After six weeks in the Maple Valley mayor’s chair, Noel Gerken is finding the job both rewarding and demanding.
Gerken said there is more work than he anticipated, “but I am enjoying every minute.”
The mayor said there is more time commitment and more meetings then he expected, but his day job is flexible and allows him to meet the demands of the position.
Maple Valley’s form of city government is council-manager, which means the mayor is elected by the City Council from within its own ranks.
Gerken was elected Jan. 4, the first meeting of the year. The mayor is elected every two years following the November general election.
Laure Iddings had served as mayor of the city for the past 12 years since incorporation, but resigned Jan. 1.
Along with a new mayor, the November general election saw voters elect Erin Weaver over incumbent David Pilgrim and Bill Allison beat out Jim Flynn. Flynn had served on the Council for 10 years before losing to Layne Barnes in the November 2007 election.
“I like the new City Council members,” Gerken said. “They add new energy. This City Council is fantastic and is working pretty good as a unit now.”
The mayor said a top issue is the annexation of Summit Place property, also known as the donut hole, which is currently owned by King County. Summit Place, 156-acres, is located near 228th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 272nd Street where a King County transportation maintenance facility is now located.
Kirkland-based developer YarrowBay and King County are negotiating a purchase and sale agreement for the site. An agreement between the Kirkland developer and the county for the property must be reached by Feb. 20 unless an extension is negotiated. The city wants to annex the property before it is developed. This will allow the city control over the way the property is developed and any construction-related fees would go to Maple Valley rather than the county.
Gerken noted the issue between YarrowBay and the county is “down to the 11th hour.”
The mayor also pointed out the YarrowBay developments in Black Diamond — The Villages and Lawson Hill — brings transportation headaches to Maple Valley centered on state Route 169 and Kent Kangley.
“We are working on a putting a regional partnership together (with other cities) for more clout,” Gerken said. “This is for transportation, but it might include public safety. We need more clout in Seattle.”
Gerken said he is excited about the future plans for the Legacy site, a 50-acres parcel located across from Rock Creek Elementary along Maple Valley Highway north of Four Corners. The city plans to build City Hall on the site.
“I think the staff and City Council are committed to building City Hall in 10 years,” Gerken said. “We have to take the first step, which is looking at funding options (like a) private-public partnerships. We need to reopen the public process”.
The mayor said the council needs to complete the Four Corners subarea plan, which means “addressing the northwest quadrant.” Swedish Medical Center is in the early stages of planning for a 24-hour emergency treatment center in the Four Corners area.
Gerken said with Swedish in the mix, “we should look harder at office and whatever else makes sense” in the subarea plan.
Gerken noted it is important to continue building up the police force as the city grows and “I’m worried in the long term with drugs and gangs.”
Despite challenges, Gerken said he likes the job and believes he has many opportunities ahead to help the city.
“We have natural amenities that make this a great city,” he said.
