Transportation priorities identified in plan
By RICK WOOD Staff Reporter
Every year, when the city plans to apply for new state and federal grants to fix, build or maintain Stanwood roads, it has to adopt a forward looking plan listing the most critical projects.
Andy Bullington, Public Works director, outlined city priorities for the next six years in a transportation improvement plan at Thursday night's city council meeting.
"Not all of the projects listed in the comprehensive plan are required to be completed," said Bullington.
Topping this year's list is the reconstruction and extension of 68th Avenue NW from 280th Street NW to Woodland Road, which is slated to begin construction this year.
"It had to be included because it hasn't been constructed yet," he said.
Next on the list is 267th Street NW reconstruction from Pioneer Highway to just east of Port Susan Middle School.
Like the 68th Avenue NW project, 267th Street NW will include the construction of sidewalks.
Federal funding to pay for the project is likely to come in July, said Bullington.
"We should get $342,000 in federal funds," he said. "We believe we'll also receive $100,000 more in additional grants."
A completely new road, 270th Street NW, connecting 94th Avenue NW and 97th Avenue NW is also planned.
After hearing details of the plan, council members convened a public hearing about the plan and opened the issue up to public comment.
Although no members of the public weighed in on the issue, council members deliberated on the proposed projects.
Councilman Tim Loney said he believes some of the lower priority projects should be bumped up.
"It's (80th Avenue NW) got pretty high pedestrian traffic with all of the development out there," said Loney.
Bullington said the plan is mostly a tool for funding leverage and can be altered later.
"Certainly, we can rearrange priorities," said Bullington.
The council voted to adopt the plan as it was presented.
In other city council news:
• Council adopted a new personnel policy manual for city employees. Matthew Pruitt, human resources director, said the manual changes and updates policies governing employees to reflect greater equality and consistency. Pruitt, who has been the human resources director, has since left the city after accepting a position elsewhere.
• Teague Nelson, Stanwood High School Associated Student Body president, was welcomed as the new high school liaison to the council.
Reporter Rick Wood: 629- 8066 ext. 104 or rwood@scnews. com.
