Downtown facilities

“We put a bathroom in downtown for people with no other facilities to use,” Mayor Erik Larson said during his report to the council this week. The portable toilet was placed at Broadway and Wishkah and is a test project, said Larson. “We may look at putting in a permanent facility. For now we’re going to give this a try and see how it goes.”

Main Street

The City Council was handed a proposal from the Aberdeen Revitalization Movement outlining a three-year contract with the city to hire a full-time director to become eligible for Main Street USA designation. The proposal came from Gary Jones, a member of the movement’s board of directors. Councilmen Pete Schave reported on his recent visit to current Main Street cities Bremerton and Bainbridge Island, saying the program seems to have reinvigorated those areas. Larson said he planned to meet with Jones. “My intention is to fulfill my role as negotiator for the city and create a contract that will help guide the discussion from what it (Main Street designation) is to if we need it.”

Tax title property auction

Mayor Larson said the city is looking at purchasing several pieces of property, mostly in South Aberdeen, at the county tax title property auction in September. He said by the city owning such properties, “We could look at what’s best for the community for future development. We could take direct action, not just sit back and hope someone else will do it.” Larson believes the taxes still owed on the properties could play in the city’s favor in bidding.

Nepotism concerns

The city’s Legislative Department drafted an exemption to the city’s personnel policy to address an issue that came about when the transportation systems division manager position was eliminated and a vacancy was created in the assistant public works director position. Water Systems Division Manager Steve Randich temporarily assumed supervision of the Street Department as the departments were reorganized, which made him his brother Mike’s direct supervisor, in violation of the city’s personnel policy. As the city hopes to make this reorganization permanent, Mayor Larson asked for a waiver of the city’s nepotism policy until more formal arrangements can be made with the parties involved.

Councilman Denny Lawrence expressed concern about potential employee perceptions of favoritism. “I know we need to do this to cover the city, I don’t have a problem with that, but I think it needs a sunset.” Councilman James Cook and Councilwoman Alice Phelps also aired their concerns. Lawrence then called for an amendment to include a six-month sunset clause, giving Larson that amount of time to sort out the situation. The amended report was approved by the council.

Third readings

Two bills received their third readings Wednesday evening and both passed unanimously in roll call votes. Bill No. 17-07 relating to the processing of applications for variances under the zoning code will allow the granting of certain types of variances without the need for a hearing. Bill No. 17-08 had to do with the city’s revised Shoreline Master Program update, which was approved by the state Department of Ecology previously.