Dale Hensley sips on a coffee and leans back in his chair at a local coffee house. He’s wearing blue jeans and sneakers instead of his normal slacks and sweater combo, but it’s a Friday morning and the soon-to-be former city councilman is reacquainting himself with life outside the public sphere.
“I’ve been on the council for 12 years,” said Hensley, who’s seat will be filled in January by councilman-elect Mark Harmsworth. “I think that’s plenty of time. I don’t know that I’d advocate for term limits, but I believe it’s time for a fresh perspective on our council.”
Hensley, who moved to Mill Creek from Everett in 1991, has watched the city transform from a quiet, bedroom community to a bustling metropolitan suburb, a retail center with restaurants, galleries and museums.
“It’s been fun to see the city grow, but it has not been with out its challenges either,” he said. “Growth, while has it’s rewards, comes at a price. We’ve had to deal with all the things that accompany growth.”
Traffic and crime are among most notable developments in the city’s recent history, and addressing those issues to the satisfaction of residents is an ongoing challenge.
“Town Center was a great accomplishment for the city, but it also presented some challenges in terms of providing services,” he said. “Overall, the city is doing a good job. And what a jewel [Town Center] is for this community — the revenue it’s generating the services it offers. There’s not a night the place isn’t packed.”
Hensley is optimistic a planned mixed-use development at the city’s east entrance will further strengthen the city’s economy and offer residents valuable amenities, including parks and walking paths.
He wasn’t completely sold on the project when it appeared Walmart was to have a sizable chunk of the real estate for a 24-hour super store.
News that the retailer scrapped its plans to purchase land and build a store in Mill Creek made the East Gateway development far more attractive.
“I’m still on cloud 9,” Hensley said. “Any revenue the city might have gained from Walmart would have been canceled out dealing with traffic problems and increasing the city’s police force patrol the area.”
Smart development in Mill Creek has bolstered the business community and reduced the city’s reliance on taxes and fees to pay for services.
It was four years ago the last time City Council raised property taxes, though Hensley believed taxes should have gone up in all but one case.
“I think people in Mill Creek are willing to pay a little bit more for the service they expect from the city,” he said. “Not once in the 12 years that I’ve been on council has anyone called me up to complain about taxes.”
Hensely pointed to a number of big ticket items.
Among them: construction projects on Seattle Hill Road, a salary survey of city employees, a possible park expansion and long-term facility investments.
Hensley spoke out several times this year in favor of increasing pay for city staff.
“Our people are underpaid, and it’s costing us more in turnover than it would to just give employees a raise,” he said. “I’m really happy the city is planning to look at that issue in 2008.”
He also wants the Council to work on getting a senior center for the aging population in Mill Creek.
“The city needs to step up and make an investment in a senior center,” he said. “The seniors in Mill Creek deserve that.”
Hensley is looking forward to life as an average resident. He figures he’ll get back in the public service arena at some point down the road. For now, he’s taking a break from all that.
“I may get involved in fundraising for the senior center, but I’m taking a break for the time being,” he said. “
We passed the transportation of manned managed transportations. It will go into effect in 10 days within about a month what cirties need to Counciul member Nelsion places some responsibilities what are they going to do had some development on 164th and has nio program whatso ever. I think it cetainly is important that the city is working. The area that I sincerely hope the design standards I tried to get design standards did get a commitment they will be drafting an ordibnance and the planning commissin the citoes I urged them all to be incolved with thqat.
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