2006/11/01 Council Agenda Packet

We are also pursuing a location to rebuild Fire Station No. 3 to serve the waterfront and our central business district in downtown. Once we have identified a location, I will seek Council approval of an ordinance to fund this project. This proposed budget includes money for much-needed staff for our animal shelter. In the past 10 years, activity at our shelter has increased by 46 percent. Fortunately, adoption rates have increased at the shelter and we have formed partnerships with various rescue groups. To accommodate this growth, we propose six full-time positions for the shelter including clerical staff, attendants, a kennel supervisor and a shelter activities coordinator. A quality parks system continues to be a priority, and we will complete the parks 10-year strategic plan by the end of this year. Next year we will complete the design and initiate construction for a trail system connecting our parks around Silver Lake, which is our centerpiece of recreation for families in south Everett. Other parks projects slated for 2007 include the completion of a spray pool at Forest Park and improvements to Grand Avenue Park, Garfield Park and Lions Park. We will continue our efforts to expand access to higher education in the region through development of a four-year university with a polytechnic focus. We are working with elected leaders to identify funding sources and a location that will best serve the north Puget Sound Region. In addition to providing better education opportunities, the realization of this goal will also help our city attract employers with family wage jobs who need to locate in a community with an educated workforce. I'm pleased to report that the fundraising effort to build a premier artist live-work complex is well underway. The proposed long-term ground lease of the Hoyt property in the heart of the central business district is serving as the cornerstone in efforts to raise $22 million for the Artspace project. The vast majority of the $22 million needed will be raised from federal and state affordable housing sources. The Arts Council of Snohomish County will launch their $6 million capital campaign in early 2007. We will continue to partner with the Arts Council of Snohomish County and Artspace in the coming year to move this exciting project forward. We will continue our efforts to redevelop the city's riverfront property, between Pacific Avenue and Rotary Park. We have been diligently negotiating with Oliver McMillan, the chosen developer of the site. We anticipate that within a few weeks a development agreement will be brought forward for Council's consideration. If this is approved, the developer will proceed with the permitting process and the creation of a master plan for the area. The initial site development could begin as early as next fall. 2