City presents updates on Burnham Drive, parking near Dortich, legislative bills and quarterly finances

City staff and the mayor used the Jan. 27 meeting to inform the council and public about several operational items and legislative developments.

Burnham Drive improvements and artwork: City Administrator Knudson and project staff reported that the Burnham Drive improvement project is ongoing, the posted speed limit through the project is 15 mph for worker safety, and that a parapet wall artwork featuring salmon will be installed and accessible when the project opens.

Dortich parking and fire hydrants: Following a significant fire at Busidge Dock on Harbour View that damaged two residences and required state Ecology response for spill containment, the city is addressing downtown parking near fire hydrants. As an interim measure the Public Works Director was directed to install no-parking signs at hydrants along Dortich to improve access for emergency responders; longer-term options (one-way conversions, parallel parking) remain under consideration.

Legislative items: City Administrator Knudson summarized several state bills of interest, including Senate Bill 5060 (one-time grants for police and co-response), Senate Bill 5285 (proposed 0.1% sales tax for public safety drawn from state share), House Bill 1195 concerning housing review and potential withholding of state distributions for noncompliance, Senate Bill 5184 addressing local parking rules, Senate Bill 5066 concerning Attorney General authority over police department suits, and House Bill 1380 on homelessness regulation frameworks. Knudson said staff and the Association of Washington Cities are monitoring these bills and will brief the council further.

Joint Base Lewis-McChord partnerships: Knudson also reported that JBLM plans to add housing on base over the next five years (more than 600 single-family homes) to reduce commute times for service members, and that the South Sound Military and Communities Partnership offers Gig Harbor a $500/year seat to participate in regional housing and resiliency discussions.

Quarterly budget report: Finance Director Dave Rotenbach presented a preliminary fourth-quarter 2024 budget overview showing the city’s revenues roughly 1% above budget and expenditures at about 71% of budget at the snapshot time. Rotenbach cautioned that some late vouchers for 2024 projects may be posted in February and that final year-end adjustments will be clearer in March; transfers from operating to capital accounts for water, sewer and storm funds explain some apparent over-expenditure lines.

Ending: Staff said they will return with more detailed updates as legislative bills move through session and as the Burnham Drive project and parking options are evaluated further. The clerk’s office and departments will implement the interim no-parking signage and continue communicating through the city website and Gigabyte newsletter.