[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6145975,"mediaKeyId","5529523-c93bd4920767ec3492188ed4ec997b89","parentId",5529523,"title","Council hears calls to prioritize Oak Street parking upgrades after crowded event limited emergency access","audioSeconds",263,"startMs",2329000,"endMs",2592000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529523-c93bd4920767ec3492188ed4ec997b89&start=2329&end=2592","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529523-c93bd4920767ec3492188ed4ec997b89/thumbnail_2329000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6145975/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-hears-calls-to-prioritize-Oak-Street-parking-upgrades-after-crowded-event-limited-emergency-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145975-aebf42172c8f2170ace6401928da2a8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189402&Signature=J2nglEVziISLjjAU4MS9uIFY40983ag6ebOHtWT4GLTMgsoQzMqKzu9g8wPfBgqCLt5b4yY9oGKCNyl~6OROuDCX5RGd-dFuuQqcQ0Pg8fnSNFFOf0HUeMD2fSPJk7xZk~FYF23l-0z6~1RswNNz-46yW1BFgdBgfB14sFrzUTD~DGS0eD0oVm4zkr8DdQCG6c5L2deZc9pAhi5ZfCYV6sHJ0ZgYhUqmTe9Bvh5PDd7pzvAMftFfMz-USgoBKAv4BbhdU44jl1Kcq343g8BlRu3hlzmTLXgD-hyZXVkHHJLB2EmthVPbyDMZWiHtao9erztxTWtbdosTZZCFwP0LZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Milton, WA","date","2025-08-05T01:49:40Z","article","Several council members urged the Milton City Council on Aug. 4 to prioritize parking changes on Oak Street that would improve emergency vehicle access and support larger events at the city park. Council members said recent events produced bumper-to-bumper parking on Oak Street and adjacent cross streets, compressing the roadway and potentially restricting fire and emergency vehicle movement.

Council member Whelan urged action, saying the parking configuration during a recent event \"created a situation for parking where fire and emergency vehicles will have a hard time utilizing Oak Street and Thirteenth And Twelfth,\" and argued the city should move more quickly from planning to construction. Whelan asked that the work be treated as a near-term priority so park events do not create a public-safety risk.

City staff told council the Oak Street project is in the engineering phase; Director Madden (staff) said he would confirm the schedule and send council an email update. Council members discussed designs such as angled parking and noted that removing an old building and reconfiguring right-of-way could add spaces. Planning Manager Stahlnecker answered questions about park-field irrigation and use, and staff said they have discussed using the upper field for event parking on specific occasions but need to preserve space for children's activities.

Council members asked staff to identify funding for the Oak Street improvements in the next budget cycle and to provide clear project timelines. No formal motion or vote was taken; the topic arose during council reports and discussion.

(Reporting note: engineering status and funding timeline were reported by staff during council reports; council requested follow-up confirmation.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 8/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","Council members and staff said Oak Street parking near the city park needs engineering and funding work to prevent blocked emergency access during large events; council was told an engineering phase is underway and staff said they will follow up with updates and consider budget prioritization.","taxTitle","Milton, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",71994,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145980,"Milton resident urges city to review disparity between 3/4\" and 1\" water meter base rates",237,243000,480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529523-c93bd4920767ec3492188ed4ec997b89&start=243&end=480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529523-c93bd4920767ec3492188ed4ec997b89/thumbnail_243000.jpg","/articles/6145980/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Milton-resident-urges-city-to-review-disparity-between-34-and-1-water-meter-base-rates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145980-5bfe3716795ada65789ac78c6b593214/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189402&Signature=MDT6PaTudAb9lOTkFrK7nDmge6CUZjdWBc84FzneKuTHmZCnSgO0yaKWMWcRui3dyiI8v6LiMXgIFjk3fIUchpYIqJtFOlTXmnhgsfYFVZjYuXZZa6BwgGm9xXrzCmr8s6opZuMtZwi2172CNpx7lvVaT-mqWEvHKmJ9Tn3dy~P49vsrlWXGnl2nVgG-XII408k6-y3tQVm-KI32t6kyvxH6Vx0QQBI8zwbUP8QXrjvHJAgJVZ7Jjk3VP00bQGTz0o92CGTsnc-TuFglloAb2hvm-6xvho7-o6o0~3Lp4jWAMqO1mnY8K1uGK4SpYuWAeNuXz--dwnTQn8YNcLybgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Clay Howard, a Milton resident, told the City Council during the Aug. 4 public-comment period that a disparity in base charges between 3/4-inch and 1-inch residential water meters imposes a substantial cost on homeowners who are required to have a larger meter because of fire-suppression systems.

Howard said he and his wife learned their home requires a 1-inch meter and that the higher base charge for the larger meter is intended to discourage unnecessary upsizing. He said \"we calculated the financial impact over the full 6 years covered by the current rate structure... A 6 year base rate cost comparison from 2023 to 2028, a 3 quarter inch meter costs $2,845. A 1 inch meter at current rate is $10,554. A 1 inch meter, if billed at 1.5 times the 3 quarter inch rate, which is in line with the AWWA guidelines, would be $4,668. So the difference is $6,286.\" Howard added the family is not opposed to infrastructure investment but urged the city to prioritize equity when the next comprehensive rate study is performed.

Howard said he was told by Director Madden that changes to base rates can only be implemented through a full rate study, and the city does not schedule another full rate study for four years. Howard said he was disappointed that the acknowledged imbalance cannot be addressed sooner and asked the council to \"make it a priority when the next study is conducted.\" No formal council action was taken; his remarks were part of the public-comment period.

(Reporting note: costs and computations are Howard's presentation to the council and were provided during public comment. The council did not adopt any rate changes at this meeting.)","Resident Clay Howard urged the Milton City Council to prioritize correcting what he described as a disparity in base charges between 3/4-inch and 1-inch residential water meters, saying the difference can cost about $6,286 over six years for households required to have a 1-inch meter for fire suppression.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145985,"Milton council creates dedicated fund for automated traffic cameras and amends 2025 budget",861,814000,1675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5529523-c93bd4920767ec3492188ed4ec997b89&start=814&end=1675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5529523-c93bd4920767ec3492188ed4ec997b89/thumbnail_814000.jpg","/articles/6145985/Milton/Pierce-County/Washington/Milton-council-creates-dedicated-fund-for-automated-traffic-cameras-and-amends-2025-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145985-53330ef17179bbb367db796a35057423/orig.mp4?Expires=1775189402&Signature=N4ir3xEQNVMLZcx32fISp1pUtK1voMbaY2Xoigt~0LsPOm9Fvvmi~G8EfiW-fLbQ13qGEZJF-a5UIMXRTVWgDM94yZADJg6lbkeGFMpnXeXzcv7isxRWNtl5HUiQivKNUdZWJ0zz0OPuh0h3Dfwx0M36I9HbgiD9HLNGM985JgslCgERqEn0lnShsGrnzzXJiZ51WYQ~ZETT3B~PArWP0xL3PaK0tHh8nvIDsz7MavDaWv5Bk~tj-IoPeT4bA4Q0kxVTfsOg5rwQKK~ZuNhjPw~Aa1DlXH4jh070CpzVJ~73smKoLd3-na8EkqF0iRc5ZXa35Le0pPgBR2eEWeeobw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Aug. 4, the Milton City Council voted 7-0 to create a special revenue fund to hold revenues and expenditures from the city’s automated traffic safety camera program and separately approved a budget amendment that moves the camera monies and other line items into new fund codes. The council adopted Ordinance No. 2117-25 (fund creation) and Ordinance No. 2118-25 (2025 budget amendment) after staff presentations and public comment.

City staff said the fund is necessary because state law limits how camera program revenues can be used. Interim Director Robek told council, \"Because use of the automated traffic safety camera program revenues is legally restricted, it is recommended that the program revenues and expenditures be accounted for in a special revenue fund.\" The staff presentation cited Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 46.63.022 as the statute that narrows allowable uses to program costs and traffic-safety activities. The agenda bill listed eligible uses including crosswalks, sidewalks, bicycle lanes, rumble strips, warning and guidance signage, curb extensions, roundabouts, speed humps, median islands and illumination.

Council members discussed visibility and accountability for the receipts. Council member Hall said, \"I like having separate fund. It's easier to explain to the residents where the money is going. It's clear.\" Council member Seeder moved to adopt the budget amendment; Council member Peretti seconded that motion.

Council members and members of the public also discussed timing and implementation. City staff reported the physical camera systems have been installed and that the city is finalizing administrative steps, vendor coordination and court paperwork; staff did not provide a firm activation date. Council members repeatedly requested a clear timetable and a minimum public-notice period. Council members and staff described a standard implementation practice of an initial warning or amnesty period before fines begin; staff said that the city will use reader boards, its website, social media and mailed notices to inform drivers and that the city will apply a 30-day warning/education period when it begins enforcement.

On enforcement procedures, the council heard questions from residents. Staff outlined collection consequences for unpaid violations and indicated administrative remedies include collections and a registration hold that can prevent vehicle re-registration.

Council members also discussed camera placement. One member said the city has nine camera units in the contract but that multiple cameras can be installed at an intersection (for approaches and stop lines), which explains different camera counts seen in the field. Staff said any future camera additions or relocations would be brought back to council for review and ratification and that cameras may only be installed where engineering or crash data identify hazardous conditions, consistent with state law.

The budget amendment (Ordinance No. 2118-25) was described by staff as largely an internal reclassification: it moves automated camera revenues and expenditures from the general fund to the newly created special revenue fund and aligns American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA/SLFRF) items with the city’s compliance reporting. Staff also noted one substantive change to accommodate a late Microsoft licensing renewal that requires recognizing two years of licensing costs in 2025.

Public comment at the council meeting included residents who supported camera deployment in school zones and requested cameras at specific corridors; others asked about consequences for unpaid fines. The council approved both ordinances on voice votes, carried 7-0.

What the council decided: Ordinance No. 2117-25 creating the Automated Traffic Safety Camera Fund — adopted, 7-0. Ordinance No. 2118-25, Budget Amendment No. 3 — adopted, 7-0.

Next steps noted by staff: finish court and vendor approvals, begin an advertised 30-day warning period when activation is ready, and return to council for any proposed additional camera locations or relocations.

(Reporting note: direct quotations and attributions are from the meeting transcript. Where staff provided timing estimates, staff described the activation date as pending final court and vendor approvals and did not commit to a specific calendar date.)","Milton City Council on Aug. 4 adopted an ordinance creating a special revenue fund for the city's automated traffic safety camera program and approved a related budget amendment that moves camera revenues out of the general fund and aligns ARPA reporting; the council voted 7-0 on both items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council hears calls to prioritize Oak Street parking upgrades after crowded event limited emergency access

Milton resident urges city to review disparity between 3/4" and 1" water meter base rates

Milton council creates dedicated fund for automated traffic cameras and amends 2025 budget