Town budget tight; Council debates meeting in person

Budget stress and Zoom meeting fatigue have Town leaders in search of remedies to mitigate local coronavirus impacts.

Town Councilmembers discussed the feasibility of limited in-person meetings either at Maple Hall or Pioneer Park and Town Administrator Scott Thomas outlined the status of municipal finances during separate video conferences last week.

Thomas addressed the annual La Conner Chamber of Commerce review July 28 attended by local business owners and service organization reps. The prospect of alternative Council meeting sites was weighed during the panel’s regular bi-monthly session, also on July 28.

“Our revenues are sub-par,” Thomas told Chamber members, “but are not as bad as we might have thought. We anticipate 2021 will look worse than 2020. That is when we think it will catch up with us.”

A recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Skagit County has already thwarted a proposed downtown Octoberfest and other special events slated this fall.

“We had planned a grand re-opening in the fall,” Thomas said. “But that’s been put on hold. A fall event or late fall event just doesn’t look like it will be in the cards this year.”

That would presumably include the annual Halloween Parade on First Street and Christmas Tree Lighting at Gilkey Square, the latter of which might lend itself to a virtual format, Chamber Director Heather Carter said.

As a result of the virus crisis, “the Town is in money-saving mode,” Thomas said, “other than utility-related items.”

Specifically, he said restoring the channel bank at Conner Waterfront Park remains on the to-do list.

“We need to safeguard that shoreline,” Thomas noted, “or we’re going to lose a street.”

A less tangible though impactful loss was lamented a few hours later by Town Councilmember Bill Stokes. He said efficiency is being lost with the Council’s reliance on conducting Town business via Zoom.

“We’re so far behind on everything with Zoom,” Stokes told his Council colleagues, referring to the tele-conference platform’s occasional audio issues.

“We have a responsibility to run Town government more efficiently.”

Stokes suggested meeting in Maple Hall. “There’s plenty of room for social distancing with the opportunity for masking,” he said.

“We’re in Phase Two,” cautioned Thomas, “so our gatherings are limited to five people. It’s rather restrictive,” referencing Skagit County’s status in the state’s Safe Start COVID-19 re-opening plan.

Councilmember MaryLee Chamberlain pointed out that an in-person meeting would still require the Town to use Zoom for public access.

“We have to set the example,” Councilmember Mary Wohleb said. “We have to follow the restrictions. We have a responsibility to follow the law.”

“I wouldn’t go,” Councilmember Jacques Brunisholz said. “I’m too old. I’m at-risk. I wish we could go back to normal. I’m tired of Zooming.”

Mayor Ramon Hayes said the Town would research whether the Council can meet in-person and remain within the county COVID-19 standards. He also lent some humor to an otherwise serious discussion.

“The amphitheater at Pioneer Park reminds me of the old Roman Senate,” Hayes said. “We could all wear togas.”