What of dogs?

oncerned about the ordinance banning dogs from all city property.

Nelson has been using the perimeter of the golf course to walk dogs for over twenty years without any problems. Her dog is always on a leash and she picks up messes. She explained the importance of having a place to walk dogs in the spring when ticks are especially bad or if conditions are muddy, and pointed out that pets are allowed in most state parks if leashed. Nelson feels that most of the problems locally are caused by out-of-town people stopping and letting their pets out to run free and relieve themselves without cleaning up messes. Visitors concurred, saying they had witnessed campers and cars with out-of-state licenses doing just that.

Her concern was the city banning dogs from “all city properties” and feels Pomeroy would be considered “not friendly” to dog owners. This might keep some people from attending special events. Several agreed some public areas should allow dogs while others, such as the cemetery, should remain off-limits.

Clay Barr voiced concern about other people on the golf course when golfers were present. “I’m all for people using city property but it makes me nervous,” he said, noting the liability issue for golfers.

Juan Sanchez, a Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) Census Coordinator from Walla Walla and Brissa Perez, also of BMAC, informed the council about new options for this year’s census.

Census Day is April 1, 2020, and for the first time, people can respond online, by mail or phone. Most personal contact with census takers will occur only if people do not respond to one of the other methods.

Cindy Herres is the point-of-contact in Pomeroy.

Jack Peasley emphasized the importance of an accurate census for funding programs and other grants.

Michelle Bly of TD&H Engineering gave an update on the Sixth Street Bridge Project. Jim Whitbread, also of TD&H, had prepared a brief report stating that all that remains is for the paving to be completed in the spring. A supplement suggested by Bill Preston of Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) at the December meeting allowing some of the contingency funds to be shifted into constructing engineering was discussed. This action would to allow disbursement into other categories and make the paperwork easier to track when the funds were divided, as these funds had no specific designation before. Bly stated there would still be money left in contingency. A motion authorizing the mayor to sign Local Agency Supplement #4 passed unanimously. Bly explained in response to a question about the railings that WSDOT has specific obligations regarding hiring and Disadvantaged Business Employer contractors. A motion authorizing the mayor to sign Progress Billing No. 35 for TD&H Engineering in the sum of $28,761.74 ($24,878.91 to WSDOT and $3,882.83 to the Transportation Improvement Board was passed unanimously.

An email from Whitbread stated the Columbia Fifth to Sixth Street Project drawings are 95 percent complete and specifications are 100 percent complete. He anticipates advertising for bids after the council reviews the plans at the February meeting. Problems with the LED globe lights on Main Street were mentioned in regards to lighting proposed for this project. City Superintendent Landkammer told the council that half of the lights on Main Street are burned out and Pacific Power & Light (PP&L) won’t support replacing them since they are not on PP&L poles. He said the outlets worked the first year, then the warranty expired. Bly responded she would talk to Krista at TD&H about other options since they want to fix the problem, not create a burden for the city.

Sheriff Drew Hyer told the council that monthly calls to service were down by eight in December. Citations overall were up although criminal citations were down by eight and total mileage driven was also down. There was one burglary to a storage unit but appeared that nothing was taken. One deputy is still in training with officer Dansereau and should be ready for patrol in March.

Kreg Buryta approached the council with a request for two variances for on his property at 586 Columbia Street involving extension of the carport to the west and to the south. Buryta indicated the neighbors liked the appearance of the overhang better than the tarps that previously covered wood stored there. After some discussion between Buryta and members of the council, no action was taken at this point, as the council felt it was not in a position to begin the variance process. Mayor Miller suggested to Buryta that he correct the setback on the west side to three feet, and discuss ways to resolve the problem with Landkammer and City Building Inspector Stan Warren. City Clerk Martin told Buryta there was a $500 fee and what other procedures were necessary for granting variances.

Kyle Pearson informed the council he is acting as temporary Fire Chief following Kris Darby’s resignation at the end of December. He and the Fire Commissioners will start next week looking for a new Fire Chief. He indicated at this time, “I don’t see a local for that position” and the department will “have to reach out.” Pearson said DeeDee Weymouth is still doing ambulance work and hopefully the fire station will open within a month.

New Garfield County Hospital District Commissioner Mike Field, attended the meeting to present the opportunity to have a city council member serve on the hospital’s levy committee. The hospital is hoping to have a representative from each government agency. Councilman Harris indicated he would attend.

Carey Caruso asked in an email if the council could reduce the cost of a pass price for the high school golf team from $125 to $90. Harris made a motion to amend Resolution 19-5 to change the pass fee for the golf team, Cassetto seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

City Superintendent Kenny Landkammer reported on funding for the LED globe lights on Main Street. The city needs approximately $14,000 to repair the street lights and outlets in the light poles, $7,000 for the LED lights and $7,000 for the outlets. He said the outlets haven’t been working for about five years. Mayor Miller proposed adjusting the Capital Improvements Fund to use $7,000 this year to replace the LED lights and repair the outlets next year. Landkammer has talked to Anne Walsh at Puget Sound Energy (PSE) about possible grant funding to help with the costs. Council agreed to the adjustment.

Martin presented the Quarterly Revenue, Expenditure and Cash Reports, and the Age Analysis Reports.

A loan payment in the amount of $15,075 was made to USDA Rural Development for the water bond redemption loan. No problems were found with the consent agenda and it was passed unanimously.

The topic of dogs in city parks was discussed again under old business. The city’s previous ordinance allowed dogs if leashed. Hodges stressed the importance of community involvement and suggested Sue Nelson, Eric Argyle and others put together input, recommendations and suggestions to provide to the council. Action on the ordinance was put on hold until next month.

Code compliance of buildings in the downtown core area that are not open for business but are being used for purposes not in compliance was brought up again. A utility accessibility or maintenance fee of around $30 per quarter, or $10 per month, was suggested. Martin will research the Pomeroy Municipal Codes to find the criteria for bringing buildings into corresponding uses as defined in the zoning section. Customers will be notified regarding connectivity fees through a news article in the newspaper and social media sources like Facebook.

There was no new business. Mayor Miller if there was anything else for the good of the order. Fuchs asked Landkammer if there was any information regarding the repair of the gazebo at the city park. Landkammer said Grant Morgan had brought some drawings by that morning and that the gazebo is safe to be on at this point. Fuchs also mentioned that the street light at the school near the raised crosswalk had blown out. Sheriff Hyer reported that WSDOT had put up a bigger speed limit sign at Third and Main Streets and raised it higher for better visibility.

The next meeting will be at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 4.