Monetary gift to Centralia Downtown Association: This proposal has Centralia City Light giving $8000 cash to the Centralia Downtown Association (CDA) under the Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program. City Light would then receive $6000 (75%) in state tax credits the following year and be reimbursed from the city's general fund for the remaining $2000. The $2000 comes from funds budgeted but not spent in 2011 for events/decorations. I appreciate the return on this investment and all the good things the CDA does. And I would be able to support something like this if, say, the contribution could be a hotel/motel funds disbursement, or directly tied to and offset by the city transferring responsibilities the taxpayers were paying for anyway. But I can't support just handing out gifts from the public treasury, no matter how good the intentions. Furthermore, with the city's budget situation, funds we didn't have to spend one year are best saved for the future. I voted no. Measure passed 6-1.
Note: private businesses can participate in this tax credit program as well. If you'd like to contribute to the CDA, this is a great way to multiply a contribution. More information on the program is at http://www.dahp.wa.gov/main-street-tax-credit-program. The CDA is on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Centralia-Downtown-Association/180518578641540.
Removing River Heights from Urban Growth Area: This is related to the proposed River Heights annexation previously rejected by the council. At the time of the rejection, it was thought River Heights residents wanted to be either fully in the city or fully in the county, rather than remain in the UGA. This vote was whether to send a letter to Lewis County requesting that this area be revised out of the UGA. River Heights residents, however, came back to the council asking for more time and consideration before making this decision. They have purchased land and made plans based on existing land-use rules, and putting them back into the county could mean big changes. This was a very reasonable request. Even though these folks can't vote for councilors, they are affected by our decisions, and their God-given property rights should be protected, too. I voted no. Measure failed 3-4, which means no changes will be made at this time. (Yeas: Canaday, Coumbs, and Henderson. Nays: Thompson, Fund, Bates, and Trent.). A workshop will also be arranged in January to discuss the issue and receive input.
Agenda: http://www.cityofcentralia.com/Agendas.asp?AMID=124&Display=Agenda
