DECISION NO DECISION

Ruston Town Council meeting April 20, 2009 7 pm:

Short notes for tonight.

Agenda item #2 - Ordinance no. 1280 - Designating permitted off leash areas
Fourty five minutes chasing their tales. After much futility the mayor finally ended it by stating "Not following this, not getting anywhere." Liability big problem. Who gets to use? Need to talk to Steve Taylor. Bradley will talk to Steve and relay information to mayor. Motion for town attorney to amend ordinance passes 3-2. When will this ever end?

Agenda item 5 - Moving forward with annexation discussions (Albertson)

Dan - Need to find out timeline for discussions with Tacoma
Bruce - They want to talk to the people (of Ruston).
Jim - Mayor Baarsma (Tacoma) - state law statute quite plain if interested.
Dan - need education, offer opportunity.
Wayne - need to setup meeting. Space too small.
Sherri - (public comment) We could use Chinese Christian Church.
Dan - right.
Attorney - need to frame as rental.
Jim - Baarsma will not initiate this, need to put on ballot.
Dan - no need to dis incorporate.
Attorney - dis incorporate not advisable. Three requirements for annexation:
1) popular vote
2) right of objection
3) petition
4) Boundary Review Commission
(best I can do full review at RCW 35.10.217)
Dan - setup time for City of Tacoma to come and give positive/negative sides. Offer opportunity to Tacoma.
Attorney - after our next round of questions.
Dan - essentially public call, none of us know. Not tipping our hand. Informational meeting only. Need timeline.
Bruce - have questions ready by Friday, Monday at latest.
Dan - send to Tacoma (questions)?
Attorney - only interested if vote taken here first.

MAYORS TIME (abbreviated) -

Talked to former neighbors and commented how they miss Ruston. Significant point - they only moved two blocks away. You can have all the districts (of Tacoma) you want the Town binds people together!

PUBLIC COMMENT - (abbreviated)

Beth - RUST PARK is not a dog park.
Spending way too much times in talking.
Who will police dog park check tags, permits?
ANNEXATION not necessary, appalled at annexation efforts. No alternatives have been explored. Utilities, planning, being on first name basis with town employees. These are things we have come to expect.

Stopping here.

Agenda item B - Resolution 443 - Authorizing payment of a private lawsuit
will be covered in a separate blog: PAY NOW PAY LATER.

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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