Council continues meeting to address funding opportunities

POMEROY–The City Council approved a continuance of the August 7 meeting to August 24, 2021 at 7 p.m., to better address funding opportunities and meet grant deadlines. Mayor Paul Miller stated the need to have such meetings organized in a critical form and indicated the council can firm up anything else at that time.

In addition, the City received Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Finds of $194,706 July 27, 2021. Information about the American Rescue Plan Act Spending Guidelines was given to Mayor Paul Miller and Council. The Treasury Department will determine guidelines as to how funds can be spent. Lockard passed around a plan for improving water pressure in the zone on the east side of town. He said the original booster pump station is priority and this plan will work in conjunction with that project.

Jack Peasley of Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) advised the council that the Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) Survey conducted by Evergreen Rural Water of Washington, would be in Pomeroy on August 11, 2021 to survey of households on State Street and Columbia Street between the hours of 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

He went on to reference a matrix comparing Pomeroy to three other communities in the area, Dayton, St. John and Tekoa, and pointed out the similarities such as swimming pools, with the exception of Dayton, a park and golf course. Research is being done to determine how much these other towns charge for city facilities, and the salaries of the city attorney, city clerk, public works director, etc.

Peasley, representing SEWEDA, and Ashley Dixon of the Pomeroy Chamber of Commerce, will individually host community forums starting with one held at the Pataha Flour Mill on August 23, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. Editor’s note: At the time of this writing, this particular community forum has been canceled by Public Health COVID restrictions and required recommendations.

The council approved a variance at 78 North Sixteenth Street, allowing Joe Waldher a twenty-five-foot setback to fifteen. Waldher presented pictures of the site indicating where a freestanding carport would be located and what the impact of the structure would be. Lockard indicated he did not foresee any problems.

Sheriff Drew Hyer said there were 146 total calls to service, down by fifteen from the previous month. Total mileage driven in the city was 3,896, up 652 miles. The new recruits are about halfway through their training, with one deputy testing this weekend. Hyer said the musician who played at the National Night Out event, Daniel Fuller, was very popular and received lots of positive feedback. Fuller is also booked to perform at the Garfield County Fair.

In other business, the council approved paying two booster pump station invoices of $4,773.20 covering the period of May 1–31 and $10,541. 40 for June 1–30 totaling $15,314.60 to Keller Associates.

City Clerk Martin informed the council that according to requirements for public meetings the governing bodies of public agencies must make meetings available electronically to the public.

Martin went on to say employers are now required to deduct nursing home insurance from full-time employees’ paychecks unless they are age 64 or over or have their own policy.

Lockard told council members there were breaks in two main water lines, one at the cemetery and the other at the golf course, which the crew has been working on. He also said the Sunnyside lift pump crashed and he has working with technicians to repair the problems.

The paint job done by Dick Martin on the gazebo in the city park turned out “really good.”

Flynn’s Electric will install the electricity and lights at the gazebo as well as replace the security light at the golf course.

Lockard said a double-paned window at the pool “just shattered” probably due to intense heat.

Observance of Juneteenth in 2022, Resolution 21-2 was approved by the council.

Dick Martin was praised for the good paint job done on the gazebo.

The meeting was continued to Tuesday, August 24, at 4:00 p.m. at city hall. The next regular meeting will be September 7, 2021, at 7 p.m.

Pomeroy City Council convened its regular monthly meeting on August 10, 2021, at City Hall with Mayor Paul Miller and Council members Adam Hodges, Susie Bowles, James Fuchs, Mike Cassetto and James Harris in attendance plus City Superintendent Mike Lockard and City Clerk Shaun Martin.