MARYSVILLE – Let’s try Option 2.
The City Council decided Monday night to still attempt to form a Regional Fire Authority with Snohomish County Fire District 12.
Last month, the council cut ties with Arlington in an attempt to form an RFA.
Tonya Christofferson, district 12 chairwoman, wrote a letter to Mayor Jon Nehring.
“We agreed that continuing to pursue the formation of an RFA was in the best interest of our citizens, and therefore should remain the priority,” her letter states.
By combining the two entities, the goal is to share resources to be more effective and cut costs to citizens. Marysville cut off talks to Arlington over disagreements about paying debt and who would have the most power governing an RFA.
Christofferson’s letter says the talks need to be completed by May 11 to be sure an RFA ballot measure can be voted on in the Aug. 7 primary election.
She says they would like to have Karen Reed Consulting continue to mediate the process because the groups made more headway once that firm was hired.
“Sounds like they are on board,” Council Member Stephen Muller said at the meeting.
Councilman Mark James mentioned something about re-entering three-way talks with Arlington. He and fellow newcomer Tom King ran for election in support of the RFA.
But Michael Stevens, the only councilman who voted against cutting ties with Arlington, said he is ready to move forward.
“It’s unfortunate” the ways those talks ended, he said, but added he was not ready to discuss it all over again last night.
Fire Chief Martin McFalls later thanked the group for continuing the RFA talks.
Also at the meeting, parks director Jim Ballew said the Christmas Tour of Lights at Cedarcrest Golf Course smashed all records. About 5,500 people rode the Rotary trains on the golf-cart paths, up from 3,700 last year, the previous record. About $20,000 in donations were brought in.
“People came from all over the state,” he said, adding they sometimes had to wait two hours but no one complained.
Ballew also said Marysville Little League received a grant for new lights at Cedar Field that the city will help install. He also said that upcoming dances at the Opera House are selling out fast.
Police Chief Rick Smith said vacancies are being filled and introduced three new officers.
•Patrick Allen, a new jail custody officer, worked for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. “We got to snatch him away,” Smith said. •Shantel Reyes was first in her class at the academy. She was in the Navy and received eight medals. •Calen Roberts was “top notch” in his class and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Washington State University.
Smith also said crime is down 40 percent at Smokey Point and with the help of an embedded social worker coming on by March that area should be cleaned up even more.
Planning Director Dave Koenig said last year’s numbers for growth were impressive with 3,474 permits overall – 551 for new businesses and 236 for housing units, including 154 for multi-family, three for mobile homes and the rest for single-family homes and duplexes.
Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen said next year those numbers could be even bigger.
“We’re busting at the seams,” he said. There is a lot of growth, but “that’s how we pay the bills.”
