Letter written to Governor Inslee asking to move to Phase 2

POMEROY–The City Council was informed several community entities were working on a letter to Governor Inslee regarding moving the county into Phase 2 of the Washington State Toad Map to Recovery and the status of counties in southeastern Washington. Council expressed the opinion that “one size does not fit all,” and “no way can we be included with Spokane.” Cassetto asked County Commissioner Larry Ledgerwood, guest, if Asotin County was going to be with Garfield County on this issue. Ledgerwood confirmed the letter will be signed by the county, city, hospital district and port district. He further advised the Board Columbia County was working on a similar letter to the governor.

Garfield County Sheriff Drew Hyer stated a felony assault occurred in Pomeroy on February 4, 2021 and with the assistance of Clarkston and Asotin County law enforcement and Washington State Patrol, the suspect was taken into custody and was now in the local jail on $150,000 bond. The investigation into the case is still ongoing.

Hyer went on to report three new deputies have been hired: Camdon Costello, Tiffany Williamson and Zachary Grumbles. Costello and Williamson both need to attend the police academy in Spokane, while Grumbles has started his training with Officer Dansereau.

Calls to service for January were 117 and the number of issued citations had increased from the previous month. There were no DUIs but there was one Minor in Possession and three domestic violence incidents. Total mileage driven in the city was up by 664 miles for a total of 2,845.

Mayor Miller informed Hyer that he and two council members need to meet with the sheriff and one or more county commissioners to review the law enforcement contract the city has with them.

Jack Peasley of the Southeastern Washington Economic Association (SEWEDA) would like to have a third party come in and conduct a survey of every household, referencing a low to middle income survey done in 2017 had deemed the city ineligible for certain grants.

In addition, Peasley told the council that Pacific Power wants to put in an electric charging station in Pomeroy but the main concern is where to locate it. There is also the question if it should be run by the city or a private business. Martin inquired if Peasley had talked to Rachel Anderson at the Garfield County Senior Center and he said he will get together with her about the project.

Several items were discussed for informational purposes. The five percent of funds retained by the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) from the Sixth Street Bridge Project is to be dispersed as follows: $1,990.26 to TD&H Engineering, and $3,820.98 to S&L Underground. The city has received a letter from TIB saying everything was okay and certifying completion of the project.

The bid from Keller & Associates for a contract for engineering services was approved. The mayor said a bid submitted by Keller & Associates for a contract for engineering services with them for the Pump Station was slightly above the amount the city has for funding. After some discussion, Casetto moved to authorize the mayor to sign the contract in order to avoid waiting another month if Grant Morgan can get Keller & Associates to adjust the amount.

City Superintendent Mike Lockard said January had been a “pretty eventful month.” The new drives for the lift station on Fifth Street have been put in and “so far are working fine.” A six-inch sewer line on Elm Street collapsed on January 30, and Lockard said three employees worked about six hours to dig out a section of the street and replace about ten feet of sewer line. The city called in an insurance adjuster to talk to property owners who suffered damage caused by the collapsed line. Lockard told the council that a failed clay valve that caused the Twenty-Third Street reservoir to drain has been repaired and is now functioning properly. Lockard also updated the Board about crew member Shawn Smith, who was injured while working on the problem on Twenty-Third Street. Smith will be out until February 23, then hopes to come back on light duty. He goes back to the doctor for an assessment on March 5, after which he is hoping to be able to return fulltime.

The city has received a tort claim from Roberta Jerger for sewer damage. The damage to the residence was extensive and the issue has been turned over to the city’s insurance.

Jem Cochran, informed the Board of an ongoing problem with the light at the golf course which shines into the Cochran’s house next door. Lockard said he tried to talk to Mr. Cochran but they were not able to resolve it. Lockard approached him with the idea of putting up a motion-sensor light and talked to councilman Harris about it. Mayor Miller asked Harris, “Is that a solution?” Harris said he spoke with Tom Ruchert and Del Groat about working out where a light and activator could be located. Mrs. Cochran said, “I think an eye is a good compromise,” but added that they were “terribly upset” over what they had heard regarding her husband moving the light earlier and wanted it on the record that he talked with Tom Ruchert before he did that. Lockard told the council he had contacted Kent Flynn of Flynn’s Electric, who will submit a bid for the electrical work and when it can be done. Mrs. Cochran expressed her appreciation to the council.

The golf club requested the city discontinue providing a phone at the golf course. Harris said after talking to Tom Ruchert he felt the monthly phone charges compared to the number of calls on the line don’t seem to justify keeping the phone and it would probably be appropriate to discontinue the landline, and if necessary, use the manager’s cell phone for calls. The golf course manager needs to get together with the city clerk about this.

Mayor Miller asked for volunteers to work with one of the county commissioners on the Liquor and Cannibis Board. Ledgerwood indicated there might be some changes at the federal level to current laws regulating cannabis.

Minert & Associates has presented a proposal for a contract for drug testing services with the city. Mayor Miller pointed out that funding from the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) requires the city to have it, so the council needs to look over the proposal and be prepared to review it at the next regular council meeting on March 9.

The council was informed that the Blue Mountain Action Council (BMAC) will match the funds the city was awarded by the Shepherd Foundation in its 2021 grant request.

In other business, Clerk Martin said business licenses are to be taken over by the State of Washington next year, and brought up the contract between the city and the state. Ordinance No. 920, a partnership between the City of Pomeroy and State of Washington Business Licensing Services was adopted.

City cemetery is using an older computer program that is in “dire need” of being updated. Martin reported it would cost approximately $4,500.00 and the possibility of using funds donated by Gary Houser.

It was approved the City will reimburse Lockard $40 per month for using his personal phone for city business.