Columbia, Fifth and Sixth Street project sheds cost

hich had been part of the Columbia Fifth and Sixth Street project costing upward of $529,000, have been eliminated from the plans and inlets are now designed to tie into the existing storm system.

Luke Antonich of TD&H Engineering described the new design not only drops the dry wells, but also reduces the amount of sidewalk and there will be no new sidewalk on the north side of Columbia between Fifth and Sixth streets, resulting in a drop in cost overall. Rolled curbing will be installed.

Trees on the south side of the street may possibly be taken out but that is not included in the project cost. The engineer’s estimate after final review is now down to $481,277.00.

“Right now, we’re happy to be under budget and would like to stay there,” stated Antonich.

A motion authorizing the mayor to sign the Bid Authorization Form for the Columbia Street project passed unanimously.

Michelle Bly of TD&H, explained the need to sign an agreement supplement for the Sixth Street Bridge project which does not cost the city anything but is a mechanism that allows the transferring of money left over from one part of the project to be transferred to another part. Bly told the council that the supplement is needed as a paperwork trail. A motion to authorize the mayor to sign Local Agency Agreement Supplement No. 1 was passed unanimously.

Luke Antonich, of TD&H Engineering, presented an update on the Columbia Fifth to Sixth Street project.

Sheriff Drew Hyer reported calls to service were up in February. There were two burglaries related to unsecured premises and several drug arrests involving search warrants. An explosive device was discovered following one search.

Hyer said there have been quite a few fraud attempts mainly targeting senior citizens, but he hasn’t had any reports of anyone being “taken” yet. Many of these scams show an 843 prefix. Hyer will advise the community how to protect themselves.

Hyer and his wife, Kristine, served “Loaded Potato Soup” at a YWCA fundraiser in Lewiston generating $30,000 for the homeless shelter.

A drug take-back day will be held on April 10 on the courthouse lawn.

The application period for the open deputy position closed.

Hyer and City Superintendent Landkammer cooperate on identifing out-of-state and expired vehicle registrations. Two vehicles have been towed.

Mark Thompson and Josh Eckert of Emerge Inland Cellular spoke about fiber optic services their company is working to provide. Installation of fiber optic cable is underway, will be completed in three phases, completion estimated this fall.

Chris Muñoz addressed the council regarding the downtown business district zoning ordinance. He began by asking, “What is it that you are trying to accomplish here?” and “Is it non-compliance and non-compliant uses?” Muñoz mentioned other aspects involving inactive business buildings such as dilapidation or nuisance concerns. He wanted to know if the city would be able to seize properties under certain circumstances and said that tenants needed to know what to expect before going into leases.

Muñoz emphasized that every situation is different and said, “I think you have a real problem with the warehousing issue.” He felt that those (businesses) that want to be in town are usually service businesses and that “building owners shouldn’t be demonized” to comply with the current zoning ordinance. Muñoz said many of the buildings on Main Street date back to the early 1900s and cost a lot of money for rehabilitate, repair and structural improvements while the assessed value is not a good indicator of current value. He later referenced costs of the buildings he owns as an example.

Mayor Miller stated the issue is essentially the concept of utilization of properties within the zone for purposes not authorized or allowed, and “locked-up” buildings within the zone. Muñoz brought up the distinction of properties being used commercially versus residentially and said, “I think that sweeping with a broad brush is not the way to go,” and felt that individual letters need to be sent out addressing each situation separately.

Jack Peasley fromSEWEDA was present to answer questions relating to businesses not compliant with the current zoning ordinance. When Muñoz mentioned he had heard business owners were going to be forced to comply, Peasley clarified there was discussion of a “business incubator” not a mini-mall and there was no implication of any forced compliance. Muñoz responded that one size doesn’t fit all and referred to prior promotions such as the neon sign project. Peasley said, “I think that you think this is going to be something drastic.” Muñoz answered, “I have no problem with leaning on public nuisance issues.”

City Clerk Martin stated that the golf club has requested an $160 per month increase in salary for the attendant, raising the monthly cost to $1,560, or $9,360 per year. The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Miller recommended waiting one more month before taking action on the proposed revision to the dog ordinance in order to rewrite three separate ordinances now on the books and come up with an entire new ordinance combining all three into one.

Martin referred the council to a letter from the Department of Ecology (DOE) regarding the Pomeroy Water System. This was basically an informational notice acknowledging that DOE had received and reviewed the city’s Comprehensive Water System Plan, and the system has adequate water right quantity to support current and future growth. Ordinance 914 was proposed to amend Ordinance 906, the 2019 budget. A motion was made authorizing the mayor to sign Ordinance 914 and it passed unanimously. House Bill #1406 regarding a new tax to be collected for the homeless will be reviewed by the council and discussed at the April 7 meeting.

The council noted a copy of a SEWEDA application sent by Peasley to the Pacific Power Foundation for a grant request in the amount of $5,000 to repair the gazebo at the city park.

There were no council committee reports.

City Superintendent Landkammer told the council he is continuing to work with the Sheriff’s Department on compliance with nuisance issues. Four letters were mailed out this week and he anticipates more will be sent. Landkammer reported that George Bunch has finished the repairs to the concrete at the pool, and employees from the public works as well as golf club volunteers are spreading gravel on the golf cart path between holes 8 and 9.