City Council banks on Weatherwax

STORY IN NEWSPAPER, WITH EXTENDED COVERAGE BELOW

The Weatherwax will be protected, and you can bank on it.

Monday night, City Council voted unanimously “to preserve the Weatherwax Property,” in line with the November tally in which two-thirds of Ocean Shores voters chose “retain” (instead of sell).

Council also approved a four-week summer youth program, and heard a presentation that may shiver the spines of speeders.

The twist in the Weatherwax resolution council passed is that it creates a “designation as a wetland mitigation bank and habitat preserve.”

Making the 120 acres of Weatherwax a “bank” may enable the sale and/or development of other wetlands areas in the city. Thus, it may bring revenue and/or permitting fees to the city.

“I think the resolution fits what the people of Ocean Shores fought for,” said Dave Creighton.

“We support this resolution totally,” said Lillian Broadbent, leader of Citizens for Balanced Growth, who pushed the no-sell vote.

Nick Johnson raised concerns over the meaning of the word “preserve,” though the council member voted for the resolution.

Council also went roundabout on the Roundabout . . . 

Last week, Mayor Dean Bunkers, during a “Coffee Talk” on 1490 AM, said the planned Roundabout/sidewalk project at the Point Brown Avenue/Chance a la Mer intersection “might have to be deferred.” The majority of it is funded through a state grant, but Ocean Shores has to come up with $800,000 for its portion.

At the beginning of Monday’s City Council meeting, council member Mike Patrick stated that rumors that the Roundabout was off the shelf were inaccurate.

Shortly after, Johnson said he attended a Council of Governments meeting, and was informed the Roundabout project would not receive federal “stimulus money.” But Johnson said “they had some other ideas” for funds Ocean Shores might be able to access.

Attention, speeders:

Police Chief Mike Styner planted the seeds for lower speed limits, covering most of the city. 

After showing data from recent radar studies showing more than half of drivers were speeding on Point Brown Avenue, Ocean Shores Boulevard and Chance a la Mer, he recommended lower speed limits on those thoroughfares, as well as several other streets.

Answering a question about enforcement, Styner said his force has increased speeding tickets by 45 percent, in a two-month period. “Yes we do have a speeding problem, and yes, we do have an enforcement issue.”

No vote was taken on Styner’s recommendations. But, like “The Terminator,” he’ll be back; council asked him to return with official resolutions for a vote.

EXTENDED COVERAGE

*Fire Chief Jim Hodges said his force needs a new fire engine. A new one would cost the city more than $300,000, so Hodges somewhat grudgingly recommended he be given the green light to buy a used one.

Patrick was vehemently against this: “If you get a used fire engine, you’re buying junk.”

Others noted the city just can’t afford to buy a new one. 

“We spend, and then we think,” Creighton commented. “We need to start thinking before we spend.”

Johnson said he saved $80 on his home insurance, after the city’s fire rating improved from a 6 to a 5 (the lower, the better). He mulled over what the total savings to Ocean Shores might be, and if that would be enough to pay for a new engine . . .

In the end, council gave Hodges direction to shop for a used engine, in the $25,000-30,000 range. (The actual purchase, if and when it does happen, would have to be formally approved.)

-With regard to the Weatherwax banK, Creighton urged for the city to look at any of its properties, including a huge lot south of the Gitchee Gumee, that might now be more attractive, if developers can use Weatherwax band “credits” to work on wetlands. 

“We have several marketable properties,” Creighton said. “We need to get (them) mitigated now . . . 

“We need to start moving forward.”

Patrick countered that, with the real estate market the way it is now, trying to sell things would be far from wise.

-Bunkers read a letter praising the Police Department, and another giving “praise and appreciation to the Fire Department personnel.”