Tempers rise over Snoqualmie’s community center plan
March 3, 2010
By Dan Catchpole
Marcus Morisette questions the city’s proposal, saying the city is moving ahead with an unclear financial picture of the community center. (Photo by Greg Farrar)
NEW — 7:00 a.m. March 3, 2010
A March 1 meeting of Snoqualmie City Council’s Parks and Planning Committee almost turned into a shouting match between Mayor Matt Larson and a resident for a couple of minutes.
The issue was the city’s plan to partner with the YMCA of Greater Seattle in building and operating a community center on Snoqualmie Ridge.
Owners from several health and fitness businesses have raised objections, saying the nonprofit organization will drive them out of business. Sue Dowling, owner of Snoqualmie Ridge Fitness, proposed an alternative plan that has the city partnering with the Boys & Girls Club.
Some residents questioned the financial wisdom and other aspects of the proposal.
Larson defended the proposal, heatedly debating it during comments from Marcus Morisette, a Snoqualmie Ridge resident.
Robert’s Rules of Order quickly went out the window as the two men talked over each other.
“Anytime you have a member of the public come in here and talk down a committee member or the mayor is not appropriate,” Larson said.
Councilman Kingston Wall pointed out that Larson, too, was speaking out of turn.
Wall said he would take the public’s concerns to the council, which could hold a public hearing before the city proceeds on the community center.
The city was supposed to present a draft copy of an operations agreement between the YMCA and city on running a future center at the meeting, but it was bumped off the agenda when public comments ran longer than expected.
Dan Catchpole: 392-6434, ext. 246, or editor@snovalleystar.com.
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6 Responses to “Tempers rise over Snoqualmie’s community center plan”
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I wanted to emphasize my main concern that was not quoted in story. The city cites an “agreement” with the Snoqualmie Valley School District to utilize 78 parking spaces on the property of Cascade Elementary. I have personally confirmed that no such agreement exists. The mayor and the City Attorney both (finally, after being pressed repeatedly) that no such written agreement exits. The district’s position appears to be that they would work with the city, but that NO 3rd party parking would be allowed on school property during school days/school hours.
I would also like to point out that I was invited to speak at this council meeting by Mr. Wall, and that the mayor interupted me and took my time away from me. I did not shout down any council member or anyone else that was properly there participating. The mayor was out of line with both myself and the previous speaker.
Further, it should be the City’s burden to have this proposal organized and final before presenting to Council. Draft proposals, non-existent agreements, and theoretical financials are not solid grounds on which to move forward with such an important project.
The mayor did not speak out of turn. Mr. Morisette was in contempt of the proceedings. Per longstanding Council practice and procedure, the Snoqualmie mayor has always fully participated in Council Committee discussions and debate. Per the same practice, the public is rarely allowed to comment or participate in Council Committee meetings. Mr. Morisette assumed the role of a court prosecutor by firing rapid questions for which he only accepted yes or no answers. Committee meetings are not designed as a forum for public debate.
Per Mr. Morisette’s Parking Question:
The 1995 Snoqualmie Ridge Mixed Use Final Plan SEPA process fully reviewed all impacts–including parking and traffic–for a community center located at the proposed site. The first phase of the currently proposed YMCA run Community Center is well within the size envisioned in the 1995 plan. Regardless, the City has been working with Fehr & Peers (http://fehrandpeers.com/) to re-evaluate the traffic/parking impacts for the proposed facility and future phases. If it is determined that excess capacity on the CVES school site will be required for the current or future phases, the City will formalize a written agreement with the School District at the time that the current or future phase proceeds.
The City has shared parking with the School District in numerous situations over the years, such as with Centennial Fields and SES and CVES and the Community Park. These are very complimentary uses since the kids will not be in school when using the YMCA and vice versa. The gate connecting these two facilities is a product of that cooperative relationship.
The community center has been voted down three times. THREE TIMES! What does it take for Mayor Larson to get it through his head that we do NOT want the community center, that the center will hurt businesses, further mess up the relationship with the rest of Snoqualmie Valley, and take tax dollars away from Snoqualmie?
I voted against the community center three times and I’m more than happy to vote against Mayor Larson in the next election should he choose to run.
It seems to me that this went to vote several times and the answer from the community was a clear NO. Our schools are hurting and our retail is hurting. Lets focus on the obvious priorities first. I do want a community center but in the right location with the right facilities. Don’t do a half-job just to get it done. Seriously…a half-court basketball facility. Cardio/fitness? Game area? Don’t we have those things already? What about a skate park? The kids are skating on the retail sidewalks and handrails. They need a place to go. What about an indoor soccer arena? That park is so beautiful and used for so many activities. Where would the summer 3-on 3 tournament take place? What about the awesome 4th of July event? Soccer practice? Summer camps? Cascade View drop off and pick-up congestion? City bus parking? I just think there has got to be a better location that would allow for better facilities, parking and more options as the ridge grows. I think it could work — just not now and not there.
It appears that the mayor was out of turn when he questioned the rights and ability of a private or business citizen to question the decisions of the council. It is the right and obligation of citizens to ALWAYS question what the government is doing. Since the government is FOR the people, BY the people, and is obligated to do what the citizens want – no matter what the governmental officials want – then, the governmental officials need to SHUT UP and listen to the oppinions of the people. “CAN” the governmental projects, IF they go against the majority of the public’s wishes. When the mayor took his authority over the authority of the citizen, he was extorting his position of an elected official. The citizen has the right to voice his oppinion to it fullest without be squelched by someone claiming to have MORE authority than the private citizen.
It is interesting to note that the Mayor’s response is in keeping with his trend in assuming more authority than that of the citizens of the City that his position serves. I have seen the Mayor do the very same when faced with issues he can’t support with fact.
As Mr. Wall states, “Since the government is FOR the people, BY the people, and is obligated to do what the citizens want – no matter what the governmental officials want – then, the governmental officials need to SHUT UP and listen to the oppinions of the people. “CAN” the governmental projects, IF they go against the majority of the public’s wishes. When the mayor took his authority over the authority of the citizen, he was extorting his position of an elected official. The citizen has the right to voice his oppinion to it fullest without be squelched by someone claiming to have MORE authority than the private citizen.”
It seems the Mayor does what the Mayor wants regardless of the wishes or needs of the citizens of Snoqualmie. He also seems to make up the rules as he goes to support whatever his contention is, to the detriment of the voice and needs of the citizenry.