MARYSVILLE – Maybe they should call it New Universe.
“We call it New World, but it’s really bigger than that,” SNOPAC 9-1-1 executive director Kurt Mills told the Marysville City Council April 13.
Mills was talking about the new computer dispatch system in Snohomish County that was supposed to go online in 2012. The plan now is to go live June 9.
“We’re hoping for the best and planning for the worse,” Mills said, adding that getting 50 agencies to talk the same computer language has been a challenge. “It’s not if we’re going to have problems. We’re going to have problems.”
Right now, SNOPAC covers most of the county with 38 agencies. But when New World starts up, dispatch centers in Bothell and SnoCom, which covers the southwest county, also will be on board. The big advantage in service is that it will be seamless.
“The concept of borders will go away,” Mills said, adding with the integrated system all agencies will be able to “see where the units are.”
He also said suspects will no longer be able to play the “Name Game,” as photos will come up on licenses so police can “see who the person is.”
Another advantage is that as new technology evolves, the entire county will get the updates.
Also at the council meeting:
•About $3.226 million was allocated for widening State Avenue from 116th to 136th. About $2.5 million of that is a state grant.
•The city will work with Allen Creek Community Church this summer on having a Farmer’s Market at 1035 State Ave. on Saturdays through Oct. 31.
•Mayor Jon Nehring read a proclamation declaring Yueqing City, China, a Friendship City. A delegation from that city will be in Marysville later this month.
•Nehring and parks director Jim Ballew said the Clean Sweep at Mother Nature’s Window Park April 11 was a success. Ballew said 26 volunteers and 14 city employees broke up three homeless encampments there and confiscated about 200 drug needles. The mayor said the park is “a real asset. It feels like you’re in the wilderness.” Pubic Works Director Kevin Nielsen said the city is looking cleaner, and it will look even better soon as seasonal hires will start work, pick up trash and landscape areas.
•The city obtained some land from the state Department of Transportation. Some of it was free because it will be used for transportation uses in the future, such as the widening of Sunnyside Boulevard. The other DOT land the city plans to buy for about $23,000. It is 6.1 acres near Jennings Memorial Park that will be used as open space and wetlands.
•About $1.3 million was allocated for the Pavement Preservation Program.
•Marysville is a Tree City for the fifth-straight year.
•Marysville won a well-city award, leading to savings in health care for employees.
•The city exchanged some property with the Tulalip Tribes.
•Worth Norton was honored for 10 years of service.
•Joshua Estes was named to the Civil Service Commission.
