A messy experience
August 13, 2008
Festival at Mount Si highlighted by pie-eating contest
A pair of participants in the youth division dig in during the pie-eating contest at the Festival at Mount Si Saturday. Nolan Funk, 10, of North Bend won the contest. Photo by Ed Farrell
Despite a dreary and drizzly start, thousands of people descended on North Bend Read more
Snoqualmie council approves bond ballot
August 13, 2008
Pledging to be “crystal clear” in its support for a new 30,000-square-foot community center - with an indoor swimming pool - the Snoqualmie City Council Monday voted unanimously to place a $10 million general obligation bond measure before the voters Nov. 4. Read more
Teen health center will debut in North Bend
August 13, 2008
By autumn, teenagers will have an extra resource for their physical and mental health needs. Read more
Dental insurance, one tooth at a time
August 13, 2008
Devin Ramos shows off his teeth after receiving dental care through the Children’s Health Initiative. Photo Contributed
Nine-year-old Devin Ramos has visited the dentist three times in two months this summer.
Before that, he hadn’t seen a dentist in about four years. Read more
District holds annual summer academy
August 13, 2008
Even teachers need teaching. Read more
North Bend adopts Transportation Impact Fee
August 13, 2008
Calling it a “bargain for development,” the North Bend City Council has adopted a new Transportation Impact Fee ordinance that will place a $620.71 surcharge on every new single-family residence in the city.
The new fees are designed to pay for transportation projects that will be required as the city emerges from a decade-long moratorium on new growth.
Public Works Director Ron Garrow noted the new fees were among the lowest in King County, if not the entire state.
One future developer, however, suggested the city’s recent efforts to overhaul its development policies, which include a number of new fees on development, would endanger the city’s reputation as an inexpensive place to live.
Larry Barker, who identified himself as a resident of Port Orchard but who harbors plans to purchase and develop land in North Bend, said he viewed the city as “one of the last places to develop, and where it would be inexpensive.”
Barker noted that while “$600 is not a lot of money,” he said it all adds up to making the city less desirable for development.
Among the projects identified to benefit from the new fees are an expansion of Bendigo Boulevard to three lanes between 3rd Street and North Bend Way; and a signal light or new roundabout at North Bend Way and Park Street, a $1.2 million project.
Other projects include a signal light at 4th Street and Bendigo; a signal light at North Bend Way and Ballarat Avenue; and the $1.4 million Downing Avenue extension.
After calculating the cost of all the new projects - Garrow was apologetic to the council that he could not include more projects into the new fee formula - officials determined how many new trips would be generated by new development, to determine that each new trip would be valued at $614.
While new single family residences will be charged slightly higher, the new fees are based on a number of factors related to trip generation.
Apartments, for example, will be charged at $381.03 per unit and hotels $362.59 per room. Motels, however, will only be charged $288.85 per room, yet a mobile home will be assessed $362.59, the same as a hotel room.
Most commercial and industrial development will be assessed on a per-square-foot or per-room basis, according to Garrow.
The council is also considering imposing a parks facilities fee of as much as $4,000 per dwelling unit.
That ordinance, however, has been challenged by local and regional developers, forcing the council to ask for more information as it relates to open space within the city limits, now and over the course of the next 20 years.
City Administrator Duncan C. Wilson said the proposed parks fee will next be discussed by the council at its upcoming work-study session, scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at City Hall.
In other action Monday, the council:
Received a request by Matthew Bergerson, president of the North Bend Parks Foundation, for $1,500 to help his new group with set-up costs. The Foundation, Bergerson said, is dedicated to encouraging citizen engagement, promoting family activities and helping to build “a strong connection with the park system.” One of the group’s first objectives, he said, is to assist in fundraising efforts to bring an outdoor climbing rock to Torguson Park;
Approved an ordinance adopting new design standards and guidelines;
Approved a mid-year budget amendment to account for higher costs in gasoline and fuel; to reflect a new contract with one of the city’s collective bargaining units; and other adjustments.
5th District Senate race is a real bruiser
August 13, 2008
A political billboard in the 6600 block of East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast signifies the race is one for the 5th District Senate seat. Photo by Jon Savelle
Challenger Phyllis Huster comes out swinging against incumbent Cheryl Pflug
In her effort to unseat state Sen. Cheryl Pflug, R-Maple Valley, challenger Phyllis Huster has taken the gloves off. Her campaign has put up an attack billboard on East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast, urging passing motorists to remove the incumbent. Read more
Local writer leads workshop in Snoqualmie
August 13, 2008
Writer and concert singer Louise Marley stands next to the quarterhorse, Ostentatious Flirt, a national champion. Photo Contributed
Louise Marley transitioned from a Seattle Opera singer to a science fiction and fantasy writer, but she does not view her two careers as mutually exclusive. Read more
Job fair coming to Mount Si High School
August 13, 2008
Nintendo is hiring. So are Snoqualmie Casino, Salish Lodge & Spa and the Snoqualmie School District. Read more
CALENDAR
August 13, 2008
A coal car that the Northwest Railway Museum has been working on for months has been fully restored. The car was put on display last weekend at the Conservation and Restoration Center in Snoqualmie and will return to its original location at the Renton History Museum later this month. Photo Contributed
Events
The first annual Wildcat Boys Basketball Golf Tournament has been scheduled for noon Aug. 15 at Mount Si Golf Course. Read more
