Law enforcement contract approved

DAYTON-The long negotiated interlocal agreement between the City of Dayton and Columbia County for law enforcement, dispatch and municipal court services was approved by the majority of the City Council at their regular meeting on March 10.

Discussion about the contract was led by Mayor Zac Weatherford who encouraged the Council to vote to approve the contract to be able to move forward. He told them County Prosecutor Dale Slack said in his letter to the City answering their request for amendments, that if it was not accepted as it stands based on the terms agreed upon in the mediation last fall, that the County would have no choice but to move into arbitration. Weatherford stated that the contract was in line with what was agreed upon in mediation to which the Council authorized last November.

Councilman Dain Nysoe spoke up to say during this five-year initial contract, the City should pursue other possibilities for law enforcement instead of extending the expensive full contract with the County. He acknowledged that the City seems to have no other choice than to contract with them for dispatch and court services.

Councilman Michael Paris asked if the contract can be terminated earlier than five years. Weatherford said that there is nothing written allowing for early release from the contract, but agreed they should look at other options for law enforcement for the future.

Byron Kaczmarski motioned to approve Resolution 1460 accepting the terms of the contract and it was seconded by Delphine Bailey. Council members Christine Broughton also voted in favor and Misty Yost abstained. Two councilmen, Nysoe and Paris did not approve.

Weatherford said that now the Resolution passed, it will have a financial impact on the City and the residents with increased Consumer Price Index (CPI) but didn’t specify on what it would mean for the City or for residents.

The Council also passed Resolution 1459 Authorizing the Mayor to execute a real estate purchase of 43 acres and sale agreement between the City of Dayton and Bryan Martin for the waste water facility site. The negotiated sale agreement for appraised value of $16,000 in earnest money was made by the city lawyer and would go towards the sale price of $295,000. For this earnest money, Martin has allowed entrance of engineers of various regulatory agencies for assessments to determine compatibility for six months. This money covers the seller’s property expenses during the period it is taken off the market.

The entire project is funded from the Sewer Capital Improvement Budget. Financing options are being considered. If the property is found compatible with the needs of the project, then the City will pursue the purchase. Jake Hollopeter with Anderson Perry said the property shows promise. He also said though the City is taking a calculated risk in moving the project forward, it is an “innovative solution” that is being proposed. “We’ll have a mechanical system followed by wetland polishing, an additional treatment...with an indirect discharge into the river.” It is a pilot project where several communities with similar challenges could benefit. The Department of Ecology has been very supportive according to Hollopeter.

Weatherford acknowledged Bryan for his patience from the inception of the idea of his land for this project to get to where they are now ready to move forward.

The Mayor provided updates of other City projects. “The Cameron Street, Front Street bridge and the Touchet River Trail damages due to the flood of 2020-those have all gone out for bid. Those bids will be open until March 25. I just authorized a work order with Columbia County for a portion of the Cameron Street project and also the East Tremont Street project. This will be a single-application chip seal on a portion of Cameron Street. This is going to be funded by the Transportation Improvement Board. And then a two-application atonement, surface treatment and fog seal on a portion of Tremont Street-this is between Fourth and Fifth and this is an item that was part of the 2021 Budget.”

Weatherford also updated about the priority of the sewer videoing and cleaning project stating that it is a time-sensitive project and needs to be done during the high-water run-off. Iron Horse Vac out of Kennewick has committed to the project for March 29-April 1.

The sediment removal project was also discussed. The Mayor spoke of his meeting on March 1 with the Commissioners and the Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) to inform them of the City’s desire to move forward with the permitting for sediment removal within the City Limits. Also, on March 10 Weatherford and City Administrator, Trina Cole met with FCZD Administrator, Charles Eaton and FCZD Board of Supervisors, County Commissioner Marty Hall, a representative from Anderson Perry and FEMA and State Program Delivery Managers. The meeting was facilitated by Daryl Downing with the Corps of Engineers with the intent to “clear up confusion with each other since jurisdictions projects may impact the others and no one wants to risk funding for FEMA eligibility. The project is moving forward. We are hoping we can get an urgent or emergent portion of the sediment removed as soon as possible...located at Main Street Bridge, the Railroad Track and also the confluence of the Patit Creek and Touchet River.”

Mayor Weatherford reported that the City is taking a proactive approach to potential future high-water events by holding internal emergency management meetings. A grant to purchase radios for emergency use has been received. The City has purchased 4000-5000 sand bags, 10% of which are filled and they are discussing finding a solution for filling sand bags quickly. For the next couple of months, they are monitoring the situation with the Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service and the County.

The Finance Committee met and has proposed putting out an electronic survey to the public to measure and provide feedback to the City Council and staff about what’s important to the community as far a program, projects and the infrastructure. Trina Cole added that the City is open to effective ideas about reaching those who are not internet savvy or who would be less prone to participate.

Nysoe requested the City staff provide the Council with information to move forward in some direction for the swimming pool. He asked for information both about its possible bonding capability and costs to demolish the pool site. He said, “There’s no sense in having that pool just sitting there in a deteriorating state. It’s a constant reminder to the citizens of Dayton that we do not have a pool.” The Mayor said that he believes bonding information was previously given some time ago but would request it be sent out again to Council members. He agreed to look into demolition costs.

There was no update provided about filling the Council Position 7 seat vacated by Matt Wiens earlier this year.