Shannon McMillen appointed to Council

DAYTON–The City Council appointed Shannon McMillen to an open position, a updated resolution for the purchase of land for the waste water project (WWTP) was passed and other business was handled during the meeting May 10.

McMillen was one of three candidates interviewed for the vacant position left by Marchand Hovrud who was elected last fall but since has moved out of the area. The other candidates were Dave Schreck and Heather Hiebert, who was appointed last September for the remainder of Delphine Bailey's position. She also interviewed for the vacancy left by Byron Kazmarski in December since her temporary term was up at the end of the year, but Kyle Anderson was selected.

McMillen said in her interview from her experience working for the Broughton Land Company and previously as a legal assistant at the Nealey and Marinella law firm, that she has learned the value of confidentiality and professionalism. When asked what the priority for the City is she stated moving forward with WWTP and the pool.

The Council went into executive session to review the candidates and voted 4-2 for McMillen. Dain Nysoe and Teeny McMunn were the dissenting votes.

Mayor Zac Weatherford presented an updated resolution to Council for purchase of the Martin and Barker properties for the Waste Water Treatment Project (WWTP) after negotiating a lower price. Following discussion, Council voted 3-3 and the resolution did not pass.

Weatherford presented Resolution No.1489-A to the Council for approval of an updated land purchase agreement for the WWTP after the Martin and Barker properties were negotiated for reduced prices totaling $1.03 million down from $1.1 million. The earnest money already paid of $16,000 would be honored by Martin if Council agreed to the purchase which is reflected in the reduced price. The mayor informed the Council that if the city was to use the low-interest funding from Department of Ecology to make the purchase, the first payment wouldn't be due until one year after the design is complete which would take about a year-so two years from this time.

Councilman Kyle Anderson interjected to share that he consulted with Ken Hanson, a farmer from Colfax, Wash., who has coordinated with other farmers and companies to develop C-fficiency Systems, Inc. (CSI) for the purpose of using green energy for farming high nitrogen use crops which eliminates the need for carbon fuel and fertilizer while "adding surplus energy production to its cash crop inventory." This creates sustainable farms. This system is approved by the Department of Ecology according to Hanson. Funding is available, but this type of project would be a fraction of the cost of the wetlands project, and even make money for the city. Anderson reported from his exchange with Hanson, "The last system they installed runs off 500-600 gallons per day on a 160-acre farm for the last system they installed in St Maries, ID. He said with our system using 220-300 gallons per day we would only need two pivots on a total of 80 acres...He is willing to come meet with City Council to answer any questions and give a tour of the facility in St. Maries." Hanson holds several U.S. Patents in development of water conservation systems.

The mayor said he is not opposed to looking into other ideas, and steered the conversation to the land purchase agreement that was on the table. McMunn said she has heard community concern which she shares over the funding loss of grants for a wetlands project if another option is pursued, as well as the lost time and work on the current project. She does not want to lose the land and be forced to look elsewhere, and she suggested the property owners be approached with an offer for their asking price contingent upon what Council discovers about the option presented by Anderson.

Councilman Tiger Deui suggested to table the resolution. Nysoe felt that it is already been pushed back long enough throughout the process. The mayor said Council is free to make any kind of motion in regards to the resolution presented. Nysoe motioned to approve the resolution for purchase agreement for the properties. Councilmember Misty Yost seconded and pointed out that the project needs property regardless of the type of project and the agreement would allow the project to move forward. Anderson added that the properties would work for either option.

Councilmember Laura Aukerman interjected to ask if they reviewed a letter sent to Council and staff from the manager of the Columbia Conservation District along with a packet of information containing comments of concern from representatives from Fish and Wildlife, the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board, The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, and Blue Mountain Land Trust. The various agencies repeated concerns about the proposed wetlands project being in the floodplain where they said river migration is likely that could result in damage to infrastructure unless a costly levee or berm is built which would have to be maintained.

They also relayed concerns about possible flooding downstream and fallout from the rock bluff that could be worsened by containing the river which could cause damage to structures.

Another repeated concern was the wetland option would reduce the agricultural use of the land. Pursuing project options other than the wetlands would eliminate these concerns, put the water back into the land where it was taken from, and has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of the project.

Weatherford answered that without having his computer with him, he couldn't confirm if everyone received the information, but that he reviewed it and added the packet to WWTP folder at City Hall. No further discussion was had.

McMunn affirmed Nysoe's and Yost's position that it is time to move forward before the vote was cast resulting in a tie 3-3. The mayor said he could not vote to break the tie.

Former Councilman Mike Parrish make a statement during the public comment period that followed in regards to the many extensions from Department of Ecology and his concern about possible fines. Anderson also requested that a second vote possibly be considered at a special meeting after the mayor's meeting with the landowner. The mayor said it could be considered depending on how that discussion goes.

Clerk Deb Hays updated Council with information about the question of insurance for the project considering it is in a floodplain. The City's current insurance covers anything additional the City purchases and structures would be value-added coverage. Pollution damage and flood coverage is already in the plan with $200,000 deductible for each flood event. Weatherford added the last flood did the city did not have any major structural damage and because of the FEMA disaster declaration, they covered the costs.

The mayor also provided answers about whether rock crushing would be allowed by the Blue Mountain Land Trust but because it is in the riparian area, they are not in support of it. He also approached some of the other landowners about their properties and had one meeting with a large landowner who expressed interest for the next morning.