The city council hopes to gain further ground on the Washington State Ferry settlement agreement by using the combined forces of the ad hoc committee and the harbor commission’s WSF sub-committee to get a recommendation to the city council by Dec. 8.

The council is asking interested parties to submit requests for qualifications (RFQ) for projects using either the .9 acre land or $2 million to the city by Nov. 15. The combined committees will then use the proposals to make a recommendation on either the land, money or a third option of choosing neither.

The goal is to narrow down the feasibility and specifics of the projects so the council has the details necessary to make a decision. Time is running short to choose the monetary settlement, which expires at the end of the year. The council was reluctant to involve city staff due to their limited resources.

Supporters for both the .9 acre and monetary settlement filled the city chambers to give opinions.

Representatives for the community boatyard urged the city to stay diligent and relentless in negotiating with WSF to honor their side of the deal, while members of the rowing community expressed the need to improve recreational water facilities with the $2 million.