During the last DuPont City Council meeting in May and first meeting in June, many presentations from higher government were given, a new city attorney was announced and it was revealed that DuPont’s population has more than tripled over the past decade.
Fire Chief pushing for Safer Grant
At the May 25 meeting, DuPont Fire Chief Greg Hull proposed that the city apply for a Safer Grant from the federal government. The grant is a two-year program. If awarded, the federal government would pay the total cost of compensation for the first year of employment per position in the Fire Department. DuPont’s expected contribution in the second year of employment would be approximately 30 to 40 percent of the total cost of compensation per position, with the grant paying the remaining portion. This grant, if awarded, would impact the 2012 or 2013 budget.
This year’s grant application period will open in June and close in July. The grant is paid upfront and requires the city to maintain the employee for two years. The advantage of this program is the cost sharing of wages and benefits package for each new employee for the first two years of employment.
Chief Hull noted that cities are allowed to apply for the grant and then withdraw before positions are filled and grant money is awarded.
Councilwoman Penny Coffey asked to clarify that Chief Hull was recommending the city pursue the safer grant, even considering the current budget.
Chief Hull replied that since they had no idea what the budget would look like in the future, yes.
Councilman Jim Hills agreed saying that in the end it would reduce the need for overtime because there would be a floater on staff. “Perhaps this would make up for the 30 percent it would cost the city with the savings in overtime alone,” said Hills.
Mayor Tamara Jenkins moved to research the grant further before a decision was made.
Decision on the grass
Council was asked to vote during the May 25 meeting on the TruGreen landscape maintenance contract. By accepting the proposed decrease in the city’s level of service, savings would be approximately $63,000. The contract also stipulates a reduced level of cost and service through 2011, with no rate increases from TruGreen over that period. The item passed 6-0.
“If there is a sudden desire for an uptick in service due to better budget, we can do that,” said Public Works Director Peter Zahn. “Changes will be noticeable, but we will do our best to combat it,” added Zahn.
“Your staff has already been reduced and now they will be taking on more. I hope you don’t forgo public work projects to mow the grass,” stated Councilwoman Penny Coffey.
A Fond Farewell
During the June 8 meeting, the council and staff took a moment to recognize City Administrator Bill McDonald who will retire on June 30. McDonald has worked in the city administrator position for 7 years. Mayor Tamara Jenkins read from the city’s Proclamation of Appreciation, which noted McDonald’s ‘professionalism, skill and wisdom’ and also gave credit for the instrumental role he played in ensuring that the council meetings were broadcast on television.
“You got me started and I appreciate that,” said Councilman Larry Wilcox.
Councilman John Ehrenreich followed stating, “I have learned from you and that is one of the highest compliments that I can pay a person.”
Presentations All Around
On June 8, Senator Mike Carrell presented to council a report on what the legislature accomplished during this past session, but in reality it was more about what they didn’t accomplish. Carrell cited things that did pass during the session, such as ending taxpayer-funded art projects, including $1.5 million currently being spent on sculptures and paintings for a new $300 million dollar building in Olympia. He also highlighted the layoffs of more than 250 corrections personnel because the state has stopped supervising two-thirds of prisoners after their release last year. According to Carrell, this raises worries of recidivism and an eventual increase in funds needed for closed prisons.
He reported that overall, that State’s taxes are bring raised by $800 million and the State’s indebtedness per person is twice the national average. He encouraged people to spend and businesses to hire people and grow since he believes it is the only way for things to improve.
“The Washington State legislature needs to stop doing what we’ve been doing and try to find new ways to go about it. Simply put, the State is beyond broke,” stated Carrell.
Following Carrell was Pierce County Councilman Dick Muri with his own presentation on what Pierce County has been up to. Specifically he mentioned the Pierce County Council’s recently passed flood ordinance, which passed unanimously on May 4, and established a countywide Flood Control Zone District. The effort, according to Muri, is paying specific attention to I-5 and the problems that could result from a Puyallup River flood.
Changes to DuPont’s Water System
DuPont currently owns and operates two water systems: the El Rancho Madrona (ERM) system, which accounts for five percent of the population, and the DuPont Water system, which accounts for other 95 percent. The ERM Water System Report, which was prepared by Public Works Director Peter Zahn and Dominic Miller, an engineer with Gray & Osborne, details the three-phase plan and subsequent financial and ecological requirements to improve the entire city’s water system. A hydraulic analysis has been completed and shows how the two systems will connect once all the water flows through the Hoffman Hill reservoir. This year, the city has budgeted to complete Phase One, which is the actual connection, at a cost of $25,000. Phases 2 and 3 entail the decommissioning of water facilities and replacement of water mains for the ERM system. Both those phases will require additional coordination with Department of Health and pursuing additional funding. Cost estimates for Phase 3, which would involve redoing roads and pipes and adding sidewalks and curbs to the ERM area, are at $2.1 million. However, this is not recommended or necessary at this time according to both Zahn and Miller. From a water-system perspective, the staff’s recommended actions will cost a few hundred thousand dollars.
Additional Items
- During the May 25 meeting it was announced that City Attorney Steve Victor would be resigning and going to work for University Place. Chris Bacha, formerly the City Attorney for Burien, was named as Victor’s successor.
- According to early reports from the 2010 Census, DuPont’s new estimated population is 7930 people. As of the last census in 2000, it was just 2452 people – meaning that in ten years, the city has more than tripled its population.
- Fire Department Chief Greg Hull announced that the sprinkler head replacements recall would be open until July 15. As of the June 8 meeting, the recall was at a 95 percent completion rate with just 15 homeowners that had not yet complied.
- Councilwoman Kathleen Trotter announced a vacancy on the Parks Agency and welcomed citizens to apply.
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