Council focuses on flood plan

La Conner leaders continue to develop a saltwater flood mitigation plan before king tide season this fall. They will meet Sept. 1 with representatives of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe at their south end property to discuss placing flood barriers there.

La Conner Town Councilmember Rick Dole relayed the news to council, which met after the commission concluded its business Aug. 22 in Maple Hall.

Town Administrator Scott Thomas reported discussions have begun with north end business owners for sandbagging their property from October to March.

Dole said gaps will be left in sandbag walls to allow customers access to stores in the flood zone and can be quickly filled when necessary.

Councilmember MaryLee Chamberlain noted that flood protection is becoming the new normal. "If we're going to deal with this flood issue," she said, "we've got to get used to things being different."

The Council has endorsed Public Works Director Brian Lease's materials and equipment purchase plan But upon receiving high cost estimates, Lease submitted a fallback plan.

Lease is suggesting borrowing a sandbagger from a nearby dike district, renting a forklift and buying pre-filled sandbags instead of buying equipment.

Town Finance Director Maria DeGoede said some of the $163,000 in a municipal flood fund has been spent.

The commission is recommending purchasing Ecology Blocks primarily in low-lying south end areas and sandbags on the north waterfront. The specifics will be more apparent after Town officials meet with their counterparts at Upper Skagit and Dike District 12.

The commission will next focus on long-term remedie to threats posed by other natural disasters.

Resident Debbie Aldrich, during the council's public comments section, stressed the importance of that mission, especially in terms of fire readiness.

"I'm really concerned. I have friends in Lahaina and I haven't heard from them," Aldrich said, referring to the deadly fires on Maui.

Aldrich fears the 306 Center Street multi-unit development and other housing construction could increase fire danger in La Conner.

"The Maple Field houses, what a joke," she said. "There's no way to get a fire truck in there.

"Let's get real, guys," added Aldrich, turning her attention to 306 Center. "It's not too late for the council to say 'no' to this unless you guys can guarantee my house won't burn down when that place goes up."

Council member Ivan Carlson, a volunteer firefighter, reminded the audience that La Conner fire department had recently put out an RV fire on North First Street next to the two-story, wood-frame Nasty Jack's Antiques Building. Carlson said Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra was first on the scene.

Mollie Rights, also a Center Street resident, suggested a system to make it easier for citizens to know where public emergency heating and cooling stations are located and when they are open.