Lind Town Council discusses Storm Water Project updates

The Lind Town Council received project updates from Stantec Engineer Alan Gay during the regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28

Gay provided an update regarding the storm water system and water improvements.

After addressing the Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) comments on the engineering report submitted in 2016, Gay said they are waiting on Ecology’s acceptance of the report before they can submit the plan for approval.

Despite the setback, Gay said they have designed the swale, which will redirect the storm water flow from Sixth Street and E Street. They have also completed the design for the pipeline from Sixth Street and E Street to the swale, he added.

Gay said they revised the budget to allocate enough funds to finish the project. The reallocation did not change the budget amount, but it will require a budget amendment from the town, as well as approval from Ecology, he explained.

As for the water improvement plans for the water meters, Gay said most of the work has been completed and they are finalizing paperwork with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development.

Clerk-Treasurer Kim Michaels is currently working on the outlay report where it will be sent to Gay to sign once completed, he added.

The town received funding from the USDA Rural Development for the project totaling $85,000 in grant money, said Michaels.

Councilmember Paula Bell informed she has received multiple questions from residents regarding the storm water project and any changes to the original project plans.

Gay said the only change that has been made is the location of the storm water drainage. Instead of placing the storm water infiltration basin at Sixth Street and E Street, the water will flow down the swale to Burlington North Santa Fe Railway property next to the coulee, he explained.

Bell asked if Gay could provide updated pictures or designs of the project. He said once Ecology approves the design, he would provide them to the Council for review.

Gay said maintaining communication with Ecology has been difficult due to personnel changes, which has delayed the progress of finalizing the project plans.

If they were to continue working prior to receiving approval, the town could be at risk of funding the work themselves instead of using the grant money from Ecology, he explained.

Bell asked how many contracts were involved in the project. Gay said the town has contracts with Stantec, Ecology and Cowlitz Collection Station (CCS) for the Storm Water Project.

She then asked where the storm water would be directed during an overflow. Gay said the system at Sixth Street and L Street is designed so the water will flow to the underground system where they have designed an outlet pipe for emergency overflow.

During a major storm the overflow would be diverted out of the chambers to a catch basin where it will flow into an existing storm system at a lower rate in order to prevent flooding, he explained.

Gay said he would continue to contact Ecology about the final approval and will provide the Council with an update, and possibly design plans, at the next meeting.

Councilmember Tom Strohmaier provided a quarterly update from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. Strohmaier said starting June 1, the tipping fee at the transfer station will increase from $70 to $77 and will continue to increase by $1 annually through 2020.

The fee has not been increased in 10 years and Strohmaier said the change will affect the town’s 2017 budget. The committee also decided to change the date of the free dump day, he added. Vouchers will be available which will allow residents to dump up to 500 pounds per voucher.

Residents can acquire a second voucher based on availability and after they have used the first one, said Strohmaier.

With the spring season approaching, Schmunk contacted Consolidated Disposal Services Inc. Transfer and Recycling Center regarding a town clean up day. The Council motioned to approve Saturday, April 8, as clean up day.

Items such as paint, batteries, tires and large wood will not be accepted, said Schmunk.

Schmunk then informed the Council about the Bias Software Conference she attended with Michaels. The purpose of the conference was to learn about software updates and strengthen their knowledge of the system.

Michaels said the conference proved to be beneficial as she learned about the importance of bar codes and made numerous connections to clerk-treasurers in surrounding areas and created personal relationships with Bias employees.

She said the conference has improved her understanding of the software and meeting Bias employees has made contacting the company a more personal and pleasant experience.

Councilmember Jim Dworshack then addressed the Council with a proposition to increase the substitute’s pay rate to $12.50 after two months and $13.50 after three months.

Bell stated she believes the current rate of $11 per hour is reasonable due to the instability of the positions and the infrequent hours.

White agreed the rate should be increased once training is completed, but under the proposed $13.50. The Council decided to discuss the issue at a later date.

Bell said while reviewing the 2017 budget position, she realized some of the numbers were from 2016. Schmunk said they would contact Bias on why the numbers did not transfer to the 2017 budget document.

Bell then asked if the 2017 budget had been published in the newspaper.

Schmunk said the budget has not been published because they had to wait to review any outstanding balances after the month of January. Any adjustments to the budget will require a budget amendment, she explained.