Council December meeting actions

The La Conner Town Council had a productive Dec. 14 meeting beyond agreeing to a five year agreement with the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office and passing the town’s 2022 budget. Their decisions started with passing a budget amendment, adding $59,240 for unplanned 2021 expenditures. Planning related activities took another $25,000; $7,343 was needed to finish the Maple Hall elevator renovations; and weather and infrastructure needs meant $26,897 for public works staff wages and overtime.

Council amended the business license fee structure dictated by state legislation mandating partnering with the Washington State Business License Office in the state’s Department of Revenue. In September the council had expanded licensing to nine categories from four and based fees on business revenues rather than number of employees. The fees range from $25 to $238 and are now set by resolution to make changes easier.

The resolution extends the deadline for licenses to March 31, Finance Director Maria DeGoede said, because the state will not have La Conner live on their website until February. Businesses must apply through the Department of Revenue: dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license

Likewise, council passed an ordinance and accompanying resolution establishing fees and charges for new water meter installations, first amending the municipal code setting rate charges by meter size and water volume used. Then 2022 charges for the materials, labor and equipment were approved.

Mayor Ramon Hayes lauded Landing Road resident Sylvia Strong for her leadership and many years of success with Art’s Alive, calling her a tremendous asset and a real blessing and saying “I could not think of a better person to be on the arts commission.” As mayor, he said, he appoints commissioners, so a resolution is not needed. The council resolution stated Strong’s and Sheila Johnson’s appointment through 2024 was noted “for keeping track as years go by.”

Councilmember Mary Wohleb promoted residents applying for the parks commission position vacated by Annie Taylor’s appointment to council.

Council then approved a resolution for council members to serve as a volunteer fire fighter, which will cover Ivan Carlson joining council in 2022. The doctrine of incompatible offices, of Carlson serving on council while volunteering with the La Conner fire department, was thus addressed and resolved.

Council passed a settlement agreement with the La Conner Library, avoiding a dispute with the library and Tim and Danielle Kress, owners of the building on Morris Street west of the new library. The Town took responsibility for electrical and communication utilities placed underground within the right-of-way in 2003. Kress and the Town will each pay up to $3,500 for removing and replacing the service lines and all licenses and fees.

The Town will also pay $18,100 to Evans and Associates for adding a wireless alarm communication to the N 6th St. stormwater pump station and to resolve occasional power control failures.

Council agreed to cancel the Dec. 28 meeting.

Finally, Hayes and council members lauded Councilmembers John Leaver and Bill Stokes for their time on council and to the community. Hayes called their service “extraordinary and exemplary.” Their terms end Dec. 31. Both lost their bids for reelection in November.

Leaver’s last words were promoting a Jan. 1 Polar Plunge in the Swinomish Channel.