Pomeroy to get "one more shot" at survey

POMEROY–Jack Peasley of Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) advised the Council that Tracy Murray with Evergreen Rural Water will give Pomeroy "one more shot" at the Low-to-Moderate Income Survey to see if a qualifying percentage can be reached. He asked the Council for a date or time of day to do the survey. Peasley said it would involve homes on Columbia Street and State Street. The last time the survey was done at 2 p.m .; this time the group recommended beginning about 11 a.m.

Sheriff Drew Hyer announced that two new deputies, Deputy Camdon Costello and Deputy Tiffany Williamson, have graduated from the academy and are now doing field training. The sheriff has also applied for a training program for forensic cell phone and computer investigation administered through the United States Secret Service which would entail sending one of his deputies to Alabama. Cassetto inquired about the status of security camera at Pioneer Plaza. Hyer said he will include a request for a new camera in his budget for next year. There were 162 calls to service in the city in June, with twenty-six total adult arrests and fifteen bookings into jail, but no major crime cases. Total city mileage was 3,244 miles.

Grant Morgan addressed the council regarding a Congressional Directed Spending Grant Application submitted by the city. Morgan received an email from Senator Patty Murray's office asking for a twenty percent match of the $950,000 total project cost, a financial commitment which was not anticipated at the time the grant application was made. He indicated that due to this last-minute request that the city may have missed the deadline for this grant as it was not prepared to commit to such a demand.

Morgan asked the Council for an assurance on how the funding might come from another county entity so the city's obligation could be reduced to ten percent, or $95,000. Mayor Miller said he was hesitant to add another responsibility to the city without an alternate plan. "I'm reluctant to acquire new obligations without having alternatives in place," said Miller emphasizing the need to have concrete means of funding before making such a commitment.

Joe Waldher and the City will move forward with the process of a variance of fifteen feet from the current required twenty-five-foot setback on his property on North Sixteenth Street, in order to place a carport on the northeast corner of his lot just east of his house.

The Council approved Resolution 21-1 establishing building permit fees and charges for the city. Included is the amendment of a state permit fee which increased from $450 to $650 a few years ago but was not corrected in the city's fee schedule at the time.

Mayor Miller provided information to the council regarding an Interlocal Agreement with Columbia County for building permit and inspection services. He stated this was formed because the city needed a more experienced commercial building inspector and an organized plan for the Dollar General project.

City Superintendent Mike Lockard told the council that he will be assisting with the Dollar General project. He said the crew has been coming in to work early in the morning on the excessively hot days. In addition, the city has been running Well No. 3, due to the heat which will be reflected in the city's power bill. The high heat has also postponed painting of the gazebo at the city park, but it has been sanded, cleaned and primed.

The newly-created Junteenth holiday was brought up and the mayor told council members to "firm up" how they think it should be recognized in the city going forward. While it has been declared a federal holiday, cities can make their own consideration about whether it will be a paid holiday or not for city employees.

Peasley told the council he had forwarded construction application information due early in July through the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). Councilman Mike Cassetto suggested contacting a professional grant-writer or college students studying grant writing at area colleges to see if grant applications could be prepared through one of them for a fee.

In other Council business, Councilman Hodges said an electronic sign that could be illuminated on both front and back might be a better option at the east end of town rather than the metal one originally proposed. The cost of such a sign was quoted as approximately $46,000 compared to $15,000 for a metal one and due to the upcoming construction in the area the city might need to relocate the sign for better visibility. The sign would be used to announce events, weather and road conditions, sports and other notices could be posted by the Chamber of Commerce, Spinners, school, fire district and other entities.

The golf course will each pay one-third of the cost to correct the problem with the light deflection issue at the golf course, with the remaining one-third paid by the private individual involved.

The next regular meeting will be on August 10, 2021, at 7 p.m.

The City Council convened its regular meeting on July 6, 2021, with Mayor Paul Miller and council members Adam Hodges, Susie Bowles, James Fuchs, Mike Cassetto and James Harris present, as well as City Superintendent Mike Lockard and City Clerk Shaun Martin.