The next Port of Seattle Commission meeting, scheduled for 1pm on Tuesday, March 23rd at the Cove in Normandy Park, will also include a staff update on the Part 150 Airport Noise Study.

The Commission will be taking public comment, so gather your thoughts about SeaTac Airport noise and show up, ready to talk.

In addition, on Wednesday, March 24, the members of the Highline Forum will also discuss the Part 150 Noise Study at SeaTac City Hall’s Council Chambers (4800 South 188th Street.) The meeting begins at 2:30pm and the public is invited to observe.

The Highline Forum includes the southwest King County communities of Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Tukwila and Federal Way, and the Highline School District and Port of Seattle.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Port of Seattle Commission Meeting

WHEN: Tuesday, March 23 beginning at 1pm

WHERE: The Cove in Normandy Park – 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive

INFO: From a press release:

March 23 Port Commission Meeting in Normandy Park to include Part 150 Noise Study Update

Part 150 Study also a Discussion Item at March 24 Highline Forum

The Port of Seattle Commission will be holding their March 23 regular meeting at the Cove in Normandy Park – 1500 SW Shorebrook Drive. The agenda includes a staff update on the Part 150 Study and the Commission will be taking public comment. Meeting starts at 1 p.m.

On March 24, the members of the Highline Forum will also discuss the Part 150 Noise Study at SeaTac City Hall’s Council Chambers – 4800 South 188th Street. The meeting begins at 2:30 and the public is invited to observe. The Highline Forum includes the southwest King County communities of Des Moines, Burien, Normandy Park, SeaTac, Tukwila and Federal Way, and the Highline School District and Port of Seattle.

For your convenience, please visit the dedicated  Part 150 Web site (http://www.airportsites.net/SEA-Part150/) that has been established as the single location for all documentation connected to the study.

The organizers of Cove to Clover, the 5k fundraiser race for the Highline Area Food Bank coming March 14th, are issuing a “friendly challenge” to the City of Burien, including councilmembers and city employees, to sign-up to offset city fees that are being charged to stage the event.

Fees that are not being charged by the other city involved in the race, Normandy Park.

Did we mention that this event is a fundraiser, and last year raised $12,000 for the Highline Area Food Bank?

And that John Nelson, the main organizer, is one of four recipients for the City of Burien’s 2010 Citizen Community Leader awards being presented March 6th?

And did we mention that the City of Normandy Park is NOT charging any city fees for the event, which starts at their Community Club, so they have not been challenged?

Oh yeah, I guess we did.

Here’s the “friendly challenge” language from the Cove to Clover website:

Burien City Council: You just got served!

Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Council members,

Thanks for listening to my request last night to waive some fees for the race. I now understand that the fees can’t be waived and have been given some sage advice about how to offset these fees in future year.

However, for this year I have a proposal.

I happened to be at the NP Council Meeting when Rose Clark issued a friendly challenge to the Normandy Park Council to enter a team for the very worthy Relay for Life.

Since I’m new to this game, I’m stealing a play from your own playbook. From Normandy Park, I’m issuing my own friendly challenge to the Burien City Council and City Staff.

I’m challenging every member of the council to secure at least 2 registrations for the 2010 Cove to Clover. I especially encourage you to personally walk or run the race yourselves and to bring a new friend. It will be a lot of fun and I’d love to see our leaders all out there partaking in the goodness.

When you find a victim that is willing to register, make sure they enter “BTOWN” in the “Reg Code” field of the online or paper entry form to get official challenge credit. You can make an extra donation to the cause while registering which will also go to the challenge. You can pick up a paper form at Mick Kelly’s or register at www.covetoclover.com.

For your convenience, I setup a webpage to track the progress of the challenge (www.covetoclover.com/btown). It will be updated daily.

I know your team can do this and will have fun in the process.

Thanks for your consideration,
John Nelson

PS: Next year, we can get NP and Burien into a head-to-head competition but I’ve learned to take baby steps first.

Click here to see how much the City has raised so far (updated nightly).

[EDITOR'S NOTE: as of 6pm Thurs. Feb. 25th, the total amount raised by the City of Burien = $0.00].

To register and for all the race info, visit www.covetoclover.com.

It’ll be interesting to see if, and how, the City of Burien will respond…

• Will they suddenly find a way to waive the fees?
• Will city employees suddenly sign-up en masse?
• Will we see Mayor McGilton and Mike Martin running down SW 152nd?

We’ll keep ya posted…

Tuesday night’s preliminary general election returns have been released, and with around 24% of the ballots counted for area races, it looks like the early leaders are Dow Constantine with 57%53% voting against NP’s Proposition #1, and a big fat 77% “NO” against Burien’s Transportation Benefit District (sidewalks & bike paths) proposal.

Also, Initiative 1033 is failing, and R-71 is passing.

Here are the preliminary results culled from the King County Elections website:

KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE:

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 25,4261 / 1,079,842 • 23.55%

• Susan Hutchison: 104,622 • 42.76%
• Dow Constantine: 139,501 • 57.01%
• Write-in: 561 • 0.23%

Initiative Measure No. 1033:

• YES: 78,111 34.28%
• NO: 149,739 65.72%

Referendum Measure No. 71:

• APPROVED: 164,724 • 65.91%
• REJECTED: 85,188 • 34.09%

CITY OF NORMANDY PARK:

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 1,316 / 4,676 •28.14%

Council Position No. 2:

• Clarke Brant: 885 • 97.79%
• Write-in: 20 • 2.21%

Council Position No. 4:

• John L. Rankin: 840 • 95.56%
• Write-in: 39 • 4.44%

Council Position No. 6 short and full term:

• Marion Yoshino: 856 • 97.72%
• Write-in: 20 • 2.28%

Proposition No. 1:

• YES: 578 • 47.30%
• NO: 644 • 52.70%

CITY OF BURIEN:

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 4,254 / 16,617 • 25.60%

Council Position No. 1:

• Sue Blazak: 1,707 • 45.35%
• Jack Block, Jr.: 2,033 • 54.01%
• Write-in: 24 • 0.64%

Council Position No. 3

• Joan McGilton: 2,763 • 96.74%
• Write-in: 93 • 3.26%

Council Position No. 5

• Rose Clark: 2,758 • 96.47%
• Write-in: 101 • 3.53%

Council Position No. 7

• Brian Bennett: 2,894 • 98.07%
• Write-in: 57 • 1.93%

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 4,254 / 16,617 • 25.60%

Transportation Benefit District No. 1 Proposition No. 1

• YES: 958 • 23.50%
• NO: 3,118 • 76.50%

HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 401:

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 13,664 / 57,961 • 23.57%

Director District No. 2:

• Angelica M. Alvarez: 9,041 • 98.37%
• Write-in: 150 • 1.63%

Director District No. 3:

• Susan Goding: 9,009 • 98.47%
• Write-in: 140 • 1.53%

KING COUNTY

Ballots Cast/Registered Voters: 254261 / 1079842 23.55%

Sheriff:

• Sue Rahr: 182,855 • 97.72%
• Write-in: 4,258 • 2.28%

Assessor unexpired 2-year term

• Graham Albertini: 40, 808 • 19.76%
• Gene Lux: 10,547 • 5.11%
• Lloyd Hara: 69,388 • 33.59%
• Bob Rosenberger: 60,143 • 29.12%
• Bob Blanchard: 24,919 • 12.06%
• Write-in: 742 • 0.36%

Proposition #1, aimed at creating a “Metropolitan Park District” in Normandy Park, is on the ballot for the Nov. 3rd general election, and, if passed, would take parks “off the chopping block” and create a revenue to continue funding the city’s parks.

Proponents of the Proposition are holding a rally on Sunday, Nov. 1st, and here are the details:

WHAT: Prop. #1 Park Rally

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 1st, beginning at Noon

WHERE: Marvista Park

INFO: From their website:

“In response to revenue shortfalls for the year 2009, which have reduced available funds for Parks & Recreation spending, the Normandy Park City Council has adopted Resolution 817, placing Proposition 1 on the November 3, 2009 ballot. Proposition 1 asks voters to decide if a Metropolitan Park District should be formed for the purpose of operating and managing parks, natural areas aquatics and recreation programs.

In 2010, the City will face a $400,000 deficit, unless new revenue sources are identified. Cuts to be considered will reduce the level of services provided in public safety, parks and recreation, and maintenance of streets, storm drainage and public facilities.

Metropolitan Park District
Proposition 1 would create a Metropolitan Park District, which would have boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of Normandy Park. The Park District would be governed by the City Council serving as the Ex-officio Board of Directors. The Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District would have authority to levy property taxes to enhance and maintain the Normandy Park Parks and Open Space System as well as provide aquatics, cultural and recreation programs.”

For more info, go to www.peopleforparks.info.

Here’s the language from the Voter’s Pamphlet:

City of Normandy Park
Simple Majority (RCW 35.61.040)

Proposition No. 1
Metropolitan Park District

The Normandy Park City Council passed Resolution No. 817 in order to allow voters to decide whether to create a Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the City as now or hereafter established and to be governed by the Normandy Park City Council as the ex officio board of commissioners to support parks, aquatics, and recreation programs. Shall the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District be so created and governed?

FOR THE FORMATION OF A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT TO BE GOVERNED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF NORMANDY PARK AS THE EX OFFICIO BOARD OF THE METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

AGAINST THE FORMATION OF A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

If approved by the voters, this proposition would create a metropolitan park district to manage, control, improve, maintain, and acquire parks, parkways, boulevards, and recreational facilities, and to provide recreation programs. All property in the City of Normandy Park would be in the metropolitan park district.

The City of Normandy Park currently owns five destination parks, one neighborhood park, one low-intensity nature preserve, and twelve mini-parks. Most City parkland consists of passive parks and open space, but approximately eighteen acres are developed for active recreation. The City also owns and operates a recreation center and provides recreational programs. All expenses for these facilities and activities are currently paid from the general tax revenues of the City. In recent budget years, rising costs of providing other City services has limited the City’s ability to adequately fund parks and recreation.

If this proposition passes, acquiring, improving, maintaining and operating parks and park and recreation programs would become the responsibility of the separate metropolitan parks district. The Normandy Park City Council would act as the metropolitan park district’s board of commissioners but the district would acquire, improve, maintain and operate its facilities and programs separately from the City. To pay the cost of doing so, the metropolitan park district would have the authority to levy a general property tax of up to 75 cents for each one thousand dollars of assessed valuation. All revenues generated by this tax would be used to acquire, improve, maintain and operate parks and park and recreation programs.

Statement For Normandy Park residents live in a distinctly unique community intertwined with wonderful parks and green spaces that enhance our quality of life. The current economic climate presents our City with an approximate $400,000 budget shortfall. Our City’s situation is similar to many other municipalities. We must make tough choices by reducing services, including maintaining parks facilities and infrastructure. Approval of Proposition 1 will allow us to keep our parks open as well as improve, maintain and expand our City’s park system, NOW! • Improve hiking/walking trails throughout the City, remove invasive ivy, and enhance salmon and wild life habitat. • Increase capacity and improve safety for existing play fields, outdoor sport courts, maintenance and operation of existing recreation facilities. • Support continued community and arts events, youth, adult and senior recreational programs. • Maintenance and operations of and improvements to the Mt Rainier Pool. If approved, the estimated cost to a homeowner of a property with an assessed value of $500,000 about $225 per year, or 45 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The Park District levy would be subject to the 1% cap for any future increases. Please support Proposition 1. Keep the “Park” in Normandy Park! Rebuttal of Statement Against Proposition #1 is providing residents with fiscally responsible choices: PROTECT EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE, PAST INVESTMENTS, PROPERTY VALUES • Keep Open Mount Rainier Pool, ball fields • Fix and Complete existing or approved infrastructure improvements: Marvista, City Hall, Brittany, Nist Parks, Walker Preserve • Take Care of existing, but degraded parks, forests, streams, beaches, green spaces • Finish trails for seamless walking/running/biking. Please invest in our children’s neighborhood! Dedicate funds to keep the “Park” in Normandy Park!!! STATEMENT PREPARED BY: Linda Peterson Hughes, Walter Hunt, Earnest Thompson

Statement Against The new Parks District isn’t about parks, it’s about revenue. It’s about creating another taxing district “pocket” for the City, with the revenue being controlled by the same elected officials and administration, and for the same purposes. It’s really all about creating a larger tax base for city government. Unfortunately, that’s not the whole story. The current administration wants more city staff and facilities. A new city hall, a new rec center, a new maintenance facility and commensurate additional staff have all been under discussion at the city, and all can be at least partially funded by this new Parks District levy. Complicating this is the apparent inability of our administration to appreciate the dangerous state of the economy, with plummeting revenues and skyrocketing personnel cost, and a state and county government which will be continually pushing large portions of their deepening budget shortfalls down onto us, making our financial situation even more precarious. This is a time for fiscal restraint, not expansion. A “Yes” vote without an individual commitment from the voter to vigilantly work to restrain city spending will result in much higher taxes and an unmanageable deficit in our immediate future. Tread carefully. Rebuttal Of Statement For No rebuttal submitted. STATEMENT PREPARED BY: John Rankin

Complete Text of Resolution

CITY OF NORMANDY PARK RESOLUTION NO. 817

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON, PROVIDING FOR THE SUBMISSION OF A PROPOSITION TO THE QUALIFIED VOTERS OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK AT THE NOVEMBER 3, 2009 GENERAL ELECTION, FOR THEIR APPROVAL OR REJECTION, PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY TO CREATE A METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 35.61 RCW TO BE GOVERNED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK SERVING AS THE EX OFFICIO BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF SAID METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS PROPERLY RELATED THERETO.

WHEREAS, the city of Normandy Park is an Optional Municipal Code City, located in King County, Washington, duly organized and existing pursuant to the laws of the state of Washington; and,

WHEREAS, Chapter 35.61 RCW authorizes a city to create a metropolitan park district wholly within its boundaries; and

WHEREAS, the City’s General Fund is facing a shortfall in excess of $0.40 million for calendar year 2010; and

WHEREAS, across-the-board reductions in expenditures paid from the General Fund could require a 15% or larger cut in individual departments or services; and

WHEREAS, Parks and Recreation services and programs are substantially funded by the General Fund. Additional funding is received in the form of gifts and user charges; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has taken steps to increase user fees and charges for Parks and Recreation facilities; and

WHEREAS, the City’s General Fund cannot support ongoing operation, maintenance and repair required for Mt. Rainier Pool; and

WHEREAS, in order to minimize the impact of cuts in services to people using Normandy Park Parks and Recreation facilities and services the City Council has directed City staff to prepare a proposition to be placed on the November 2009 ballot authorizing the creation of a metropolitan park district pursuant to Chapter 35.61 RCW; and

WHEREAS, a metropolitan park district has additional and independent authority to tax property to raise funds restricted to parks and recreation purposes provided for in Chapter 35.61 RCW; and

WHEREAS, Normandy Park Parks and Recreation are an essential element to the livability, public health, safety and welfare of Normandy Park residents; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Normandy Park does not have available sufficient moneys to sustain and maintain the facilities and services of Parks and Recreation departments of the City; and,

WHEREAS, in order to provide and maintain the Parks and Recreation facilities and services an additional source of funding is necessary; and,

WHEREAS, it is necessary that the funds needed for such expenditure be raised by an additional regular taxes levied in accordance with the law.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:

Section 1. Election.  Pursuant to RCW 35.61.020, the Normandy Park City Council hereby calls for submission of a proposition to the qualified electors of the City asking whether the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District shall be created.  The Director of the King County Records, Elections and Licensing Services Division, as ex officio supervisor of elections in King County, is hereby requested to call the election in the City of Normandy Park on November 3, 2009 in conjunction with the general election to be held on that date.

Section 2. Ballot Proposition. The proposition to be submitted to the electorate of the City of Normandy Park shall read substantially as follows:

CITY OF NORMANDY PARK

PROPOSITION NO. 1

METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT

The Normandy Park City Council passed Resolution No. 817 in order to allow voters to decide whether to create a Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District with boundaries coterminous with the boundaries of the City as now or hereafter established and to be governed by the Normandy Park City Council as the ex officio board of commissioners to support parks, aquatics, and recreation programs.  Shall the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District be so created and governed?

[ ] For the formation of a metropolitan park district to be governed by the City Council of Normandy Park as the ex officio Board of the metropolitan park district commissioners.

[ ] Against the formation of a metropolitan park district.

Section 3. Boundaries of the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District. The boundaries of the Normandy Park Metropolitan Park District shall encompass the City of Normandy Park, as fully described in Attachment A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference.

Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be in full force and take effect immediately.

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORMANDY PARK, WASHINGTON, THIS 14^th DAY OF JULY, 2009; AND SIGNED IN AUTHENTICATION OF ITS PASSAGE THIS 14 ^th DAY OF JULY, 2009.

The Normandy Park City Council, in a unanimous vote, adopted Resolution 819, Opposing Tim Eyman’s Initiative 1033.

City Manager Doug Schulze explained how I-1033 will reduce future revenues for the City.

Schulze reported that revenue shortfalls in 2009, required over $400,000 in cuts and additional cuts of $500,000 are needed for 2010 without I-1033. The City’s annual operating budget is $4.3 m.

I-1033 is intended to reduce property taxes, a regressive tax, which means the amount paid increases as the value of property (wealth) increases. As a result, I-1033 shifts the tax burden to progressive taxes (sales), which are paid equally by everyone regardless of income or wealth.

Based on the projected $500,000 annual impact to the City, the benefit of I-1033 is projected to be $180 for the owner of a $600,000 home in Normandy Park.

However, the owner of a $6.0 m commercial property would see an estimated $1,200 annual benefit.

And according to our sister site The B-Town Blog, the neighboring City of Burien also voted to oppose I-1033.

On the 34th anniversary of the opening of Des Moines’ Mt. Rainier Pool (Sept. 15, 1975), a campaign called “Save Our Swimming,” intended to help pass Proposition 1, launched its website at www.mrpoolsos.com.

In response to tightening finances, Des Moines City Council members in July decided to allow residents the opportunity to put the pool on firm financial standing. Prop. 1 would create a metropolitan park district with the soul purpose of administering Mount Rainier Pool. It will be governed by a five-member board of commissioners that will also be elected on the general election ballot. The district would have the authority to levy up to 20 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation to operate the pool. With $280,000 the average assessment of a Des Moines home, the levy would be $56 per year, or approximately $1 per week.

If the measure fails, the pool will close on Dec. 31st.  Could the fate of this pool be similar to the Evergreen Pool in White Center, which was shuttered Sept. 1st? Only time will tell.

The new website carries information about Prop. 1 and how citizens can get involved in the effort to preserve swimming in our community. Upcoming events will be listed and details about Prop. 1 will be outlined.

Since voters approved Forward Thrust – a comprehensive bond package – in 1968, the citizens of Des Moines have supported a wide-range of water-related education at Mount Rainier Pool. Literally thousands of children have been taught to swim, seniors are extending both the length and quality of their lives with low-impact water aerobics, and families have had a safe, supervised place to recreate.

“Statistics show that nine Americans drown every day. Three of them are children,” said Gene Achziger, campaign media consultant. “The best way to combat those tragedies is to teach kids how to swim. And what better goal for ‘The Waterland City’ than to have water safety education available to every child?”

But Mount Rainier Pool does much more. One of the biggest proponents of the water aerobics program is soon-to-be 105-year-old Faith Callahan of Wesley Homes who exercises at the pool three days a week. SCUBA lessons are taught there and both Boeing and Alaska Airlines use the pool for water certification exercises for their flight personnel. Kick in the pool parties, CPR and lifesaving training, family swims and occasional full-immersion baptismal ceremonies and you’ve got one busy pool.

And then there are the girls and boys swim teams at Mount Rainier High that produce some of the best competitive swimmers in the state, many of whom continue their educations on scholarships at colleges and universities across the country.

Mount Rainier Pool also trains some of the best athletes in the world. Federal Way native Ariana Kukors swims for KING Aquatics Club that is based at the pool. She just shattered the world’s record in the 200IM while competing last month in Rome. Two of her practice partners are Olympians Megan (Quann) Jendrick and Margaret Hoelzer.

“Mount Rainier Pool has been one of the best kept secrets in Des Moines,” Achziger said. “Partly because it’s not on the main drag, and partly because it wasn’t able to advertise its services when the county operated the pool, not that many people realize what a gem we have here or even where it is.”

But thousands of school kids do know where the pool is and any previous times the City Council has addressed the issue of whether to close it, those kids and their parents have flooded City Council chambers to advocate for its retention.

“Parents have always strived to leave their children a better world than their parents were able to leave for them. Forty years ago, voters approved this wonderful opportunity for their children. It’s a wonderful legacy and certainly one worth preserving for the next generation,” Achziger added.

SOS is chaired by Willie C. Salmond Jr. and the treasurer is Nancy Kuehnoel. They can be contacted at: sosmrpool@yahoo.com.

Here’s more info on Proposition 1 as well as the history of the pool:

ABOUT PROPOSITION 1:
Prop. 1 would form a Metropolitan Park District to be governed by a five-member elected board of metropolitan park commissioners for the purpose of generating funds for Mount Rainier Pool maintenance, operation and capital improvement expenditures.

The initial levy amount would be set at 20 cents per
 $1,000 of assessed property valuation ($56 annually
 on a typical $280,000 Des Moines home). Under state
 law, once the tax rate has been set, it can only
 increase by a maximum of 1% per year unless
 approved by the voters.

POOL BASICS:
Located on the southwest edge of the Mount Rainier High School campus, Mount Rainier Pool is a 14,640 square foot facility in the City of Des Moines.

The tank itself is a six-lane competition style pool that varies from 3 feet in the shallow end to 12 feet in the diving tank/deep end. There is a movable bulkhead that separates the pool into two sections that is currently fixed in place due to several challenges associated with moving it. The volume of the pool is 240,000 gallons that are circulated every 6 hours through two high rate sand filters.

The pool had a minor upgrade in 1987 and a major mechanical system upgrade in 1997. A small amount of electrical system and architectural ceiling work was also completed as part of the 1997 upgrade.

Mount Rainier Pool is managed by Aquatics Management Group, which also manages the former Kent Forward Thrust pool.

The pool is generally open to the community year round from 5:30 a.m. until 9 p.m. In addition to recreational and lap swimming, classes in beginning swimming, lifesaving and CPR are conducted. There are programs for low-impact aerobics for seniors and the infirm. The pool is also rented periodically for events ranging from birthday pool parties to baptismal ceremonies. SCUBA lessons are conducted and, periodically, both Boeing and Alaska Airlines use the pool to train personnel for water safety certification.

Also, the pool is heavily used for competitive sports on the local high school and swim club levels. Mount Rainier Pool is the “home” facility for the Mount Rainier, Highline and Tyee high schools swimming and diving teams. KING Aquatics Club, which boasts both Olympic and World Champion level swimmers, also uses Mount Rainier Pool as a practice facility.

ABOUT FORWARD THRUST:
On Feb. 13, 1968, King County voters passed Proposition 3, the $118 million parks and recreation component of the comprehensive Forward Thrust bond issue. The vote was 64.7 percent in favor. At the time, it was the largest parks and recreation bond passed in the United States.

This led to the construction of Mount Rainier Pool in Des Moines. The pool was formally dedicated on September 15, 1975. Virtually all of the pools were erected on local school district property, in this case the Highline School District.

KING COUNTY BUDGET CRISIS:
Facing budget constraints, King County announced in 2003 that it intended to transfer ownership of its Forward Thrust pools to local municipalities or close them unless such agreements could be reached. Mount Rainier Pool was operated by King County until Jan. 1, 2004, when the cities of Des Moines and Normandy Park assumed the Mount Rainier Pool Lease Agreement originally negotiated between King County and Highline School District. On March 6, 2009, ownership of the pool was transferred to Highline School District.

LOCAL BUDGET PROBLEMS:
By interlocal agreement, the cities of Des Moines, Normandy Park and SeaTac, along with Highline School District, are members of the Mount Rainier Pool Contributors through Dec. 31, 2009. With the opening of a new YMCA pool in SeaTac, that city has now dropped out of the contributors group. Highline School District has indicated it will no longer contribute to the MRPC after the end of the year, but will negotiate a lease to a suitable entity for continued operation of the pool.

In response, both the cities of Des Moines and Normandy Park have placed propositions on the Nov. 3 ballot to create metropolitan park districts to oversee and operate Mount Rainier Pool.

There are, however, important distinctions between the two propositions. Des Moines Prop. 1 would levy an assessment of 20 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation and encompass only the operation of the pool, while Normandy Park Prop. would levy an assessment of 75 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation an encompass operation of the pool and Normandy Park’s entire parks and recreation operation.

Also, while the Normandy Park metropolitan park district would be governed by the existing city council, the Des Moines pool metropolitan park district will be governed by an independently elected 5-member board of commissioners.

Candidates for those positions will also be on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Because each city’s propositions will be approved or rejected independently, the assessment in the Des Moines proposal would generate enough funds on its own to maintain and operate Mount Rainier Pool. The amount of the Des Moines levy could be reduced if both cities pass their propositions.

Based on Des Moines’ 2009 assessed valuation of $3,239,586,031, a levy of 20 cents per $1,000 assessed valuation will generate $647,916 per year. Broken down to the average $280,000 household, the share of the levy would be $56 per year, or $1.08 per week.

The current operations subsidy for the pool is approximately $100,000. However, since transfer of the pool from the county in 2004, there has been little maintenance of the facility. It is a 35-year-old building and does need repairs and upgrades. Consultants have identified $4.7 million in improvements that would need to be made over the next 10 years, thus the need for the extra revenue generated by the levy.

Language that will appear on the Nov. 3rd ballot (for DM residents) for Prop. 1 (download/view PDF file here):

PROPOSITION NO. 1

FORMATION AND FUNDING OF DES MOINES POOL METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT

Des Moines Resolution 09-095 proposes creation of the Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District coextensive with the City’s boundaries pursuant to 35.61 RCW, including the authority to levy a general tax on property within the District each year not to exceed twenty cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation, for the purpose of acquiring and operating a pool facility. A five- member board of commissioners, elected at large, shall govern the District.

o For the formation of a Metropolitan Park District to be governed by a five-member board of commissioners to be elected at large.

o Against the formation of a Metropolitan Park District.

by Mark Neuman

We spoke recently with Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive.

Ross, a Medina Democrat, managed a political miracle, if you will, seven years ago.

The 48th District (Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland) had not sent a Democrat to the House in over 100 years. Ross got himself elected.

“That was back when it wasn’t fashionable to be a Democrat on the east side. It was hard work. I raised and spent about a quarter of a million dollars. I knocked on eight thousand doors. I worked pretty hard.”

Was there a particular selling point?

“Sure. I’m competent. And I care about public education, the paramount duty of the state legislature.”

We asked Ross about one of his opponents for King County Executive, Susan Hutchison. In a recent direct mail piece Susan said she, if elected, would establish a transportation czar.

“Susan seems to be confused about the powers the King County Executive actually has.

“For her to come in and say she is going to have a czar that takes over the functions of the cities and the state is a fundamental misreading of what the King County Executive is actually allowed to do.

“The job of Executive is a complicated one with a lot of moving parts and a $5 billion budget.

“Unless we coordinate our transportation with our land use we are making the problem worse.”

Ross recently received the endorsement of the Seattle Times.

“Of course it makes you feel good that they (the Times) share your belief that you are competent to do the job.

“Next to the Seattle Times endorsement, I am most proud of the endorsement of the Eastside Business Alliance. This is a group of various chambers of commerce who know their business doesn’t succeed if they don’t have quality education for their kids, or if they don’t have roads.

“Our economy and quality of life depends on us making the wisest use of limited transportation dollars. We are one county, one region, and we should act like it.

“The solution to improving the business climate isn’t always to cut taxes. Making the system fairer and easier to comply with could have much more impact. More service, less overhead. Simplifying and regionalizing how King County does business with its businesses is one way the county can potentially save businesses thousands and thousands of dollars.

“We can simplify the permitting process for builders and contractors. Instead of making a business owner waste time traveling throughout the county to revisit city permitting offices, King County can provide a regional office where businesses can manage their permits at one location.

“Many cities in King County are already doing this and there’s no reason we can’t provide such a service countywide.”

“I propose that King County provides a simple web service for businesses to apply for licenses and calculate and pay business taxes. One tax return, one tax bill.”

Regarding recent budget cuts Ross said “I think we probably need more prosecutors. It’s not a place I would have cut. I also wouldn’t have cut into the public defenders.

“There are normal times and there are special times. This is a special time, because of the unprecedented downturn in the economy.”

Ross said he expects voters of North Highline to approve annexation on August 18.

He supports annexation because with it “There will be somebody to answer residents’ phone calls.”

On July 14th, the Normandy Park City Council passed Resolution No. 817 which will place a ballot proposition on the November 2009 election asking Normandy Park voters to determine if a Metropolitan Parks District should be formed in Normandy Park for the purpose of operating and managing parks and recreation programs. A Metropolitan Parks District is a junior taxing district, similar to a fire district, sewer district or water district.

The Council is seeking volunteers to be appointed to the pro and con committees for producing statements that advocate either an approval or rejection of the ballot measure that will be published in the general elections voter’s pamphlet, as well as having the opportunity to write a rebuttal statement. Selection of committee members will take place at the Regular City Council meeting on August 11, 2009. Each committee will have a very limited time to meet and process each required task – first to select a spokesperson by August 13th and then submit the voter’s pamphlet statement by August 19th. The optional rebuttal statement is due August 21st.

Interested persons must submit contact information indicating the desire to serve on the pro or con committee no later than August 5th to:

Normandy Park City Hall
801 SW 174th Street
Normandy Park, WA 98166

You can also fax it to 206-439-8674 or email to debbieb@ci.normandy-park.wa.us.

We’d like to offer a “may the best person win” welcome to Ross Hunter, candidate for King County Executive, our latest Advertiser.

We recently met up with him at a local farmers market for a get-to-know-you chat.

“I’m an agent for change,” said Ross, who is in his fourth term in the Washington State House of Representatives, and worked at Microsoft for 17 years.

“I have the skills to make things happen.”

We asked Ross to talk about former Executive Ron Sims, namely the thing Sims did best while in office, and that which he did not do so well.

“You’d have to include the council in on my answer,” Ross responded. “They really work together. I’d say that they put us on the map environmentally in a positive way.

“But over the years the executive and council showed a lack of attention to financial reality.”

We asked what experience not commonly known about him would suggest he is ready to run the state’s largest county.

“Not many people know this, but I spend time now and again helping Habitat for Humanity,” he said, referring to the group that helps build houses for those who otherwise might not be able to afford one.

“I like to frame. If I can swing a big hammer, I’m happy.”

A hint of the style of a Hunter Administration?

“No,” Ross said with a laugh. “It’s just how I build homes for those who need them!”

Primary Election day is August 18th. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the General Election in November.

For more information on the Ross Hunter campaign go to: www.RossHunter.com.

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In King County, Countywide Community Forums are a network of small group meetings where people throughout the county can discuss current issues and provide feedback to King County officials.

Two to four times a year, registered citizen councilors meet in homes, libraries and other locations to learn more about an issue that matters to them, discuss it with the group and complete a detailed survey on their views.

The next round of forums will be held in February on the topic:

“Citizen Priorities for County Government:
Budget and Strategic Options.”

For more information on Countywide Community Forums, please go to this website.

Where and when are the forums?
Forums are organized by fellow Citizen Councilors at homes, workplace or libraries 2-4 times a year during a one-month participation window set by the Auditor.  When notified of an upcoming round of forums, you will be able to select the time and place that works best for you on the Countywide Community Forums’ website:

www.CommunityForums.org

If you prefer, the Volunteer Coordinators will help you choose the most convenient forum over the phone.

Here some more info from their website:

Do you want to get more involved?
If you would like to be more involved in Countywide Community Forums, you can volunteer to be a Community Forums Host/Convener. Conveners find a convenient meeting place and conduct a forum session.  You can organize your own group or volunteer to convene a group of citizens who have already registered.  Please register as a convener or contact us to let us know that you are interested.

There are also opportunities to get involved as an outreach volunteer.  Outreach volunteers help spread the word about the community forums to their community or organization.  In particular, we are looking for outreach volunteers in South King County.

Contact us by email or by calling (206) 296-1633.

What to expect at a forum?
At each forum meeting, 4-12 participants:

• Watch a short video and/or review a brief written summary of the key facts and different perspectives on the issue under discussion.
• Take two minutes each to state their views on the topic, uninterrupted by other members of the group.
• Participate in an open group discussion.
• Complete an “Opinionnaire®”: a confidential survey tool that asks specific questions about the current topic and the forums process.

To attend this meeting, you must click here to Sign up/Sign in!