Ritzville City Council approves Transportation Improvement Plan

The Ritzville City Council approved the Six-Year Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for 2018 through 2023 during the regular meeting on Tuesday, April 18.

Robbins began the meeting by explaining the details of the seven priority projects included in the plan.

She said the purpose of the TIP is to assist in budgeting for the city and for allocations from the Transportation Improvement Board, which are required to be included on the plan and adopted by the city.

Ritzville City council member Scott Yaeger said the construction years and money is dependant on funding.

The first priority project is Phase Three of the First Avenue project, which includes deep patch and overlay on First Avenue from Division Street to Palouse Street. Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in 2018 and costs $253,000.

The second priority item is Phase Two of the First Avenue project and it consists of road reconstruction and sidewalk repair on First Avenue from Jackson Street to Clark Street.

The project is expected to begin in 2019 and costs $503,690.

The next priority is pavement preservation on Main Avenue within the city limits and includes chip seal and slurry. Construction for the project is scheduled for 2020 at $56,716.

The fourth priority project is roadway grind and overlay on south Division Street from Sixth Avenue to 10th Avenue.

This is phase two of the project and it will also include constructing sidewalks with ADA accessible ramps. Construction is set to begin in 2021 at a cost of $242,000.

Phase one of the north Division Street project includes construction beginning in 2021 at $286,000. The project includes roadway grind and overlay from First Avenue to Alder Street.

The sixth priority project is Phase Three of the south Division Street project including roadway grind and overlay on Division Street from 10th Avenue to Bauman Street.

The project will also include installing ADA accessible ramps and construction is scheduled to begin in 2023. The total cost of the project is $220,000.

The last project on the plan is the second phase of the north Division Street project from Alder Street to North of the city limits in the amount of $297,000. Construction for the project is scheduled for 2023 and it includes roadway grind and overlay sidewalks with ADA. accessible ramps.

The council then began a public hearing to allow residents the opportunity to discuss the details of the plan and ask questions. After there were no comments from the public, the council motioned to accept the Six-Year Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan.

Mayor Gary Cook then presented the Adams County Conservation District request for the annexation within the city limits. He said one of the benefits of the annexation is the district’s cost-year programs would be available to the city.

The Department of Ecology has requested the city do litigation on the storm water bypass by the sewer plant, which could include bank stabilizing and brush planting for nutrient and water updates, said Cook.

He said the district’s programs could assist the city in planning and technical assistance for the litigation.

Cook stated he would provide the council with additional information after attending the district’s board meeting on April 20.

The Adams County Board of Commissioners contacted the city about providing their input on the preferred buffer of marijuana producers, processors and retailers, stated Cook.

He said the current discussion is whether the buffer should be one or two miles from residentially zoned areas, as well as incorporated community boundaries within Adams County.

The Council motioned for the buffer zone to be two miles before amending the motion to one mile. The motion carried with four votes supporting and two opposed.

Public Works Director Larry Swift provided an update on repairs on Well No. 8. He said the well’s pump-bowls and propellers are in need of repair and he has ordered the parts necessary to fix the issues.

They expect the repairs to be completed by mid May but he said the weather will determine the timeline of the repairs.

Robert Holland requested the city vacate a portion of Cherry Street, which is not currently being used. He said since the lot is not vacated, he is responsible for maintaining it. Cook advised Holland to discuss the options with Robbins and apply for a petition to vacate the street.

Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick informed the council the new speed limit trailer has been ordered for a total cost of $3,080 of which $3,000 is covered by grant funding they received.

Ritzville Fire Chief Bill Banner informed the council on calls the department responded to in April, including an illegal burn on and a structure fire.

He said the department is currently at 25 calls for the year.