Bridge and Street project complete

POMEROY– Rachel Anderson, representing the Garfield County Aging and Disability Resource Center (GCADRC) was contacted by the City Council regarding a Subrecipient Agreement for COVID-19 funds. Anderson said that with the city portion of this grant recipients could use the funds for some city water bills, mortgages, rental assists, etc. Councilman James Harris asked if applicants had to meet certain requirements and Anderson said they have to follow specific financial guidelines, provide documentation for utilities and other expenses and proof of income. Payments are not given to the individual but are paid directly through the Garfield County Treasurer’s office. Anderson said she would welcome an email from the mayor committing this funding to GCADRC. The Sixth Street Bridge project and Fifth and Sixth Street construction is complete or nears completion as City Council approves another round of payment for said construction.

Jack Peasley of Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) was not present to address a COVID-19 Subrecipient Agreement proposal between the city and SEWEDA. Councilman Adam Hodges said Peasley had spoken with him earlier about the proposal, in which SEWEDA would manage the grant and distribution of money for the city, but the city would still control the funds and can tell Peasley how to spend and direct the money.

The council discussed how the City can remain in control of funds, what may be eligibility and how the funding was spent. It was also pointed out that the City has had this funding for some time but has not utilized it and the deadline to “use it or lose it” is October 31, 2020. Martin said she had asked for lists of how to use the funding from council members and Councilman Cassetto was the only one to respond. A continuance meeting was held September 15 to further discuss both Anderson’s and Peasley’s requests for COVID-19 funds from the city. The date set for the continuance is September 15, 2020.

Payment for the Progress Bill No. 36 concerning paving the Sixth Street Bridge in the amount of $4,403.12; Progress Bill No. 37 for the prime bridge contractors in the amount of $50,140.39 split respectively to S&L Underground for $44,406.31 and TD&H the remaining $5,734.08; Payment No. 3 to Nelson Construction for $175,790.97.

Two other project expenses were an invoice from TD&H for $13,473.31 ($12,810.16 to TIB and $663.55 for Complete Streets), and $6,810.56 to Garfield County Public Works for rock used for the sub-base. Antonich was asked about work in progress hours that should have been billed to the city and he said they had been written off as TD&H had essentially swallowed those on the city’s behalf.

The council also approved the motion to authorize Mayor Paul Miller to sign the letter to Bill Preston at (WSDOT), dated September 8, 2020, to accept the letter as a request for WSDOT inspection and acceptance of this project.

Council was told that Progress Bill No. 37 is the final progress bill and includes payment to S&L Underground contractors, who were the prime contractors for the bridge project. S&L will then pay the subcontractor, Nelson Construction, for their work. Following some questions regarding the audit process and inspection of the project, Bly said the requirement is by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), not TIB. The final progress billing triggers a letter to Bill Preston of WSDOT to review all project files.

Luke Antonich, also of TIB Engineering, told the council work on the Columbia Fifth to Sixth Street Project was completed and was inspected on September 8. Nelson will return to the site to finish remaining miscellaneous “clean-up.” He said the project is on track to be completed within budget and there will be one more pay application before the project will be closed out. The council approved

The city has acquired the billboard property at the east end of town and the purchase was recorded with the county auditor on August 20, 2020. However, the billboard rent was paid to the prior owner. Alliance Title erred and did not send the money received by the city for the sale to the seller.

In an email to the city Jamie Gardipe of the Department of Health (DOH) asked to move ahead with a Water System Plan “limited update”, recommending the city withdraw the existing water system plan and holding onto the draft while working on a new plan. Council agreed with the recommendation and Martin will notify Gardipe of this decision.

Thomas Warren secured a $5,000 AWC/RMSA Loss Control Grant for Waste Water Treatment Plant improvements. The award will be used for needed work on the city’s headworks, lift station and clarifier; remaining grant funds will be used for new floats and a transducer for the lift station.

Council approved Ordinance No. 916 which specifies a dollar amount for dog fines. Bowles said there are still two people in the community who are willing to pay for posts located in the park with supplies of doggy bags attached.

Landkammer had notified council that all the lights on Main Street had been replaced except for one, and the outside outlets would also be replaced to function more effectively. A final walk-through was done on Columbia Street on September 5.

Sheriff Drew Hyer presented the August report stating the total calls to service were up by five over last month. Criminal citations were also up by five, with a total of eight issued. Verbal warnings totaled 87, down by thirteen. There was one domestic violence arrest and one juvenile arrest in the city and two DUIs. Hyer said there were lots of vehicles coming through town over the holiday weekend but no major incidents. Cassetto asked the sheriff if it would be possible for the report to be broken down a little more to show the activities of each deputy. Hyer thought that could be done.

Martin reviewed the monthly cash reports and age analysis with the council. The audit exit conference was held on September 2, 2020, and she said everything was “good to go until next year.”

Pomeroy City Council meet via teleconference for the September monthly meeting with Mayor Paul Miller and council members Adam Hodges, Susie Bowles, James Fuchs, Mike Cassetto and James Harris in attendance. Also present was City Clerk Shaun Martin.

The next regular meeting will be October 6, 2020, at 7 p.m.