LAKE STEVENS — It didn’t take long for one newly elected city council member to be at odds with Lake Stevens Mayor Brett Gailey.
All four of the city’s newly elected council members were present for the first time at the City Council meeting Tuesday. City staff swore in Sabina Araya, Brian McManus and Tosha Edwards, along with Nathan Packard, who filled a vacant seat on Nov. 25.
During the meeting, council members volunteered to sit on various boards and commissions. Whenever there was more than one volunteer, the council voted between the options.
For example, the council voted 5-2 to have McManus join Mayor Gailey and council member Ryan Donoghue on the city’s Sewer Utility Committee, going against Gailey’s wishes. Council members Anji Jorstad and Kymm Shipman voted to have Jorstad join the committee.
Before the vote, Gailey expressed why he was concerned with the choice.
“Brian, I guess a concern I would have with you on that is, during your campaign, you received donations from a sewer commissioner,” he said. “How can you settle that and have the city in mind and not a constituent who donates to your campaign?”
Lake Stevens is involved in ongoing litigation to take control of the city’s sewer district, citing a state law that allows the city to do so if 60% of the district falls within city limits. However, the sewer district holds fast to a 2005 agreement between both parties that states the city would assume the district no sooner than 2033.
“The goal is to be objective and to make decisions that benefit the city,” McManus said in response to Gailey. “I’ve heard both sides of the issue. We’ve talked about my side of the issue and your side of the issue. So, I think we need a voice on there of common sense.”
McManus told The Herald he believes the lawsuit is a “waste of taxpayer money,” when the city is already set to take over the sewer district in seven years. Gailey stated in 2020 that taking over the sewer district would save taxpayers’ money.
After the meeting, the new council members said they’re excited to get to work.
“I’m looking forward to bringing more voice from the community to the council. That’s something that I really cherish, is feedback and civic engagement,” Edwards said.
“I think the new council set a good tone for the city moving forward this year,” McManus said. “The voters made it clear that they wanted change and more transparency from the city leaders. I intend to deliver on those goals.”
“I am grateful for the engagement from our community and we count on their continued input,” Araya said. “The first meeting on the council side of the room certainly feels much different, with both the excitement and the weight of responsibility that come along with stepping into the role.”
Taylor Scott Richmond: 425-339-3046; taylor.richmond@heraldnet.com; X: @BTayOkay
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
