BUSINESS

GOLF CART PILOT PROGRAM, SETBACK LEVEE & OTHER CITY BUSINESS

By: Barbara Hansen July 31, 2009

After an executive session ending at 9:20 p.m., Orting city council members discussed the legal liability of allowing residents to drive golf carts on Orting streets. The measure was introduced by Orting city councilmember David Inge three months ago.

Inge has been vying for a pilot program in Orting to test the idea, saying the use of golf carts in town would save money for users and reduce auto emissions. Proponents argue that most residents must use at least a portion of State Highway 162 to get into downtown, and golf carts would be dangerous on a highway with so much truck traffic. Others say golf carts would be a nuisance to other drivers in town.

The problem is that allowing golf carts in Orting would require the local police ignore certain provisions of state law. While attorney Chris Bacca said he did not want to discuss what was said during executive session, other council members alluded to his statements that such action could open the city to lawsuits. (There are comments on this issue in the Orting News Opinions Blog).

In other action, the city council approved the low bid to begin “preloading” the site of Orting’s new North End storm water reservoir and booster pump station. Preloading means weight will be placed on the site of the pond, which will allow the ground to settle and form the reservoir. The winning bid was offered by Woodworth Company at $195,537.70.

“This is a very good price,” said city engineer David Roberts, who noted the amount budgeted for the project was $350,000.

Council also approved $10,000 to provide the surveying and legal fees for a boundary line adjustment that allows the city to receive 19.25 acres from the Orting School District. The property is located in an area northwest of the Whitehawk housing development and allows the necessary land for the Calistoga setback levee on the Puyallup River.

The setback levee will help in flood control efforts and also help when the planned highway bypass is built.

“This is a generous offer by the school district and should be taken advantage of,” recommended Roberts.

The $10,000 price tag is another cost savings to the city, which originally budgeted $150,000 for the project. Some concern emerged as council members reviewed the Puget Sound Regional Council list of projects and did not see the Calistoga setback levee on the list.

“Previously, this project was number two on the list,” city administrator Mark Bethune said, who said he will contact the council about the discrepancy.