Public hearing on comprehensive plan

RITZVILLE – A public hearing on the city’s critical resource area overlay plan update is set for Tuesday, July 21, at 7 p.m.

Comments on the proposed plan can be submitted in writing to city clerk-treasurer Julie Flyckt by 5 p.m. July 21, or citizens can participate in the public hearing by joining in on the conference call. Details to call in can be obtained through city hall or on the city’s website.

Council members discussed the plan at their July 7 meeting, with Alicia Ayers of SCJ Alliance Consulting Services detailing updates set in place to ensure the city’s code is in compliance with the Growth Management Act. The critical resource overlay zone details provisions for five critical areas; frequently flooded areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, wetlands, geologically hazardous areas and critical aquifer recharge areas.

The Growth Management Act requires cities to periodically update development regulations ensuring conservation of these areas. The city’s most recent update to the critical areas ordinance was in 2007.

The plan is available on the city’s website.

Flyckt reviewed June financials, saying rather than just presenting them quarterly she was tracking them monthly, due to COVID-19. Flyckt said revenue in June was at $308,506 and expenditures were at $476,614. Flyckt said sales and use tax was at $36,005 in June; a decrease of 12% compared to the previous three years. Flyckt reported a 42% decrease in hotel/motel tax compared to taxes received in 2017 through 2019.

Flyckt said the city saw increases in both business licenses and golf fees over previous years. In 2020 business licenses increased 117% and golf fees increased 16% over the previous three years.

“Talking with the financial committee, we are really pleased with where we are at,” Flyckt said.

In other business, council

• Adopted the Six Year Transportation Improvement Program for 2021 through 2026. No public commented was received by the city on the plan.

• Adopted a resolution extending temporary responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including keeping city hall closed to the public, through December 31. DeDe Boyer and Mark Weigand voted against it.

• Heard Mayor Gary Cook will submit a letter to the council at their next meeting requesting permission to hire a new public works employee after a new employee quit unexpectedly. The city has a hiring freeze in place with the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring the mayor to submit the request for an essential employee.

• Held a formal vote on a fireworks stand permit approved earlier via email. Council members Mark Schrag and Michelle Plumb voted against it.

• Terminated a lease with Diane Kennedy and Patricia Kennedy doing business as The Caddy Shack in the City of Ritzville Golf Course Clubhouse. Council approved a new lease with Diane Kennedy as the sole tenant and operator of the Caddy Shack. The city charges $350 per month in rental fees for the Clubhouse.

• Heard the mayor will attend a zoom meeting with WSU students on work completed on the Downtown Revitalization Project. The meeting, to be held July 22 at 3 p.m. is open to the public. Contact City Hall for the call-in number.