TIB to allocate funding to Lind

The Town of Lind received positive news regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) project funding during the Nov. 28 Lind Town Council meeting.

Century West Project Manager Steve Nelson informed the council and residents the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) will allocate funds to Lind in order to cover the Town’s match requirement for the FEMA grant the Town received in July.

FEMA awarded Lind grant funding for fixing roads sustaining damaging during the 2016-17 winter weather.

Nelson noted the survey work for the improvement projects is complete except for work on Sixth Street. He hopes to have the survey work completed before the snow falls.

At their Oct. 10 meeting, the council approved allocating up to $500 for matching funds for conducting the survey work.

Once the survey work is complete, Nelson said he plans to bid out the improvement projects in January. He added FEMA requires bids from at least three contractors.

Nelson explained FEMA grant funding will not cover improvement projects at the airport. Mayor Jamie Schmunk said she will be working with the Washington State Department of Transportation Improvement Aviation to find and acquire grant funding for projects at the airport.

Schmunk informed council Avista Utilities Regional Business Manager Paul Kimmel contacted Clerk-Treasurer Kim Michaels regarding a 2009 Toyota Prius the company recently surplused. She said Avista wants to donate the vehicle to the Town.

Schmunk added Avista will also install an electrical vehicle (EV) charging station in Lind. Residents who own an electric vehicle, or are considering purchasing one in the future, will be able to charge it at the EV station.

Council member Paula Bell asked about Town’s marijuana moratorium. At their Oct. 24 meeting, council approved extending the moratorium for another six months after November. Michaels said the ordinance is with the city attorney for final review.

Stantec Engineer Alan Gay informed council he met with tech crews for funding options to replace the water main on Sixth Street and remove the water meters from the basements of homes on the street.

Gay said the paperwork for the grant application is being finalized and will be sent to the Department of Health.

The grant will help pay for the Town to conduct an income survey through the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC).

For the process of acquiring data for the income survey, Schmunk said a questionnaire would be mailed to residents to complete and return to Town Hall.

If not enough residents complete the questionnaire, RCAC personnel will go door-to-door with local volunteers and speak to people. Schmunk noted residents will not have to provide vital information, such as their Social Security number, for the survey.

Completing an income survey would increase Lind’s eligibility for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which supports water and sewer infrastructure projects.

CDBG grants are 100 percent funded so towns are not required to pay matching funds.

Gay said he is also speaking with engineers for the Sixth Street Storm Water project. Once he is finished coordinating with crews and receives approval, he will draft a proposal and present it to the council at a future meeting.