Terry Ryan's eNewsletter
Snohomish County Council 3000 Rockefeller Ave., M/S 609 Everett, Washington 98201 8th floor, Robert J. Drewel Building Phone: 425-388-3494 E-Mail: Terry.Ryan@snoco.org
Pam Pruitt, Legislative Aide
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Council Overrides Veto
Our Snohomish County Council cast a unanimous 5-0 vote to
override Executive Dave Somers’ veto of a recent new Restricted Hiring Process
Ordinance. The ordinance was passed by the Council at a Public Hearing on
January 17th.
The override of Somers veto took place at a rare special
meeting on Friday, February 2nd. The Council met on Friday so all 5
Councilmembers could participate.
The Executive’s veto was a surprise to our Council since
the original ordinance passed 5-0. It
only requires 4 votes to override a veto.
The new ordinance applies to 88 management exempt
positions, which are some of the highest paying jobs in our county government.
With the new ordinance, when a vacancy occurs, each department will need to
come to the Council to seek approval before advertising and filling the
position. If the position is absolutely
needed and funds are available, Council can authorize the position to be
filled. It is very straightforward, easy to comply with, and the responsible thing
to do.
Not sure why anyone would be opposed to the County
Council trying to make sure we are spending money wisely.
This disagreement seems to link back to the 2018 budget
that Council passed last November. The Executive originally submitted a proposed
budget that included a 4% property tax increase. Council disagreed with the
Executive’s proposal and Council passed a leaner budget with no increase
in the general fund property tax.
Be assured that all of us on the County Council are
looking out for the taxpayers. We want to make sure we are using our resources
wisely. This ordinance is the first of several initiatives our Council is
pursuing to tighten up our budget, just like every family has to when their
budget is tight.
I will keep you
posted on other budget related initiatives by our Council.
County North/South Road Projects
Snohomish County will finish rebuilding Seattle Hill Road
between 132nd Street SE and 35th Avenue SE this year. Then 35th
Avenue Phase 1 will begin. The project will widen 35th Avenue to
three lanes including a center turn lane from Seattle Hill Road north to 180th Street SE.
Other improvements include: bike lanes, curbs, and
sidewalks on both sides of the road. The work will take up to 24 months. When
Phase 1 is completed, we will begin 35th Avenue Phase 2, which will
include the same improvements on 35th from 180th north to
Maltby Road (SR 524).
In parallel with 35th Avenue Phase 2, we will
construct a new North/South road - 43rd Avenue SE from Maltby Road
(SR 524) north to connect with Sunset Road. This new road will provide another
North/South corridor improving traffic flow on 35th Avenue. All of
this should be completed by 2022, with a total investment of $54 million.
Snohomish County Councilmember Terry Ryan and Latvian Ambassador Andris Teikmanis
It
was an honor to meet with Latvian Ambassador Andris Teikmanis on Thursday,
March 1st. The purpose of the visit was to discuss mutual economic
development opportunities. The Consul General and County Council District
4 resident Stephen Zirschky requested the meeting on behalf of the Ambassador.
Patrick Pierce, President and CEO of the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County
and Bob Bolerjack, representing Mayor Cassie Franklin also attended. It was a productive and appreciated conversation focused on the benefits of economic development.
As
a county councilmember I am always willing to meet representatives of
government and business when it means more family wage jobs and investment in
Snohomish County.
Snohomish County has 105 Parks in more than 10,000 acres
with approximately 34 miles of trails.
You can walk, jog, rollerblade, ride a bike or hike in a forest, camp in
a campground, picnic at a lakeside park or even watch whales along the
shore. Snohomish County is also home to
610 lakes, rivers and other fishing spots.
Many of the lakes are stocked with fish.
As more families choose economical vacations closer to
home but still want the full outdoor experience, Snohomish County campsites and
rentals are more popular than ever. Reservations are already being taken for
this spring, summer and fall. You can visit the Snohomish County Parks and
Recreation web site (www.snoco.org) to look at available campsites, cottages
and yurts. Have less time? "Day-cation" facilities are also
available. Don't forget Snohomish County Parks for your recreational needs:
Less travel and more fun!
Washington’s state GDP increased 4.3 percent in the third
quarter of 2017, the most recent reported by the Bureau of Economic Analysis
(BEA). That’s fourth best nationwide, behind only Delaware, Texas and New
Hampshire. Once again, the information sector far outpaced other sectors,
contributing 1.29 of Washington’s percentage point change. Other strong sectors
were retail trade at .61 percent and finance and insurance at .50 percent.
Durable and non-durable goods and manufacturing lost ground slightly.
Bothell
Meet & Greet the Easter Bunny (No egg hunt) Saturday, March 31st 12 PM - 3 PM
Location: Country Village
Easter
Eggstravaganza Saturday, March 24 10 AM - 12 PM
Egg hunt and fun for kids under 12 Returning special guest: The Easter Bunny Northwest
Community Church Location: 11715
North Creek Parkway South, Suite 110, Bothell (425)402-4445 www.northwest.org.
Brier
Traditional Egg Hunt Saturday, March 31st 10 AM
Egg Hunt is open to children up to 10 years old. Location: Brier Park
Mill Creek
Flashlight Egg Hunt Friday, March 23rd 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Local
teens in grades 6 - 12 can get their flashlights ready for this fun event.
Start off the night in the cafeteria to go over rules, then head downstairs to
the eerie dark gym (all lights off, pitch black). Hidden in the gym are massive
amounts of candy, sponsor prizes, swag, and much more. As we count down, the
teens turn on their flashlights and scavenge the gym gathering all of the candy
and tons of wonderful prizes while rocking out to today’s radio top hits.
Student ID and a signed waiver are required. Location: Heatherwood Middle School
Eggstravanganza Egg Hunt Saturday, March
31st 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Local
families love to come together for this exceptional event featuring over 18,000
eggs spread out over multiple egg hunts. The event kicks off with face
painting, balloon animals, music, fire truck tours, bounce houses, and even a
special visit from the Easter Bunny. Each age-appropriate egg hunt will have
special prizes hidden throughout which can be redeemed for prizes. This event
happens rain or shine.
Mountlake Terrace
Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, March 31st 11 AM
Location: Nile Shrine Center 6601
244th St SW, Mountlake Terrace
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