Ritzville Council sets special meeting for 110 funds, cargo containers

Businesses and organizations seeking 110 funding in 2019 need to submit their applications by Oct. 10, and are encouraged to attend the 110 presentation meeting on Oct. 16.

During the Ritzville City Council meeting, Mayor Gary Cook said 110 funding applications have been distributed to local organizations. The deadline to turn in applications is Oct. 10.

The Council also voted to designate Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m., as a time to 110 funding presentations from applicants. The 110 funding presentation is not the only scheduled item for Oct. 16.

The Council voted 5-1 to also hold a public hearing for the proposed changes to the city municipal code relating to Accessory Structures and storage containers. Council Member Dennis Chamberlain was the dissenting vote and Council Member Scott Yaeger was absent.

Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt said the Planning Commission drafted the proposed changes for the Council to review.

One of the amendments is establishing a definition for cargo containers in Chapter 11.10. The definition describes cargo containers “as a metal unit originally or specifically used to store goods or merchandise for shipping or hauling by vehicle.” The definition includes rail cars, truck trailers or multimodal shipping containers.

Another change adds a section for Cargo Containers. It states cargo containers may be used for temporary storage of equipment and/or materials at a construction site authorized by a city building permit for 180 days while a 60-day temporary use permit can be issued for pods.

It also prohibits permanently placing cargo containers in any residential zoned district.

Flyckt noted the commission decided current containers on residential properties would not be grandfathered in if the ordinance is passed.

Flyckt also presented a 2019 budget draft to the council. The estimated revenue for 2019 is $4,088,420.68 and projected expenditures is at $4,108,910.55.

She explained the draft includes a summary of the beginning fund balance, estimated revenue and projected expenditures for 2019. The draft a summary of revenue and department expenditures along with amounts from 2017, current and estimated funds for 2018 and projections for 2019.

Flyckt added she is still working on the reserves, and the numbers will change before the Council adopts the budget. She said her goal is to create a balanced budget for 2019.

She also presented a letter from Evergreen Rural Water of Washington with the results of the city’s income survey. Tracey Hunter of Evergreen wrote the survey was completed on Sept. 13 and Ritzville met the minimum requirements to have the results validated.

Evergreen received 247 completed responses, with 27 refusals to participate, three vacant homes, three businesses, five incomplete surveys and 166 mailed or visited that were non-participants.

Flyckt said Ritzville yielded a 54.91 percent low-to moderate income (LMI) population. She added the City needed 51 percent LMI to qualify for federal grant programs.

During department reports, Police Chief Dave McCormick announced the Ritzville Police Department assisted U.S. Marshals and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending a violent offender within the city.