Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
POMEROY–The City Council heard Jack Peasley of Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) speak about the Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) proposal to have Evergreen Rural Water of Washington (ERWoW) conduct another survey, funded by the City of Pomeroy, Garfield County, the Port of Garfield and SEWEDA. The last time a survey was done it was not a “full-blown” survey and the city fell below the percentage of the population qualifying as LMI needed to be eligible for state and federal grants. Peasley indicated if Pomeroy gets reclassified, these grants can be used for infrastructure improvements, housing and business development. All information provided will only be used by ERWoW to calculate the percentage of LMI and determine median household income (MHI). Survey completion date is May 15, 2021, and grant applications to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) are due in June.
Pat McGreevy discussed potential property development at the east end of town possibly involving a Dollar General store. There is concern expressed by the Council how such a business would affect long-standing local business No agreement has been made at this time. Councilman Adam Hodges asked Pat McGreevy if Dollar General would be willing to meet with the council who suggested the company be contacted directly about that request.
Potential Development and Annexation on Villard Street was addressed when Hodges asked what annexation entailed. Mayor Miller said it meant taking property out of the county and bringing it into the city. Referring to map provided to council members, Pat McGreevy annexation was not an issue for the proposed Dollar General location and said he had a survey done and it was on file with the county. The mayor will check with the county assessor’s office for confirmation of property lines and a possible platted Twenty-Sixth Street. Zoning is broad for that area, allowing residential and commercial.
Councilman Mike Cassetto inquired if McGreevy still had plans for developing housing on property in this area. Toddette McGreevy asked the council about water and sewer development up their place as they had not heard anything from the city about it. City Clerk Shaun Martin said that articles published in the East Washingtonian and on the city’s facebook page had included information about the booster pump project as well as water and sewer studies.
Mayor Miller informed the council that funding in the amount of $45,295.55 had been received from “All in Washington” as an approximate match of the Shepherd Foundation grant to the City of Pomeroy routed through the Blue Mountain Community Foundation.
The City Council approved setting a public hearing to begin the process to consider vacation of property at 989 Arlington Street, on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 7 p.m. After hearing a request for the City to vacate the property at 989 Arlington Street from Holly Steiner so the owner can sell. The house was built on the property in 1930 and no effort to ask for this vacation has occurred to date. The bank loan is contingent of the City’s decision to vacate.
Mayor Miller told the council the city will be selling some surplus equipment and vehicles. Since the value is under $50,000, no public hearing would be required. The auction includes four vehicles and one trailer and the city will post public notices in various places.
The Council approved Resolution 2021-01 which is to establish a fee of $30 for the location and staking of cemetery lots.
A dedication ceremony and plaque to honor gazebo restoration sponsors will be set once the project is completed. Peasley told the council he is having a plaque created recognizing the donors who made significant donations.
Garfield County Engineer Grant Morgan talked about the engineer’s estimate for the golf course path and said before the Pathways and Trails could contribute a match, they would like to see more than $4,000 or a fifty percent match in donations. Martin mentioned some of the funds already received toward the project and told Morgan the city is getting very close to the amount needed and, “We have the money.” County Commissioner Larry Ledgerwood said the county “just felt we wanted to research more options”, such as funding from the Department of Health, and wanted to see more matching rather than it coming out of the Pathways and Trails fund. Grant funding would probably occur in phases over several years so the project could take about three years to complete.
Council received information regarding a grant for the School Zone Safety Funding Program from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and was forwarded to Pomeroy High School.
Public Works Director Mike Lockard reported that crew member Richard Yount got his pesticide license last month. Lockard said mowing had begun at the cemetery although the city still needs to hire seasonal workers for mowing and trimming. The crew has been working on utility services on Wheatland Drive, the new housing development east of the cemetery. The new pump on Fifth Street seems to be working well. Lockard added the city will probably “fire up” the sprinkler systems next week which means they will be busy looking for and repairing leaks that occur as a result of damage over the winter.
The city paid the first half of a Waste Water Treatment Plant construction loan payment in the amount of $35,892.82.
Under new business, Hodges said Mary Flerchinger of the Blue Mountain Artisans Guild and Jim Melina have designed an illuminated metal sign for the property being cleaned up at the east end of town. Melina suggested a sign six feet by twelve feet. Miller asked if Melina had provided any cost estimates, placement and type of lighting, and Hodges will contact Miller with estimates for two different sizes. Lockard guessed the sign would be similar to the one in Pioneer Plaza Park.