New LMI survey support approved

POMEROY–The City Council approved a statement of support, committing to participate in the survey with Evergreen Rural Water of Washington in the amount of $7,754.80 for the low-to-moderate (LMI) survey at the meeting March 9.

Jack Peasley, Southeastern Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) representative, provided information to City Clerk Shaun Martin pertaining to the low-to-moderate income survey proposal (LMI) who then conveyed it to the Council. She referenced that the LMI information was included in their packets, and another survey would almost guarantee better results. The survey would be done by Evergreen Rural Water of Washington and various costs were discussed. Mayor Paul Miller asked if the city should simply commit to participating or actually commit to a dollar amount and if the council as a group was supportive of a LMI index reevaluation. The Council approved to have a statement of support, committing to participating in the survey with Evergreen Rural Water in the amount of $7,754.80.

The Council approved $37,530 and the authorization to sign the agreement for professional engineering services with Keller & Associates for the pump station.

Keller & Associates submitted an email and contract for engineering services for the Pump Station in the amount of $37,530. The city does not have the money on hand but the contract is eligible for federal funds, so the city would send in a request for reimbursement. Harris made a motion to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement for professional engineering services with Keller & Associates to satisfy Department of Health requirements in the amount of $37,530. Bowles seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Martin informed the council that the State of Washington has extended the COVID-19 disconnection moratorium on utilities through January 27, 2022.

Sheriff Drew Hyer said there were 122 calls to service in February: four citations, three criminal citations, sixty-five verbal warnings given, four DUIs, and no domestic violence calls. Total mileage driven in the city was 3,156, which was 308 more than the previous month. The sheriff said Deputy Grumbel was about halfway through his training and the other two new hires are doing well at the police academy in Spokane.

In other City Council business:

–The city's golf course agreement essentially remained the same except for not having a phone. Harris moved to authorize the mayor to sign the golf course agreement for 2021, Fuchs seconded and it passed unanimously.

–Cemetery staking fee mark and authenticate location in the amount of $30 was approved by the Council.

–Paint designs for the gazebo at the city park from the Blue Mountain Artisans Guild (BMAG) were discussed at length. Suggested colors were for the historic original red or like the most current green with white outlines. It was decided to let contributors see the proposed pictures before selecting a color. Councilman Hodges said he would try to get thank-you notes sent out to those people along with pictures. The color design for the gazebo will then be decided at the next council meeting on April 6, 2021.

–Council was updated on the hiring of Brian Lewis as Utility I worker to fill the vacancy on the city crew. He was hired on March 2, 2021, and Lockard stated he seems to be very capable and friendly, and has quickly become as asset to the crew.

–The council and Lockard received copies of the AWC RMSA Member Standards required by the risk management pool and were told they need to be familiar with the regulations.

–Larry Ledgerwood representing the Pomeroy Spinners made a request to use the golf course on April 3, 2021 which was approved.

–Martin added information about the new federal funding program for rent and utility assistance that will be administered through the Department of Commerce.

City Superintendent Mike Lockard reported the damage from the sewer backup on Elm Street is being handled by the city's insurance and the homeowner involved. He said the new pumps for the lift station on Fifth Street are working well with the result of fewer plug-ups.

–Naslund Disposal has delivered one large dumpster to the billboard property at the east end of town and demolition at the site will begin after the delivery of a second dumpster. They have purchased a "new for Pomeroy" pickup in "nice used condition." Lockard said Shawn Smith is doing really well and will back on Thursday, March 11, and using discretion, able to resume "regular work."

–Cassetto mentioned that the condition of Columbia Drive, the street running behind the grain elevators on Villard, was "getting really rough" and asked if gravel could be applied to it. Lockard said that is owned by Pomeroy Grain Growers and not city property, but he will talk to the company manager about repairing it.

When asked by Bowles how his first months as city superintendent were going Lockard replied, "I've been tested; I'm still learning." Council members told him they had received a lot a good feedback from the public regarding his work.

–Martin presented copies of the monthly cash reports and age analysis reports to the council for review. Harris moved to adopt the Consent Agenda, Fuchs seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

–Hodges brought up a security concern regarding the tablets purchased for use by council members when they turned them back in and asked if the council could have email addresses using the city's domain rather than their own. Martin will talk to the city's IT provider about this.

The Pomeroy City Council convened for its regular monthly meeting on March 9, 2021, with Mayor Paul Miller and council members Adam Hodges, Susie Bowles, James Fuchs, James Harris and City Clerk Shaun Martin and City Superintendent Mike Lockard present at city hall, with Mike Cassetto present by phone. Other meeting participants attended via teleconference due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on the size of group gatherings.

The next regular meeting will be on April 6, 2021, at 7 p.m.