Town Emergency Management Commission chair Bill Stokes spoke glowingly last week of how fast La Conner's public works department has acquired and made ready for use a variety of flood barriers ahead of peak king tide season.

"Things are moving quickly, as quick as I've seen anything move around here," Stokes, a former town council member, told commission members during their Sept. 26 hybrid meeting at Maple Hall.

Within days of receiving council approval, pre-filled sandbags and Ecology Blocks are now staged and ready to be placed along low-lying areas of the historic waterfront, said Stokes.

Over 7,000 sandbags are now on pallets ready to stage. A forklift has been rented for seven months to move those sandbags, most made from strong commercial plastic polypropylene. The Town can also deploy 169 full-sized Ecology Blocks and 16 half blocks, Stokes said.

Stokes added that Upper Skagit Indian Tribe officials have approved in principle plans to place Ecology Blocks on their waterfront industrial property off Caledonia Street to help prevent saltwater from flowing onto south end residential areas.

Councilmember Rick Dole, liaison to the commission, said once necessary paperwork is signed flood barriers can be placed on private property.

Town council meeting

Dole reported at the council meeting immediately after the commission's that installation of a tide gauge at the La Conner Marina is being discussed with Port of Skagit staff. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community reached out to be a partner, also.

Collaboration with La Conner Schools is also in the works, though on other topics. Town and school district leaders share concerns over the limited housing supply that is making it difficult for families to afford to live here. Sharing costs to install a community reader board is also being considered. Staff plan to meet later this month.

Parking issues – no surprise – captured much of the council's attention.

Center Street resident Debbie Aldrich, as had her neighbor, Jerry George, at a prior meeting, addressed the loss of parking spaces caused by placing a construction safety fence for the future multi-residential unit Talmon Project behind The Slider Café.

"It's an example of the parking problem that we'll have when the project is completed," Aldrich said.

Council discussed the pros and cons of imposing paid parking on First Street, a theme explored by the town planning commission. There is a growing trend of municipalities throughout the Puget Sound region installing pay stations or smartphone apps to generate parking revenue.

"I won't be here but if there's any interest in this," said Mayor Ramon Hayes, who is retiring this year, "I will research it."

Hayes noted that Stokes "showed the revenue stream from paid parking would be significant" when he researched paid parking while on council.

Potential traffic and parking congestion on First Street shifting to residential neighborhoods has to be addressed, too.

"The fear," said Council-member Mary Wohleb, "is that people will park in front of residences. People will do what people do and they end up impacting residents. We need to pay attention to how this would impact our residential population."

Residents can share their thoughts with council and staff at a forum on short-term rentals at the Civic Garden Club Oct. 17.

Planning commissioners and interested residents will bus to Langley Oct. 19 to meet with architect Ross Chapin to discuss affordable and workforce housing options, Planning Director Michael Davolio reminded the group.

"Our upper-income (housing) range appears well satisfied at this point," said Davolio. "Now, we're addressing housing that allows people who work here to also live here."