Ritzville Chamber presents to Council, requests street closure

During the May 15 Ritzville City Council meeting, the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce President Karen Cady and Cory Bartlett of Gigamedics provided an update on the Chamber’s new website.

Bartlett explained viewers can access the website at both visitritzville.com and ritzvillechamber.

Upon entering the website, viewers can watch the three-minute Ritzville Harvest the Legacy video.

After the user closes the video, they will land on the homepage, which includes a carousel of photos and a link to the poster for the Chamber’s Spring Fest event.

The homepage are information tabs like“Let’s Eat” and “Visit Local Shops,” as well as a “Hotels and Motels” link for hotels in the City.

There is also an Arts and Education tab, which opens a new window to East Adams Library District’s (EALD) website.

Bartlett explained linking to EALD’s website is a way to reduce redundancy and a way for the Chamber to promote local entities. He added the visitor does not leave the Chamber’s website when opening a link to another site.

The website also has a login access chamber members, who can post information, upcoming events and deals for their business.

“The Join Now” tab brings users to a page where learn about the benefits of joining the Chamber and can download a membership application.

Bartlett said some of the pages are still under construction and will be updated. Cady added the organization is contacting businesses to obtain permission to list their information on the website.

Bartlett added some of the website’s mobile features are currently not available. He will work with the Ritzville Insider app developer on the mobile version for the website.

After the Chamber’s website update, Cady presented an update on Spring Fest, the new theme for Memorial Day weekend.

She said she and Debbie Chapman have distributed flyers in communities near Ritzville.

Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt said the Spring Fest event resulted from the collaboration of local organizations who host events during Memorial Day weekend.

In action items, the Council, voted 5-2 to begin recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of council meetings.

Council Members Dennis Chamberlain and Michelle Plumb were the dissenting votes in the motion.

Chamberlain explained he is not against the Pledge of Allegiance itself, but he does not see a problem with not reciting it before a meeting.

Plumb explained the Council is participating in democracy by holding a meeting, but Washington State law does not require councils to recite the Pledge.

In other action items, the Council approved the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce’s request to close a portion of North Washington Street, from West Railroad Avenue to Main Avenue on June 16-17.

Cady explained the closure is for the Community Yard Sale on June 16-17. The street will be closed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

In other action items, the Council voted 6-1 to set a public hearing for the Ritzville Comprehensive Plan for the June 5 meeting. Plumb was the dissenting vote.

During department reports, Public Works Director Larry Swift said Public Works crews were completing maintenance work around the City in preparation for Memorial Day weekend.

Council Member Mark Weigand said the Ritzville Municipal Golf course purchased a new deck for the clubhouse and a greens sander.

Council Member Mike Schrag provided another update with the First Avenue Beautification Project.

He noted the Boy Scouts and other local volunteers have helped crews with landscaping. Schrag added the City is still seeking volunteers to help with the project.