The Snoqualmie City Council rarely acts on an ordinance the same night it introduces one.

But the council made an exception to the rule last Monday, July 14, when it amended the municipal code on subgrade crawlspaces.

The quick change was needed to allow work on the new City Hall building to move forward. Construction was slated to begin last Monday, July 21. City Public Works Director Kirk Holmes said the change resolves minor issues that were missed in the design process for the new city hall.

The new rules also apply to residential construction. Non-residential construction can be built lower.

To meet requirements for the crawlspace at the new City Hall, the city is looking at several options, including filling part of the space with pea gravel, or lowering the exterior landscape by digging, to make sure the crawlspace isn’t too far below ground level.

The foundation of the new city hall is an 18-inch slab of concrete, reinforced with rebar.

“This will be the strongest foundation in all of Snoqualmie,” said Mayor Matt Larson.