MARYSVILLE – TV shows like “CSI” are raising the expectations of the public. So the police department, with approval from the City Council Monday, is raising the bar, too. The MPD is going to be getting a FARO Laser scanner to forensically map crime scenes and serious collisions.
Cmdr. Mark Thomas said Wednesday that juries are starting to expect that kind of technology. He also said the public will like it because collision scenes will be investigated quicker so roads will get back to normal faster. Cost is estimated at $87,300. Thomas said it will be ordered soon, and officers will be trained so it can be used as soon as possible.
Also, Mayor Jon Nehring and Fire Chief Martin McFalls talked about the Regional Fire Authority discussions going on with Snohomish County Fire District 12. They said they have agreed on a governance board, which was a main sticking point in RFA discussions with Arlington that have been cut off. McFalls said the board will consist of four city representatives with one from the fire district, along with a non-voting fire district member.
“I’m happy for the governance agreement” and that it was unanimous, Councilman Mark James said.
The council acted on other items, too:
•The council approved spending $470,000 more for the State Avenue corridor widening project from 100th to 116th St. NE. The total cost now is $2.136 million. The most-significant design change revises the original box-culvert structure at the Quil Ceda Creek crossing to a single-span pile-supported bridge. That design change is expected to save an estimated $1.2 million in retaining wall structure and soil improvement construction costs. But other recommendations added to the cost, including stormwater facilities, right-of-way acquisition and survey, addition of a HAWK signal, installation of a Joint Utility Trench, preparation of hazardous materials report and assistance in federal construction project funding.
•Following up on an interim moratorium established in November, the council has permanently banned supervised drug consumption facilities from locating in the city. The law cited negative impacts to communities resulting from such facilities and concern for public health, safety and welfare. •Tara Mizell of the parks department said next year the city is going to add another Father-Daughter Dance. She said 150 people were on a waiting list, as all four dances over two Saturdays were sold out. The new dance will be added on a Friday night. Councilman Michael Stevens said the new dance is needed. “We were supplying folks to other dances” in the area, he said.
•About 57 city employees attended, asking for the council’s help in getting the city to negotiate as their contract has expired. They said the city has had one delay after another. “It’s a process,” said Kevin Nielsen, public works director. “We will work through it.”
•Nielsen also said the city didn’t get a grant it sought, but, just as good, the state will upgrade a crossing at 172nd. He also said the Tulalip Tribes are busy on their waterfront starting work on their new casino-hotel-parking garage.
•It was announced that 80 percent of the town will continue with recycling, even though the free period ended, and there will be a charge.
•David Adams, pictured at right, was sworn in as a new MPD officer. His wife Emily, due in April, was there, along with their daughter, Olivia, 2. He had been a deputy with Snohomish County.
•Sharon Kanehen was appointed to the parks board.
