Ritzville Council approves tree trimming contract

During the Feb. 20 meeting, the Ritzville City Council approved several action items, one being a contract with Spirit Pruners for trimming eight Silver Maple trees at the City Park for $7,240.

Deputy Clerk Michelle Asmussen said most of the contract will be paid with the $5,000 Tree City USA Tree Planting and Maintenance grant, which the city received from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources in 2017.

The City of Ritzville will pay the remaining $2,240.

In other action items, the council voted to acquire a trade report for the of parcels of land belonging to the Vandervert LLC, who have proposed donating them to the City.

Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Chamberlain read a letter from City Attorney John Kragt, who wrote he had spoken with attorneys regarding Vandervert Construction being in receivership, which he added should not affect the parcels of land the Vanderverts want to give to the City. However, Kragt recommended for the City pay for a title report to be completed before to accepting the land.

Chamberlain said he has bought and sold land in the past and also recommended the city purchase a title report, which he added would cost between $250-$600.

During his report, Police Chief Dave McCormick informed the council he received a $3,000 grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, which he said would go toward purchasing an additional speed advisory sign for the city.

McCormick said the advisory sign will installed at the bottom of the hill near the Little League field on Division Street. The sign would likely be installed before the Little League season begins.

He informed the council he had not ordered the sign prior to the council meeting, and the total cost would be around $3,600. He added adequate funds in the Police Department’s budget to cover remaining cost of the sign.

McCormick also informed council the Ritzville Police Department would participate in a emphasis patrol with the Traffic Safety Commission on March 3. During the patrol, officers will be watching for drivers not using seat belts and child restraints.

Under new business, Chamberlain informed council Vision IT installed the new computers and software at City Hall for administrative staff and public works. Council had approved a service contract with Vision at their Jan. 16 meeting.

In other business, the council approved Adams County Mosquito Control District manager David Beus’ request to reappoint Gordon Killian as Ritzville’s representative to the board.

Asmussen informed council Mayor Gary Cook signed a contract with Armada Collection Utilities on Feb. 14 to collect on delinquent utility accounts.

Council Member Scott Yaeger informed council he received from the bid authorization letter from Varela and Associates for the First Avenue improvement project, which will be from Cascade Street to the east city limits.

He said Cook will need sign an agreement before the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) will begin advertising for the project. The bids would likely be open on March 20 with construction possibly beginning in May.

Yaeger said the total payment for the project would be increased to $382,584. He added the cost to the city would be an additional $1,800 for engineering costs for TIB construction.

Council discussed a quote from Correct Equipment regarding for a public at Pete’s Lift Station for $9,269.15.

Yaeger voiced his concern about the lack of information from Correct Equipment’s proposal, specifically regarding two different peak flow measurements.

He explained the issue with the lift station was mentioned during the Public Works’ meeting while they were discussing of the First Street Improvement project.

Yaeger explained one of the pumps in the station, which was installed during the 1940s, is no longer working.

He added the city wants to purchase another pump before the station’s second pump no longer works. Yaeger added the Public Works committee is hoping to also use the pump in the rehabilitation for the lift station.

Chamberlain said Public Works Director Larry Swift is waiting for the other quote from Pump Tech and he will provide more information to the Council at a future meeting.