Council approves memorandum of understanding to explore water and sewer service with Stillaguamish Tribe

The Arlington City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Stillaguamish Tribe to explore providing sewer and water service to a tribe-owned casino and hotel.

Paul said the city and the "Stillaguamish [Tribe] of Indians" have discussed the potential for the city to provide sewer and water to the tribal facility and that an MOU is recommended before the city accrues further expenses on the project. He said the MOU would formalize mutual interest in exploring the arrangement.

Jim (city staff) described the mutual benefits city staff expects: revenue from the sale of water and wastewater services and return flows to the Stillaguamish River that could expand the community's water supply. "We take water out of the Stillaguamish River ... send it to the community, they send it back to us. We clean it up to reclaimed water standards, put it back in the river," Jim said, describing how return-flow recognition could increase water supply.

Council members asked about long-term costs, treatment needs if a nearby gravel pit or cement plant affects source water, and how capital replacement and rate structures would be negotiated. Jim said those issues would be part of longer-term negotiations and that removing reliance on river surface water by securing a different well site was under consideration.

A motion to approve the MOU was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; the transcript records an "Aye" and no roll-call tally. The MOU authorizes further study and negotiation but does not commit the city to provide service or to construction funding.