MAYOR’S MESSAGE

February 2020

We provide professional, efficient services to create a lifetime positive difference for our Community.

Winter Weather

We receive a lot of questions and comments about the City’s response to weather conditions, and with the recent snow event we thought it would be a good time to summarize how the City of Mount Vernon strategizes its approach to making our roads safe, and to review what those of us who drive the city streets can do to improve conditions.

Snow and Ice: When snowstorms hit, our City Street Department often works overnight using up to four snow plows to plow the city’s main arterial streets (see map), and then tends to the hills, the “feeder” streets, and some of the more heavily traveled residential streets. It is important to keep in mind that resources do not exist to clear every city street down to dry pavement. It is up to those of us who drive the streets to navigate them slowly and safely. And once a street is packed down to a hard layer of snow and ice, snow plows are ineffective at removing the ice.

Plowing is necessary to clear crucial roadways so that the community at-large (including first responders) can get to where they need to go. It is unavoidable to have snow pushed into driveways. If possible, move any cars off the street to allow room for the plows and wait to clear your driveway and sidewalk until after plows have passed.

Sanding Roadways: Sand is used to create better friction on icy surfaces, but it is not used without consequences to the public’s drainage and ecosystems. It also requires time and resources to clean up after the cold weather is gone. Sand is used on icy Mount Vernon streets, but it is used strategically, and not on every street.

What about Salt? Salt is used to melt snow on some roads, but it is not a cure-all. Even salt water freezes (at 28.4 degrees).

What You Can Do: Be sure to practice conscientious driving - give yourself extra time to get to wherever you’re going. If there is compact snow and ice on the street accelerate gradually, keep your speed low, and begin braking far ahead of the intersection you will be stopping at. Bald tires and sports cars do not perform well in winter conditions. The city’s road-clearing efforts provide us with a safer foundation, but keeping our streets accident free is the responsibility of all of us who get behind the wheel.

Thank you to all who attended the first Civic Saturday! The next event will focus on Parks & Enrichment Services, and will take place on:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 10 AM HILLCREST LODGE, 1717 S. 13th St.

We hope to see you there! Page 2

2020 Legislative Session 10th Legislative District:

Father Daughter Valentine Ball The Washington State Legislature began it’s 2020 Senator Ron Muzzall session on January 13 and is scheduled to adjourn on (360) 786 - 7618 [email protected] Mount Vernon High School March 12. This year is considered a “short session” Cafeteria with an amazing flurry of activity in those 60 days. Representative Saturday, February 8 (360) 786 - 7914 6:30 - 8:30 pm The City of Mount Vernon maintains relationships with [email protected] the two legislative districts that represent us. In $26 per couple / $13 each Representative additional girl addition, anyone can track the legislative work being (360) 786 - 7884 done at the state level on their website at [email protected] All girls are invited with their fathers www.leg.wa.gov. (or other father figure) to a Valentine’s Ball. This is an opportunity for dads 40th Legislative District: On the State Legislature’s website, you can: and daughters to dress up and spend Senator Liz Lovelett a night together creating lasting  track bills and legislation (360) 786 - 7678 memories. Tickets must be pre-  Comment on a bill [email protected] purchased - contact (360) 336-6215.  Contact your legislators Representative

This is a great opportunity to look at what is being (360) 786 - 7800 ************************** [email protected] proposed during the current session, engage on the state level, and let our legislators know your thoughts Representative Swing Night at Hillcrest (360) 786 - 7970 Lodge and opinions. www.leg.wa.gov Thursday, February 13, 6-8pm 1717 S. 13th Street

You are invited to the Mount Vernon City Library’s Free Swing Night at Hillcrest Lodge. Learn the basics of swing dancing with a free lesson at 6 pm and then enjoy live music by members of the MVHS Jazz Band, social dancing, and light refreshments beginning at 7 pm.

The ‘20s are back and so we are swinging you into a new favorite pastime! Come as you are, bring your Valentine, or invite your whole crew for this fun, free, all-ages event. No dancing experience necessary! Don’t want to dance? No problem! Come Fire Department’s Zoll Monitor enjoy the live music and When 911 is called, MVFD paramedics will arrive carrying the most advanced medical entertainment. 1920s or Swing attire equipment available to us to meet the needs of our community. The most critical tool highly recommended but not required. carried is the Zoll monitor/defibrillator.

************************** The Zoll is used on almost every call to meet basic diagnostic needs such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen levels, carbon monoxide levels, and end title CO2 levels. But the advanced cardiac features of the Zoll are what make it a

Mayor Jill Boudreau necessity: 910 Cleveland Avenue  Paramedics can directly see the heart rhythm and interpret what needs to be Mount Vernon, WA 98273 done. If CPR is performed the Zoll monitor analyzes the performance and verbally

360.336.6211 instructs providers on how to be more www.mountvernonwa.gov efficient with their CPR.  While performing these life saving activities, the Zoll monitor can capture the information and transmit it directly to a physician in the Emergency Department.  What makes the Zoll monitor stand out is its interoperability; because of this all agencies with paramedics use this device.