Examiner The Whidbey
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Thursday, March 26, 2015
VOL. 20, NO. 33
District eyes $105K loan for bleachers By Megan Hansen Co-Editor
Coupeville Schools are looking at taking out a state loan to replace the bleachers in the gymnasium. The loan would be paid back as part of the district’s proposed $5 million bond. Ballots will be mailed to voters April 10. The district had hoped to use the bleachers through the end of the school year, said Superintendent Jim Shank, but one section of them has broken and is irreparable. “We won’t be able to use them,” he said. “We’re going to force them out one more time for graduation.” The bleachers are original to the 1979 structure and the motor used to release the seating cannot be found anymore. Denise Mehal, business manager for the district, said she submitted an application to the state treasurer’s office for LOCAl funds.
See Loan, page 4
County sets approach for comp plan By Janis Reid Staff Reporter
Island County commissioners don’t always agree on how to approach the Comprehensive Plan Update, due next year. But they agree that they should get as much public participation as possible. The board met with members of the Island County Planning Commission during an annual joint meeting Monday. They discussed, and occasionally argued, about their priorities for the county’s land use future. Counties are required to update their Comprehensive Plan, or Comp Plan, every eight years, ensuring that county regulations are in keeping with both ever-changing state requirements and reflect local priorities. The updated version is due in June 2016. So far, planners received approximately 600 surveys, both online and collected dur-
See Loan, page 4
Megan Hansen photo
Mayor Nancy Conard said this week she will not seek a sixth term in office. In addition to the mayor’s position, two of the three council members up for re-election said they will not seek another term. Councilman Bob Clay, right, said he will not serve a fifth term.
Mayor will end 20 years in office Two long-standing council members say they won’t run By Megan Hansen Co-Editor
Some big changes are coming down the pike for Town of Coupeville as Mayor Nancy Conard says she will not seek a sixth term in office. “I’ve been talking with friends and family about it for some time,” Conard said. “Twenty years seems like it’s about enough. “It’s time for me to take some time,” she added. Conard’s term as mayor as well as three other council positions are up for reelection in November. And at least two of those council seats will be open. Both council members Molly Hughes and Bob Clay said they are not planning on running again for their seats. “I felt 12 years was good,” Hughes said. “I really enjoyed being on council. It would be good to get some new blood.” Council members Jackie Henderson also has a seat up for reelection.
Clay, who’s served four terms in office said, “I think this was a long enough time.” A call to Henderson was not returned as of press time. Conard’s years of service have been unique; she serves as both elected mayor and as the town administrator. With her departure in sight, council members and town staff are already taking measures to adjust. Tuesday evening the council began discussions about revising Ordinance 624, which was drafted in 2002 and addresses the mayor’s duties and salary. “For a long time the salary for mayor was for $500 a month,” she said. “It was when I started.” Shortly after Conard took office, the clerk left and the new mayor assumed many of that position’s administrative responsibilities, Conard explained. Conard went to council and asked for either someone else to assume those tasks or
compensate her for doing them. The council drafted an ordinance that requires the mayor to submit a plan for administration within 90 days of taking office. The council could then review and adjust pay accordingly, Conard said. That ordinance has been updated several times, most recently with 624. “She was uniquely qualified,” Hughes said. “We knew that perfect storm of skills wouldn’t come around again.” Under 624, the council set Conard’s current pay at $32.83 an hour or about $68,000 a year. Draft Ordinance 719 would replace 624 and sets the mayor’s pay at $3,000 a month with benefits. It also reverts the position’s duties to that of a standard mayor position. Other steps the town has taken include increasing staffing in the planning department and also hiring a town clerk who could also
See Office, page 4