In a study session update on Sept. 13 on the Mars Hill Church building and a potential partnership with Central Washington University, City Manager Lyman Howard reported to City Council members that Central Washington officials are interested in partnering for an outreach program in Sammamish, which could begin as early as next April.

Such a program has not yet been fully defined, though Howard stated it would likely be a Running Start program with possible expansion to certificate programs, continuing education, English as a second language, professional re-certification programs and other college credit programs.

Howard said Central Washington President James Gaudino, who visited the site at 120 228th Ave. NE with his wife and CWU provost Katherine Frank on Sept. 12, was interested in working with the city over the next six weeks to create a proposal to present to Central Washington’s board of trustees.

“I will plan on working with the council team on the details of the proposal and will present it to the full council for its approval,” Howard said. “If all goes well, Central Washington University could start their program as early as April 2017.”

Deputy Mayor Ramiro Valderrama attended the visit with Gaudino and Frank, along with Howard, Mayor Don Gerend and Councilmember Tom Odell. Valderrama noted a few “red flags” he took away from the visit that included the number of students potentially attending the school from outside Sammamish, current legislative issues with state Running Start programs and if Sammamish students could even begin participating in Central Washington programs in April. Valderrama also stated Central Washington officials expressed a “possibility of having to do risk-sharing with the city of Sammamish,” though they did not elaborate further on what that entailed.

“That does concern me,” Valderrama said. “Especially since we’re in government and not in the private sector, and so the funds that we’re playing with are not available for those kinds of actions.”

Councilmember Christie Malchow suggested the city explore other potential partners for the site, as well as study the traffic impacts to the city.

“I think we would be wise to investigate other opportunities in this building aside from just Central Washington University,” she said. “We’ve got all of our eggs in one basket here and if this falls through, we are still left with an empty building.”

In an update Tuesday night, Howard told the council the Central Washington president and the board of trustees are planning to visit the site and would like to meet with the council on Oct. 20 as the first part of their monthly trustees meeting.

The council unanimously passed a motion Tuesday to continue discussions with Central Washington about securing a lease for the building through Nov. 15. A traffic impact analysis would be required for the parties to formally proceed. Should Central Washington not formally commit to the property by then, the council will discuss possible alternatives for the property.

Sammamish Council to discuss ST3 on Oct. 4

Mayor Don Gerend reported to City Council members Tuesday night the city of Sammamish has scheduled Oct. 4 for a potential resolution for Sound Transit 3.

“We hope to get someone with a pro statement and someone with a con statement, and then have a council discussion [and] decide whether we want to take a stance for or against, or not take a stance,” Gerend said.