The City Council spent a great deal of their time this week taking a closer look at the sustainability presentation that Councilmember Walker presented at last weeks council retreat. The Council had the opportunity to hear more details about the proposal and ask additional questions.

Councilmember Walker started her presentation asking members of the public for a definition of sustainability. The only answer was about being able to sustain ourselves if we are cut off from the outside world. She addressed the Boy Scouts from Troop 535, who were in attendance, and made the analogy that sustainability was like camping because “you have limited resources when you’re out camping and you have to figure out how to survive on those limited resources.” She explained that “we are using up non renewable resources…we are creating materials and chemicals that can not be assimilated and we are systematically degrading the physical world…Our human population as a whole is increasing as well as our consumption…It is narrowing our options and narrowing our ability to be sustainable.”

She continued by explaining that several of the things we do in our local community could be changed to become more sustainable. An example was public planning. She stated, “A lot of times in planning there is no absolute vision of exactly what we want to look like, we are just reacting to what is happening to us at the time.” By integrating sustainability principles the city could do its part to reduce its effect on climate change and reduce our carbon footprint. Councilmember Edwards and Cattin both had concerns because people are generally concerned about governmentally led environmental initiatives. Councilmember Cattin stated that “Unless it is owned by us as a people then it has no chance to succeed.” But continued with “I am willing to give it a chance if it is locally run.” TheCouncil decided to continue this discussion at the next council meeting.

Kris Wentworth had a presentation about Duvall Days. She started by saying that she met with Matt Higgins from Duvall True Value Hardware, Chief Merryman, Steve Leniszewski, and Councilmember Kuntz to sort out the issues around closing Main Street During Duvall Days, commenting that there is “peace in Duvall again.” The compromise they reached was that Main Street will be closed from 8am to 5pm this year and that next year the Duvall Days Committee will strongly consider moving Duvall Days to later in the Summer and closing the stree down for only a half day. Councilmember Glen Kuntz empahsized at the conclusion of Ms. Wentworth’s update that he wanted it put on the record “that is was very clear that next year they will look very closely at moving Duvall Days possibly into August or September when the weather is really good.” He went on to say that they would push for closing the street down for only half the day as well. Mrs. Wentworth also asked the city to help promote Duvall Days via the letter sent out with the water bills and to have the councilmembers act as judges for the parade entries. She also explained that there will be a local heroes contest and the nomination forms will be coming out soon.

The Mayor took a few minutes to thank the River Current for its article on the visit of County Executive Dow Constantine to the city. He mentioned that the Executive offered to showcase Duvall in a special program on county television. The council all agreed that this was a good idea and the Mayor said he would follow up with the Executive’s office.

Mayor Ibershof also mentioned that the King County Assessor will be in Carnation on April 21st to discuss property taxes and assessed valuations. The Assessor will also discuss the counties plans for future taxes.