East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

POMEROY–Mayor Paul Miller opts out of costly fix to rain damage found on Fifth and Columbia Streets to the tune of $7,000-$24,000. Due to June’s heavy rains, there have been construction delays on the Columbia and Fifth to Sixth Street project. Delay was compounded when TD&H’s Engineering crew encountered many soft spots in the sub-grade in the street in front of the elevators on Fifth Street and south of the grocery store on Columbia.

Luke Antonich stated there are two options for correcting the problem. One is to remove the sub-grade and install additional rock, which would add an estimated cost of between $7,000 and $24,000. The second option would be to allow the area to sit and harden, which might increase the delay but would not add to the cost. According to Antonich, the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) has stated that while this is a reimbursable expense there was no guarantee of funds availability. Mayor Miller directed Antonich that the city would not commit to paying.

Jerry Bartlow asked the Council to restore the paved parking outside his residence on Columbia Street which was removed for the Fifth to Sixth Street construction. He originally hired Herco to install it several years prior. City Superintendent Kenny Landkammer stated there will be a sidewalk on the south side of the street. Paving will be replaced with gravel due to utilities running underneath.

Antonich said, according to the contract, there will be an eight-foot parking strip with a gravel base behind the curb and gutter. Bartlow said the pavement was about one hundred feet long by eight feet wide. Antonich said to repave the area in question with two-inch thick asphalt would cost approximately $1,200.

Miller stated that from a technical/legal point-of-view, the city does not have an obligation to replace the asphalt, but ethically perhaps. However, that could create a problem by setting a precedent. He said the Council could not make any definitive decisions at this time but would look into solutions that would address Bartlow’s request.

Travis Johnson, resident at 482 Columbia Street, told the Council there is a cut mark on his sidewalk and the construction crew has already ripped out the sidewalk on the corner of his property. He is concerned about the issue of new sidewalk abutting old sidewalk and wondered if he could get twenty to twenty-five feet of sidewalk replaced. Engineer Antonich invited Bartlow, Johnson and Miller and members of the Council to visit the job site July 9 to evaluate the issue.

Nelson Construction submitted a pay request for work already completed. Fuchs made a motion authorizing the mayor to sign Progress Bill #1 from Nelson Construction in the amount of $65,380.89. Hodges seconded and it passed unanimously.

Council approved the Sixth Street Bridge project funding and the asphalt installation change order No. 2 for $11,758.44, outlined in an analysis found in packets presented to the Council from Antonich. The study detailed the steps necessary in order to have Nelson Construction complete the paving. Antonich advised the Council he had received a verbal commitment approving the change order from Bill Preston of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Councilman James Fuchs made a motion to authorize the mayor to sign Change Order No. 2, specifying hot mix asphalt be used, and Adam Hodges seconded.

The Council also approved payment of Invoice No. 21740 in the amount of $6,122.75 to TD&H Engineering.

Sheriff Drew Hyer reported an increase in calls to service by 13 more from last month and citations up by nine. Criminal citations remained the same at four, verbal warnings were up by thirty-six and total citations were up by thirty-four. Miles driven in the city were up by 386.

The Council approved Harold and Helen Shepherd Foundation representative Gary Houser’s proposal regarding the purchase of three city lots at the east end of town with the intent to improve the appearance of the property. A billboard located on the property generates sufficient revenue to pay the yearly taxes. Research and soil samples tested by the McGregor Company show no evidence of buried fuel tanks or ground contamination.

Councilman Mike Cassetto also inquired about a leaking water line that was not doing so before the construction on Columbia Street began. Miller said arrangements need to be made for the contractor to fix the problem or be shut down. Landkammer said the contractor will be responsible for repairing future leaks. Hodges recommended reviewing the city’s utilities prior to beginning future construction work to determine if they are in need of replacement.

City Clerk Shaun Martin reviewed the regular monthly reports with Council, reported a loan payment for the water bond was made in the amount of $14,750.00, and said the City is still waiting for the state auditor to schedule the exit conference. Members of the Council received copies of the Department of Commerce 2020 LMI Limits report.

Pomeroy City Council convened at City Hall for the first time in several months following social-distanced guidelines for public meetings. Present were Mayor Paul Miller and Councilmembers Adam Hodges, Susie Bowles, James Fuchs, Mike Cassetto and James Harris, as well as City Clerk Shaun Martin and City Superintendent Kenny Landkammer.

The next regular meeting will be on August 4, 2020, at 7 p.m.