East Washingtonian - Your Hometown News Source

POMEROY–A the City Council held a public hearing on September 7 on a carport variance reducing the building setback from the alley from 25 feet to 15 feet requested previously by Joe and Elizabeth Walder preceded the meeting. The variance was approved.

Sheriff Drew Hyer presented his monthly report to the council via teleconference, including 145 calls to service in August, twenty-eight city infractions, six criminal citations and 3,213 total miles driven in the city. Two deputies are still training with one of them patrolling on her own. The sheriff gave some updated information on an assault case from back in February and said the assailant has been sentenced to six years in prison. Bowles made an inquiry regarding community service done at the Food Bank while COVID restrictions are in place.

Other general business items included the 2022 budget process has begun and a copy of the new solid waste contract with Garfield County Health District has been renewed through 2023. An explanation and billing for Invoice #221044 in the amount of $9,607.90, for Booster Pump Station work from July 1-31, 2021, from Keller Associates, was given to the council along with a project report.

Elected Officials Essentials Training will be offered by the Association of Washington Cities on December 4, 2021, at a cost of $40 per person. The training is not mandatory but is useful as a refresher course or for newly-elected officials.

City Superintendent Mike Lockard brought up the Six-Year Transportation Plan. Martin will set up a public hearing date for the six-year transportation plan. It is tentatively planned for October 5, 2021.

The possibility of putting a moratorium on new construction in zones currently dealing with low water pressure will be discussed at the October 5 regular meeting.

Lockard said some family members of the city crew were exposed to COVID so he has been keeping the city crew separated as much as possible and they are “staying in good shape.” If necessary, crew members are recovering at home, but if they feel well, they are working independently and wearing masks.

Lockard also divulged another agency painted lines on the street outside City Hall for the purpose of identifying the water line for a noninvasive project.

City Clerk Shaun Martin said the City was able to collect on several accounted dating back several years due to sales of the properties during her presentation of Monthly Expenditure, Revenue and Cash Reports, along with the age Analysis Reports. The Council approved the reports.

In addition, the state is in the process of doing a three-year Accountability Audit and the auditor will be here until about the end of October.

Councilman James Harris referenced an email he had received from current Golf Club President Del Groat asking the council to consider an official request for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to reduce the number of deer on the golf course due to the damage they were causing. Cassetto suggested Harris talk to Peasley and have him determine options for dealing with the problem with local or regional WDFW agencies and come back and present those to the council. Addressing the increase of skunks in town was also requested due to rabies health risk.

Jack Peasley was out of town for the September City Council meeting to present an update on the Booster Pump Funding, New Housing Revenue Stream and similar City Water Survey Results. Instead of a holding a special meeting, the Council approved to continue the September 7, 2021 meeting to September 20, 2021 at 4 p.m.

Councilwoman Bowles presented a list of five items she considered important to address: 1) Dogs in the park and leash law; 2) Paving the path at the golf course; 3) Updating the tennis/basketball court in the park; 4) Alternate plan for employees should all the crew be sick; and 5) Immunizations/vaccinations for all employees working at the waste water treatment plant.