Business License Process Update

As of June 30th, the City Clerk’s Office processed and issued over 150 business licenses for 2009 and continues to receive new applications each month. With home-based business license activity in July it is likely that 200 business licenses will be issued by the end of July. Initially, we estimated that approximately 300 business licenses would be issued annually. While we may not reach 300 licenses in 2009, we continue to contact businesses that conduct business transactions in Normandy Park, but have not applied for a business license and have received at least 15 new applications each month.

The fee for an annual City of Normandy Park business license is $50.00.

King County Executive’s RapidRide Proposal

King County Executive Kurt Triplett has proposed saving five planned new RapidRide routes in Metro Transit’s highest ridership corridors and providing for an additional one-million new passenger trips a year on the 520 bridge at no net increase in taxes. His proposal would use 5.5 cents of new taxing authority granted by the 2009 legislature, but would be offset by rolling back an equal amount in two other levies.

By reprioritizing transportation dollars now spent on passenger ferries to buses, Triplett proposes 4.5 cents of the Ferry District property tax be rolled back for four years, leaving enough money to move forward with plans to expand Vashon Island and West Seattle Water Taxi passenger ferry service. Triplett proposes drawing down cash reserves from the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) program to allow for a one cent rollback to this levy without jeopardizing the work. Combined, the two tax reductions would mean no net increase in taxes to homeowners while creating more stable, dedicated funding to Metro Transit. >Read More<

1st Avenue South Project Update

A Notice to Proceed was issued to Pivetta Bros. Construction on July 22nd and construction will finally begin within the next 10 days. City staff have found that despite the desires of President Obama and Congress, the ARRA funds have clearly resulted in more paperwork, rules and “red tape”. As a result of the extraordinary bureaucratic process, start of construction has taken two months longer than originally anticipated. However, we are hopeful that the contractor will still be able to complete the project by the end of 2009 or first quarter of 2010.

The project field office was recently opened at Normandy Place, 19439 1st Avenue South. Project Manager Gary Norris and the construction inspectors will operate out of the field office for the duration of the project. The field office number is 206-878-2106.

The Groundbreaking Ceremony and Project Open House on July 15th was well-attended. Many Normandy Park residents and business people expressed interest in the project and are excited about the pedestrian and bicycle enhancements that will improve access to the Normandy Park Towne Center.

State OFM Estimates Population Growth

The State of Washington Office of Financial Management has released the 2009 Population estimates. The OFM has estimated the 2009 population in Normandy Park to be 6,485, which is an increase of 60 over the 2008 estimate. The 2000 U.S. Census estimated population for Normandy Park was 6,392.

Initiative 1033 – Concerning State, County and City Revenues

On Thursday, July 2, 2009, initiative sponsor Tim Eyman submitted Initiative 1033 (I-1033) with sufficient signatures to qualify for the November general election ballot to the Secretary of State's office. If I-1033 passes in November, it would limit the growth of state revenues deposited in funds subject to the state expenditure limit and limit growth in county and city revenues deposited into the county and city current expense funds. The limit would be adjusted based on annual growth in inflation and population and not include new voter-approved revenue increases. Revenue collected above the cap would be used to reduce property taxes. This would apply to city general fund revenues in 2010, with the limit set at 2009 revenues adjusted for inflation and population growth. Although the initiative states that new voter-approved revenues would be exempt for 2010, it also states that new voter-approved revenue is defined as the increase in revenue approved by the city's voters at an election after the effective date of this act. Since the November election is the last of 2009, any voter-approved tax increases passed in 2009 would likely be subject to this initiative and not excluded from the revenue limitations.

Initiative 1033 could have a significant impact on the City of Normandy Park if it is approved by voters. Currently, revenues are not sufficient to cover the operating costs and, because the city is developed with no potential for significant growth, there would be no opportunity to generate new revenues to cover the necessary operating expenses. Any new revenue generated from grants, sales tax, licenses and permits would result in equal reductions in property taxes. This would have a significant impact on the City's budget in years following receipt of large grants or in years following high volumes of building permit activity.