In spite of the heavy snowfall, the Langley City Council, Mayor, and city staff have been busy over the past month. Here is a summary of actions relating to access and housing.

First, a big “shout out of thanks” to Director Challis Stringer and the Public Works staff for the excellent job of snow clearing and road sanding last week. Two trucks and many long hours kept most of Langley’s roads quite passable during 7-8 inches of snow and subsequent icing.

Second, in the spirit of expanding alternatives, the City has now reviewed and adopted an enabling ordinance for electric vehicle charging stations and is considering an ordinance regulating electric powered “golf carts” on the streets of Langley. Charging stations for electric cars are now more than welcome in Langley, if any business would like to be the first to provide such.

Electric golf carts, defined as 4-wheeled electric vehicles limited to 20 miles per hour, must be equipped with headlights, tail and brake lights, seat belts and a “red safety flag . . . which extends 5 feet above the surface of the street.” At a public hearing yesterday on the proposed ordinance, the emphasis was jointly upon safety and practicality. One or two such vehicles could provide convenient access between Langley Marina and several points around downtown.

Finally, in a move to have the first “funicular” installation around Puget Sound, the City Council approved the full exploration of a “horizontal elevator” connection between Cascade Ave and the Langley Marina. Citing the benefits of linkage to more parking, handicapped access, and usefulness to boaters and tourists alike, Director of Planning Jeff Arango presented to City Council and the public some initial design sketches for this unique mode of transportation.

On the affordable housing front, the City of Langley has made the building of accessory dwelling units more attractive, by expanding the maximum size from 800 sq. ft. to 1000 sq. ft. and relaxing some of the height and setback limitations. The Planning Department and the Planning Advisory Board are also looking at additional ways to make continued infill of housing in Langley financially more attractive.

Even more dramatic topics relating to land use and access will be on next month’s Council Agenda: a review of the Shoreline Master Plan and selection of design consultants to begin planning and redesign efforts focused on 2nd Street. For details and to make comments on these, be sure to log onto Jeff Arango’s new blog:  http://designLangley.org

Ahh, its 2012! A New Year, and in Langley, a new beginning of sorts. Before I can start to think about the future though, I would like to reflect about the past. It continues to be an honor for me to serve on the Langley City Council especially because of the highly capable people I have had the privilege to work with these last 4 years. I hope to carry the banner of institutional knowledge forward for the next two years left on my term.

Each administration comes with dreams and aspirations and Paul Samuelson’s term was no different. In my mind Paul’s biggest accomplishments centered on the ability to mobilize people to get involved and volunteer. Paul set up commissions and formed citizen committees that empowered people to be a part of the community.

The first thing Paul jumped into was bringing together a coalition of people that lobbied Whidbey General Hospital to keep the Langley Clinic operating, which bought us another year.

The Parks and Open Space Commission, mentored by Kathleen Landel the mayor’s assistant, did outstanding work surveying the status quo, looking into possibilities and setting priorities for the City’s future parks and open spaces. The Neighbor-to-Neighbor and Emergency Preparedness Initiatives were also stewarded by Kathleen Landel at the bequest of the mayor. Kathleen and staff mobilized neighborhoods to cleanup, have community meetings and set up phone trees for emergencies so when cold weather hits those most vulnerable in our community are identified and taken care of. This was important and meaningful work and I really appreciate all the effort, time, patience and integrity Kathleen brought to City Hall. I will miss her.

Another thing Mayor Paul’s administration fostered was the Langley Gardens Project. Paul inspired and motivated Cathy Rooks and Kay Lagerquist to become citizen volunteers and spiff up the city gardens around town. The Garden Project called for donations to pay for the materials needed to create a beautiful new persona and garden at City Hall front and back. They gathered together a cadre of volunteers who have planted tons of bulbs that come up each spring to welcome visitors to our town with color and beauty. Another related coo was the wildly successful Community Garden Project that was also supported by Paul and this administration.

An initiative that had some teeth and effectiveness was the Mayor’s Council on Economic Development. Headed by then Councilman Russell Sparkman this group of citizens began to consider how to brand Langley. We adopted a new logo and started to focus on the experiences Langley has to offer. Experience Langley has spawned new businesses such as Langley’s Center for New Media, which brings hundreds of people here each year, and our new wine tasting offerings as well as the creation of more galleries. The new signage directing people to Langley happened because Paul and the Chamber worked diligently with the State and County governments to make it happen.

Another noteworthy accomplishment was the outstanding staff we have in place as the city moves forward. The people Paul hired and promoted were/are terrific! Early on our Public Works Dept. was asked to think creatively about how they could do their jobs more efficiently and effectively. The result is everyone in that dept. went thru a rigorous cross-training program and now they can all do each other’s job. We no longer need to hire outside contractors (much more costly) because our staff can do it all. Langley’s budget is operating in the black, quite an accomplishment given the economic times we are in. The staff, mayor and council all contributed to that effort.

Finally Langley’s Main Street Program was inspired and fostered by Mayor Paul. He encouraged members of the council and citizens to go to the state Main Street conventions so we could learn about this program and how it could benefit Langley. Four years later Langley Main Street is a reality and going strong. This year Langley Main Street sponsored our first ever 2^nd St. Market, which was given much support and guidance by the staff and administration so it could get off the ground.

I want to appreciate the energy and enthusiasm that has been created around Langley during Paul Samuelson’s administration and thank him and all the council members who have worked so diligently during his term in office to make this city a good place to live and do business.

Bob Waterman has done so much for Langley during his time on the PAB and council. Thru Bob’s leadership, his love of history and his belief of its importance in Langley we now have in place the Historical Preservation Commission that will help us keep the look and feel everyone loves about Langley. I so value Bob’s thoughtful approach to problem solving and will miss his strength of leadership on the council. Besides Bob, Russell Sparkman and Fran Able, who I have great appreciation and respect for, have become friends and colleagues. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to serve with Robert Gilman whose undying ability to think creatively and globally, continues to inspire my imagination as I think about the future of our town. I may not have always agreed with council members and/or the mayor on important decisions. However, I have always felt each one came to the job with the utmost love for Langley and its citizens and the personal commitment to do their best and do what they and their constituents felt was right for Langley. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for your collective time, energy and courage. You will all be missed at city hall but hopefully not missing in Langley!

Looking forward to 2012 I am very excited to meet the new and returning council members and newly elected Mayor Kwarsick as we face the New Year together. Larry is a doer and looks forward to doing his best to serve Langley. His expertise and experience in government is welcome and I look forward to hearing more about what Larry wants to do! I would like to offer my wholehearted welcome to Larry as well as: Jim Sundberg, Hal Seligson, Doug Allderdice, Bruce Allen!

Now, lets roll up our sleeves and get to work! Happy New Year Langley, This new administration, staff and council will work together to make it a good year for all!

Respectfully Submitted by Rene Neff

The City Council meeting of December 5th began with a heart-warming expression of gratitude to Council Members Fran Abel and Bob Waterman and to Mayor Paul Samuelson for their years of public service to Langley.  Since it was Fran’ s last Council meeting, thanks was in order for the many valuable and forthright contributions which she had made, with special mention of the successful summer Friday afternoon markets initiated this year.  Council Member Rene Neff had prepared specially-designed and individualized certificates of appreciation for Fran, Bob and Paul and homemade cupcakes for the whole council and audience; and Fran Abel had brought along “Frans Chocolates,” enough for all.  Kind words were spoken, all well deserved.  I expect additional recognition for the contributions of Bob and Paul will follow in two weeks at their last Council meeting on December 19th.

As Fran’s elected replacement on the Langley City Council, and in the same spirit of gratitude, I want to thank all those who have shared with me their best wishes for the coming year of public service and projects in the City of Langley.  There are several important initiatives going on: the expansion of the marina, the updating of the Shoreline Master Plan, the kickoff of the Second Street improvement project, and the continuing efforts of the Main Street organization in Langley, just to name a few.  Your continuing participation in any or all of these projects is of course welcome, as are your specific suggestions.  Please do let me know your interests as we  work together for all of Langley.

You can gain firsthand information on both the Shoreline Master Plan effort and the Second Street Project by visiting a new web blog being maintained by Jeff Arango, Director of Langley’s Planning Department.  Just enter “designLangley.org” in your web browser, read through the introductory documents, and sign up there to submit your comments to Jeff.

Last evening I said goodbye to council seat #3.   Newly elected Jim Sundberg was immediately sworn in.  Jim will be an outstanding councilman, coming to Langley’s council from Chair of the Planning Advisory Board and a lifetime of education and work experience making him exceedingly well qualified to represent the citizens of Langley.

Jim has my full support.  I campaigned for Jim and have been in close touch with him during the transition.  Despite the fact that I made the choice to not run for reelection, and that I couldn’t be happier with Jim as my seat’s new holder, I am experiencing some sorrow, along with relief.

The council’s work during these political tumultuous times has been annoying, difficult, and frustrating.  It has also been mind-expanding, rewarding and exciting.  Throughout the entirety of my short term, the challenges have been huge, especially as we were confronted with an economic downturn that put Langley’s budget in the red and were faced with the huge challenge of acting as a quasi judicial body in a complex land use matter.

Both of these challenges resulted in favorable outcomes but were stressful along the way.  The favorable outcomes are:  First, the city’s budget is now in the black with healthy reserves.  Second, the Passages development was approved with increased public benefit.  Third, the city has hired a hearing examiner for any future complex land use matters.

I am also exceedingly pleased that I was involved in Langley’s first very popular and successful summer market  — Langley Second Street Market.   I plan to continue my involvement in the market through the Langley Main Street Program.

It has been rewarding to serve and I thank you for the opportunity.

When I read G. B. Stern’s  words: “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.”,  I was inspired to break my silence.  There is no question that life in Langley is indeed something to be grateful for.  Our village by the sea is quite the place.

One billion people on the planet live on less than $1 USD per day.  They don’t have clean water, they don’t have sanitation, they don’t have adequate food, and they don’t have adequate shelter.  If you have those four things, you are ahead of 83% of the world’s population.  Since Langley has many good things beyond the four listed, we are factually among the most well off people in the world.

Putting Langley, and our lives in Langley, in perspective with the above facts, most of our problems lack magnitude and gratitude for our lives gains significance.  With my council term drawing to an end, expressing gratefuls on this city blog  seems very appropriate.  Accordingly, with the hope of avoiding being maudlin here they are:

• I’m grateful for being given the opportunity to serve on the Langley City Council.  It has been educational, challenging and rewarding.  I have served with Bob, Rene, Russell, Robert, Hal, and Doug.  Each of these hardworking, dedicated council people has influenced my thinking and contributed ideas to the decisions I’ve made.

• I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to serve on the council under Mayor Paul who, in his kind and thoughtful way, led the city through bleak budget reductions.  It is always easy to hire new staff and give staff raises.  It’s not so easy to reduce salaries and eliminate staff.  The reward for this heart-wrenching work is our budget is now in the black.

• I’m grateful for new council members, Bruce and Jim, and I’m grateful for our new Mayor-elect, Larry.  Each of these three men hold hopes and dreams for a better Langley. They will move Langley ahead while respecting and appreciating the good work that preceded them.

• I’m grateful for the city staff–men and women dedicated to doing their job well.  And while not considered staff, the city’s volunteer  board members work like staff as they develop park and open space recommendations, tirelessly grapple with land use and design issues, manage our cemetery, protect our history, and so much more.  And of special note is a city volunteer, Thomas, who has worked tirelessly to upgrade the city’s computer and technical services.

• I’m grateful for Langley’s citizens.  People with hopeful wishes for the town they know as home.  A town of great caring and participation  – church, school, government, charitable organizations, the arts, parks — so very evident in the millions of ways they contribute to their community.   The generosity of Langley’s citizens is inspiring.

• I’m grateful for Langley’s merchants and business people, especially those who understand good business is about community building.   So many in our business community generously support school activities, town festivals, markets and parades, the arts and artists, those suffering with medical or economic problems, town beautification projects, service organizations, and so much more.

Thank you Langley.  I’m looking forward to many more good years to come.

“As for cars – once Fran Abel leaves the council I think we’ll hear a lot less about a “fleet” of eco-friendly city owned vehicles, i.e., a smart car or golf cart sized “fleet” that would really be handy for the public works department!” 

(Comment from a South Whidbey Record article a few weeks ago)

Langley has always been, all my 28 years on Whidbey Island,  a progressive-thinking, richly-creative, well-educated town of people interested in exploring life’s options fully.  That exploration has been vast and has ranged from living small to clustered housing; from transportation that included bus travel, carpooling, eco-friendly vehicles to walking and biking; and from local credit unions to solar power. Langley’s residents, in my experience, have never been a closed-minded group of people but, instead, people of vast and far reaching ideals.   So it follows that many of us want an on-going conversation about transportation’s many options.  We want an in depth discussion about moving people – moving people without automobiles.  And that means  exploring the feasibility of electric cars, golf carts, Segways, and other forms of small vehicles to move people, including our city’s personnel.

For example, Segway reports that there are more than 1,000 patrol installations worldwide.  The Port of Chelan is launching a hybrid car project, and the Bellevue Police, via a grant, are using this vehicle:

 Indeed, to not bring up more energy efficient forms of transportation seems short sighted and irresponsible.  The times are changing and getting stuck in the past, as others move beyond us, would be tragic.  Our city needs to plan for the future and that means we need to continue to have discussions about change.  Lively debate is a healthy thing.

Following are several articles about car-free-cities, or car-free zones within cities.  Large cities with better transportation systems have an easier time planning for life without cars, or at the very least, life with reduced car use.  Small towns have a more difficult time because of the scattered nature of our services and less efficient public transportation.  That said, it is incumbent on us to do what we can to jump in our cars less often.   Or, alternatively, to jump on our bikes more often.  Letting parking trump parks is letting cars rule over people and leads to a less charming town.  Letting automobiles dictate road design is ignoring pedestrians and increases pollution and noise.  Putting all our money into highways and arterials, without bikeways, is ignoring an important form of efficient transportation – bicycles.

• One very interesting article by Chris Carissosn, “Towards Car-Free Cities”, is a reminder of our short automobile history.  Carissosn says:

As we discuss the seemingly unrealistic idea of “car-free cities” it helps to remember the rich history that we are already living. Streets have not always been controlled and dominated by car industries. Private cars are a disaster for human and non-human life, and it’s high time we reconnect to the long history that has been resisting this monster. Life was very different before the car and it will be very different AFTER the car too!

• And, an article by Kamala Rao, Planning for People, not cars, Canadian Institute of Planners, Transportation Planner, Vancouver, B.C. makes the case by addressing fewer tax dollars, climate change and rising fuel costs.   Rao says:

There is a big lesson here for Seattle and the rest of Cascadia…It can be done, and it has been done. Whether in Seoul or Portland or any of the many other cities where freeways have been removed and not replaced…. as Dr. Hwang and the citizens of Seoul will tell you, crazy ideas can work — with beautiful results at that.

• Parking Lots to Parks:  Designing Livable Cities, by Lester R. Brown.  Brown states:

Mayors and city planners the world over are beginning to rethink the role of the automobile, seeking ways to design cities for people, not cars. The integration of walkways and bikeways into urban transport systems anchored by public transportation makes a city eminently more livable than one that relies almost exclusively on private automobiles. Noise, pollution, congestion, and frustration are all lessened—and we and the earth are both healthier.

• The Dutch Way:  Bicycles and Fresh Bread
  

For American cities to think outside the car would seem to require a mental sea change. Then again, Americans, too, are practical, no-nonsense people. And Zef Hemel, the chief planner for the city of Amsterdam, reminded me that sea changes do happen. “Back in the 1960s, we were doing the same thing as America, making cities car-friendly,” he said. Funnily enough, it was an American, Jane Jacobs, who changed the minds of European urban designers. Her book “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” got European planners to shift their focus from car-friendliness to overall livability.

• With a few notable exceptions, most US cities have only relatively small car free zones.

Why is this?  Why indeed, and why shouldn’t Langley be a leader in the discussion of making it work in small towns as well?

So yes, I’m leaving the council soon, but I’m not moving out of town.  I will still be raising the issues of alternative forms of transportation with my council representatives, mayor, and Langley’s staff.  I will also continue to have discussions and debates about this issue with my fellow citizens.  Nope, I will not be silence.  Once I leave the council, my voice will still ring out for a  healthy debate on transportation, and many other current and important issues needing local action.

Besides, transportation can be fun too.  How about this for getting down to the waterfront?

All Soul’s Eve, a community event of remembrance, will be held once again at the Langley Woodmen Cemetery on the first day of November.

Luminaries line the road and visitors receive luminaries that they can place on graves, or in an area for loved ones not buried in the cemetery.

As the evening progresses, the cemetery fills with light. Visitors are welcome at anytime between 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The Langley Woodmen Cemetery is at the end of Al Anderson Avenue. For more information, call 221-6046.

Robin Adams, a candidate for Position 3 on the Langley City Council, will be a no-show at next week’s voters’ forum due to a previous commitment in Toronto, Canada.

Adams will be at the 2011 Mining Business Risks Summit, and is chairman of one of the panels.

The Edgecliff resident is battling Jim Sundberg for the council seat.

Organizers of the forum said Adams will provide a statement to be read at the meeting.

Position 3 is currently held by Councilwoman Fran Abel, who decided not to run to retain the seat.

The forum is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24 at Fellowship Hall at the Langley United Methodist Church.

Langley Police Chief Randy Heston will take a turn as a judge this Saturday.

No, it’s not a promotion. Heston has been picked as one of the judges in this year’s Mutt Strut dog parade and costume contest. The annual canine competition returns to Bayview Corner for its sixth year Saturday.

Asked if he expects to see any of the animals he’s met in his workaday world — those of the my-neighbor’s-dog-is-barking-can-you-please-make-it-stop variety — Heston promised to not let any pooch’s prior run-ins with the law affect his judgement.

“I will try and remain unbiased, doggone it,” he said.

“I have never been a doggy judge before, but how could I say no?  I love animals and it will be all in fun,” Heston said.

Heston will be one of five guest judges, and the panel also includes Angela Vosburg-Ng of China City and Don Denman, the recently crowned Mr. South Whidbey.

The Mutt Strut is part of Apple Day at Bayview Corner, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.

Registration for the Mutt Strut begins at 12:30 and the parade starts at 1:30 p.m.

“Conductor of Fun” Jim Freeman will emcee, and prizes will be awarded for best dog costume, best owner and dog costume combo, best trick and best celebrity dog.

As many of you may know Langley’s City Council and staff met in a joint session with the So. Whidbey Port Commissioners and their staff on Oct. 3, 2011. At that meeting the council charged the City’s staff to begin conversations with the Port and their staff around the City becoming a partner with the Port for the Marina expansion. Both staffs have been busy simultaneously working on this task. Although a discussion of the Marina was not on this week’s agenda, the Mayor has agreed to call a special meeting once the two staffs have something to share that the Council could consider.

Meanwhile, many members of the Council have met individually with Port Commissioners and interested constituents to talk in further depth about the possibilities. I welcome the opportunity to talk to anyone in the community about the Marina, just call me: 221-8566 or 360-547-3352.

The questions I have posed to the Port Commissioners are:

• Would the Port be willing to partner with the City and/or private investors to add to the current plan for the Marina?

• What would a design for the Marina look like if the City became a viable financial partner with the Port and adding more borrowing capacity to the proposed plan?

• What would be possible if a private partnership could be brought on board as well as partnering with the City?

Both the City and Port staffs are wrestling with these questions and trying to see how the currently proposed plan could morph over time, how much investment money would be needed for different aspects of expansion, and how potential changes would effect the engineering costs and permits.

I want to let the public know the City is talking in earnest with the Port and no one is letting this drop, but instead working hard to see what the possibilities are if the City were to become partners in the Marina.

I for one am very interested in this option. I believe that the City Council can look at our budget and try to carve out the funds needed to be a viable partner if we feel this would be a prudent economic investment in our community. Its my feeling that investing in the Marina is a critically important important thing to do to help our economy in Langley. That said, I really would hate to get a bare bones plan in place with no immediate plans for expanding. If we are to rely solely on the Port, I worry that as soon as they finish the bare bones plan they will have other parts of Whidbey demanding attention and that will be the end of the expansion for many years to come. Permits have a life span of 3 years so if we want to add more we have to be working on it right now in order to not have enormous delays waiting all over again for permits.

Here are some things to consider:

KINGSTON has 45 slips that had 2100 nights filled in 2010
Poulsbo has 120 slips that had 6,001 nights
Port Orchard has 70
Port Ludlow has 60
Bremerton has 55
Brownsville has 25
Langley has 39 now & the new plan adds only 10 transient slips

Granted the new plan has the ability to host larger vessels which is great. But overnight guests at the Marina would in my mind be very important for Langley. If the larger vessels are on their way somewhere else or touring the likelihood of them staying for the day and or night is less than if an individual boat or yacht club comes for overnight. So I would like to see us find ways to add more substantial docks to what the Port has already proposed so we can gradually expand over time as well as add hospitality slips that would add to our overnight crowd.

So for those who were worried the Council is dilly dallying and trying to kill this project, nothing could be farther from the truth. I, and I am sure many of my fellow Council members are committed to working closely with the Port and our City staff to move the Marina forward.

Again feel free to contact me at: 221-8566 or 360-547-3352

Thank you for the opportunity to serve this community, Rene Neff