First 2023 Town Council meeting

La Conner Town Council and La Conner Schools officials addressed common goals and interests at their respective meetings last week.

Councilmembers Mary Wohleb and MaryLee Chamberlain joined the Jan. 9 school board session via Zoom to share tips for the district best applying for state Department of Commerce grants that fund solar energy projects.

Superintendent Will Nelson and Bobby Vaughn, director of operations and planning, returned the favor by attending the Jan. 10 Council meeting to weigh in on a possible joint venture to install a new community reader board.

“We can offer our assistance if the school district chooses to pursue something along the lines of this grant program,” Chamberlain told board members as she and Wohleb outlined the process for pursuit of state solar energy monies.

While a competitive process, Wohleb indicated that odds of grant approval have improved with passage of federal legislation.

“There is $36 million in the Inflation Reduction Act that needs to be spent,” she said, “but it is a tight time frame.”

“We have nothing to lose here,” said Schools Board President Susie Gardner Deyo. “We’re supportive of this.”

Nelson and Vaughn covered several topics in rapid-fire fashion the following evening, a meeting otherwise dominated by flood control discussions.

In response to a question from resident Jim Matthews, Vaughn said night-time lighting at the school is generally related to security, but the district would explore whether a reduction is possible.

Nelson invited Town officials and those in attendance to take part in community meetings Jan 26 at the Swinomish Youth Center and Feb. 8 at Maple Hall and to join with the district’s administrative team for discussions Jan. 19 (7 a.m.) at Beaver Tales and Feb. 21 (4:30 p.m.) at Stompin’ Grounds.

Nelson said he hopes discussions will continue as well related to installing a new reader board to replace the one removed during construction of the La Conner-Swinomish Library at Sixth and Morris.

“As a district,” said Nelson, “we miss the reader board. It’s a good way to let the community what’s happening. Maybe we could partner with the fire department and Port (of Skagit) on this. We’d love to see these discussions continue and push forward.”

Another opportunity for public dialogue is Jan. 21, 9-11 a.m. at the La Conner Retirement Inn for a Town Council communications committee forum coordinated by Chamberlain and Rick Dole. Fittingly, the topic is communication.

Council action items

Approved a contract with David Evans and Associates, Inc. for engineering services on development of a 2023 comprehensive water system plan;

Agreed to purchase a truck from Blade Chevrolet for the Public Works Department. It costs around $55,000 and replaces a 1994 model;

Recognized Western Washington University summer intern Hunter Tautvydas for his successful drafting of a citizen’s guide explaining the Town of La Conner’s governmental operations. “It’s a beautiful piece of work,” Chamberlain said.

Approved the purchase of $5,500 in plastic pallets and polypropylene sandbags as part of future flood control measures.