Category Archives: General

3 newbies join Planning Commission

Posted on by
Reply

Three new people joined the Sammamish Planning Commission after being appointed Jan. 19 by the City Council. This article in The Sammamish Review provides details.

After the City Council, this is the most important body authorized in state law for cities. All land use policies and proposals must first go through the Planning Commission. Environmental policies start here.

The seven members are all unpaid volunteers who donate and dedicate their time. It is a thankless job–often without thanks from the very City Council that appoints them–and their recommendations frequently become targets from citizens and council members alike.

Continue reading →

New Era Begins

Posted on by
Reply

A new era begins with the seating of three new members to the City Council.

Tom Odell replaces Jack Barry, a 10-year member of the Council whom Odell defeated decisively in the November election; John James won equally decisively over Erica Tiliacos in his second try, this time for an open Council seat; and ex-TV personality John Curley easily defeated Tom Vance for another open seat.

Incumbents still control the Council, however. Ten-year veteran Don Gerend swamped token opposition to be reelected. Nancy Whitten, Mark Cross and Michele Petitti remain and all are up for election in 2011.

Continue reading →

Conflict of interest at City Hall

Posted on by
3

The last 18 months was rife with conflict of interest at City Hall. Maybe this year will be better.

It started with a proposal by the City staff to identify an area called “the Notch” as a potential annexation area (PAA) for the City’s Comprehensive Plan. This is 44 acres surrounded on two sides by Trossachs in the far southeast part of the City, one side by High Country and fronted by Duthie Hill Road. The Urban Growth Boundary Line (UGB) follows Duthie Hill Road but carves out this 44 acres–the Notch–for reasons that made no sense when it happened.

Continue reading →

Two-Year Mayor

Posted on by
Reply

Since inception, the Sammamish City Council has selected its mayor and deputy mayor for one-year terms. Now it appears that the city has been out of compliance with state law the entire time. Law calls for two year mayoral terms.

Here is a story from The Sammamish Review that after 10 years, the City is finally going to comply with the law.

Here is a story from The Sammamish Reporter about the politicking that went on.

Continue reading →