One-way First Street traffic championed at council

First Street parking issues were discussed in detail at the Nov. 28 Town Council meeting.

But perhaps lost amid a one-hour presentation on potential future paid parking options for the downtown business district was a brief plea by Councilmember MaryLee Chamberlain to revisit the concept of one-way traffic on increasingly congested First Street.

Chamberlain suggested that dealing with downtown traffic flow should be addressed “before we venture into parking.”

“We need to have this discussion. We can look at all the pros and cons,” Chamberlain said of a proposal that has been considered but not adopted – just as the intersection of McLean and Chilberg roads and east Morris Street was eventually reconfigured with a roundabout.

“We did look at this topic with the streets committee years ago,” Town Public Works Director Brian Lease confirmed.

Mayor Ramon Hayes suggested that the issue is worthy of re-consideration.

“It’s something we can begin exploring,” he said, “but it’s not likely anything is going to happen before the end of the year with the holidays coming up.”

Mayor-elect Marna Hanneman will manage the debate both of First Street traffic and parking plans once her administration launches Jan. 1, 2024.

Parking concerns bookended the two-hour council session. A presentation on mobile parking payment systems by a PayByPhone sales representative took the first half of the meeting. It closed with Councilmember Mary Wohleb chiding those who park illegally on busy Saturdays and Sundays in La Conner.

“I don’t know where some people have gotten the idea that they can park in the post office lot on weekends,” she lamented.

Town Administrator Scott Thomas acknowledged the inconvenience for local postal patrons but said the Town has no responsibility for the U.S. Postal Service lot.

Hayes called it an item that merits discussions among Town staff.

Skagit Valley resident Glen Johnson warned that angled parking on First Steet could prove troublesome.

“Diagonal parking would be tight,” he said. “It might be tricky. But one-way traffic would be fine.”

Adopting a new utility rates ordinance might prove tricky, or at least, challenging. The present ordinance expires at the end of the month. The Town has previously implemented a 5% plus Consumer Price Index increase.

“The question is,” said Hayes, “what level can we raise it to pay the bills but limit shock.”

Town Finance Director Maria DeGoede said the Town can delay action on a new ordinance until early January, but it will be discussed when the council meets Dec. 12.

Far less difficult was the unanimous council vote to designate the La Conner Swinomish Library, Maple Hall and Town Hall as essential public facilities in the Town comprehensive plan. The designation will aid the library in writing grant applications.

The council also adopted a proclamation honoring Langley architect Ross Chapin for having shared insights with a visiting delegation in October on community-oriented affordable housing options.

Director of Planning Michael Davolio said Chapin, who enjoys an international reputation for his work, met for 90 minutes with planning commission members.

Council also approved a proclamation expressing gratitude to the La Conner Retirement Inn for providing at no charge a driver and bus for the October trip.

The council acted unanimously in approving the reappointments of Town Parks Commissioner Ken Lee and Town Arts Commissioners Nick Fennel and Gary Giovane.

Council did not pass an ordinance setting Mayor-elect Marna Hanneman’s salary at $900 per month, $10,800 annually. Hanneman would have declined the medical coverage the Town provides to elected officials. As mayor, Hayes’ salary and medical insurance compensation has been $2,274 per month, $27,288 annually.

Concensus among council was to dissolve the Town’s salary commission. Hanneman’s salary will be approved by the end of January 2024.