This week in history – from The Marysville Globe archives

10 years ago 1998

10 years ago 1998
Smokey Point residents have one more chance to convince the state Boundary Review Board they do or dont want to become part of the city of Arlington. At a recent board meeting, BRB board member Mike Papa proposed the board should hold another public hearing and limit testimony to whether the BRB should approve the annexation with modifications to the annexation boundary in light of the original record before the BRB and the settlement agreement between Arlington and Marysville and Marysville Fire District and the countys comprehensive plan. The motion was seconded and approved without discussion. Thats all they can do at this point, said Arlington Mayor Bob Kraski after the decision. Its what we asked them to do, shrugged Arlington City Attorney Steve Peiffle, expressing some surprise that the issue was decided so quickly. The BRB is taking up the matter again following a Superior Court judges decision in February to send the issue back to the BRB, who first approved the annexation proposal in 1995. That decision was appealed in court by the city of Marysville and by a group of citizens included in the annexation area by the BRB. The city of Marysville protested the decision because part of the proposed annexation was in their proposed urban growth area. The dispute brought a halt to development in the area because the city of Marysville refused new water or sewer hookups to property owners who had signed the annexation petition. A year later, the cities of Marysville and Arlington and the Marysville Fire District announced a negotiated settlement establishing separate urban growth areas for the two cities and setting a long-term fire service agreement. That settlement, however, also changed the boundaries of the annexation area. The settlement was approved by the Snohomish County Council last year and the official UGAs adopted. That left the proposed annexation area with almost entirely new boundaries. Annexations originate with property owners who sign petitions indicating they want to become part of a city. If property owners accounting for 60 percent of the property value of the proposed annexation area sign the petition, it can be accepted by the city, but faces final approval by the state Boundary Review Board. The BRB then has the authority to change the boundaries as they see fit, often to make a straighter boundary line or eliminate the creation of independent islands of unincorporated area. Annexation opponents hoped the settlement agreement would make that original petition void and require a new petition. The BRB, faced with several options, decided the petition stands. The attorney for the citizen group, Mickie Jarvill, said she disagrees with the BRBs decision not to address the petition issue. However, she said, she is please the BRB decided it is appropriate to get the community input. Jarvill, who also represents a citizens group (that includes some of the appellants) trying to create an independent city of Smokey Point, said the incorporation question will have to wait on the annexation decision. The next step, she said, is for the community to appear at the hearing and make itself heard by the BRB.

25 years ago 1983
Despite a huge turnout, City Council members Monday night did what they said they were going to last week deny a business permit for Video West, a home video rental and sales store. Council made it clear at its work session that the X-rated videos which comprise about 15 percent of the total merchandise available in the store do not conform to the constructive betterment of the community as defined in the citys Ordinance 1000. The resolution states, the City Council finds that a significant part of the business of Video West is oriented toward exploitation of sex and violence and may encourage or suggest criminal acts, contribute to the disintegration of the family structure and undermine the moral and social values of family members. Such an orientation has not been found to be necessary or desirable by any similar business in the community. No other video store or theater in Marysville offers X-rated films and all appear to be prospering to their own benefit and the benefit of the community. The resolution also carried the stipulation that if the X-rated portion of the business were eliminated or significantly decreased and more stringent methods were used to restrict public exposure and access to the same, the adverse impacts on the community would be mitigated. A local citizen told Council members he believed there was some homework that hadnt been done. Ed Empey referred to certain stores carrying X-rated magazines which are in view of children. He said he found it biased on the Councils part to attempt to close the door of a business for X-rated material and yet to not make the same attempt with the stores selling magazines. Councilman Dennis Graves told Empey the Council was seriously taking a look at the problem. Council earlier this year passed a morals ordinance, patterned after one passed by Snohomish County Council, which prohibits displaying explicit material which is easily visible from a public thoroughfare. Video West owners John and Jan Smistad, have 14 days from Mondays meeting to close their business or to remove the X-rated material. The Smistads can appeal the decision.

50 years ago 1958
Marysville City Council authorized Mayor G.A. Dudley Monday evening to ask the city planning commission to show evidence of functioning as it should by June 1, or resign and be replaced by new appointments. This action was taken because the commission members have not attended meeting and because no meetings have been called for the past several months. At the time of its appointment, members of the commission were advised by Floyd Jennings, an expert on city planning, that their responsibility toward their positions as city officials are as serious duties as those of the Council itself.