“A notice of violation was sent to the owner and resident of 2305 88th Ave NE this week after the City received a video showing rats and trash inside the residence,” according to the May 1st Administrator’s Weekly Report (link).
The video, taken from the street, shows at least one rat scampering inside the house through a gap where the home’s front door should be. Another resident, about half a mile south, reported rats by her property as well.
Content warning: the video follows below.
Also, the city held its second “open house” on the budget on Thursday, May 1st. According to one attendee, “maybe eight people” were present. The problem statement was clear:
The administration’s recommendations include a significant city property tax increase, or “Levy Lid Lift.” That increase, according to the slides, is “subject to a majority vote of Clyde Hill residents.”
The city “needs a sales pitch,” according to City Administrator Dean Rohla (link), in order to convince residents to approve such a significant tax hike.
The slides from Thursday’s meeting show what appears to be a first take at that sales pitch: “Protect Clyde Hill’s independence.”
Disclaimer: while I am a council member on the Clyde Hill City Council, I write this newsletter in my capacity as an individual resident. Any opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily the position of the city. City information and references here are from public sources. I welcome email responses — and if the topic is about city business I will respond from my city email account.
City intensifies efforts
City officials have stepped up their own efforts and their work with King County officials to address the source of a marked increase in resident reports of rats. From the latest Administrator’s Weekly Report:
This is the same property that had been served with notices previously for code violations exterior to the house and whose status on our monthly Code Compliance and Enforcement report is listed as “Ongoing.” King County Public Health continues their own enforcement actions as well. (link)
According to an email some residents received from the city’s Director of Public Works:
Rat control is not in the City’s jurisdiction. It has been documented that the greater Puget Sound region has a “healthy” rat population and Clyde Hill is no exception. We encourage people to call a pest service to deal with rat extermination.
Long-time residents in the area note that they are seeing more rats than they have in the past.
Here is the resident video:
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Dean Hachamovitch