Five city streets will be improved this summer, courtesy of an $865,000 contract approved by the Enumclaw City Council.
Slated for upgrading are Semanski, Park, Division and Blake streets, along with Lincoln Avenue. It is anticipated construction will begin in mid-June, with a timeline of 70 working days.
During a public session earlier this month, council members accepted a bid from Puget Paving and Construction Inc., which proposed doing the work for $878,500. That was nearly $120,000 less than a second bid.
A memo to the council noted the city’s 2019 budget has $641,827 in revenues received through the local Transportation Benefit District. A state Transportation Improvement Board grant is estimated to bring in another $181,050, taking the sum of available funds to $822,877. Allowing for a 10 percent contingency, the city figures holds sufficient reserve funds to cover the final cost.
In other action during their only meeting in May, council members:
• heard that a formal Request For Proposals has been issued, seeking parties interested in operating the Enumclaw Golf Course. The city owns the facility but chooses to contract with a private operator. The current contract is coming to a close and the city will be accepting proposals until June 10.
The RFP seeks a qualified candidate to “operate, maintain, and manage” the 18-hole operation. The chosen candidate will be responsible for all revenues and expenses relating to golf program, pro shop and restaurant. The city anticipates signing a five-year contract that would commence Jan. 1, 2020.
The city took ownership of the golf course from King County in 2003 and, except for a period from 2010 to 2012, has contracted with an outside entity. The present contract, with Swiftwater Golf Management, began in 2012 with a five-year committment; it was renewed in 2017 for two more years.
• heard from citizens Alan and Jeri Gamblin, who stepped to the podium to share information about the Just Serve website and, more specifically, about an associated Beautify Enumclaw effort.
Jeri Gamblin noted the inaugural Beautify Enumclaw effort took place last September and focused on cleanup of city parks. There will be second event this coming September, she said, and will have volunteers tackling more projects.
The Just Serve website is an international effort that links people willing to serve their community with organizations in need of volunteer help. Anyone can get involved, Gamblin said, but visiting www.justserve.org and entering “Enumclaw.” Currently, a dozen local organizations are found, all looking for volunteers.
• were told Enumclaw has again received the Well City Award, presented by the Association of Washington Cities. The honor, which Enumclaw has made a yearly tradition, qualifies the city for decreased insurance premiums. City Clerk Maureen Burwell noted the reduction amounted to nearly $23,000 during 2018.
Recognized for their work on the city’s wellness committee were Travis Rose, Cathy Burbank, Darci Hanson, Jodene Burke and Michelle Larson, along with Burwell.
Enumclaw has had a Wellness Program for 12 years and received the Well City Award 11 times.
• noted that the week of May 13-17 was National Police Week. Council members viewed a short video featuring School Resource Officer Amanda Reeves, Patrol Officer Alec Miller and Commander Tony Ryan, all of the Enumclaw Police Department.
• heard that the ORCA-to-Go pass, offered through King County Metro, will be sold at Enumclaw City Hall the first and third Friday of each month. The ORCA card is used to pay fares for bus and train transportation throughout the Puget Sound region.
• heard, again, that candidates are being sought for a vacancy on the City Council. Applications, in the form of a resumé and cover letter, are being accepted by the city clerk. It’s expected that candidates will appear before the council on June 10.
• appointed Benjamin Pierson to the Arts Commission. His term expires the end of this year.
