MARYSVILLE – Communications director Connie Mennie talked about how the city would inform the public about the August vote on the Criminal Justice Tax at the council meeting Monday. The .1 percent addition to the city’s sales tax would be used to build a new Public Safety Building. For every $100 spent in the city, the tax would add 10 cents.
Mennie said there will be community outreach efforts at events involving speakers, tables with information, fliers and calendar items. Online there also will be information on the city’s website, including a video. On the website there also will be a section on Frequently Asked Questions. Council member Rob Toyer asked what could be done about negative comments online.
Mennie said she monitors those and said much of the time it is about sharing inaccurate information.
“We point them to the accurate information,” Chief Administrative Officer Gloria Hirashima said.
Mennie added: “We jump in where needed. They often police themselves with others jumping to the city’s defense.”
Meanwhile, the council also approved that the Marysville Relay for Life will take place at Asbery Field this summer.
For the past few years it has been at the Tulalip Amphitheatre. Organizers hope by moving it closer to downtown it will draw more interest.
The Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which continues to make advancements in treating the sometimes deadly disease.
It’s not a relay at all. Participants collect pledges and donations, and some walk to honor victims and those with cancer. Festivities often include selling items at various booths to raise even more money to fight cancer. The City Council Monday approved the site change. The dates are July 14-15 from noon until 8 a.m. It also OK’d a street closure on 7th Street between Quinn and Alder for a beer garden. To participate or donate, contact Katie Tormohlen at 425-404-2231 or Katie.Tormohlen@cancer.org.
The council also approved the permit for the Marysville Strawberry Festival June 9-17. “They have done a good job of putting things back together,” parks director Jim Ballew said. “We are prepared to help them.”
He added that having the 87th festival is “monumental.”
Council Member Jeff Vaughan asked if the contract with the volunteer group Maryfest would allow the city at some point to have public competition to put on the event. City Attorney Jon Walker said the council has the final say.
The council also signed a Pavement Preservation Program contract for more than $1.2 million. The low bid was $100,000 less than expected and is with a company the city has worked with for five years. The locations are 136th, 84th and 52nd streets.
In other council news:
•The council OK’d a grant application for the Olympic View Park Project on the hill east of the Qwuloolt estuary.
•Planning director Dave Koenig said a Toyota dealership will open on Smokey Point Boulevard June 9, with an open house July 11-14.
•Ballew said the Spray Park and new barbecue area at Comeford Park opened to great success. He also said the city dance program put on a performance at the Opera House with almost 675 dancers. The three 45-minute shows were sold out.
