Eatonville council OK's stormwater, sewer rate increases

The first Eatonville Town Council meeting of the nascent year that is 2021 took place on Jan. 11 and featured a mix of old and new business.
The council adopted two resolutions first read at the final meeting of last year having to do with stormwater service rates and sewer services, respectively.

Resolution 2020-S will see a two-tiered increase in stormwater service rates, starting this month and then in 2022.
As of this month, monthly stormwater service fees increase to $9.90 for single family/small commercial properties; $5.30 for multi-family/low income properties; $18.90 for medium commercial properties; and $28 for large commercial properties. In January 2022, rates will increase to $11.20, $6.20, $20.70 and $30.50, respectively.

Resolution 2020-T pertains to sewer services on all properties. Beginning this month, monthly sewage fees are: $51.10 for single family, $42.90 for multi-family, $43.90 for low income, $51.10 for non-profit commercial, $43.60 for a commercial .75-inch meter, $53.80 for a commercial 1-inch meter, $67 for a commercial 1.5-inch meter, $81.30 for a commercial 2-inch meter, $113.20 for a commercial 3-inch meter, $145.70 for a commercial 4-inch meter and 22 cents per 100 gallons of water used.
Those respective rates would increase in January 2022 to $56.20, $48.30, $48.30, $56.20, $47.90, $59.10, $73.70, $89.40, $124.60, $160.30 and 25 cents per 100 gallons of water used, respectively.

In other business, a public hearing was held regarding vacating a portion of the town’s right-of-way to Adams Avenue South. Eatonville has a long-term goal of widening that street, which requires the town to purchase land from adjacent property owners.

The council then passed two first readings of ordinances to that effect: Ordinance 2021-1 would see Mill Haus, LLC, owner of the proposed Eatonville Cidery and Brewery, vacate a portion of the alley adjacent to Adams Avenue South. The petitioner would be required to tender a check to the town in the amount of $11,700, the full appraised value of the property.

Ordinance 2021-2 would see Eatonville purchase the land from Mill Haus, LLC for $5,400 and authorize the mayor to execute the necessary documents.

The council also appointed two new members to the Planning Commission: Jodi Rivera and Kyle Litzenberger, respectively. Rivera’s term began Jan. 12 and expires on Dec. 31, 2025. Litzenberger’s term begins Jan. 20 and expires on Dec. 31, 2026.

The council voted to retain all committee appointments from 2020 to 2021 owing to ongoing restrictions on in-person meetings related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Councilmember Bill Dunn was elected to represent Eatonville on the Pierce County Regional Council, with councilmember Emily Madden elected as an alternate.