Marysville proposes 4th of July event at M-P

MARYSVILLE – The City Council is expected to decide Monday if Marysville will put on a public event for the Fourth of July next year.

In an effort to provide an alternative to personal use of fireworks, which the city banned a few years ago, the city is proposing to host a community event. At Monday’s council work session it was explained that a committee met on several occasions exploring multiple scenarios and options for an event, which included a community survey.

Based on the information reviewed, the committee recommends an event that would feature music, fireworks, vendors and activities. The proposed venue is the Marysville-Pilchcuk High School practice fields and softball four-plex.

The festival would be supported by city personnel, volunteers and civic organizations highlighted by a 25-minute choreographed professional fireworks display. Funding support includes the professional fireworks display, facility fees and equipment rentals. Funding is anticipated from the rollover of the

2018 Hotel Motel Award of $15,000 and funding from the 2019 Hotel Motel Fund at a level of $26,150.

Also, other Hotel/Motel Committee grant awards were announced at the work session. The funding available was $168,450, of which $144,650 was awarded.

•Public Works Department – special event services $20,000

•Police Department – citywide special events $20,000

•Maryfest – Marysville Strawberry Festival $20,000

•Parks Department – Opera House marquee $15,000 •Parks Department – Opera House strategic marketing plan $15,000

•Marysville Getchell High School – Twilight XC Invitational $5,000

•Snohomish County Tourism Bureau – Visitor Services & Information Center $5,000

•Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce – 2019 Marysville Brew and Cider Fest $5,000

•Marysville Dog Owners Group – Poochapalooza $3,500

•Red Curtain Foundation for the Arts – second half 2018-2019 theatre season $2,000

At Monday’s meeting, the council also will consider:

•Raising height limits for buildings in the Downtown Master Plan Area from 35 feet to 85 feet.

•A rezone to allow a 10-unit expansion at La Tierra.

•A $250,000 grant from the Department of Ecology to upgrade stormwater infrastructure downtown.

Also at the meeting, Councilman Jeff Vaughan said he went on some kayak tours on a recent trip to Florida and started thinking about all the possibilities of similar tours here.

“We can do it right here in the (Ebey) slough,” he said, adding, “You wouldn’t have to dodge alligators” like he did down south.

Vaughan said you also wouldn’t see dolphins and manatees, “But there are things out there that blow people’s minds.”

He continued that he would be interested in becoming part of a kayak club if someone started one.

Also, communications director Connie Mennie mentioned she attended an economic summit recently where Arlington Mayor Barb Tolbert spoke.

“They had not heard of an MIC (Manufacturing Industrial Center) north of Everett,” and the response was positive, Mennie said.