By Steve Powell
spowell@marysvilleglobe.com
MARYSVILLE – Cleaning up the city is foremost on residents minds.
Attendees at Mayor Jon Nehring’s Coffee Klatch Thursday at City Hall said they want to get rid of the eyesore that is the burned down Village Restaurant and boot out the homeless and an alleged drug house in the Bayview Trail area.
Regarding the old restaurant, Nehring said the city has been aggressive about trying to get it cleaned up, but insurance companies are slowing the process.
“We, like you, don’t want this to be the visual entrance to our city,” the mayor said.
Planning director Dave Koenig said the city will be checking its legal options because of the many delays.
As for the problems on Bayview Trail, Nehring said the city is going to be taking away some parking in that area. Assistant Police Chief Jeff Goldman said his department is targeting that area for enforcement. Police Chief Rick Smith added that neighbors need to keep calling when they see things going on. “Input is important to us,” he said, adding they are working on getting a vehicle that could cruise trails.
Goldman also encouraged residents to keep calling regarding racing on Ingraham Boulevard. He said police went right to the source of the problem on that one, writing a violator a few tickets.
“His mom and dad think he’s being picked on,” Goldman said, adding “the other racers got the message.”
Goldman went on to say when they focus on the area the racers start to behave themselves, but then they go right back at it once police pull back.
Smith added that traffic is an issue all over town.
“We focus on the biggest safety issues,” he said.
Other issues:
•Are police understaffed? Nehring said money is in the budget for more police, but all agencies are having a hard time filling them because of a lack of officers. There are open positions the city can’t fill. It was mentioned Everett is offering a $15,000 signing bonus to new officers there.
•What about State at 116th? Money for design already is in. The city hopes money from the state for construction will come in 2019.
•Is the city growing too fast for schools to keep up? Nehring said multifamily housing is growing as some folks are uneasy about the housing market, plus they want to be mobile in case something happens. Chief Administrative Officer Gloria Hirashima said the state Growth Management Act requires the city and schools to work together on growth. Nehring said he would start working with staff right away on some of the issues brought up at the meeting.
“While it’s fresh on our minds we’ll come up with action steps,” the mayor said.
