Cities won’t be allowed to collect a local gas tax but counties can still do so under a bill narrowly passed by the state Senate this week.
Senate Bill 6582 enables counties, with voter approval, to impose a tax of up to 3 cents per gallon of gas and use the revenue for transportation needs including transit services.
The legislation also allows cities, counties and transportation to charge a vehicle license fee of up to $40, or a motor vehicle excise tax of up to 1 percent, so long as that MVET tax is approved by popular vote.
The measure passed 25-24 and now heads to the House for action.
Town Halls with 1st District lawmakers
The three 1st Legislative District lawmakers will host two Town Halls on Feb. 18, 10-11:30 a.m. at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave. W, and 1-2:30 p.m. on the Cascadia Community College/UW-Bothell campus, 18345 Campus Way NE, Bothell.
State Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, and state Reps. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, and Luis Moscoso, D-Mountlake Terrace will participate.
Public discussion to be held about coal trains
A public discussion about the effects of coal trains traveling through Edmonds will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church, 8108 224th St. SW.
Plans are to shuttle coal from mines in Montana and Wyoming to an export facility outside of Bellingham. Members of Sustainable Edmonds will lead a discussion.
For details, go to www.euuc.org.
Learn about solar energy at meetings
Those interested in learning about the financial and environmental benefits that come with owning a solar energy system can attend the upcoming Snohomish County Public Utility District informational sessions.
The free sessions will be held 6-7 p.m. Feb. 21 and noon-1 p.m. Feb. 22 at PUD Headquarters, 2320 California St., Everett. A webinar is available for the Feb. 22 meeting; email solarexpress@snopud.com for login.
For more information, including financial qualifications, call the PUD Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700 or go to www.snopud.com/solarexpress.
BUSINESS NEWS
Postal Service to hold seminar for businesses
The United States Postal Service is offering a “Grow Your Business Day” workshop for entrepreneurs and proprietors who want to learn how to promote their businesses using direct mail, without the cost of mailing lists or permits, using the new Every Door Direct Mail service.
An EDDM workshop will be held 10:30 a.m., Feb. 17 at the Lynnwood Library, 19200 44th Ave. W.
To register, go to http://usps.com/growyour businessdays.
Business briefs
• Edmonds business customers are urged to take the city’s survey, “Do You Shop in Edmonds?” The latest segment in the city’s survey is available at www.edmonodswa.gov. Paper copies can be found at merchants. Surveys for adults, young adults and those who work for companies in Edmonds are also available.
• Members of the Edmonds Business Improvement District committee will gather signatures of support March 2 before presenting the BID plan to the City Council in April. More than 100 business owners have signed for the BID. Go to www.edmondsBID.org for details.
• Jiffy Lube locations are collecting donations for muscular dystrophy through March 17. Green and gold shamrocks are being sold for $1 and $3. All proceeds will go to support MDA.
• The Washington State Floor Covering Association is returning to the Lynnwood Convention Center 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 29 for its NW Design Showcase of Interior Solutions. The event is free and open to designers, flooring salespeople and business owners, installers, architects, builders and inspectors. Go to www.wsfca.org or call 425-885-0012 for details.
• Edmonds Woodway Dental Care’s gala grand open house will celebrate Dr. Michael Hrankowski’s expanded dental practice. The open house is 3-7 p.m. Feb. 23 at 6100 219th St. SW, Suite 530, in Mountlake Terrace. The new space features a tranquility room and a cavity detection system. Go to www.IMakeYouSmile.com for details.
• AAA’s Snohomish County offices collected more than 16,000 toiletry items for Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County during its recent Soap for Hope donation drive.
CIVIC NEWS
Deadline set for MLT police academy
The application deadline for the city of Mountlake Terrace Police Department’s Police Citizens Academy is March 30.
The sessions are 6-9 p.m. Thursday nights at the Mountlake Terrace Library, 23300 58th Ave. W. The 12-week program begins April 12 and runs through June 28, concluding with a graduation reception for all participants and their families. Space is limited to the first 30 people accepted.
Training sessions include demonstrations by K-9, SWAT, Narcotics, Evidence Handling and a ride-along with an officer.
For applications and details, go to www.cityofmlt.com under City Services/Police/Community Programs, or contact Officer Kim Berg at 425-670-8260 ext 4418 or email kberg@ci.mlt.wa.us.
Board, commission volunteers needed
Mountlake Terrace is recruiting citizens to serve on its Boards and Commissions to help organize events, inform and advise the City Council.
Current openings include a seat on the Recreation and Parks Advisory Commission and a post on the Library Board.
Go to www.cityofmlt.com for more details and an application; click on For Residents/Advisory Boards &Commissions or contact Virginia Olsen, city clerk/community relations director, at 425-744-6206 or volsen@ci.mlt.wa.us.
Sno-Isle elects officers
The Sno-Isle Libraries Foundation has elected four new officers to the Board of Directors.
Rose Olson, of Camano Island, is the newly elected president; Caryl Thorp, of Marysville, is the new vice president; Marisa Clayton, of Edmonds, is the new treasurer; and Ken Kortlever, of Langley, is the new secretary.
Outgoing Past-president Chris Loos of Edmonds is now chair of major gifts and president of the past presidents council.
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