Sixth Street Bridge set to open soon

POMEROY–Mayor G. Paul Miller opened the December 10 meeting with a public hearing on the 2020 budget. There being no comments or questions, the mayor closed the public hearing.

Highlights in the budget included no increases in 2020 for medical, dental or vision; no change in business license fees, and no increase in water and sewer rates. Pool fees will also remain unchanged with a family pass for four costing $150.00. Resolution 19-5, a motion to adopt the 2020 rates as presented, was passed unanimously.

Michelle Bly of TD&H Engineering updated the council on the Sixth Street Bridge Project. The railing contractor has almost finished and S&L Underground will be wrapping things up this week in preparation for opening the bridge to winter traffic. The only work left is the spring paving.

Progress Billing No. 34 in the amount of $220,856.16 was presented. Funding of $191,040.58 from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and $29,815.58 from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) is to be distributed to TD&H Engineering, $5,082.72; and to S&L Underground, $215,773.44. A motion passed unanimously to authorize Mayor Miller to sign Progress Billing No. 34 in the sum of $220,856.16.

Bly discussed supplemental costs for construction engineering and recommended preparing a supplement in the amount of $36,317.00 to cover additional construction engineering work done by TD&H. Bill Preston of WSDOT was also present at the meeting to help explain what was involved with this request. The city entered into an agreement with TD&H back in 2014, but that original agreement expired on December 31, 2016. In order to be eligible for federal funding, the city must be under a current contract, so all work performed after December 31, 2016, would not be eligible for federal reimbursement. Since the city signed a Sole Source Agreement with TD&H on October 15, 2019, all work done after this date is eligible for reimbursement.

Preston asked TD&H for an estimated cost to finish the project. That figure was $37,317.00, which would be covered by construction contingency funds.

Sheriff Drew Hyer told the council that calls to service calls were down by thirty-five in November, but there were two burglaries to two churches in town. Verbal warnings to motorists were up as was total miles driven. Vandalism at the City Park occurred in two separate incidents; however, his office and School Resource Officer Jim Nelson have received confessions from the perpetrators for both instances and there will be restitution for the damage. Speeding vehicles are being ticketed at the west end of Main Street in the morning and when school lets out in the afternoon. Hyer said there is still a citizen volunteer assisting with traffic control in the morning and afternoon. The Department of Transportation has a larger reduced speed sign coming for this area and will put it in place. He also contacted a resident and requested trees on their property be trimmed back to enhance visibility of the traffic signs, and this has been done.

Hyer stated there have been numerous spam calls in the community. Recent calls are from people claiming to be from the Social Security office and asking for personal information.

The newest deputy will be graduating from the academy December 13, and starting December 17. His department is working on hiring two part-time dispatchers.

Jamie Lockie made a request for relief from water overage charges of $318.40. A motion passed to grant relief of fifty percent of the overage.

Jack Peasley from the Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) spoke to the council about a $96,000.00 state appropriation that needs to be used by June, 2021.

Peasley said the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) is very interested in doing something in Pomeroy, and is focused on infrastructure such as water and sewer.

Brenda Bye submitted a letter regarding a $1,000 grant from the Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation for payment of lifeguard wages at swim team practices. The Pomeroy Swim Team would fund the balance. This grant was included with the city’s grant request.

A letter from the Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation to the city for funding in the amount of $36,639.86 to implement mowing and trimming at the cemetery was included in the council’s packets.

Council reviewed the 2020 budget. Members noted that participating in Complete Streets projects was “going to be difficult for the city to afford in the future” and “just not in our best interests.”

City Superintendent Landkammer was asked about estimates for repairs to the gazebo at the city park. He told the group that County Engineer Grant Morgan “doesn’t think it needs to be that drastic.” The gazebo was built in 1903, and is historically significant to the community since it is over one hundred years old.

Council adopted Resolution 19-6, the Levy Certification and Resolution for a one percent property tax increase for 2020.

Oaths of office were administered.

Dotty Van Vogt asked if the city could release to Garlinghouse Memorials a portion of the grant money the Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation awarded to the city to fund a memorial at the city cemetery in honor of those who lost their lives while in service to the country during times of war. The partial payment would be for the cost of the materials, but the mayor noted that the city does not prepay for services not rendered. Garlinghouse will be in touch with the city regarding the issue.

There was no new business.The next regular meeting will be January 7, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.