Citizens call for hold on Kirsch property sale

In its marathon doubleheader May 14th, the Town Council dispatched its first half duties with its typical efficiency. Not so the 80 minute Mayor’s Roundtable, when residents questioned the March decision to sell the former Kirsch property on North First Street.

Councilmember Jacques Brunisholz opened the discussion, speaking strongly for selling the Town asset. “I want to say the Town needs the money,” he told the 15 people attending and noted maintenance was an ongoing cost. He suggested people organize, raise funds and buy it, calling that a “great idea.” Citizens not liking his stance can vote against him, he said.

Two people speaking in support of selling were residents Jamie Baugh, who it seemed has an interest in purchasing and Rick Dole, expressing his concern for costly environmental issues.

Residents with a long history of municipal involvement spoke at length against both the process and lack of transparency as Council reached its decision and for the potential of the property to be the sole northside park and an entry to the Swinomish Channel.

Opponents Joan Cross and Dan O’Donnell served on Council and O’Donnell was also mayor. Allan Olson, Bob Raymond and Linda Talman have volunteered on the Town’s park and planning commissions. Park commissioner Ollie Iversen asked about including a question about the property on a parks survey planned to be mailed with water bills. He asked for clarification: in some documents the property is listed as a park,so is it a park?

Their remarks and letters are printed on pages 2, 3 and 7. All wanted a hold placed on the selling listing and a process for considering Town preservation development. Raymond asked for “a process for more discussion we all need to make a decision.”

Talman lamented the loss of Channel access, including the view, which she called spectacular from near the shore of the Jordan Street end park. She offered a standard for public service: “The most important job you have as a public official is to make your grandchildren proud.

O’Donnell spoke as a grandfather, saying a nice place for the kids is needed on the Town’s northside. He also chastised Council and the Mayor, saying “I am ashamed of all of you” for not following section 3.70 the municipal code, for disposition of real estate

Olson was diplomatic, empathizing with the complexities of Council’s work and volunteered his involvement if Council prioritized preserving the property. He called for pulling together as a community.

In their responses, Councilmembers Brunisholz, John Leaver and Bill Stokes shared the same worry over liability if people climbed the chain link fence, got onto the decking and hurt themselves. Stokes finds the property “an eye sore that has been deteriorating for years.”

Iversen pressed for permission to include the question of the property on the parks survey, which is required for the Town to qualify to apply for certain grants. Council confirmed they did not want it on the survey.

Planner Marianne Manville-Ailles told Council they could direct the planning commission to place their Kirsch Property on their agenda if Council gave the commission a direct task. Council declined.

Council declined to change the status quo. The property is still for sale. No Town-promoted process for involving residents or examining alternatives will occur.

Town Council agreed to have the Kirsch Property on the park’s commission agenda as it did fit within their duties.