Community government
Gig Harbor City Council on Monday authorized the purchase of two new Ford hybrid SUV police cars.
Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm noted that purchasing police patrol vehicles has become difficult due to supply chain issues.
Wait times for new patrol cars are usually over eight months. Meanwhile, the standard method of purchasing cars through the state contract method is currently closed.
The two new vehicles suddenly became available, and city staff used a formal tendering process to acquire them. The cars will be delivered to Gig Harbor before the end of the year, Langhelm said.
Council approved an expense of $84,730 for the purchase of the two hybrid vehicles.
The council also approved a change to the city code regarding the oath of office for police officers.
The new oath of office no longer refers to “Laws of Pierce County”. Gig Harbor police officers are not authorized to enforce county laws.
Council honors canoe and kayak championship team
The Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Race Team was congratulated at the reunion for winning the 2022 ACA Sprint National Championship in August.
The winner is determined by the performance of the team members in the singles, doubles and four-man races. The team with the most combined points in these races is the champion.
Members of the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Race Team were honored at the Gig Harbor City Council meeting on Monday.
The Gig Harbor team won first place in the bantam (under 14), juvenile (under 16) and junior (under 18) age groups and outscored 47 other teams from across the country , with a total of 995.25 points.
Mayor Tracie Markley read a proclamation acknowledging the team’s accomplishments and thanking them “for the honor they have brought to the city of Gig Harbor.”
other business
- City Administrator Katrina Knutson announced a new parks superintendent will arrive on board Nov. 7, pending background checks.
- Director of Public Works Jeff Langhelm explained that the “greenish-brownish foam” that appeared in the water near Skansie Park is decaying organic material from an algal bloom. It was not, as some had feared, raw sewage.
- The council recognized members of the “honor committee” who led the effort to commission “Our Fisherman, Our Keeper,” the carved redwood statue in Austin Park at the txʷaalqəł estuary that recognizes the band sx̌wǝbabš of the Puyallup Indian tribe as the original inhabitants. from Gig Harbour.
- The board unanimously approved an ordinance formally adopting a process for reporting surplus items and selling or disposing of surplus items. The new ordinance allows the city administrator and city staff to declare items under $10,000 as surplus, bypassing council for approval. The board must approve all surplus items over $10,000, including surplus real estate.
The next board meeting will be on Monday, October 24.
