SEQUIM — A symbolic vote on sales of revenue bonds to fund water and sewer construction for the city’s new $16 million civic center revealed a split in the City Council.
Three council members — Ted Miller, Erik Erichsen and Genaveve Starr — said at Monday’s council meeting they opposed anything associated with the bonds, including approval for the reading and hearing to sell $230,000 in 20-year revenue bonds.
Mayor Candace Pratt and Councilmen Dennis Smith and Ken Hays voted in favor of the motion.
Councilwoman Laura DuBois was absent due to a scheduling conflict.
Staff members will schedule the hearing and first reading for Nov. 24, said City Manager Steve Burkett, adding that a council vote was not necessary for scheduling.
The three who opposed the hearing have said in previous meetings that they prefer to use city cash to pay the city’s share for the water and sewer
“I am opposed [to the bonds]. I have said this before,” Miller said.
Starr said she was “not in favor” of the bonds, and Erichsen said he agreed with Miller and Starr.
After a 15-minute debate and discussion of the tie vote, the council was told the scheduling of the first reading and public hearing did not require a vote.
Burkett and City Attorney Craig Ritchie each said the motion to set the Nov. 24 meeting was symbolic only.
Burkett expects the sale to move forward, saying DuBois has previously voted in favor of going forward to sell the bonds.
Surprised by opposition
Pratt, Smith and Hays were surprised by the vote against scheduling the meeting.
“The council already voted [4-3 to instruct staff to prepare to sell bonds]. The motion is simply to take this to a public hearing,” Hays said.
“I am flabbergasted,” he said.
Burkett said the revenue bonds’ interest rates are at a historic low and that by selling the bonds, the city can preserve its existing cash balance and place some of the cost on future city residents.
The civic center’s construction is on schedule for a spring completion.
________
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
