[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6078515,"mediaKeyId","2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532","parentId",2959467,"title","City staff brief Gig Harbor council on new NPDES stormwater permit requirements and local priorities","audioSeconds",1035,"startMs",7376000,"endMs",8411000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532&start=7376&end=8411","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532/thumbnail_7376000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078515/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/City-staff-brief-Gig-Harbor-council-on-new-NPDES-stormwater-permit-requirements-and-local-priorities","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078515-8ec24e3efdfd2341e4aff9ab8e4a7401/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167768&Signature=Xjwh4mjrr4IZVtpBUSBoRPLWKqDClVumG7XUe5FZMcumsjUg7gWi0JG0JQB5RDEAR9vrIV-HSMlOCIPX7Y30jNe8kjJYfADKxQvTxWaWhPI6tuVLn4tJVY7el6R6z1JwGbmGLQBHM8dpt09qCD41eKIhgBEHPck1G5Uc6M3~cZiZ-trY8w7Yul~7U1TiLkk1xerON51eVmf6sdK8AP-hYpZuX626RyrTZXaaM6Gvve~KpvQ0xnRLPFfrXFy8yR1o7mDBpMFqWk6GvoiCJygDZL4692SH38AN-wkY58X7-jcZ14a3bXxkwB-MhxBXYuNbCrTRtlehokrD7jHDN1oZ7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gig Harbor, WA","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Gig Harbor City Council received a staff presentation on March 10 outlining the city's stormwater program and new requirements under the 2024–2029 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) municipal stormwater permit.

Michael Abood, the city's NPDES coordinator and stormwater program manager, told the council the updated permit adds requirements that will affect project prioritization and operations. Among the notable items he described: mapping of overburdened communities and flow-control facilities; adopting tree canopy goals by 2028; establishing or updating a Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP) for priority basins; enhanced outreach and education campaigns (including addressing open dumpster lids); and a new duty to identify and retrofit existing development so the city manages two acres of previously untreated area by 2028.

\"We have to adopt tree canopy goals and policies by 2028,\" Abood said, and the city will review whether its urban forestry management plan meets the new permit language. He described outreach and behavior-change campaigns and said the next permit cycle requires targeting dumpster lids because when rainwater enters uncovered dumpsters it carries contaminants into the storm system. He also noted a need for improved street sweeping to address a pollutant of concern from tire wear that can harm juvenile coho salmon.

Abood described the permit's five broad program areas: planning (including low-impact development encouragement and SMAP updates), outreach/education, public participation, mapping, and illicit-discharge detection and elimination (IDDE). The city participates in regional Stormwater Action Monitoring (SAM) rather than performing outfall sampling itself. He said routine business-source inspections have mostly been addressed through education and that the city's stormwater code may need targeted updates for new permit items.

Council members asked technical questions about sediment capture, dumpster materials, and coordination with fire departments on firefighting foam (PFAS) and permitted industrial discharges. Abood said staff would provide follow-up materials and welcomed public input and questions; he noted the city's annual stormwater management plan and the permit annual report are posted online.

Article ending: Staff will return with follow-up materials and any proposed code or operational changes to meet the new permit; the council will need to prioritize projects and funding to meet the 2028 tree canopy and retrofit deadlines.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gig Harbor, WA City Council Meeting - March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The city's stormwater coordinator summarized the new 2024–2029 municipal stormwater permit requirements, including mapping, tree-canopy goals, a requirement to manage 2 acres of existing-developed area by 2028, and outreach priorities such as dumpster-lid controls and street sweeping to reduce tire-wear runoff.","taxTitle","Gig Harbor, Pierce County, Washington","taxId",60969,"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},6078519,"Gig Harbor council directs staff to put 0.1% cultural access sales tax on November ballot after wide public comment",4732,2529000,7261000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532&start=2529&end=7261","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532/thumbnail_2529000.jpg","/articles/6078519/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Gig-Harbor-council-directs-staff-to-put-01-cultural-access-sales-tax-on-November-ballot-after-wide-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078519-426f548f7dc008f42641355408261e1f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167768&Signature=C~SecGOL3K~B7XoEXWj7t0C3hT77J9DKzJ2-s2d-X1Lw3y3VRqlrLLwyr~DAyPBpP~BtV8qswxppZ7EC-W0adQjEI50-mb-sca5EpGSYlsQEAJmBE74CAXGdNCNeqqYyxmwJayxzOBJAnILGfUuqltaIL50aQS5DOmptcDYCEsgG2kPs5fIK9O-GxtcBnaPP6Reo8PLvn~Pr7OKH0fd3gQvrl6z0lZt1tsuZs0m1Zu8h2vsG~iae01aC0daRa3Y~ZUJ3RB5r1KlVx7mERuXIz~bcn6vH1gQq5DaNCSYTR-lPvR9IMQ5joKphPpeGMNByS6Bwi2VHv2WTmiZerxEEgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gig Harbor City Council on March 10 directed staff to prepare an ordinance to establish a Cultural Access Program funded by a 0.1% sales tax, with the requirement that the tax be approved by city voters at the November 2025 election. The motion passed 6–0 after more than an hour of public testimony from museum, science and cultural organizations and extended council deliberation.

City Administrator Katrina Knudson told the council that the program, under state law, could be funded by a 0.1% sales tax that would generate about $1,000,000 annually within the city limits if imposed. She said the tax could be adopted by the council directly (councilmanic authority) or placed on the ballot for voter approval; the council asked staff to prepare an ordinance for a ballot measure in November. \"This tax may be imposed directly by you, the city council, councilmanically, or placed on a ballot for the Gig Harbor voters to vote on and decide,\" Knudson said during the staff report.

Speakers representing local institutions urged the council to adopt the program to provide predictable, stable funding for arts, science and heritage groups and to restore school outreach programs cut since the pandemic. Stephanie Lyle, director of the Harbor History Museum, who said she helped instigate the local effort, described the program as a tool to provide reliable support for many small organizations: \"What if everybody, every household, and maybe you divide that by two, gives $10 to every single organization that they love in town? We would all be funded,\" Lyle said. Lindsay Stover, executive director of Harbor Wild Watch, said cultural access would restore pre-pandemic K–12 STEM education and expand outreach, especially to low-income schools on the Key Peninsula.

Several speakers and some council members urged that the program include a clear plan for distribution and governance before any funds are collected. Robin Ovney, speaking as a citizen and former member of multiple arts commissions, said she favored the program but preferred a voter decision and asked the council to develop a distribution plan before asking voters to approve the tax. Council members expressed similar concerns during deliberation: Council member Storrsett proposed directing staff to prepare an ordinance requiring voter approval in November; Council member Henderson supported the measure but said he would prefer voter approval and a more fleshed-out distribution plan. Council member Wouk moved to direct staff to prepare an ordinance by councilmatic action, but that motion received no second. Ultimately Storrsett's motion—amended on the floor to target the November ballot—carried 6–0.

Under the council's direction staff will draft an ordinance and include a high-level program overview; more detailed program rules, distribution criteria, and governance structures are expected to be developed during the ordinance drafting process and in subsequent study sessions. Staff noted timing constraints for an August ballot and recommended November 2025 to allow for ordinance drafting, outreach and a program plan. Knudson said there is a one-year collection period after adoption before disbursements would begin; if the city acts by November, the first revenues would be collected the following year.

Article ending: Council action directs staff to prepare the ordinance and high-level program description for a November 2025 ballot measure; staff and council will hold additional meetings and public outreach to shape distribution rules, governance and implementation steps before funds are collected.","After extensive public testimony from local arts, science and history organizations, the Gig Harbor City Council voted 6–0 to ask staff to prepare an ordinance to establish a cultural access program funded by a 0.1% sales tax and require voter approval in November 2025.",{"_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},6078524,"Council accepts $200,000 donation from Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen's Club for Homeport project",374,2146000,2520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532&start=2146&end=2520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532/thumbnail_2146000.jpg","/articles/6078524/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Council-accepts-200000-donation-from-Gig-Harbor-Commercial-Fishermens-Club-for-Homeport-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078524-1a54d5b35f60be59c9ace06287661fba/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167768&Signature=NkUhZWSSpq6NsGJnEjYpIt1dFx-bc4owhoQ03pPxorL8WfIVcCyjKg9idk9uFzzixez0WPyIJWVyEQoAFvxqxX4LhCHRFzjeH5L68XpngDey692OLKj83UwS0HeK7catGBuPqa5aY-miIxwveNLAybdlJXUHj62WdwIaEEYCIGT5bCHPPpaqLI3mwMj5t~bAItjdrt3mWk6MkH0Yqb8V-CSraIJ5F1lSLq4dRUnJ6OxBH6QUHNXE9Ho2aymfWeJspkLBJ8Zv8anU2v971dM6e~LFWzSDavVjd173J3K6BBJ1tDEYhhoP-f8J~uNVVrCmn1Dwo3FJjFrW8~dPywasXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gig Harbor City Council on March 10 authorized a donation agreement formalizing a $200,000 pledge by the Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen's Club toward construction of a commercial fisherman's homeport at Ansett Waterfront Park.

Parks Manager Jennifer Harrow said the homeport concept dates to 2013 and was included in Resolution 949 that outlined the vision for Ansett Waterfront Park. The project plan calls for moorage for 17 commercial fishing vessels near the net shed and Ansett Pier; it is designed but awaiting federal agency approval of mitigation measures. \"This agreement will formalize their commitment to provide $200,000 towards construction of the project,\" Harrow said. The donation must be paid before the council considers a construction contract, Harrow added.

Council member Henderson asked about the schedule for bidding and whether mitigation costs are included in the project estimate. Director Langham (addressing permitting) and Harrow said staff anticipate going to bid in spring and awarding a contract in spring or early summer, subject to permitting outcomes and the in-water work window; the project budget includes mitigation and construction in a combined estimate of roughly $3.4 million. When asked for a mitigation cost breakdown, staff said they would email council members with a detailed estimate.

Council member Coronado moved to authorize the mayor to execute the donation agreement; Council member Rodenberg seconded. Council member Rodenberg noted the donation is \"quite generous\" and said the Commercial Fishermen's Club does not have a guaranteed benefit of moorage at the new facility, calling the gift \"truly a generous offer with no expectation of anything in return.\" The motion passed 6 to 0.

The donor's pledge is programmed to be collected before the city solicits construction bids. Staff flagged that project permitting remains outstanding and that mitigation measures (primarily eelgrass and kelp planting) are part of the project's scope and cost estimate. The council's authorization now allows staff to accept the donation and proceed with permitting and procurement steps toward construction, subject to federal approvals and final contract terms.

Article ending: The city will continue permitting work and will report back to council with a mitigation cost breakdown and the schedule for bidding and contract award once federal approvals and the in-water window are confirmed.","The Gig Harbor City Council authorized a donation agreement formalizing a $200,000 pledge from the Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen's Club toward construction of a commercial fisherman's homeport at Ansett Waterfront Park; project remains contingent on federal mitigation approvals.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078528,"Gig Harbor council approves amended YMCA lease for sports complex phase 1A with $2 million city contribution",790,1346000,2136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532&start=1346&end=2136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959467-3d5eea772dd6536397e6e4ec5922b532/thumbnail_1346000.jpg","/articles/6078528/Gig-Harbor/Pierce-County/Washington/Gig-Harbor-council-approves-amended-YMCA-lease-for-sports-complex-phase-1A-with-2-million-city-contribution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078528-cdf1e009aadcc0d0d278dd4eda4dff48/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167768&Signature=TV-Zp8WZXtm9dbikVgE-IKWfIlvFwY0hlXQQFO-0ZOBrPm8CYKfApxTDvMlvqk7kEJMmoCHHfiBPAw498YaUAN07qxBIKERz7LlDnHpEOWjIW6Wg0az1819B9UQRv3Ngi~zTLo0QzOd3TX~SqAIuOgP9ZzV5tFNEuG1YX2wmRFOdROcnczd8lRDaChZ8nxsOeIzJs~8kXsO1cVM3IOsCwjtSHF9iTLrowwPnWgntdbnJcgX3wlOCf3Y3sa0wKMStf5ZjheO8~dQqKXMDrZnQvnbwk5qtNTsx4CAFleFSl-OQj2iGKz4y7Emz-Ea-c8XHjFojmcBQc1lDwVPsDqJcEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gig Harbor City Council on March 10 authorized the mayor to execute an amended lease with the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties for phase 1A of the Gig Harbor Sports Complex, including a $2,000,000 contribution from the city's Hospital Benefit Zone (HBZ) funds and changes to ownership and use terms.

The amended lease keeps the YMCA's ability to construct and operate two artificial turf fields on city-owned land, establishes a 35-year initial term with up to three 20-year extensions, and sets an annual lease charge of $1. The agreement also allocates the parking lot and associated driveways and landscaping to city ownership while retaining YMCA maintenance responsibilities.

Parks Manager Jennifer Harrow delivered the staff report, saying the YMCA and city have worked on the project for several years and that delays—largely tied to fundraising and COVID—required changes to the original agreement. \"The term is 35 years with up to three 20-year extensions, and they will be charged a dollar a year for that,\" Harrow said, describing the amended timeline and funding shifts. Harrow also summarized changes from the 2021 lease: the city will contribute $2,000,000 from HBZ funds; a 2017 state legislative appropriation of $499,820 is being assigned to the YMCA; a $120,000 Pierce County reallocation is included; and one previously listed Recreation and Conservation Office grant has expired and was removed.

During council questions, Council member Henderson asked about a provision in the rules for field users that forbids food and drinks; Harrow said the YMCA would enforce those rules because \"it can damage the turf.\" Council member Rodenberg asked for clarification on HBZ restrictions; city administrator Katrina Knudson and Harrow said HBZ funds are restricted to capital public facilities within the Hospital Benefit Zone and cannot be used for city operations, and that the sports complex is an identified HBZ project.

A member of the public, Edward Nadler, told the council he was concerned about the increased cost estimates and the expanded city funding share. Nadler said the city's role has grown since the project's early visioning and cautioned against further requests for citizen funding. \"With this amendment, the cost estimates have doubled while citizen funding will increase 650%,\" Nadler said during public comment.

Council deliberation was brief. Council member Storrsett moved to authorize the lease; Council member Rodenberg seconded. The motion carried 5 to 0 with Council member Henderson recorded as abstaining. The record shows the city will own specified surface improvements and the YMCA will manage field scheduling, low-income financial assistance for YMCA programs, designated public-use times, and a YMCA-managed capital reserve for future field maintenance.

The lease removes prior language that would have allowed the YMCA to purchase the land at the end of the lease; under the amendment the land will revert to city ownership when the lease terminates. Harrow said a future services agreement between the city (as landlord) and YMCA (as tenant) will be negotiated to detail scheduling, shared facility maintenance, use rates, rules and capital reserves. The council's approval authorizes the mayor to execute the amended lease; funding and the services agreement will be addressed in subsequent staff work and contract approvals.

Article ending: The council's authorization lets the YMCA proceed with phase 1A under the amended financial and operational terms described; staff flagged further negotiation and a services agreement as follow-up actions that will determine the fields' day-to-day public-access rules and longer-term capital management.","The Gig Harbor City Council authorized a revised 35-year lease with the YMCA to construct and operate two artificial turf fields, setting a $2 million contribution from Hospital Benefit Zone funds and changes to ownership, maintenance, and public-use terms.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City staff brief Gig Harbor council on new NPDES stormwater permit requirements and local priorities

Gig Harbor council directs staff to put 0.1% cultural access sales tax on November ballot after wide public comment

Council accepts $200,000 donation from Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen's Club for Homeport project

Gig Harbor council approves amended YMCA lease for sports complex phase 1A with $2 million city contribution