Council receives results of survey

RITZVILLE – The City Council received results of the recent community survey from City Clerk Julie Flyckt, at a regular meeting Sept. 21.

The survey covered demographics, quality of life, satisfaction with city services, potential spending and proposed ordinances.

Flyckt said 208 surveys were mailed to utility customers and 175 were completed either by returning the mailed form or completing a form online.

The survey suggests respondents are satisfied with city services with 78% of responses indicating they were satisfied or very satisfied with city services.

In terms of public safety, more than 95% of respondents said they believe they are very safe or somewhat safe walking alone in the city during the day; 72% indicated they believe they are very safe or somewhat safe walking alone after dark.

In terms of proposed ordinances, 57% of respondents indicated having chickens in back yards was not at all important.

On a proposed city-wide fireworks ban, the sentiment was fairly evenly split, with 51% saying a ban was slightly important, important, or extremely important; 36% said it was not at all important, while 13% had no opinion.

In other business, the City Council:

• Approved an ordinance amending Chapter 2.28 of the city code concerning fireworks. The ordinance authorizes the fire chief to impose emergency restrictions on the use of fireworks during periods of extreme fire danger. The ordinance will be effective for the first time during the summer of 2023.

• Listened to Public Works Director Dave Breazeale’s report that crack sealing would be done on city streets during the month of October. He also said there would be an inspection at the stand pipe (water tower) on the golf course. The inspection requires drawing down the water level which will result in low residential water pressure, particularly on the hills, in the city.

• Police Chief Dave McCormick reported there had been seven burglaries in the city recently. One burglary was residential, resulting in damage to the home. The other six burglaries were in commercial or shop spaces. Police are investigating.

• Heard from resident and local contractor Pete Spain expressed concerns about an individual seen near the schools making lewd gestures to young girls, including his granddaughters. McCormick responded that police are patrolling near the schools, particularly at times when children are present.

• Set public hearings for the 2022 budget for Nov. 2, concerning Ad Valorem (property value) taxes. The preliminary budget hearing will be Nov. 16 and the final budget hearing is set for Dec. 7.