“We’re stretched beyond our limits,” Emmett Heath told the Marysville City Council July 27.

Heath said if the measure passes it would improve the local economy and quality of life.

“Your city has grown faster than our service to it,” he admitted. “We need to catch up.”

Heath said ridership has increased, keeping many cars off the road. He said transit takes one-quarter of the cars off Interstate 5 on the commute from Everett to Seattle.

“We need to keep up with demand. The public loves us too much,” he said.

He added that some routes at certain times fill up, including standing-room only, after the first few stops, leaving those at later stops to have to wait for long periods of times. He said the third-busiest route in their system is along State Avenue in Marysville.

“We need transit investments and new routes,” he said. Besides, “It’s safer to text on our bus.”

Also at the meeting, department heads raved about the city’s triathlon last week.

Chief Administrative Officer Gloria Hirashima said it came about because the city polled its workers and found out many had a negative perception of the waterfront and downtown.

“We took it personally,” she said.

Hirashima said workers should be ambassadors for the city.

“You can’t make somebody feel city pride,” she said.

By offering workers the Wellness event, they were able to see the city’s assets and be exposed to the waterfront.

“There was enlightenment,” she said.

Parks director Jim Ballew said there is a buzz among city employees he hasn’t seen in some time.

“There’s pride and camaraderie,” Ballew said.

There was even some fun trash talking at the council meeting.

“I do think I can beat Chief Smith next year. I obeyed the law, and you blew by the stop sign,” interim Fire Chief Martin McFalls teased Police Chief Rick Smith.

“People loved it,” Smith said, adding officers placed first and third.

Public Works Director Kevin Nielsen boasted that seven of the nine medals went to people in his department.

Hirashima said Mayor Jon Nehring was the star of the event.

“Our mayor is the fittest person,” she said. “He put us all to shame.”

Nehring said hosting the event not only was good for the health of city employees, but also could be a boost financially. If it receives a Healthy Community Award like it has in the past from the Association of Washington Cities, it would see a 2 percent reduction in the cost of employee benefits for the year.

The mayor added that most of the people who participated came in early to work or took their lunch hour to make up for their work day. Others are on salary and can adjust their schedules as needed. Any of the city’s 255 employees who had to work could not compete, unless they traded a shift.

In previous years to get the Healthy Community Award, the city has brought in speakers on nutrition, etc. This year the Wellness Committee decided to do something active.

A few years ago, “We were one of the most obese cities in the state,” Nehring said. “We can’t preach if we don’t do it ourselves.”

In other news:

•The council approved three measures dealing with the Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project. One allows the Tulalip Tribes to construct an embankment for the future Ebey Waterfront Trail for about $80,500. Another allows the tribes to construct berms, plant vegetation and fill ditches. The third changes piping at a stormwater outfall and 200 feet of sewer main to be changed from iron to polyethylene.

•Paving takes place this weekend on Sunnyside Boulevard, work on 67th Street is done, work on State is progressing and bridge work at 116th is under way.

•Wendy Wade received her 25-year pin. A former English teacher at Marysville Junior High, she was hired by the MPD in 1990. She was a DARE officer, started the school resource officer program in 1998, created the Citizen Academy, was supervisor of the year in 2007, streamlined Civil Service procedures then  became commander of the Support Division in 2013.

•Jeremy King received his 10-year service pin with Marysville police. A former firefighter, he switched careers after 9-11.

•Lenore Nuff was named Volunteer of the Month for all of the time she puts in at the Ken Baxter Community Center, up to 80 hours a month. “She has tremendous energy,” Nehring said. “She’s positive and always there for us.”

•Finance director Sandy Langdon talked about the budget at the midway point of the year. She said spending and revenue have both increased.

•Evelyn Stone of Granite Falls asked the council to set aside gambling license laws until a state law can be changed next year. She said about 200 seniors in the area play pinochle at a cost of a few dollars for each player. They have done this for 20 years. Rep. Elizabeth Scott of the 39th District is going to try to change the state law. But in the meantime Stone would like the city to allow the playing to continue. She said the potluck and games are their main social function and their well-being is deteriorating due to the new state law. City Attorney Jon Walker is going to look into the matter.

•Tom King and Mike Ferry talked about the 100-year anniversary of Kiwanis. An Open House will take place Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Rotary Ranch at Jennings Memorial Park from 2-4 p.m. with free treats and beverages.

•The council OK’d closing 3rd Street from State to Alder and Columbia from 2nd to 4th for the annual Handmade Homegrown Street Fair Aug. 7-9. The Marysville Downtown Merchants festival features arts and crafts and food.

•Charles Lee, Mary Kirkland, Carol Kapua and Jennifer Caveny were renamed to the Hotel/Motel Committee.