Decisions Punted

City of Newcastle, WA -- Council Meeting of August 20, 2013

The Newcastle City Council unanimously approved a fire and building code ordinance that is pretty much in conjunction with the Bellevue City fire codes since the Bellevue Fire Department provides Newcastle with fire protection through a contractual agreement between the two cities.  The ordinance and the proceedings were more of less pro forma, as there were no big debates, controversies, or public comment during this segment of the meeting, although one of Bellevue's uniformed fire officials did address the Council through a speech and answering their questions.

The only thing that N.P.R. would add about fire codes at the moment is that there needs to be a better system to track violations and a way for the public to have easy or easier knowledge about how particular complaints are handled, if complaints are deemed credible, and what are the outcomes of everything (in other words, what was done to solve a credible complaint and was it actually solved).

The fire code ordinance was about the only thing that wasn't deferred at this meeting as the Council tabled an ordinance to establish, in effect, a Newcastle Historical Commission.  Several of the members of the private Newcastle Historical Society were in attendance as the Council debated whether or not it was a good idea for the city to essentially take over the society and, presumably, whatever historical artifacts are in the society's possession, or otherwise the society's property (allegedly, some Newcastle artifacts are in Renton's historical museum), or in the hands of individual private ownership that may or may not bequeath or give the city items of historical interest in their possession.  The Historical Society appeared heartily in favor of establishing a commission or a board, as one of their officials and voice on the Community Activities Commission, Russ Segner, all but said so in comments to the Council, but that wasn't necessarily an endorsement of vanquishing the Society in its private form, as Segner said the society would continue operating privately even if the ordinance was passed.

Segner implied that an official, working relationship with the city would confer an aura of increased status to the society that would bring longevity, more public interest, and presumed other fruits of being officially tied with the city, not the least among them being money (although that wasn't precisely mentioned or emphasized by Segner, money and how it should be handled was kind of the elephant in the room).  However, one dissenter who spoke from the public podium, whose name N.P.R. lost track of, didn't believe that the added attraction of presumed financial stability was likely to be the result of a city-run society (or commission), and in fact quite the contrary, as he said, in so many words, that grants are or would be frowned upon to city-run historical societies, a.k.a. artistic endeavors (tell that to the billion dollar plus city-run Detroit Institute of Arts that doesn't seem to have a problem getting grants, apparently so much so that Detroit's unelected, capitol-appointed viceroy unashamedly wants to use its assets as leverage in that city's debt crisis).  There was some muttering in the audience that pointedly disagreed with the dissenter's point about grants.  The Council seems prepared to take over the society, but they deferred action until they can potentially work out the details in a study session.  Mayor Rich Crispo didn't seem pleased about letting this pass without a vote, as he's the architect of this ordinance, which came under mounting criticism from Erxleben and Co., but he (Erxleben) and others appear to just want to put their imprimatur on it, rather than outright kill it.

Then there's the marijuana business opportunity or problem -- depending on your point of view -- as a result of the passage of legalization last year.  N.P.R. had to leave before the discussion about how it would be implemented or stiff-armed in Newcastle, but this became yet another issue that was punted, according to a source, although, going by past statements and rumors, this Council seems to be pretty old school on drugs and will probably make it as difficult as possible for any potential pot entrepreneurs in this town.  This particular agenda item was entitled "Discussion of Potential Marijuana Moratorium," after all.

Regarding the proposed street name change of 88th Street to May Creek Park Drive, you guessed it, that was also deferred, according to our source.

[revised on 8/24/13]

Soon to come on Northern Pacific Report:  Council Candidate Mark Greene's speech at the August 20th Newcastle City Council Meeting that proposed a Newcastle Environmental Enhancement Project (the full text of this speech will be published tomorrow or over the weekend).

Please vote for I-522 this November, YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW about whether of not the food you buy is genetically modified.