Lind Town Council discusses offering new paid holidays, tiny house zoning

The Lind Town Council was called to order on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the meeting minutes of February 26, 2019 were read and approved by the Council. Councilmembers Richard Baldwin, Rose Elkington, Myra Horton and Clerk/Treasurer Kylie Buell were present as was Mayor Paula Bell. Councilmembers Jim Dworshak and Kathy Vedder had excused absences.

Mayor Paula Bell opened discussion of the Policy and Procedures Manual. Councilmember Elkington recommended changing all “stand by” verbiage to “on call.” Attorney Michael Heaps requested a scanned copy of the document as he does have some suggestions. Councilmember Elkington suggested the Town pay time-and-a-half rate for weekend hours actually worked on weekends rather than the automatic two hours.

In response to a question, Mayor Bell said employees will not review the manual until it is finalized. The Clerk/Treasurer suggested adding a half-day of paid holidays for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. The council agreed with the suggestion.

Mayor Bell passed along an email from Joe Pessutti suggesting that the Town empty fuel out of the generators at Well No. 8 and at the WWTP, add new fuel and get the injector repaired. Mr. Pessutti reports that Pacific Power believes that will fix the current problem.

Mayor Bell also handed out a business plan from Farm to Table. The local family sells produce and wishes permission to park their refrigerated truck at the Town park. They have all the licenses and permits; after a brief discussion, the council tabled the topic until next meeting.

Mayor Bell passed out information regarding tiny houses. She believes these dwellings will become more popular in the future and believes the Council should look at adding amendment to the zoning ordinance to allow such dwellings. No further discussion ensued.

The Cascade Trail Riders will be in town on May 24 and the Lions Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, April 20.

Mayor Bell advised the Council that the Department of Health will be inspecting well reservoir tanks in August or September. Josamy Blake informed the mayor that they will need supplies to clean the reservoirs.

There is a new fee schedule for waste disposal. It will be increasing a dollar per year until $80 is reached. Then there will be no increase for an undisclosed amount of time.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.