By Jon Nehring
Using our motto of “Live, Work, Play” as a framework, here’s a look at just a few things your city accomplished in 2018.
Live
The City Council in February banned supervised drug consumption facilities in the city, citing negative impacts and concern for public health, safety and welfare. In March we announced a new approach to drug-related crimes and homelessness that pairs a Marysville police officer and a Snohomish County social worker to offer treatment and social services to those willing to work toward a better life.
The program is showing great results, making 179 contacts in Marysville in the first seven months. People who commit such crimes and decline treatment still face criminal charges. The annual Shred-A-Thon and Clean Sweep events in April allowed hundreds of city residents to do their spring cleaning for free. We collected 18 tons of trash, recycled scrap metal and electronics, and shredded two trucks full of personal paperwork. We built a new Sunnyside water main to serve growing southeast Marysville neighborhoods.
We completed 63 ramp and sidewalk improvement projects on 136th Street NE, 84th Street NE, Grove Street and 52nd Street NE; installed new signals at 10 major intersections to improve traffic safety and intersection performance; installed traffic circles on Second Street in response to resident complaints about excessive speed there; and completed road improvements and pavement overlay on Sunnyside Boulevard, 52nd Street NE, 84th Street NE and 136th Street NE. In August Marysville voters approved a retail sales tax increase to build a new Public Safety Building housing the police department, jail and court. Planning is under way with construction set to start next year. Provided Community Emergency Response Team training to 55 community volunteers including fire safety, search and rescue, and medical operations. Graduates are better prepared to help neighbors in a disaster. Introduced new Marysville Alerts service, which allows residents to sign up for emergency alerts via text message or automated phone call.
Work
Continued to promote the Arlington Marysville Manufacturing Industrial Area, which offers nearly 1,800 acres for development along with significant tax exemptions and incentives for businesses that meet the criteria. Issued 3,990 building permits and more than 2,300 business licenses to date. Participated in about two dozen ribbon-cuttings for new businesses large and small. Continued working to attract new businesses in partnership with Economic Alliance Snohomish County and Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce.
Play
Hundreds of Marysville families turned out for the 35th annual National Night Out with police and firefighters at Jennings Park. The city continued extension of the Ebey Waterfront Trail with the recently paved Sunnyside-area trail addition aimed for completion next spring. Thousands of people attended the city’s free movies and concerts, 500 youth participated in summer camps, and more than 400 families joined All Comers Track Meets. Public use of the historic Opera House continues to grow, with more than 4,700 people attending special events there and another 47 private rentals to date.
There are too many achievements across city departments to list them all. For a more in-depth view and a look at what’s ahead in 2019, attend my State of the City address on Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at the Marysville Opera House.
Jon Nehring is the mayor of Marysville. His column runs monthly.
