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Aberdeen council adopts sidewalk-sitting ban and approves Fry Creek, Sumner Ave. projects
Summary
Council passed Bill 25-04 unanimously to expand areas prohibiting sitting or lying on sidewalks, then approved three infrastructure items: an RCO agreement for Fry Creek restoration, a task order for Fry Creek Fragmentation Phase 3 design (daylighting), and a construction contract award for Sumner Avenue US-101 sidewalk improvements.
The Aberdeen City Council on April 9 adopted an ordinance expanding the areas where sitting or lying on public sidewalks is prohibited and approved multiple local infrastructure actions, including a Fry Creek restoration grant agreement and a Sumner Avenue sidewalk contract award.
Lede: On a second reading and by a subsequent final vote, the council approved Bill 25-04 — an ordinance amending Aberdeen Municipal Code 12.41.010 to expand areas where sitting or lying on a public sidewalk is prohibited — and recorded the final passage as an 11-0 vote. The measure will be codified as Ordinance 6,725.
Nut graf: The ordinance follows a public hearing at which at least one resident, John Martinson, spoke in favor. Council members said the change is aimed at improving downtown pedestrian flow and public safety. Council also moved forward with three public-works items intended to restore Fry Creek, study daylighting options for a section of Fry Creek, and add sidewalks along Sumner Avenue near US-101.
On the sidewalk-sitting ordinance: The council opened and closed a public hearing; John Martinson, a long-time Aberdeen resident who identified himself during public comment, said he was “100%” in favor. After the second reading, a motion to suspend the rules and consider a third reading was approved and the final passage vote recorded 11 yes, 0 no. The clerk recorded the ordinance number as 6,725.
On Fry Creek and related projects: Council authorized the mayor to sign the application/resolution authorization form and the agreement for Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) agreement number 18-21204 for the Fry Creek Restoration Project; during discussion staff noted a modification to authorized signatories and a reduction in the local match requirement. Council later approved task order number 2 with landscape architects for the Fragmentation Phase 3 project; council discussion described the phase as studying how to “daylight” the section of Fry Creek between Simpson and Sumner, currently a parking lot, and noted outreach to affected property owners.
On Sumner Avenue: Council voted to award the construction contract for the Sumner Avenue US-101 sidewalk improvements project to Rocklands Incorporated as the lowest responsive, responsible bidder. The transcript records the award motion and second and a recorded voice vote in favor; the contract dollar amount was not specified in the meeting record.
Other transportation note: Councilmember Franci briefed the council on a traffic-signal warrant study for downtown Market Street. The study determined signals at Market at G, H, I and K and at First and F do not meet signal warrants and will be replaced with stop signs. Informational signs will be posted at affected intersections; signals will flash in June and are scheduled to be covered in September. The city posted study materials on aberdeenwa.gov (engineering current projects page).
Ending: All three infrastructure items were approved with motions and seconds; no weighted roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript for those motions beyond a voice “aye.” The council scheduled follow-up project work through the city’s engineering division and staff said they will provide further details to the council as design and construction contracts proceed.
