Snohomish County Councilman John Koster is hoping to head off a potential veto by County Executive Aaron Reardon.
Earlier this month, the council approved policy changes that redefined the role of Snohomish County Tomorrow, the advisory group of city and county officials that tackles growth issues.
Reardon, though, worried that the changes would limit the ability of cities to weigh in on countywide growth issues and long-range land-use policies. He vowed to veto the changes, which would be his first since taking office five months ago.
City officials have lambasted the County Council since the council members started talking about changing Snohomish County Tomorrow’s place at the growth table.
Koster said he isn’t looking to take cities out of the loop, and the council modified its policy changes based on what they heard from cities.
“We need that collaborative process,” he said.
Koster and others on the council have said a veto would chill the relationship between the council and county executive. Reardon is a Democrat, and three of the five council members are Republicans.
“I want a good working relationship with the executive, and I don’t see this as something he should fall on his sword over,” Koster said.
Wings: The proposed flight museum at Paine Field is getting closer to takeoff. The county has applied for building permits to construct the $21.7 million museum, to be called the National Flight Interpretative Center. It’s expected to open next summer.
Wings, take 2: Two World War II-era bombers, a B-17 and a B-24, will visit Paine Field June 28. The Collings Foundation will bring the restored aircraft to the Snohomish County airport after a visit earlier in the month to Arlington’s airport.
It’s a go: The Snohomish County Council approved the 2004 Housing and Community Development Action Plan this week. Put together by the county and its cities, the plan details projects that will get $6.4 million in federal funds and $14 million from other sources.
Projects include housing and shelter programs for the homeless, parks and senior programs, among other things. The plan sets aside more than $200,000 for improvements at the Stanwood Senior Center, more than $127,000 for new sidewalks in Mountlake Terrace, roughly $176,000 to fix Jordan Road in Granite Falls and $165,000 for Gateway Park in Gold Bar.
Claim of the week: A Federal Way woman wants $956 from the county. She drove into a concrete island near the Everett Events Center while trying to find parking for the Wiggles concert, and the front bumper fell off her 2003 GMC Yukon XL Denali.
Coming up: County planners will set up shop in three libraries to talk about a draft environmental analysis that details what’s expected to happen under three future growth scenarios for Snohomish County. The county is updating its comprehensive plan, the document that will be used to guide growth over the next two decades, and the draft study predicts what will happen under each scenario. Up to 337,000 more people are expected to live in the county by 2025.
How you can get involved: Visit the Lynnwood, Marysville or Monroe libraries between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday to ask questions about the growth plan or share your ideas on the growth scenarios being considered by the county.
Reporter Brian Kelly covers county government for the Herald. He can be reached at 425-339-3422 or e-mail kelly@heraldnet.com.
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