive session of the council shortly before the meeting began.

One of the criteria for council members to participate in a public hearing is that they have not “demonstrated bias for or against” the proposal before them.

“I have not violated any of the rules,” Sherman said in response to the question asked by Thomasson, required by state law, which was posed to all seated council members. They were not under oath at the time they answered.

After Jason Sullivan, the city’s lead planner on the redevelopment project submitted for approval by SSI Pacific Place, LLC., summarized the primary land-use applications for the planned unit development and a requested parking code modification, several citizens expressed their concerns to council members.

While no one in the standing-room-only audience said they opposed the planned development – some even said they liked the way Waterview Crossing looks – they asked, “what will happen to us?”

Their worries center on how long they will have to move before development begins at the project site – located between Pacific Highway S. and 29th Ave. S., and S. 218th St. and S. 220th St. – and what relocation financial assistance will be available.

“We’ve been doing the best we can,” said Martin Gaza, speaking for his neighbors as well as himself. “It’s hard to find another place where we can be happy like that.”

Most of those in the audience indicated they live in four mobile home parks at this location, and that these mobile homes are older and can’t be moved.

Kim Nakamura, a partner in the Waterview Crossing development, told the citizens and council members that, given the pace of the project, “the minimum time for relocation will be 12 months, maybe more.”

A third-party consultant will be retained to help them relocation, and the developers “are committed” to meeting all requirements of state law.

Chan said as developers, they are “trying to do our best to improve the community over a long period of time.” That includes doing whatever the state mandates for relocation assistance.

Recalling that he came to the United States “as a 17-year-old kid” with no money “and worked my way up,” Chan added, “I have empathy for what you’re going through. I hope new doors open for you and your families. I assure you that things will be done for you in a proper manner in due course….

“I hope for you and your children things will be better,” he said. “You don’t have to stay in the same place forever.”

City Manager Tony Piasecki noted that he has been talked with state Rep. Tina Orwall about relocation assistance and will call her to help with this process when the time comes.

Waterview Crossing is planned for development east of Pacific Highway S. between S. 216th St. and the Kent/Des Moines Highway as market conditions allow over an estimated 15-year period.

Alexander said the Pacific Ridge area, which has developed incrementally since the 1970s, has been identified by the city for redevelopment for the past 10 years. Plans call for higher-density urban development that takes advantage of views both east and west, with allowed building heights up to 200 feet and a greater reliance on mass transit and less on single-vehicle trips.

More information on this development is available at www.waterviewcrossing.com.

The City of Des Moines this week announced the kick-off of “Shop Waterland,” a new program aimed at promoting local businesses, helping them grow and be successful.

This new program is designed to encourage residents to shop locally, and would include a “Waterland Card” for discounts, as well as other promotions at no costs to businesses. As part of the program, the city is planning on creating a promotional flyer listing participating businesses that will be included in upcoming issues of the City Currents newsletter, as well as featuring “news-style” programming about local businesses on Public Access channel 21.

“With 29,000 residents, if only a small percentage respond to these City-sponsored promotions, there is a big potential impact for local business owners (for example, a 2% response rate would result in 580 additional customer visits),” said the city in a statement.

Here’s text of a letter the city sent out to local businesses:

Dear Business Owner/Manager,

The City of Des Moines is pleased to announce the kick-off of “Shop Waterland,” a new program to promote local businesses, help them grow and be successful.

A sign of Des Moines business promotions past.

“Shop Waterland” will create a marketing program that will encourage residents to patronize our own businesses.  The program establishes a “Waterland Card” good for local discounts, that residents can carry and use in our town.  The City will also offer Shop Waterland decals for participant store windows, and other promotions, at no cost to you.  As part of the program the City will create a promotional flyer listing participating businesses that will be included in upcoming issues of the City Currents newsletter, and we will be featuring “news-style” programming about local businesses on our Public Access channel 21 (more details to follow).  With 29,000 residents, if only a small percentage of them respond to these City sponsored promotions, there is a big potential impact for local business owners (for example, a 2% response rate would result in 580 additional customer visits).

We would also like to offer you the chance to tell us how the City of Des Moines could better assist local businesses.  On the following page you will find a short survey, giving you a voice in what your City does for you.

We ask you to complete this survey by visiting the City of Des Moines’ website at www.desmoineswa.gov, and clicking on the Business Survey link.  A paper copy of the survey is ONLY included here for your convenience.  Your online response will allow us to accurately record and tabulate the results, but in addition, it will also allow us to communicate with you via email about how your business can participate in future City-sponsored promotions.

Please respond, either by participating in the survey or directly by email, if you would like your business to be placed on upcoming reference lists for both tourism and local promotions.   To reduce costs, information will not continue to be sent by regular mail.  We will be contacting you back shortly to ask how your particular business can be featured in our marketing programs.  We would like you to consider what types of promotional specials or discounts you could offer to local residents, or other ways that your business could be highlighted.

Thank you in advance for participating, and if you have questions, or would like to make additional comments, please feel free to contact me.

Marion Yoshino
Economic Development Manager
(206) 870-6725
myoshino@desmoineswa.gov

Rep. Tina Orwall, elected to serve as State Representative for the 33rd Legislative District (which includes Des Moines, SeaTac, Normandy Park, large parts of Kent and Burien, and parts of Renton in King County), will be holding a re-election campaign kick-off on Thursday, June 3rd.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Re-elect Tina Orwall – campaign kick-off party.

WHEN: Thursday, June 3rd from 6:30pm – 8pm.

WHERE: At Tina’s home, which is located at 550 South 240th in Des Moines.

INFO: Refreshments provided, and King County Executive Dow Constantine will be a special guest.

by Ralph Nichols

(First of two parts.)

Sabers are drawn for what could prove to be Water District 54’s last stand.

The first exchange – which is shaping up to be a rough and tumble clash, even if it doesn’t rival Pickett’s charge – is set for a June 3 study session of the Des Moines City Council.

Without a timely resolution to this standoff, the outcome could be assumption of the water district by the city. Should that happen, it is possible that Highline Water District could absorb that service.

At issue is what city officials consider to be a pull-back by the district commissioners from an earlier commitment to an interlocal agreement for major upgrades to the water system in downtown Des Moines.

For the better part of a decade, tensions between the city and the district have been simmering over the long-needed – and long delayed – improvements to the downtown water system.

New development that could help revitalize a moribund downtown business district can’t proceed without increased water capacity there.

And South King Fire & Rescue has repeatedly noted the current water system falls well short of providing a required 3,500 gallons per minute for three hours to the entire downtown area for fire suppression.

An Interlocal Agreement?
For their part, the commissioners believe the city wants to put the water district out of business by taking it over, and so is over-reacting to a letter they sent on May 4 to Loren Reinhold, Des Moines assistant public works director.

The water district letter outlines 10 points the commissioners want included as revisions in the interlocal agreement, which was drafted by city and district staff following a joint meeting last month between the city council and the commissioners.

“We hope that with this letter, you will be able to revise the interlocal agreement so that it is acceptable to both the City and the District, to move the project forward,” it informed Reinhold.

With what seemed to be unequivocal posturing, the letter concluded, “We look forward to receiving a revised interlocal agreement incorporating these comments and working with you to bring this project to a successful conclusion.”

It was signed by commission President Alli Larkin and commissioners John Rayback and David Gilkey.

Although the water district now wants to revise the draft agreement to get more favorable terms, it is the city that, at the April 14 meeting, agreed to shoulder most of the financial responsibility for the project, which is estimated to cost $1.8 million.

City contributions would come from a $486,000 federal earmark secured by Rep. Adam Smith, D-Tacoma, that is dedicated to water system improvements in Des Moines, and from the sale of more than $1 million in bonds.

The water district would provide approximately $300,000 from its capital reserves to complete funding of the work, which would be done along Marine View Drive.

When fully constructed, the upgraded proposed water system would include a north-south link to both feeder mains on Marine View Drive, and new 12-inch side street main segments at S. 220th, S. 222nd, S. 225th and S. 227th streets.

A City Viewpoint
“At last we had a solution to the water problem in downtown Des Moines,” Mayor Bob Sheckler told The Waterland Blog this week, in reference to the May 4 letter. “Now we’re back to square one.”

While the city “has insisted that something be done” since 2007, he said, the district’s response has been that “growth pays for growth” – meaning the first developer would pay for the water system improvements, and then recover its investment from future development.

Yet in the letter, they’re essentially saying the same thing again, Sheckler added. “What developer would pay for that?”

He said the city has asked the water district commissioners for an explanation of why they backed away from the interlocal agreement, but “so far they haven’t offered one.”

Asked if the city will push ahead to improve the downtown water system, even if Water District 54 pulls out, Sheckler said “yes.” But the commissioners have been invited to the June 3 meeting, where the city’s “next move” will be discussed.

If the water district chooses not to participate in the interlocal agreement for this project, will a recommendation be made for its assumption by the city? “In all likelihood, that will occur,” Sheckler said.

And in that event, could a motion for assumption be made and voted on at the June 3 meeting? “In all likelihood, yes,” he said. Then, “in all probability, the next logical step would be to begin discussions with Highline Water District” about taking it over.

Sheckler emphasized repeatedly that what happens on June 3 will be “dependent on council actions” and not on his prior speculations.

Water District 54
What city officials are saying and preliminary posturing they appear to be making has, in turn, angered Water District 54 commissioners.

“We did not back away” from the interlocal agreement,” retorted Larkin. “We did not renege” on it. Either they don’t know how to read or they don’t understand what they’re reading,” she said of the city’s reaction to the May 4 letter.

Citing the way that letter ended – “We look forward … to bringing this project to a successful conclusion.” – Larkin asked, “Does that sound like we’re reneging? I don’t know why he says we have reneged.”

The commissioners have only made changes to the interlocal agreement to benefit the water district, she continued. They still plan to proceed with the downtown project.

“It is totally out of line for the mayor to do dishonest smears when we’re trying to work with them. It is amazing that the mayor would step out with dishonest smears about the Water District.”

Larkin charged that “Mayor Sheckler is trying to destroy the water district” at the same time the commissioners are “trying to do all we can for an interlocal agreement to do the best we can for the city, the water district and the residents of Water District 54.”

Senator Karen Keiser (D – Des Moines) will launch her re-election campaign on Tuesday, May 25th with a picnic at Angle Lake Park in SeaTac from 5pm to 7pm.

“We’re all in this together,” said Keiser in a statement.  “It’s a tough time for working families, for seniors, for our communities and our state, but if we work together we can help each other do better.”

Keiser is running for re-election to the 33rd Legislative District state Senate seat. She was first elected to the state Senate in 2002, and now serves as Chair of the Senate Health and Long Term Care committee.

According to a press release:

Keiser has been a leader in Olympia on health care issues. Last session she passed the”baby bottle bill” to ban a chemical used to harden plastics called BPA, or bisphenol A, from products intended for children under the age of three. BPA is suspected of causing reproductive health abnormalities in infants and young children. She also led the effort to help our smallest businesses purchase lower cost health insurance in the small group market. Sole proprietors had been cut out of the small group market and forced to buy more expensive individual health insurance in 2002.

“I was very pleased to win passage of our vaccine bill to save the state $50 million and still ensure vaccines for all kids,” Keiser commented. With the state budget cuts of more than $5 billion, the state’s universal purchase program for children’s vaccines was at risk. Keiser helped broker an agreement with insurance plans, pediatricians and the state to create a non-profit purchasing association to guarantee all kids would continue to have access to vaccines at little or no cost to families. “This is a win-win for everyone”, Keiser added.

The threat to the vital economic business activity in the Kent Valley from potential Green River flooding because of the Howard Hansen dam defects was also a major issue for Keiser this session. She worked with her colleagues in the House to win passage of legislation allowing the state Insurance Commissioner to create a “insurer of last resort” for businesses that have had their flood insurance cancelled. Keiser also worked to win $2 million in the capital budget for Highline’s Aviation High School, which has a capital campaign underway to build a new facility next to the Museum of Flight and Boeing Field.

“The 2010 session was difficult, and we had tough choices. But even with deep budget cuts and program reductions, we were still able to pass legislation to keep our communities and our families secure. I look forward to my upcoming re-election campaign and hope we’ll have a sunny spring day for our campaign kickoff picnic in Angle Lake Park May 25th. “

by Ralph Nichols

Will a major upgrade of the water delivery system in downtown Des Moines attract new commercial development there?

“We do know if we don’t build it, they will not come,” Mayor Bob Sheckler opined during a joint meeting of the city council and Water District 54 commissioners on April 14. And “once it occurs, development can contribute to the cost” of the project.

Yet, said Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kaplan, even if no new commercial development did come about, “this [is] an investment in our city … the same as paving streets or fixing the auditorium. It’s an obligation … I think it has to be built.”

The potential impact on development was one of three key questions raised about a proposed project to make long-needed improvements in water capacity downtown – especially for fire suppression.

“Even if it would not bring another business to town, in terms of water flow and fire protection it is needed,” Kaplan said on that point. “And I do think it will bring in new business.”

The other two questions were how to pay for it, and whether the work along Marine View Drive should be done over one construction season or two. Funding for the estimated $1.8 million project would come from $486,000 in federal earmark funds, water district capital funds, and financing through the city.

At the end of the meeting, city and water district staff were asked to start drafting an interlocal agreement for the downtown water service project, which would be managed jointly by both jurisdictions.

“If we want to do all of it at once, that would mean borrowing would be involved,” observed Councilman Scott Thomassen. “If we were bold enough to borrow,” he asked, then how much money would be borrowed and where would it come from?

Thomassen suggested borrowing just enough to fund about half of the project this year, then borrowing the rest to complete the work later on, so the city could avoid putting its bare-bones budget at risk if anticipated revenue isn’t adequate to cover the annual debt service.

Adequate funding is already available to fund installation of a new 12-inch water main along Marine View Dr. from S. 219th St. to S. 223rd St., or from S. 223rd St. to S. 227th St., but not for the full eight-block stretch this year, Loren Reinhold with the city’s Planning, Building and Public Works Department told council members and the commissioners.

When fully constructed, the proposed water system would provide a north-south link to both feeder mains on Marine View Drive, and would include new 12-inch side street main segments at S. 220th, S. 222nd, S. 225th and S. 227th.

It would support the required 3,500 gallons per minute for three hours to the entire downtown area for fire suppression.

Sheckler disagreed with the idea of doing only part of the work this year. “We need to do this project one time and one time only, and not incrementally over a number of years,” he suggested.

Councilwoman Melissa Musser concurred. “I kind of like getting in and doing it all at one time and not disrupting downtown businesses anymore,” she said.

Water District 54 Commissioner John Rayback indicated that if money has to be borrowed, the city will have to do it. “We’re reluctant to go into debt and look to our customers to bail us out,” he said, noting the small district already is repaying four loans for capital projects.

That leaves borrowing about $750,000 in additional funds up to the city if the project is to be completed in one construction season and, noted City Manager Tony Piasecki, “finding the revenue to pay for debt service will be challenging.”

However, Piasecki offered several revenue options, including a capital service charge for new hookups, latecomer fees for developers and landowners not already in place, and one-time sales, business and real estate excise taxes associated with new construction.

Kaplan cautioned against committing one-time revenues to ongoing expenses.

The possibility was also raised of a downtown Utility Local Improvement District to help finance the project, which would be done through the water district.

While there isn’t enough time to get a ULID approved and in place to finance the water system upgrades this year, Thomassen said he can’t imagine the project beginning before 2011. There isn’t time to plan and design it, get bids, and then obtain funding in time to start work yet this construction season, he predicted.

by Ralph Nichols

Unlike several other communities around Puget Sound – including Burien – an updated Shoreline Master Program for Des Moines was adopted quietly on April 9.

Council members gave conditional approval to the document on a 4-1 vote. It will now be submitted to the Department of Ecology, which has been working with local lawmakers as they revised the plan over several years, for its review.

Mayor Bob Sheckler, Mayor Pro Tem Dave Kaplan, Dan Sherman and Carmen Scott voted “Yes,” while Matt Pina voted “No.” Melissa Musser and Scott Thomassen were absent.

If Ecology makes no significant changes in the plan, the Des Moines council is expected to give it final approval before a June 30 deadline that is based on the state’s fiscal year.

A major point of controversy over proposed updates to local shoreline regulations in other cities is greater setbacks for homes and other structures from the high-water mark, which critics say will restrict the use of their property had lower property values.

But this was never a troublesome issue in Des Moines, where the shoreline plan revision process has been under way since around 2005. The updated plan imposes a setback of 115 feet, compared to the existing 30 feet.

Except for the Redondo area, most residential property is above, not on, the shoreline, which apparently contributed to the lack of local concern about development setbacks. Neither the Marina area downtown nor commercial waterfront development at Redondo were mentioned.

Existing non-conforming structures won’t be affected, according to Robert Ruth, the city’s Development Services Manager, nor will their normal maintenance and repair. The cost-threshold exemption for upkeep that won’t need prior approval will increase from $2,500 to almost $6,000.

The allowed building height at the Marina will increase from 30 to 35 feet to conform with the zoning there.

Ruth noted that only Des Moines’ Puget Sound shoreline falls under this plan, because its streams and wetlands are smaller than what the state Shoreline Master Program regulates.

Former City Councilman Ed Pina expressed concern, during a public hearing that preceded the council’s discussion and vote, about bulkheads in front of his shoreline property and that of his neighbors should they need to be replaced.

Noting that bulkheads prevent tidal erosion at the edge of his property, he said tidelands account for 71 percent of his property value.

Pina was the only member of the public to speak at the hearing.

Ruth said if a homeowners already have bulkheads, they “can continue to enjoy [their] use” as well as repair it over time. But that could be negated if storm damage or natural wear were not repaired within a reasonable time, he added.

And, said Barbara Nightengale from Ecology, while the department’s “intention” is not to remove bulkheads, it would want a “clear assessment” if one was to be rebuilt.

Current Councilman Pina responded, “I’m all for protecting the environment, but I’m looking at the rights of property owners here.”

Pina also wanted to know why the term “publicly owned shorelines” was removed from a provision to encourage public access to the city’s shoreline, “if you’re not leaving open the possibility of access to privately owned shorelines?”

Nightengale said this provision basically related to new subdivisions of waterfront properties. While the state should not get into the subdivision of property, Ecology “could put more stringent public access back in” the regulations if required in the future, she added.

Kaplan, in making the motion to give conditional approval to the plan and send it to Ecology for review, said “this is something the city’s been obligated to comply with” since 2004 or 2005 … we’ve all been very conscious of protecting private property rights.”

But, said Pina, “I’m still struggling … I look at this document understanding its intent, but I feel that pieces are missing.”

by Ralph Nichols

In the epilogue to a contentious period in Des Moines politics, city council members agreed on March 11 to pay former Councilman Gary Petersen $58,000 to settle his long-standing claim against the city.

The settlement compensates Petersen for legal fees incurred in his successful defense against a conflict-of-interest allegation involving his business – Pete’s Towing, the company’s contract with the city for towing services, and his concurrent position on the council.

After more than years of litigation, the Washington Supreme Court held in 2006 that Petersen had no conflict of interest in owning Pete’s Towing while serving on the city council.



“I am glad the courts have finally vindicated me,” he told me following the Supreme Court decision. This “completely [discredits] the attacks on my honor and integrity.”

But his legal expenses from that case remained an unresolved issue until last week, when six council members voted to approve the settlement. Councilman Dave Kaplan, who was defeated by Petersen in the 2001 city election, voted “no.”

Shortly before Petersen’s first council meeting in 2002, then-City Manager Bob Olander and then-City Attorney Gary McLean told him that, as a councilman, he would have a conflict of interest as owner of Pete’s Towing.

Pete’s Towing provides towing and impound services for the Des Moines Police Department and other city agencies, which it has done for almost 50 years.

Then, not long after Petersen took office, a group of local citizens publicly demanded that he relinquish the Pete’s Towing contract with the city, or divest himself of any interest in the company, or that he resign from the council.

When Petersen declined to do any of these things, the citizens’ group filed a lawsuit seeking his removal from the city council.

At trial, King County Superior Court Judge Laura Gene Middaugh ruled against Petersen, finding him in violation of state conflict-of-interest laws governing local officials.

But instead of taking any action against him, Middaugh declared that both state law and case law were vague as they related to Petersen’s case. She encouraged him to appeal her decision.

Earlier in 2006, the Court of Appeals unanimously reversed Middaugh’s ruling and dismissed the case against Petersen.

The Supreme Court subsequently issued a mandate stating that it agreed with the findings of the appellate court.

“Gary’s willingness to persevere on behalf of himself and other business owners throughout Washington has resulted in significant and important new case law,” Scott Missall, Petersen’s attorney, said in a statement to me after the Supreme Court action.

“The court’s decision upholds the intent of [state law] to encourage business owners to run for elected office. It’s been a hard-fought battle, but worth it because justice prevailed in this case.”

Commenting on the unanimous ruling, Petersen said at the time, “The court has once again recognized how hard I have worked to conduct myself honestly in everything that I have done for this city.

“The will of the voters who elected me has again been upheld. This decision underscores the fact that this lawsuit was nothing more than a political attempt to discredit my honor and integrity.”

The King Conservation District (King CD) will be holding a district-wide election for an open seat on its board of supervisors this coming Tuesday, March 16.

King CD, working with Bellevue-based election administrator Election Trust, will be providing seven polling locations throughout the district.

Candidates for the position include:

• Mary Embleton, Seattle
• Mara Heiman, Auburn
• Teri Herrera, Redmond
• Kirk Prindle, Seattle
• Max Prinsen, Renton

For a list of voting locations, hours of operation and candidate backgrounds, visit www.kingcd.org.

Registered voters who reside within the district, which encompasses most of King County, are eligible to vote in the election, with the exception of residents of cities that do not fall within the King CD’s boundaries (Federal Way, Enumclaw, Skykomish, Milton and Pacific). Voters must present proper identification, such as a driver’s license, passport or birth certificate.

The all-volunteer, five member board includes three elected members and two who are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission. All supervisors serve three-year terms. The board of supervisors conducts regular public meetings to oversee the district’s budget and provide guidance and oversight to district staff.

The King CD provides information and technical assistance programs available to all landowners within the district’s boundaries (most of King County) on a voluntary, non-regulatory basis. The district provides grants for conservation-focused projects and programs, and initiates community outreach activities that include workshops, education programs, site visits, farm plans, and consultation on land, water, and wildlife management.

As one of 47 conservation districts in the state, the King CD is a natural resources assistance agency authorized by the State of Washington and guided by the Washington State Conservation Commission. The election is held in accordance with Washington Revised Code RCW 89.08.

Further information on conservation district elections and procedures throughout the state can be found at www.scc.wa.gov/index.php/Elections-and-Appointments.

For more information on the King Conservation District, visit www.kingcd.org.