I have been upset at the City of Mukilteo ever since their acquisition of the Mukilteo State park from the State of Washington. As many of you know, the boat launch fee went from $5.00 to $10.00 this year, with no significant changes in service to the user. The whole park is in disrepair, the launch is frequently clogged with seaweed and the ramp full of gravel.
I use this launch alot because it is closest to my home and I am attracted to launching in big swells.

After I read the "Best Launch for Humpy Hollow/Shipwreck" thread yesterday, I called city hall with the goal of filing a formal complaint.

I ended up speaking to a city employee named Sharon. Sharon had explained that they "try" to get down to the launch once a week, tide permitting, and backhoe the launch to clean it up. I also complained about the fact that if you buy a season launch permit, that the permit is only good through this calendar year, not good for one year since the date of purchase.

Well, excuses began spewing from her mouth. I was thoroughly upset with her responses and continued to file my formal complaint by faxing it in to her attention. Apparently they are going to review their boat launch policies at the next city meeting. I explained that I was not the only one upset about these issues and that I would have my fellow anglers also fax in a complaint about the launch, she said that was O.K. The launch fee and policies will remain in place unless we complain that the service is unsatisfactory.

This is where I need all of your help, whether or not you use the launch, please use the material below to file a complaint and fax it to:

Attn: Sharon
City of Mukilteo
Fax # 425-347-4544

This is the Cities formal complaint process as defined by Sharon.

Complaint should contain information about:

The launch not being maintained on a regular basis. The launch should be cleaned and backhoed,especially during peak season, three times per week.

The launch fee increase with no increase in service to the park users or launch users. The launch fees obtained go into the city General fund when they should be used solely for the park and launch.

The permit policy is $60.00 for any non-resident of the city of Mukilteo. $35.00 for a resident. The permit is only good for the year in which it was purchased. The permit should "roll" to the next year from the date of purchase.

THe city needs to install a fishing dock now that no angling is allowed from the launch docks. I am personally happy that I no longer have to navigate through a ton of people fishing while I launch and retreive, but they should have a alternative dock now that no fishing is allowed here.


I would really appreciate it if any of you who read this please fax in a quick complaint on all of our behalf.

Thanks-

I concur--and will send a fax.. I purchsed an annual resident and was not happy with the fact its only good till Dec. Also, that the permit is not transferable to my second vehical. What up wit dat??

I to am very disgusted with the way the city, not only does not maintain the ramp but how the city won't even enforce the law's that are blaintly being broken, came in from fishing in a friends boat one evening after sun down on the dock were crabbers, a line was across the entrance of the opening, being dark it could not be seen, well it was ran over and the line was cut and crab pot was lost, these people (not of the american culture) and the only reason i mention this is because i've counted this more than i can remember, they decieded to start throwing crabs at the boat are children in it, being dark you couldn't see them comming, none of which were legal size, called the police after being followed to the parking lot to retreave the trailor and a few of them trying to pick a fight, we were out numbered 10 to 2, not only did the police not do anything about the crab assult or the unlawfull crabbing but continued to let them crab retaining under size crab still in a bucket,and you wonder why people take the law into there own hands?because they have to to protect there self and there children, I stand with you Sky-Guy, Doug

Thx Coho and Doug-

To others, please post up if you sent in a fax, I would like to gauge how many people are going to file a complaint.

Again, please send in a fax, even if you dont use the launch!

I personally send in letters to the WDFW and our State Government for fishery issues that I have heard about on this board, now I am asking for your help with this issue.

I will send one today.

Done... Thanks for the effort Sky-Guy!

Sky Guy, you da man!

I usually make only a couple of trips to Mukilteo during a years period. The last time I was there was two years ago for the humpies. I could not believe how bad the ramps were this year. Just waiting in line that is all people could talk about was how bad the ramps were.

BTW, there is a fishing pier on the north side of the ferry terminal. I was also glad I did not have to throw my elbows around to get through the guys fishing from the docks at the ramp.

Fax is on its way!

Thanks for all the support here guys, and to everyone else, we need your help too!

I went down and had a face-to-face with Sharon today, bought my pass (reluctantly, but I will get my moneys worth.) She was a little more up front and empathetic to our sitatuion. She stressed that our voices and the number of faxes received will count when it comes to the next city meeting, which is on 9/2/03, I will be in attendance to voice these concerns.

That piece of property has so much potential to be a great park and launch, it is just totally mis-managed IMO.

Letter faxed.

Thanks for leading the charge on this. I launched at Mukilteo last year, but have been driving up to Everett this year. Since I usually fish Kingston, Possession and Shipwreck, this doesn't work out too well...

Hopefully we'll get a better launch. At least we've done our part.

Here's mine Sky Guy.

Attn: Sharon
City of Mukilteo
Fax # 425-347-4544


Dear Sharon;
I am writing this letter to expess my concern that the recently acquired boat launch at Mukilteo park is not being maintained in a reasonable manor. Very often the launch is blocked by debris such as driftwood, seaweed and other flotsom and jetsom. It would be nice if someone, perhaps the one taking the $10.00 launch fee, see that the ramps are in a clear and usable state.

I understand that the fee’s being collected are not used to maintain the facility but are diverted into a general account. Why not let the fees be used to maintain the ramp and the park as a whole?

I would also like to see the law enforced regarding fishing from the docks. It is clearly posted that there is “No Fishing” from the docks. The individuals who persists in this illegal activity are a danger to both the boaters and themselves. I have heard of incidents where crab lines have fouled boat props, and with the dangerous conditions that often exist, loosing power while docking could have serious consequences.

I appreciate the fact that you can get an annual launch permit, as I use the launch and docks frequently. It would be nice if the permit were transferable from one boat or one vehicle to another as very often we use different vehicles and/or boats.

Thank You


Jeff GutZ
Bellevue, Wa

Sky-Guy, one of the other things that intered my mine when they raised the fee that i just thought of is how much revenue are they getting from the park and ride ? just another issue to throw in, Doug

I feel your pain, having fought City Hall over the Snohomish launch. I would suggest that you call the City council members directly. You need to get a couple of them on your side before it is discussed in a city council meeting. Having a allie on your side improves that chanches theank changes will take place. Hers the link to there web site no phone# but E-mail address. I bet there are listed in the phone book.http://www.ci.mukilteo.wa.us/elected-officials/elected-officials.htm#Contacting

I'm sorry I only just read this thread. Here is my contribution, sent to the mayor via e-mail. (I also sent a copy to each council member). I'll let you know if I get any kind of response.
------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mayor Doran,

I have recently used the salt water boat launch at Mukilteo. I understand that the city of Mukilteo has taken over control of this launch. I am very concerned over several issues.

First, the fee was raised to $10 per launch. This is a very high fee for a one time boat launch, but I do understand the budgets of cities are requiring finding new sources of revenue. That being said, I do expect that the $10 fee go to maintain the facility it is being collected at. Unfortunately, the Mukilteo launch is in poor upkeep. The launch today had 4-6 inches of gravel all the way up to the high tide mark. I and several other people had to help push a full size truck out as it was stuck in the gravel. This is unacceptable and a serious safety risk. If there is no one around to help, vehicles could easily get caught and swept away by the tides. Besides being a safety issue, your city would be at risk for lawsuits as it is your responsibility to maintain a safe facility.

I would also like to see the law enforced regarding fishing from the docks. It is clearly posted that there is “No Fishing” from the docks. The individuals who persist in this illegal activity are a danger to both the boaters and themselves. I have heard of incidents where crab lines have fouled boat props, and with the dangerous conditions that often exist, loosing power while docking could have serious consequences.

I am sure that as mayor of Mukilteo, you strive every day to provide your citizens with the best services possible. Unfortunately, the services your city are providing at this boat launch in no way come remotely close to those provided at other facilities for half the cost of launching a boat. I request that you look into this issue and provide the type of services worthy of a $10 launch fee. I look forward to your response and will relay it to the twenty thousand readers who regularly visit my web site.

Thank you for your attention in this matter.

Regards,

Mike Carey, Editor
www.WashingtonLakes.com

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