Progress on Parks Continues

Progress on two Snohomish County District 4 parks continues. Both are expected to open in 2013.

Tambark Creek is a 40-acre property southeast of the city of Mill Creek on 35th Ave SE, north of 180th St. SE. The Tambark Creek Community Park site was acquired in the mid nineties through a joint agreement between the City of Mill Creek and Snohomish County.  The county owns 75 percent of the park and Mill Creek owns 25 percent. The partnership was created in order to meet the park needs of the local community by providing a facility that would provide active sports fields as well as other park features.

In 2005, funding was allocated for development of the site through a mitigation agreement with King County for construction of the Brightwater treatment plant. Construction was delayed due to legal issues surrounding the Brightwater plant but ground was broken in 2011.

"This is a great example of how jurisdictions can work together to leverage resources," said Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Gossett. "It's likely that none of the jurisdictions would have been able to complete this park working alone."

The park will include one large multi-use synthetic turf soccer/baseball field, two restrooms, parking areas, trails, an off-leash area, and a picnic shelter. It is expected to open in July of 2013.

Miner's Corner Park is located at the intersection of 228th St SE and 45th Ave SE, east of Bothell. The 12-acre property was acquired as mitigation for the Brightwater sewage treatment facility

Design work for this park focused on ADA accessibility as well as opportunities for incorporation of sensory experiences. An ADA advisory group was formed that included parents, educators, programmers and facility planners who had experience working with special needs individuals. The group reviewed the Draft Development Plan for the site and provided specific feedback on design considerations to increase accessibility for a large range of potential park users.

"Miner's Corner Park will be unique for Snohomish County in two ways," said Gossett. "It will be our first fully ADA accessible park and will be our first park to deal with all surface water run-off through low-impact development techniques."

Most development detains surface water run-off in ponds and then gradually sends it through pipes or ditches into streams and wetlands. Low-impact development techniques are used to infiltrate all surface water on site.

"Low-impact development is much more environmentally friendly," said Gossett. "It's exciting to have such a ground-breaking park being developed."

The plans for Miner's Creek Park include a large multi-purpose field, a play area, trails, parking, restrooms, a picnic shelter and basketball and tennis courts. The park is currently in permitting and is expected to go to bid in late 2012. The park should be open for citizens in November of 2013.

2013 Budget Approved

The Council adopted the 2013 budget on November 19th. Earlier this week the Executive signed the budget making it official.

"I focused on three goals with this budget," said Snohomish County Councilmember Dave Gossett. "They were ending the Attrition Reduction Management (ARM) program, increasing mental health and chemical dependency services by reducing supplantation, and solving the problems of the existing Mission Building/Courthouse complex."

The Council had not increased general fund property taxes since 2003 and had reduced them in 2008. This year the Council adopted a two-step increase-3% in 2013 and 3% in 2014.

"Even with this increase general fund property taxes have only risen 5% in the last decade," said Gossett. "The total yearly impact on the average homeowner will be less than $7 in 2013 with a similar increase in 2014."

The first 3% increase addresses the issues of ARM and reducing supplantation. Two-thirds of the ARM will be eliminated in 2013 and it will be completely gone in 2014. Supplantation will also be reduced by roughly $1,000,000 in 2013 allowing funds to be used as originally promised for new programs to help the mentally ill and chemically dependent.

"Ending ARM means the Sheriff and Prosecutor will be able to start filling positions on January 1st that they have had to leave vacant for years," said Gossett. "Public safety will be improved."

The second 3% increase was dedicated to solving the many problems with the Mission Building/Courthouse complex. Major rehabilitation to address seismic issues, asbestos, leaking windows, aging mechanical systems, and inefficient and poorly designed space will be completed on the existing complex. Additionally, a new 3 story building will be constructed that will allow separation of criminals from victims, witnesses, and the general public.

"I want to thank the other elected officials, county staff, and citizens for working together on this budget," said Gossett. "By working together we've improved service and safety for our citizens."