First St. shifts to one-way Oct. 9

The countdown is on for 10-9-1 – as in Oct. 9, First Street shifts to one-way southbound traffic.

The official deadline for changing the downtown traffic pattern, which includes the block of Commercial Street in front of Maple Hall, was announced at the Aug. 27 La Conner Town Council meeting.

"We don't want this date to be a surprise," Town Assistant Planner Ajah Eills said. "We're going to do a big information campaign in September, getting the word out on kiosks, at the library, and hopefully at the school – wherever we can."

The change is being made from widespread concern for public safety.

S. First Street is no longer deemed safe for two-way traffic given the larger size of today's vehicles that park on both sides of the street. Oncoming traffic impedes town emergency vehicles that respond to calls an average of twice a month.

La Conner Public Works will soon install multiple signs alerting motorists that S. First Street will change to one-way.

"It will take quite a bit of signage," Fire Chief Aaron Reinstra said.

Eills joked that an old fashioned approach might be needed to bolster public awareness.

"A town crier could be useful," said Eills, a New England native. "Maybe we could get somebody with a loud voice to walk up and down First Street every couple of hours and announce it."

In addition, as part of the project, public works director Brian Lease said the mailbox lane on Washington Street will move to S. First Street so that two lanes on Washington can't turn left onto First Street.

"It's not a good thing to have two lanes turning onto a one-way street," Reinstra said.

North-end burglaries

The council heard concerns from Jim Matthews over a rash of recent home burglaries on the north end.

Homeowners around N. Third and State streets have reported several break-ins and thefts, said Matthews, one involving medical equipment.

"This seems to be somewhat professional, not just some kids," he said.

Matthews said he was told that after notification it took a half hour for law enforcement to arrive on scene to investigate.

"Something needs to be done to expand (Skagit County Sheriff's Office) coverage," he said. "Thirty minutes is not good."

Council member Ivan Carlson, a La Conner firefighter, said that had the burglaries been reported while in progress, Swinomish Police would have rolled on the call under a mutual aid agreement.

Still, the issue merits increased attention, said Center Street resident Jerry George, who chairs the town Emergency Management Commission.

"We need to get a conversation going," George said.

Mayor Marna Hanneman said the town will reach out to the sheriff's office on the matter.

"Unfortunately, sometimes you need something bad to happen for something good to come of it," Hanneman said. "We need to talk to the sheriff's office about it. We need to work together."

Matthews and councilor Rick Dole suggested placement of additional security cameras in the area.

"That's something that the town should approach the Port (of Skagit) on," Matthews said, noting the proximity of where the thefts occurred with the La Conner Marina south basin parking lot.

Help from Olympia

Hanneman said she and Town Administrator Scott Thomas have met with State Rep. Dave Paul (D-Oak Harbor) to address the need for help from Olympia to acquire a town fire boat and ladder truck and replace the aging Channel Drive water line.

More conversations are expected.

"He's always been upright and forthright," Hanneman said. "Dave is open to listening."

As for the long-sought fire boat, the council rejected a bid of $171,101 from William Munson Co. to build an aluminum hull and trailer for the project.

The town will re-open the bidding process, this time with more comprehensive and detailed specifications.

"The idea now is to bid out the whole project," Carlson said.

Adult business rules

Town Planning Director Michael Davolio submitted to and received approval from the council for an ordinance regulating the operation of adult businesses. The council last year adopted an ordinance regulating where such ventures can be opened in town.

Town leaders say the idea isn't to encourage adult businesses here.

"If we don't have something on the books," council member Mary Wohleb said, "then we can't regulate them."

Tulip Festival funding

The council approved a budget line-item adjustment increasing from $3,000 to $5,000 the town's contribution of hotel/motel tax revenue to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. The increased town support was sought to enhance the success of the festival's new scholarship model, marketing expansion and event overhaul.

The council scheduled presentations of requests for hotel/motel funding for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the La Conner Civic Garden Club Building.

Praise for performance

Thomas said longtime Town senior services director Margaret Hillard is resigning her post.

"We'll be sorry to lose Margaret," Thomas said.

Hanneman agreed.

"She's been amazing," the mayor said.

Hanneman also praised the staff at the wastewater treatment plant for having been selected a third straight year for a state outstanding performance award.