Lind Council approves utility fee increase

The Lind Town Council approved an increase in utility rates for 2018 at the Dec. 12 meeting.

Next year, the residential water rate will increase to $6.70 per gallon and the residential sewer rate will be set at $68.05. The annual water and sewer rate increases are from an ordinance council adopted in 2009.

Council also voted to increase the garbage rate 50 cents to make it $20. Mayor Jamie Schmunk said raising the garbage fee as a way offset the increase in dumping fees.

Council also voted for a monthly $2 storm water assessment fee. Schmunk said the funds will be set aside to pay off the Washington State Department of Ecology loan. The funds from the assessment fee will also help cover the cost for maintenance of the main line.

In regards to town employee wages next year, council approved a 4 percent wage increase for two public works employees and the deputy clerk, as well as a 3 percent increase for the clerk-treasurer.

Council also voted 4-1 for a 50 cent increase for the public works supervisor. Councilmember Jim Dworshak was the dissenting vote in the decision.

Clerk-Treasurer Kim Michaels said she would draft ordinances for the wages and utility rate increases and present them at the next meeting.

Schmunk said next year the Town will finish paying off an old loan provide an extra $35,000 in the 2019 budget.

She explained council could decide to rescind the ordinance relating to the utility rate increases, or set aside the money to pay for infrastructure projects or other work.

In other action items, council voted to lease the building at the west end of the airport to John Claypool for $5 a year, for the next two years.

Claypool said there are some structural issues to the building resulting from the previous occupant, such as a leaky roof and no working electricity. He said he has dedicated time and effort into repairing and cleaning the building.

Claypool added the Lind Gardeners are in the process of becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. He is also hoping to acquire grant funding to help cover the costs of fixing the structural improvements to the building.

Claypool also hopes to build an aquaponics farm at the building and has acquired most of the materials to install one. He would also like to fix the building to where it could host activities and events.

Schmunk said the Town currently has Claypool paying $5 a year to lease the building and proposed to keep the rate at the same amount because of the work he has put into the building.

Council agreed to the annual $5 lease for two years. The will revisit the matter in 2019 to see how much progress Claypool has made in making repairs building repairs and installing the aquaponics garden.

Claypool said he still might be able to install the aquaponics garden without using electricity.

Council voted to extend the Town’s marijuana moratorium for another six months. Michaels said she received the document from the attorney’s office with approval.

Prior to the vote, Dworshak suggested the council should not wait until the moratorium expires to approve an ordinance setting the regulations on marijuana businesses in Town limits.

He said if the ordinance allows for cannabis retail store to be located in Lind, the business owners would have to follow the state guidelines and find a location in Town outside of the 1,000-foot buffer zone.

Finally, Council approved rescheduling the Dec. 26 Town Council meeting to Dec. 28 at 7 p.m.

In her Mayor’s report, Schmunk informed council the town received an invoice for the Department of Health regarding an amendment to the Town’s Small Water System Management Program.

She explained the amendment to the program would improve the town’s eligibility for the income survey.