Community Government
City celebrates North Creek Salmon Heritage Site purchase
Gig Harbor will celebrate two milestones this week, according to Mayor Tracie Markley.
The city, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Lyons Family Trust will celebrate the acquisition of 11.5 acres of land known as the North Creek Salmon Heritage Site Phase 1 at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4. The site is just north of the Gig Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant, across Harborview Drive from Donkey Creek Park.
The city acquired the property from the Lyons family, with their cooperation, to preserve it from development. The Tuesday celebration is being dubbed an “un-groundbreaking ceremony.”
The property will be preserved in its natural state and in the future might have a path connecting Harborview Drive to the Cushman Trail, and salmon viewing areas. It will be part of the city’s parks system.
A small bridge crosses Donkey/North Creek in the property that the city purchased in cooperation with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and the Lyons Family Foundation. Photo courtesty of city of Gig Harbor
Phase 3 purchase finalized
The mayor made the announcements at the Sept. 26 city council meeting.
City Administrator Katrina Knutson told the council that that the city recently finalized the purchase of Phase 3 of the North Creek Salmon Heritage Site, in cooperation with the Great Peninsula Conservancy. The conservancy will take over care and maintenance of the property. Look for a celebration of this parcel later this year.
The city will celebrate the grand opening of the Eddon Boatyard house at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6. The house has been remodeled so the upper floor of the building can be used by the Gig Harbor BoatShop for its historic documentation projects. The ground floor will be available to rent for small public gatherings.
The house at Eddon Boatyard Park. Vince Dice
Other business
• In other business, the council passed an amendment to the city code related to council study sessions. Previously, sessions were to take place the third Monday of each month. The new amendment allows for study sessions “at times convenient for council.”
• The council also approved an agreement with Pierce County that helps low-income households pay their water bills. The agreement allows Pierce County to make assistance payments to the city on behalf of eligible households, through a federal and state program.
• The council approved an amendment to the city’s personnel salary schedule in order to hire a full-time property and evidence technician for the police department. This is a new position in the department.
• Councilmember Le Rodenberg announced that he is working with the Chamber of Commerce to develop a business accelerator program to help local small businesses “grow, and work smoothly the city.”
The next council meeting will take place Monday, Oct. 10, which is also Indigenous Peoples Day.