Police and fire needs top city agenda
Published on Wed, Sep 8, 2010 by Sarah Arney - Special To The OutlookRead More Local News
In the wake of Police Chief Bob Sullenberger's sudden resignation last month, Arlington City Council voted Tuesday night on an employment agreement with Nelson Beazley, who was one of six finalists in the selection process when Sullenberger was hired in December 2008. Sullenberger is returning to Colorado to be close to family.
Beazley is a 32-year law enforcement veteran who has served as a captain in the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. When interviewed in fall of 2008, he was in charge of supervising the investigation of major crimes, including homicide, domestic violence and child and elder abuse. Beazley earned a degree in criminology from California State University at Fresno and is a 2006 graduate of the FBI National Academy.
In 2008, the Arlington police department employed 28 officers and seven civilians. In 2007 the department responded to nearly 24,000 calls.
During his relatively brief tenure in Arlington, Sullenberger organized a volunteer community safety group.
Fire station to bid
At its Aug. 16 regularly scheduled meeting, the council gave staff the authority to advertise a call for bids for the reconstruction and expansion of Fire Station 46, a $1.7 million project.
The proposed renovation project will demolish the living quarters on the south end of the current building and replace it with a 3,900-square-foot two-story structure that will provide living space for the increased staffing needs of the service area in historic downtown Arlington.
West Arlington and Smokey Point are serviced by a station in rented facilities on North Smokey Point Boulevard.
The reconstruction project includes a new roof over the truck bays and the demolition of the old administration building to provide parking and an area to wash equipment.
The bid award is set for the Oct. 18 meeting agenda, said Kristin Banfield, city clerk and community relations manager.
"I would imagine we would have a contractor start by the first of November," Banfield said.
Fire Station 46 is located at 137 N. MacLeod. The original portion of the building was constructed in 1961. It was expanded in 1972 with the addition of the northern truck bays. The current building design will not structurally support a second floor addition. The roof is failing and past the point of repair, according to the council packet.
Workshop sets items for Sept. 7 council meeting
At its Aug. 23 workshop meeting, City Council members discussed the dedication of a piece of land at Division Street and Talcott Avenue connected to new development across from Terrace Park.
It was recommended by Jim Kelly, public works manager, to decommission and sell a belt filter press at the Waste Water Treatment Plant to the city of La Conner, equipment that will not be needed in the new WWTP currently in construction.
"Since they are using the same system, La Conner can use it for parts," Kelly said.
"Selling the old equipment would also save the city on disposal," Kelly said.
The dedication of land and the sale of equipment were both included in the consent agenda of the Sept. 7 meeting.
City Council Sept. 7
Due to Labor Day holiday, the city's first Monday in September council meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 7, after the Outlook's press time, so we can't confirm decisions of this week's meeting, but the consent agenda items are usually a done deal.
Along with the belt filter sale, the Sept. 7 agenda included other items that were discussed at the Aug. 23 workshop, such as approval of allowing a very large ballot drop-off box to be installed at the Arlington Library, and an agreement to coordinate the Bulldog Basketball League for adults with games taking place in Arlington's elementary school gyms.
"The middle schools and high school are pretty booked, but the elementary schools are open. Sarah Higgins [the city's arts and recreation manager] is available to do the scheduling," Banfield said at the workshop.
New business Tuesday night included a mitigation agreement with the North County Transfer Station, a change order for the WWTP project, a new contract with Waste Management, an ordinance to change the reporting requirements for gambling establishments from quarterly to monthly, and the renewal of a professional services agreement with Vic Ericson, who has been contracted to implement the city's economic development plan for five years. He works part time and is paid $65 an hour to support the city's revitalization efforts, provide assistance to business, and develop and implement business retention and recruitment strategies, as described in the professional services agreement, which also notes that the position provides services that city staff resources can't.
West Arlington Plan
The West Arlington Sub-area Plan is under review by city staff and officials, according to David Kuhl, the city's community development director.
"We should have a version out for the public to review and comment on by mid-September. We plan to have a meeting 6 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Stillaguamish Senior Center. It will be a regular planning commission meeting and will involve a work session on the plan," Kuhl said.
The planning department is planning a public hearing Sept. 9 at the planning commission meeting on some zoning and land-use map amendments. The public hearing will continue at the Sept. 20 council meeting.
Beazley is a 32-year law enforcement veteran who has served as a captain in the Fresno County Sheriff's Office. When interviewed in fall of 2008, he was in charge of supervising the investigation of major crimes, including homicide, domestic violence and child and elder abuse. Beazley earned a degree in criminology from California State University at Fresno and is a 2006 graduate of the FBI National Academy.
In 2008, the Arlington police department employed 28 officers and seven civilians. In 2007 the department responded to nearly 24,000 calls.
During his relatively brief tenure in Arlington, Sullenberger organized a volunteer community safety group.
Fire station to bid
At its Aug. 16 regularly scheduled meeting, the council gave staff the authority to advertise a call for bids for the reconstruction and expansion of Fire Station 46, a $1.7 million project.
The proposed renovation project will demolish the living quarters on the south end of the current building and replace it with a 3,900-square-foot two-story structure that will provide living space for the increased staffing needs of the service area in historic downtown Arlington.
West Arlington and Smokey Point are serviced by a station in rented facilities on North Smokey Point Boulevard.
The reconstruction project includes a new roof over the truck bays and the demolition of the old administration building to provide parking and an area to wash equipment.
The bid award is set for the Oct. 18 meeting agenda, said Kristin Banfield, city clerk and community relations manager.
"I would imagine we would have a contractor start by the first of November," Banfield said.
Fire Station 46 is located at 137 N. MacLeod. The original portion of the building was constructed in 1961. It was expanded in 1972 with the addition of the northern truck bays. The current building design will not structurally support a second floor addition. The roof is failing and past the point of repair, according to the council packet.
Workshop sets items for Sept. 7 council meeting
At its Aug. 23 workshop meeting, City Council members discussed the dedication of a piece of land at Division Street and Talcott Avenue connected to new development across from Terrace Park.
It was recommended by Jim Kelly, public works manager, to decommission and sell a belt filter press at the Waste Water Treatment Plant to the city of La Conner, equipment that will not be needed in the new WWTP currently in construction.
"Since they are using the same system, La Conner can use it for parts," Kelly said.
"Selling the old equipment would also save the city on disposal," Kelly said.
The dedication of land and the sale of equipment were both included in the consent agenda of the Sept. 7 meeting.
City Council Sept. 7
Due to Labor Day holiday, the city's first Monday in September council meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday, Sept. 7, after the Outlook's press time, so we can't confirm decisions of this week's meeting, but the consent agenda items are usually a done deal.
Along with the belt filter sale, the Sept. 7 agenda included other items that were discussed at the Aug. 23 workshop, such as approval of allowing a very large ballot drop-off box to be installed at the Arlington Library, and an agreement to coordinate the Bulldog Basketball League for adults with games taking place in Arlington's elementary school gyms.
"The middle schools and high school are pretty booked, but the elementary schools are open. Sarah Higgins [the city's arts and recreation manager] is available to do the scheduling," Banfield said at the workshop.
New business Tuesday night included a mitigation agreement with the North County Transfer Station, a change order for the WWTP project, a new contract with Waste Management, an ordinance to change the reporting requirements for gambling establishments from quarterly to monthly, and the renewal of a professional services agreement with Vic Ericson, who has been contracted to implement the city's economic development plan for five years. He works part time and is paid $65 an hour to support the city's revitalization efforts, provide assistance to business, and develop and implement business retention and recruitment strategies, as described in the professional services agreement, which also notes that the position provides services that city staff resources can't.
West Arlington Plan
The West Arlington Sub-area Plan is under review by city staff and officials, according to David Kuhl, the city's community development director.
"We should have a version out for the public to review and comment on by mid-September. We plan to have a meeting 6 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Stillaguamish Senior Center. It will be a regular planning commission meeting and will involve a work session on the plan," Kuhl said.
The planning department is planning a public hearing Sept. 9 at the planning commission meeting on some zoning and land-use map amendments. The public hearing will continue at the Sept. 20 council meeting.
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