OK, so only one new thing really passed (utility agreement). Let’s get to it!

* LIBRARY GUILD REPORT
There’s some concern over increased library use, and future library use if we build a bunch of new houses. Our current library doesn’t have room for expansion, unless we want to build upwards. They don’t want to take away parking spaces, and they want to keep the trees too (seems kind of ironic).

Anyway, apparently there is a book sale happening soon. I visit the library probably 2-3 times a week, and I’ve never noticed anything about that (let’s get some marketers on this guild!). They need kids’ books especially, and the money is used for something useful, I’m sure.

* WE GOT YOUR HOOK-UP RIGHT HERE
The utility agreements between Qwest, Puget Sound Energy, Comcast, and the city of MV went through. They’ll dig up trenches by the library and community center and bury their lines. Last week, the council spent the whole time talking about the one guy who lives on the corner, and the staff will have something worked out so he won’t have to pay to hook up again.

* WORD ON THE STREET
During public comments, we heard that Covington is considering closing down the pool to save on parks money. After reading their budget, it looks like the pool takes up about 56% of their parks fund, and about 4% of the city’s total budget. The pool takes in about $340K in fees, but costs around $675K to operate (mostly in salaries).

* INDEMNED IF YOU DO, INDEMNED IF YOU DON’T
I covered the particulars of the potential new Indemnification Ordinance last month (Drop It Like It’s Hot, Jan 19^th), so the quick summary is that this ordinance would provide for the legal defense of a city employee, volunteer, or elected official in case they were named in a lawsuit, and the insurance company didn’t cover them. There are a lot of caveats though, and the council or city manager would have to approve paying for the defense.

New information this week -  Other city attorneys that were asked for real-world examples provided a number of them including sexual harassment claims, retaliation, employee discipline, recall petitions, and volunteers who felt threatened by citizens. Several of them really wanted to impress on the council how important this ordinance is.

The discussion ran about 45 minutes long, with 30 of those minutes devoted to answering Councilor Johnson’s questions. They weren’t very good questions either, and she finally declared the last section reviewed to be a bunch of “gobbledygook” with a “high ‘fog’ factor” after she couldn’t understand it.

What really burns me is that this ordinance is the result of the staff’s efforts for the past couple of weeks. It’s just insulting and irresponsible to say that about someone’s work, unless it truly is unintelligible nonsense. No one else in the room felt that way, so that’s entirely on Councilor Johnson.

Here’s what I really don’t understand: in the 2003 election primary, then-candidate Linda Johnson stated in her bio, “I have 30 years experience as a Contracting Officer with General Services Administration. I spend taxpayer dollars very carefully and daily deal with laws, statutes, and regulations.”

30 years dealing with contracts? Dealing with laws, statutes, and regulations on a daily basis?!? Sorry councilor, but we didn’t see that tonight. You’re going to need a new platform for your re-election campaign, because that experience plus your six years on the council (as a LEGISLATOR) should enable you to understand these things.

* HOSPITAL WARS
During the City Manager’s Report, we were told that Swedish Medical Centers is now in the “pre-application process” for the 9-acre site on 169 and SE 264^th St (the empty lot next to Motorplex). I’m not sure if they are combining the two lots there (for 11.23 acres), but it’s for a 56,000 square foot building that will operate an urgent care center, open 24/7.

You might already know that Valley Medical and MultiCare are in a race for building Covington’s first real hospital, and Swedish is going to join the fray by cutting of their supply of MV sickos. Think there’s a lot of money in health care? Valley Medical just completed a $115 Million expansion to host 60 beds. Yes, just 60 beds.

* STRONGLY WORDED STATEMENT OF THE NIGHT
Mayor Gerken read a prepared statement expressing concern about King County’s foot-dragging on the Donut Hole (I was hoping to get through one update without mentioning it, dang it). The county has until February 20^th to agree to the plan to hand it off to Maple Valley; otherwise the county will handle the zoning, permitting, and collect the impact fees.

I think we need to round up the pitchforks and torches, and camp outside the county council until they pass it. We’re talking millions of dollars in fees at stake here, and control over the shape of the development. Yeah, it’s that big of a deal, and maybe a little political embarrassment could get something moving faster.

There may be some rescue plan, or a new agreement that could pass in March that I’m not aware of, but I don’t hear that coming from anyone.

* ALL THINGS MUST PASS
It’s been a very interesting 10 months working on these council updates, and I’ve really enjoyed this experience. However, I’m going to retire my notebook after this meeting.

This current council looks to be in great shape, and I’m sure they will pick a good person to fill the empty council position. I’ll still drop in every now and then, and maybe my Reporter column will feature some of the city council happenings, but the weekly Plain Talk updates you’ve come to like (or hate) will end after this one.

Hopefully the city council will begin broadcasting these meetings online, and we can all participate in maintaining transparency and being better informed citizens.

Thank you to everyone who has commented on this blog, and I really did appreciate hearing from all of you.