Annexation and a flood ordinance were the main topics of discussion at the Elma City Council meeting last week.
The city is in the process of annexing properties west of city limits to Schouweiler Road and from Monte Elma Road south to Highway 12. Initially, the proposed annexation did not include either roadway. A recent county Boundary Review Board decision approved the annexation so long as the city also annexed in the roadways.
“The Boundary Review Board decided that the City would have to take in all of the Elma Monte Road to Schouweiler Road and Schouweiler Road from The Monte Elma Road to US 12,” Mayor Jim Sorensen said during the Jan. 17 council meeting. “So even though the county will be receiving road tax from the west and north sides of these roads, they will not be required to pay for any maintenance or improvements to these roads. This was not in the proposed annexation from the city, and was not asked for by the county.”
Sorensen noted that while a compromise was attainable, it fell through at the last minute.
Jurisdictional issues aside, the Council also touched on issues of revenue, and how an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with Fire District 5 will be an influencing factor. “To alleviate as much hardship as we could to Fire District 5 we entered into an MOU to ramp down their revenue in the annexation zone for a period of four years,” Mayor Sorenson said. The plan in place is one that allows the fire district to receive 100 percent of their revenue in the first year, with that percentage dropping 25 percent in each of the following three years.
The mayor said the Boundary Review Board will confirm their decision to approve annexation at their first meeting in February. After that decision has been confirmed, any party may file for an appeal with the Superior Court within 30 days.
The Elma City Council went into recess on the matter of annexation, as Mayor Sorensen explained, “We are waiting for a timeframe for the possibility of an appeal.” The council will resume deliberations on the matter Monday, Jan. 23.
FEMA ordinance
As the cold temperatures have somewhat lifted, and the rain has resumed, it was fitting that the City discussed updating its flood hazard ordinance. Public Works Director Jim Starks recommended that Elma adopt “Version F” of the Flood Hazard Ordinance.
“This version provided for the FEMA minimum required language and regulation with the exception of the noted Critical Facilities requirement to further elevate 3 feet above Base Flood Elevation,” Starks said.
Version F also delivers additional building official duties and authority, “plus additional flexibility to research those flood water elevations of sites not noted or contained in the FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate Map) map panels provided the city,” Starks said. “This version also contains a section allowing for any proponent to seek a variance from city council to some of the requirements which may be imposed.” The council unanimously voted in favor of taking Starks’ recommendation in adopting the above version.
Other business
The Council voted unanimously in favor of renewing the agreement Elma has with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Grays Harbor. The annual fee of $4,000 pays for child abuse interviewer services. The Executive Board of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Grays Harbor notes that during the summer of 2017 they will be re-evaluating the cost of their services, and that they are open to feedback. If costs were to increase, the increase would not be implemented until Jan. 1, 2018. It is asked that feedback be received prior to May 1, so suggestions and concerns may be taken into account before a decision is made.
The Grays Harbor Mounted Posse sought funding for its 24th annual Grays Harbor Indoor Rodeo. The $6,000 funding request was unanimously approved. The money will come from the tourism fund, and as with previous years, the dollars raised at the event will go back into the community by way of scholarships and donations to local charities. The rodeo will take place the fourth weekend in March.
Shirley George, Chairperson of the Elma Senior Center Board, spoke on Tuesday as to the Senior Center Board’s unanimous, 13-0, decision to dissolve their relationship with the Coastal Community Action Program. The Center is not ready to take over food preparation, as there will be at least a three-week waiting period for health department permits to come through.
