During the open interview process prior to the start of the regular council meeting, Neigel described himself as the father of four children growing up in Sultan. He explained he is seeking appointment to the Sultan city council to infuse long-standing and emerging problems with new energy and ideas. Neigel indicated he intends to run for election next November to complete Jim Flower’s unexpired term.

Three candidates applied to replace Flower. Each candidate was interviewed, after which the council went into executive session to discuss the candidates. The council appointed Neigel during the open public meeting. Following his appointment, Neigel thanked the council “for the chance to serve the community and represent Sultan.”

For more information contact City Clerk, Laura Koenig at 360-793-2231.

The proposed projects include home elevations and buyouts in Snohomish, Duvall, Index and Silvana. Funding for these projects is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, following Presidential Disaster DR 1817 - the January 2009 record floods.

During the first hour of the meeting, representatives from FEMA will present information on a funding program to reduce severe repetitive flood losses.

Comments on the county’s grant application must be received by July 29, 2010. To view the application online, please see www.snoco.org, and search “HMGP application.” Comments must be directed to:

David Wilson, PE Natural Resource Engineer
Snohomish County Surface Water Management
3000 Rockefeller Ave. M/S 607
Everett, WA 98201-4046

For more information on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, please see www.fema.com, or contact David Wilson, PE, Snohomish County Public Works Surface Water Management, david.wilson@snoco.org, 425-388-3464, x4619.

For more information on the meetings, or to request accommodations for persons with disabilities, please contact Mary Hurner, mary.hurner@snoco.org, 425-388-6401.

6:30 – 7:00 p.m. – The Severe Repetitive Loss Program (FEMA)

7:00 – 7:30 p.m. – Questions for FEMA staff (FEMA)

7:30 – 8:00 p.m. – The HMGP Program, the county’s application (Snohomish County)and public comment

8:00 - 8:30 p.m. – The City of Sultan’s HMGP application, and public comment

• 2011-2016 Transportation Plan
  Comment on the roads, trails, sidewalks and bridges the city should plan to build and repair over the next six years.
• Concurrency Management
  Comment on the policies and procedures used to measure and approve new development access to limited facilities such as water, sewer, roads and parks?

"It was a very easy choice to make," stated Mayor Eslick. "Mr. Knuckey and Mr. Harris have been very dedicated members of the Sultan planning board. They have worked closely with the city council on a number of important issues such as repealing the planned unit development code and creating a new public and institution zone for government land uses. I am delighted they both offered to serve a second term," added Eslick.

The planning board's primary responsibility is reviewing and monitoring the city's comprehensive plan and development regulations. Over the next six months, the planning board will work on updating the city's 20-year plan as required by State law and reorganizing the zoning code which establishes how properties may be developed. The Planning Board meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 7:00pm in the Sultan Community Center located at 319 Main Street.

For more information contact community development director, Bob Martin at 360-793-2231.

This is the third in a series of open houses to take public comment on proposed changes to the City's 2004 comprehensive plan to meet the requirements of the state growth management act. The focus of the open house is on the city's park system:

• How can we use parks maintain our "small town" character?
• Can we use our parks to attract tourists and other visitors to our community?
• Should we have one large community park on the plateau or three smaller neighborhood parks?
• How can we accommodate different park user groups such as pedestrians and equestrians?

"The City has a number of important decisions to make over the next six months that will affect city residents and those living just outside the City limits," said Mayor Carolyn Eslick.. "We encourage community members to be aware of proposals, such as expanding the park system to attract visitors to our community and encourage economic development. These changes may affect the quality of life for current and future Sultan residents. Now is the time to share your questions and concerns," added Eslick.

Following the Open House, the City Council and Planning Board will have a joint meeting to review the population forecast for the city's 20-year comprehensive plan; discuss changing how the city's parks are classified; and whether the city should have one large community park or three smaller neighborhood parks to serve new development between the Sultan Basin Road and Rice Road.

Contact Community Development Director, Bob Martin at (360) 793-2231 for additional details or go to the City's official comprehensive plan website, here.

"Within these leadership training classes, city leaders discuss effective ways of dealing with common issues. Recent classes included effective council roles and relationships, and methods of engaging community members in strategic planning," explained Eslick. "These are issues that are essential to Sultan’s success."

The CML program is designed to enhance the ability of elected municipal officials. The program provides mayors and council members in Washington with knowledge and skills required for effective governance. To earn this certificate, the official attends a variety of AWC sponsored municipal workshops; including sessions on budgeting, land use planning, personnel, and leadership. The courses help the mayors and council members learn the essentials of municipal service and improve their ability to work with council colleagues, city staff, and citizens.

The closure is part of WSDOT's US 2 Safety Improvement Project that is currently being constructed. For more information, visit the WSDOT website:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/us2/safetyimprovements. You can also call the Project Engineer's office at 360-428-1593.

All applicants must complete an application and submit a letter of interest to be considered for a vacant position. Interviews with interested applicants are tentatively scheduled for the city council meeting on Thursday, July 8, 2010. If a selection is made, the appointment to office would be effective at the next regular meeting on Thursday, July 22, 2010.

An eligible applicant must be a registered voter in Sultan at the time of application and have resided within the Sultan city limits for at least one year. The replacement will serve until the position is filled by election in November 2011.

The city council meets regularly on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. City councilmembers often have committee meetings and other time obligations in addition to the city council meetings. The council is currently meeting on the first and third Thursdays of the month to review and recommend changes to the city's comprehensive plan. Sultan council members typically spend 10-15 hours weekly fulfilling the duties of office.

To request additional information, please contact Laura Koenig, City Clerk, at 360-793- 2231 or by e-mail at laura.koenig@ci.sultan.wa.us.

The Sultan city council decided to review Sultan's peddlers and solicitors rules last December after an increase in door-to-door sales prompted phone calls from concerned residents to the Sultan police department. The original rules, adopted in 1979, needed to be brought into compliance with current state and federal law.

"We were looking for a way to regulate door-to-door sales and address public concerns without creating more unnecessary bureaucracy," commented councilmember Sam Pinson. "Police Chief Jeff Brand suggested updating the city's business license regulations to include peddlers and solicitors. This turned out to be a great suggestion and allowed the city to regulate peddlers and solicitors like other business ventures," added Pinson.

Vendors operating at farmer's markets, under a temporary use permit, non-profit organizations carried on by religious, civic, charitable, non-profit or youth organizations are exempt from the license regulations. Violations of the regulations are a misdemeanor and are subject to a $500 fine for each offense.

For more information contact city clerk, Laura Koenig at 360-793-2231. Copies of the regulations are available on the city's web site at www.ci.sultan.wa.us. Search for "peddlers and solicitors".