Ritzville Council approves TIB agreement with Varela

During the June 5 meeting, the Ritzville City Council voted 5-1 to approve a Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) consultant agreement with Varela and Associates for a upcoming road improvement project.

Council Member Mark Weigand, who was the dissenting vote, said he felt the $54,060 cost was too high for design work.

Council Member Michelle Plumb clarified the TIB funding will cover 95 percent of the agreement cost, and the City will only have to pay the 5 percent match.

In the agreement, Varela will provide a design of a full depth reclamation of existing roadway on First Avenue, from Jackson Street to Clark Street.

The work will consist of removing and replacing the existing storm sewer, curbs and sidewalks. It will also include a new sidewalk with ADA features on the north side of the roadway.

In other action items, the Council approved the bid from Correct Equipment Inc. to replace one of the pumps in Pete’s Lift Station for $9,269.15.

Public Works Director Larry Swift said Varela had drafted a plan to install a pump in the lift station that would pump 80 gallons of raw sewage per minute.

The new pump would replace an older piece of equipment, and serve as an alternate between the other pump being used in the lift station.

The Council also held a public hearing for the City’s comprehensive plan update.

In 2015, the City reviewed an update to the comprehensive plan, but the Council did not vote on the document.

Cook explained he and office staff will review the document and add updates in order to make sure it is in compliance with Washington state law.

He said the updates will address components, one being an approach to increase physical activity in the City. Cook noted amenities such as a walking path have addressed the issue.

Staff will also need to include a procedure for the City to designate and protect critical areas such as wetlands and fish and wildlife habitats.

Cook said the City will also include a procedure for public participation, which will consist of holding public meetings.

Once Cook and office staff add the updates, a resolution will be drafted and brought to the Council for review.

Planning Commission Chairman Stephen McFadden said if the City adds new components to the plan, the Council would need to have another public hearing process before they can approve the resolution.

In other business, the Council confirmed Cook’s appointment of Bill Markum to the Planning Commission.

During his report, Police Chief Dave McCormick said he and Swift met with Camtek, Inc. to discuss installing security cameras at the City Park, Pioneer Plaza and the police station. He said he asked the company for three proposals with the Park as the priority.

McCormick said the plan would consist of installing cameras in roughly the same areas at the park to monitor the Pillar Memorial, the gazebo and the cook shack.

He noted one potential issue if the department cannot access WiFi at the park, which would allow officers to check and run the camera system from their computers or phones.

If officers cannot access wireless Internet, McCormick said the department could install a router at the park, or use a hard drive camera system, which is what the department uses for the current camera system.

McCormick added the camera system at the police station would monitor nearby streets and a portion of the library. Cameras would be installed at NP Railroad Depot Museum to monitor the Plaza and Railroad Avenue.

He said he does not have cost estimates for the proposals, but he has funds budgeted for the project.

In regards to concerns about the historical preservation of the Railroad Depot, McCormick said Camtek has installed camera systems on Spokane’s historical buildings, which were approved by the city’s Historic Preservation Office. Cook recommended McCormick bring a draft of Camtek’s proposal to the Planning Commission.

The Council also received an update for the First Avenue Beautification Project.

Council Member Mike Schrag said crews are “putting the finishing touches” on project’s first phase. He explained Public Works crews and volunteers have landscaped at around the signs near Napa Auto Parts and the Ritzville railway welcome sign.

Crews are installing landscape on property near the Odessa Trading Company/Ag Tech building.

Schrag also commended the efforts with Swift and the city crew for their work in helping with the project.