Ritzville Council adopts county solid waste plan

During the May 1 meeting, the Ritzville City Council adopted the Adams County Solid Waste and Moderate Risk Management Plan.

Mayor Gary Cook explained the Adams County Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) prepared and updated the plan for 2018. He noted the document is available for the Council to review.

Prior to approval, Council Member Scott Yaeger said if the City did not adopt the plan, they would have to draft one specifically for Ritzville.

He noted the county’s plan includes a recycling element as the county collects recyclable materials at the transfer stations in Othello and Ritzville.

Council unanimously approved a proposal from Arnett Muldrow and Associates to develop a wayfinding master plan for the City.

Arnett Muldrow came in as the low bidder for the project at $13,500 with travel expenses, not exceeding $3,800.

The project’s cost will be paid through 110 funds, which were already budgeted and allocated to the City.

In other business, Cook stated Ritzville is now a part of the Adams County Conservation District.

He said the City received a request last summer to include Ritzville in the conservation district. Being a part of the district will allow residents to serve on the district’s board of directors.

Cook noted there had been concerns of the Council not reciting the Pledge of Allegiance before the beginning of meetings. He explained Ritzville is one of the few municipalities in Washington state that does not say the Pledge before council meetings.

During the discussion, the Council said they would like to have the Pledge of Allegiance added to the agenda.

They will take an official vote on the matter at the May 15 meeting.

Cook also provided information about the exit conference for the 2015 and 2016 audits for the City.

One of the recommendations from the auditor was for the City develop and adopt a cost allocation plan. The plan would describe how the City allocates and uses department funds for such as water and sewer. It would be updated on an annual basis.

Cook said Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt said she is researching how other municipalities have developed cost allocation plans.

Cook said he asked Flyckt and Council Member Debbie Chapman to review the City’s ordinances. If an ordinance needs to be updated, he will contact the appropriate council committee to begin the process of changing the document.

During department reports, Police Chief Dave McCormick said the new speed trailer was shipped to Ritzville. The trailer will be installed on North Division Street and address southbound traffic near Third Avenue. It may be moved to the Little League park in the future, once the grant recording requirements are completed.

McCormick said he received a subpoena to serve on Officer Tom Gracie for a 3.5 hearing, which he explained is a hearing where a defense attorney attempts to convince the judge to not allow evidence or a statement being used in the trial.

He later received an email informing him the subpoena was canceled. McCormick explained the defense attorney for the case said the evidence Gracie had processed was “so well prepared” there was nothing he could argue against in front of the judge.

McCormick recognized Gracie for the quality of work he did on the case.

Fire Chief Joel Bell said the Ritzville Fire Department has been performing routine maintenance on equipment. He added the headsets the department purchased are operating well and the bugs “have been worked out.”

Bell added the department is preparing for the annual Memorial Day breakfast.

Debbie Chapman said Rural East Adams Coalition for Health (REACH) applied for an Empire Health Foundation grant. The funding will help the organization bring crisis and mental health training to Ritzville.