M’ville code keeps out bikini baristas

MARYSVILLE – The city does not want to have issues with bikini baristas like Everett has had over the past few years.

“We’ve had good luck keeping those out,” City Attorney Jon Walker told the City Council at Monday’s meeting.

But just to make sure, Walker and his legal staff asked the council for its OK in changing the wording in city law to make lewd conduct and public indecency the same.

“We have standards that are not permitted; it’s a crime,” Walker said.

Without getting into specifics, a person is guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she intentionally performs any of the following acts in

a public place: Public exposure or touching of private parts, clothed or not; urination or defecation, masterbation or intercourse in a public place, which includes windows or drive-up windows visible to public view.

“Have you read the ordinance?” Councilman Stephan Muller asked, adding it’s so descriptive, “You can’t read it in public.”

Two women received recognition as the meeting:

Rochelle Barker won the Mayor’s Employee Excellence Award.

Walker said when he came to the city a few years ago legal files were kept in boxes. He asked Barker if she could set up an electronic system.

“That would save a lot of time,” he said.

Barker took a few classes and set up a system that allows employees to find information just by typing in a keyword.

“It’s the best case management system I’ve worked with in twenty years,” Walker said.

Another complaint Walker has run into everywhere he’s worked is where to find contracts. Barker set up a system so that contracts of all types can be found with the touch of a button.

“It eliminates mistakes,” Walker said of having the proper contracts available. “It makes the whole city more effective.”

Mayor Jon Nehring compared the situation to the NBA, where some players can make others look good.

“She makes a lot of people around her look better,” Nehring said of Barker.

Also honored was Nelly Osborn, who was honored as Nehring’s Volunteer of the Month.

Osborn first volunteered for the city last winter for the “Merrysville for the Holidays” Electric Lights Parade and photos with Santa.

Since December, Osborn has continued to volunteer for events, including the Father-Daughter Valentine’s Dance, Mother-Son Superhero Dance, Prom Re-Run “Forever Young” and Murder Mystery Dinner Theater.

“Nelly has an incredible energy and upbeat attitude that is contagious to all around her,” her nomination says. Osborn also volunteers for the Marysville Community Food Bank, where she has contributed graphic design services.

Also at the meeting, Stacey Anderson of Arlington talked about the Convoy of Hope Sept. 16 at 10 a.m. at the Arlington Airport. Basically, she said it is a huge Resource Fair for people in need. She expects 5,000 to attend and 1,000 volunteers. “It is for the working poor,” she said.

Free showers, haircuts, clothes, food and much more will be available. Medical, dental, veteran and community service groups, employers, churches and more will be on hand. For details go to convoyofhope.org.

In other city business: •It was announced that a $500,000 state grant was given to the city to connect Bayview to Centennial Trail. A design is in the works. •Outdoor Video Services were OK’d for Anacortes, Lake Stevens, Stanwood and Kenmore. Parks director Jim Ballew said not only does it bring in some revenue, but it “gives kids that work for us more hours.”

•Jim Hayes, who works in the street department, received his 25-year pin. He was lauded for responding to car crashes and plowing snow in the middle of the night, along with improving traffic control after the Marysville Strawberry Festival.

•The Stay Out of Drug Areas in Marysville was expanded south and east.

•Downtown Merchants Association event July 8 to close 3rd Street between State and Columbia for a “3rd Street Vintage Market” fair.

M’ville code keeps out bikini baristas