Ritzville Council approves small works roster agreement with MRSC

During the Dec. 5 meeting, the Ritzville City Council approved a resolution authorizing a service agreement between the City and Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) regarding the city’s small works vendor roster.

Clerk-Treasurer Kris Robbins said the city is obligated to complete and post a general small works roster for contracts, consultants and vendors. The resolution allows the city to use MRSC’s services to complete its small works roster.

The resolution states MRSC will post a notice of the small works roster along with the names of contractors in the newspaper of general circulation. It also allows the city access to MRSC’s database of vendors for small public works projects.

The resolution also states the city does not need to complete sealed bidding procedures for projects below $300,000. It also allows the mayor to the authority to award contracts for public works projects costing less than or equal to $75,000. The council will award the contracts to vendors for public works projects over $75,000.

Robbins also clarified the city will not be limited to choosing a bidder from MRSC’s roster. The city can search for a contractor outside the roster for a public works project, but the business will still have to register with MRSC.

When asked if the city will pay an annual fee for the agreement, Robbins said the fee is based on the average of capital expenses from the last five years. She added the city’s fee may be higher than other municipalities because of expenses in the past, but the amount could change yearly.

In old business, council approved designating $150,000 in the 2018 budget for 110 funding requests from businesses and organizations. Council will not distribute funds for those requests until January.

Robbins said the 110 funds will only be allocated to businesses and organizations who submitted applications in November. Council cannot award funding to groups or businesses who did not submit a proposal for 110 funds.

Robbins announced the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) reimbursed the city for costs relating to the Relight Washington project. The city will then pay Avista Utilities after council approves a budget amendment at the Dec. 19 meeting.

During budget discussions, council member Mark Wiegand said he was not happy with the current draft of the budget, particularly since it did not include funding for standby time compensation for the police department.

Mayor Gary Cook explained Officer Tom Gracie and Police Chief Dave McCormick made a presentation to the finance committee about the possibility of standby pay to Ritzville police officers. McCormick said the officers approached him with the idea for the presentation because they had concerns about wages, standby time and holiday pay.

McCormick said the officer’s concerns could be mitigated by addressing one of the issues and offering standby time would have the least impact on the budget.

He added there is a possibility the Ritzville Police Department could lose an officer to Othello Police Department, which provides standby time, along with incentives and a higher wage than Ritzville. The Adams County Sheriff’s Office also offers higher pay, standby time and benefits

Cook explained the presentation from Gracie and McCormick was made after the preliminary budget was drafted. He also clarified he allowed them to make their presentation to the finance committee, but did not promise the standby time pay would be added the budget.

Cook said if the city provided standby time for police officers, they would have to do the same for public works employees.

McCormick said he was not expecting the budget to be changed after the presentation, rather he was only answering questions. He is also willing to provide more information regarding standby time to the council members who had not seen the presentation.

During his department report, McCormick said the police department received the two speed advisory signs and installed them around the Ritzville City Park.

The police department also participated in the statewide speed emphasis patrol on Nov. 26 and will receive compensation from the Columbia Basin Safety Task Force.

Ritzville officers will also take part in a statewide DUI emphasis patrol from now until Dec. 31. McCormick estimates officers will collectively work 8-10 hours during the patrol.

McCormick said he applied for grant funding through the Sheriffs and Chiefs Association to purchase another speed advisory sign and a digital dash camera.

Robbins announced the city entered into a service agreement with Vision Forms, out of Spokane, for outsourcing utility bills.

City employees will process utility bills and email them to Vision Forms, who will print them out and mail them to residents. Robbins said the agreement will help city employees save time with bill processing.

After the meeting, it was announced Robbins will be resigning as the city’s clerk-treasurer to take a job in Moses Lake.