TALLYHO TACOMA

Regular Ruston council meeting March 2, 2009 7:13 p.m.

.Discussion of Annexation Options (Stebner)
The Ruston Town Council voted 3-2 to authorize the mayor to send a letter to the City of Tacoma inviting annexation talks. This was on a motion by Dan Albertson, seconded by Wayne Stebner with Jane Hunt providing the deciding vote. No public input was allowed.

ANNEXATION on my brain.
Anyway, it's all in vain.
ANNEXATION is the only game.
Anyway, my brain is lame.

Jim Hedrick and Bradley Huson voted to remain as Ruston and tough it out.

Secret talks with Tacoma started three years ago and have met with little success. Let's bring them out in the open and bring Tacoma to Ruston for a public airing.

Police Chief, Jeremy Kunkel report: officer leaving for better opportunity. Received $7,000 signing bonus, $10 more per hour to start, 12 hour shifts, all equipment and patrol car. Is this why we need ten officers during a budget crisis?

Fire Chief, Don Torbet, reported on the outdoor light reported on fire. It was an optical illusion caused by heavy rain downpour.

Ordinance no. 1281 - pertaining to variance from height and rear setbacks (first reading)
for The RUSTON BUILDING, a commercial enterprise.

Rob White, Town Planner, spoke in favor of the building located at 5811 N. 51st Street.
David Boe, project Architect, spoke regarding rear setback which would make the property not developable, too small.

Wayne - 45 feet will block the sun? Parking issue.
(behind building is a parking lot, across alley is a parking lot and a commercial storage yard, adjoining is a commercial structure. Put this in the category of imaginary views much like the views to be blocked by the Silver Cloud Hotel.)
Boe - variance does not involve parking.
Jim H - Parking?
Rob - no requirement for on site parking.
(Tacoma eliminated on site parking requirements because it led to some ugly monstrosity buildings.)
Dan - dramatic improvement over burned out structure currently on property.
Jane - Planning Commission did wonderful job - really exciting.
Bradley - motion to approve and to waive first reading and proceed to second reading.
Waiver passed 5-0, unanimously, second reading.

Note: The Town received a $35,000 grant to study commercial development of N. 51st and on Pearl Street. Planning Commission recommendations were approved and included a 45 foot height limit. The town council then led by Bob Everding and Wayne Stebner neutralized it by eliminating two blocks on Pearl Street and lowering height limit to 35 feet. Yah, PC bumpkins we'll show you who's boss! Across the street in Tacoma on Pearl Street the height limit is 45 feet. Apparently they don't get it when they complete the annexation the height limit will revert to 45 feet.

On the Planning Commission at that time were Jim Hedrick, Jane Hunt and chairman Bradley Huson who if they wanted could reverse this nonsensical vote and restore the original Planning
Commission recommendations and eliminate the need for these costly time consuming variances. The only thing stopping them is the wrath of Dan. Get a spine.

Good things can happen when Ruston is the prime consideration.

Ordinance No. 1278 - Private Alarm Systems (first reading)
Wayne - car alarms too?
David - requires separate Ordinance.
Mayor's wife made a comment from the rear and in a fun moment the Mayor raised the gavel as to strike it and brought it down slowly showing a sense of humor long overdue on this council. This caused the audience to erupt in laughter. A charming moment, the way it used to be in Ruston.

Ordinance No. 1279 - fire inspections
Wayne - makes pitch to turn job over to Pierce County Fire Marshall. "Does the same."
Bruce - would add additional cost. Benefits in familiarity if we do them.
Don -Fire Marshall would preempt us.
Dan - notice of inspection should be given out with license renewal.
Jane - biggest problem extension cords.
Don Torbet, Fire Chief - agrees extension cords are a problem. Buildings in Ruston are older and have fewer electrical outlets for modern needs. We drop off materials for inspection including checklist and make an appointment. This give business enough time to make changes on their own and bring property up to code. This protects town against loss of revenue from fires causing business closures.

Note: Note I don't know how many tracks there are in Wayne Stebner's brain but he has been a mortal enemy of the Ruston Fire Department from day one and advocate of Annexation to Tacoma from day two. Give it up Wayne, you live in RUSTON!

Ordinance No. 1280 - permitted off-leash areas (first reading) (for dogs I presume)
A classic example of we don't have a clue what we are doing. After much wasted time and black board drawings they agreed to meet at the playfield with tape measures and figure out how many lineal feet of new fencing would be required. Good luck climbing out of the gulch. This would require removing the present fence and the baseball backstop and diamond. So much for priorities in Ruston. Wayne's dog or the kids.
Jane - objected to removing baseball diamond and backstop and came out on the kid's side.
Jane - this park was a grant. Are these changes even legal?
Jim - need to review Burlington Northern lease to Ruston for property.

Mayor - pointed out we have already made two $100,000 draws in the first quarter from the Surplus Property fund. We may exceed $500,000 budgeted for deficit before end of year.

In a public comment the matter was laid out succinctly. Why are you spending money on a dog park when we are running a $500,000 deficit?

More later on ANNEXATION and study Session on POINT RUSTON LID.

Town of Ruston officials:
Mayor, Bruce Hopkins
Council, Bradley Huson, Jim Hedrick, Wayne Stebner, Dan Albertson, Jane Hunt
Attorney, David Britton
Planner, Rob White
Clerk, Karen Carlisle

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