Weekly Report – April 8, 2022

Important Items related to the Civic Center are being considered at the April 12th City Council Meeting

The city is working on a project that would construct an approximate 23,000 square foot civic center to provide sport, fitness, recreation, and performance spaces, meeting and event rooms, an early childhood education program, the City Hall and Police Department, and environmentally friendly outdoor and green spaces for use by the city and its residents. The plan for this facility has been developed after an extensive review process that included input from the public and elected officials.

As this project moves forward, the City Council will consider two important items related to this project on Tuesday, and I wanted to take this opportunity and give you the highlights.

Consideration of a Civic Center Bond

The City Council will have the first reading on Ordinance #1039, authorizing placing a proposition on the August 2nd primary ballot. Said proposition will ask voters to approve or reject the issuance of a bond to support the construction of the new Civic Center. While not the only funding source, the bond is vital to the project. The current funding plan for the proposed Civic Center is as follows:

Bond                                    $15,000,000

City Funds                          $  3,000,000

Private Donations            $  5,000,000

Grants                                 $  2,000,000

Project Total                     $25,000,000

The proposed bond will be an unlimited tax general obligation bond and must be approved by the Normandy Park voters. If approved by the voters, the City would issue up to $15,000,000 in general obligation bonds to be paid back through increased property taxes for a period no longer than 25 years. The proposed bond would create an approximate additional levy of $0.445 per $1,000 (per year) of assessed value on all Normandy Park properties. So, a home with an assessed value of $750,000 would pay $334 annually, or $28 a month.

If approved Tuesday, the ordinance will have a second reading on May 10, 2022. If approved after the second reading, the proposition will be sent to the Elections Office to be included on the August 2^nd ballot for voter consideration.

Demolition of the former Recreation Center at City Hall Park

The City Council will be asked to approve a contract for the demolition of the city’s former Recreation Center. This was not an easy decision, but the city has decided this action is necessary due to public safety concerns related to the building’s seismic deficiencies.

Contractors and staff have completed all necessary utility adjustments in preparation for this project, and the work is ready to proceed. After demolition, site restoration will be completed, including irrigation and turf or other improvements as identified by Council’s transition plan. If the contract is approved, staff expects the work to begin sometime in May 2022.

Please join us on April 12th via Zoom if you are interested in these items.

Census 2020

The Office of Financial Management recently released the 2010-2020 intercensal estimates. A couple of weeks ago we explored the population intercensal estimates. This week we are looking at persons per household intercensal estimates. Click here to view the persons per household figures.

Bloodworks Northwest pop-up Clinic at City Hall – April 26th & 27th

In partnership with Bloodworks Northwest, the city is hosting another pop-up blood drive. Our local blood supply has hit emergency levels. Everyone feeling healthy is encouraged to donate – especially type O donors. Please click this link to schedule your appointment. Thank you in advance for helping to stabilize the community blood supply.

If you have any questions about these or other topics, please get in touch with me at aarrington@normandyparkwa.gov. Have a great week!

“The current funding plan for the proposed Civic Center is as follows…”