Councilman Matt Wiens resigns

DAYTON–Councilman Matt Wiens recently resigned and the Council will move forward through the process of appointing a new Council member, the Dayton City Council considered at the January 13 meeting.

Wiens was starting the last of a four-year term and opted to resign "to pursue other things to spend my time on," Wiens told the Dayton Chronicle. "I did it for three years and did not want to pursue another year on the Council." He submitted his resignation at the end of 2020.

In other action, current Mayor Pro Tempore Dain Nysoe was nominated and unanimously appointed for another year as pro tem.

Council Member Misty Yost reported that the Chamber of Commerce is moving to the building that was formerly occupied by Alder Dental on Main Street. The move is planned for around the end of March.

Sheriff Joe Helm reported that the department is in the process of hiring two to three deputies.

Mayor Zac Weatherford told the Council that they had received the Contract for County Services earlier in the month and it has been reviewed by the City attorney and by the Public Safety Committee. Changes anticipated will be mostly "adding details to gray areas," according to Weatherford.

Since the flood of last year, permitting has prevented the removal of sentiment from the Touchet River, Weatherford said. The issue is coordination and cooperation among multiple entities including the Corps of Engineers, the departments of Ecology and Fish and Wildlife, Salmon Recovery Board, FEMA, Columbia County and the County Flood Control Zone District. Weatherford said it is anticipated the removal will be permitted and completed in late spring after the high elevation run-off.

County Commissioner Ryan Rundell added that after speaking with Charles Eaton, County Engineer and Administrator of the Flood Control Zone District, it appears the FEMA permitting is facing the issue because of endangered Bull Trout.

Weatherford said this is not helpful for flood prevention this year, but the City and County are doing everything possible to be ready should there be another event, and plan to be more ready than they were last year before the flood.

"We have 3,000 sandbags on hand," Weatherford said. "We also have ordered another 2,000. We're working with the Department of Corrections to potentially have sand bags filled and stacked on pallets. We will be placing the already ready-to-go sandbags in different locations throughout the City...in spots where we can get to them quickly but also keep them out of weather so they don't get ruined."

An update was provided by the Mayor on the Water Treatment Plant Project. "The Department of Ecology's presentation on Dayton's proposed Project to the Water Quality Program Management Team was met with very positive responses and support for the Project. Representatives from the City met with owners of a second property which will likely be needed as part of the future wetland area. The owners agreed the City could proceed with initial investigations on their property, and if the geo-technical exploration shows the property is suitable...they are willing to discuss purchase by the City."

This is beginning of multiple steps leading up to a meeting later this month with the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board where the Department of Ecology will present an updated plan where the City hopes the Board will rule in favor of the Program so that the property work can be completed.