The ongoing, mutually beneficial relationship between the city of Buckley and its Youth Activities Board will be continuing. Only now, it’s a bit more official.
An agreement was adopted last week by the Buckley City Council that clarifies responsibilities between the entities and aims to promote further cooperation. The overriding goal, according to text in the agreement, is to continue “providing a fun, safe environment” for youth ages 8 to 18.
The city and the YAB have existed and worked side-by-side, but an arrangement had never been formalized. New members have joined the board and added a level of professionalism, said City Administrator Dave Schmidt, prompting the document.
Noted in the agreement is that the city provides staff, volunteers, a facility and funding for basic programs at the Buckley Youth Activities Center. The Youth Activities Board provides supplemental funding through fundraising and community support.
The agreement continues the policy of shared use of the Youth Activities Center, under the direction of the city’s community services director.
The agreement has no ending date. Rather, it allows either party to terminate with written notice; additionally, the agreement is voided if either side fails to live up to the stated responsibilities.
In other business during their Jan. 8 meeting, members of the Buckley City Council:
• accepted two state grants that will pay most of the cost for improvements to a pair of busy city streets.
The first grant totals a bit more than $384,000 and will pay for a total reconstruction of Cedar Street, from Main to Jefferson. The project includes sidewalk repairs where necessary and curb improvements that meet provisions in the Americans With Disabilities Act. The city’s obligation is about $43,000.
The second grant funds an overlay project on Naches Street, between Park and Mason avenues. The award, in excess of $255,000, calls for a city contribution of about $30,000.
Both grants are from the state’s Transportation Improvement Board and are for work to be completed in 2020. Design work can be handled this year, Schmidt said.
• authorized the purchase of a van that will be used by both the Youth Activities Center and the Buckley Fire Department.
The used van, a 2017 model with about 32,000 miles on the odometer, has a price tag of $29,662 and is being purchased from Enumclaw’s Fugate Ford. The city’s out-of-pocket cost will be reduced thanks to a $12,000 commitment from Pierce County; that sum will be reimbursed to the city once the purchase is final.
