Community Government
Council appoints Julie Martin to vacant position
The Gig Harbor City Council on Monday appointed Julie Martin to a vacant council position.
Martin retired late last year from the Washington state Department of Corrections, where her recent positions included deputy secretary and chief of staff. Before that, she was sales director for Northstar Lottery in Chicago and deputy director of the Washington State Lottery.
Martin has a master’s in public administration degree from the University of Washington’s Dan Evans School of Public Administration.
She has lived in Gig Harbor since May 2018, according to documents filed with her application for the vacancy.
Martin replaces Robyn Denson, who was elected in November to the Pierce County Council. She will serve the remainder of Denson’s term, which continues through the end of this year.
Julie Martin was appointed to a vacant seat on the Gig Harbor City Council on Monday, Jan. 9. Charlee Glock-Jackson
Lodging tax grants allocated
Most of the council’s business at its first meeting of 2023 involved spending money.
The council approved $1.3 million in 2023 lodging tax grants, including $475,000 for the city’s tourism marketing operations and $500,000 for Phase 1B of the Sports Complex.
Other lodging tax grant recipients include the Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Downtown Waterfront Alliance, Gig Harbor BoatShop, Canoe and Kayak Racing Team, Film Festival, Gig Harbor Quilters, Senior Center, Sportsman’s Club, the Yacht Club’s Junior Sail program, Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, Harbor History Museum, Harbor Wildwatch, Key Peninsula Farm Council, Peninsula Art League, Permission to Start Dreaming Foundation and the Rotary Club Foundation.
Other spending
The council approved a second contract amendment with Helix Design Group for design and structural analysis for the Skansie Netshed. The amendment directs Helix to change the structural work in their design from wood to steel, according to Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm. Th change costs $39,953.
The council also approved $225.310.62 for renovations to the Bogue Visitor’s Center and $94,000 for on-call engineering services at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The council also authorized the city to receive a donation of $50,000 from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians as matching funds for the North Creek Salmon Heritage Site Phase 1.
City eyes $500,000 grant for Sports Complex
The city is in line to receive a $500,000 grant from the Washington Wildlife Recreation Program Local Parks Funds for the Sports Complex, Langhelm told the council.
Along with a similar grant from the state Recreation and Conservation Office, the city will have $1 million in state grants for Phase 1B of the Sports Complex. That phase includes pickleball courts, bocce ball courts, playgrounds, an event lawn, a sheltered performance stage, two covered picnic areas and parking.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the civic center, 3510 Grandview St.