City Council preparing for what's next with broadband

DAYTON-The Dayton City Council heard discussion on the franchise agreement from Charter Communications for cable and broadband services; and flood hazard mitigation was also presented; and the position of mayor pro-tem was appointed for 2023 at the January 10 meeting.

A representative from Charter Communications presented a franchise agreement to Council for review to the Council. Mayor Weatherford acknowledged that he has heard community concern about the timing of the project when the other broadband network is being built and road work is scheduled. Councilmembers echoed these concerns and questioned the need for four internet service providers with the three that will be using the Port network. Charter would also be bringing in cable television, which is not currently offered, and the representative said they could coordinate their project with other projects. Councilman Jim Su'euga suggested a community meeting to provide information to the public about the services Charter would bring.

Dain Nysoe was nominated to continue in his role as mayor pro-tem and was approved with Laura Aukerman and Tiger Deui dissenting. One of the roles of mayor pro-tem is to appoint councilmembers to the various committees. Aukerman suggested they remain on the same committees for continuity. Nysoe responded with a request for all councilmembers to submit letters to him with their requests for committee positions for him to consider.

In other business, Key committee reports were provided by Kyle Anderson for Public Safety and Laura Aukerman for Public Works. Anderson said they have been working to resolve the school zone speed postings with the school who has ordered new signs. Paulson added the city crew has placed some additional speed limit signage that are also flagged and that new signs should be up on roads coming into Dayton with the speed limit of 25 mph unless otherwise posted. Additionally, Anderson is working to get lights for the crosswalks.

Sheriff Joe Helm told council that a Citizens Academy is being planned for the spring. The department is also receiving applications from community volunteers for the Crime Watch Posse Program. The department will coordinate an event with the Coalition for Youth and Families to address underage drinking and drug use. Helm expressed appreciation for the event held on January 9 at Moose Creek Café and Bakery for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day and for those who organized and attended it.

County Commissioner Ryan Rundell announced they have hired Kristi Zinn as the director of the newly created human resources department. She began January 3. He reported that the Flood Control Zone District has not been dissolved but they have budgeted with plans for its dissolution because the district is unfunded, and the required high-cost risk insurance was not in the budget. Council questioned whether the district could be left intact for when it can be funded and Rundell answered they would still need to pay insurance for it, and it could possibly impede flood mitigation work for other entities because the district would still have jurisdiction which also may require a standing board.

Councilman Tiger Deui questioned Director of Emergency Management Tina Bobbitt whether a task force could be developed for emergency response similar to a group in Waitsburg. She said she is required by the State to have an Emergency Management Plan established by the end of the year. At a Board of County Commissioners meeting earlier this month she had also spoke of plans to set up an Emergency Activation Center to act as an activation location for recruited and trained volunteers in the event of an emergency of disaster.

Aukerman spoke about the Public Works Committee updates including recent repairs to the flap gate by the river. The committee is helping to procure needed equipment or parts for other city repairs, as well as infrastructure funding. They have plans to support Paulson for the Main Street trees and sidewalks project. Paulson expanded on her report to say that they oversaw the river flap gate work done by Steinhoff Construction. He also reported that several trees were lost in the City Park during the last high wind event. Additionally, there was a break-in with minor theft in the upper cemetery shop. Some recent vandalism of the headstones has recently occurred and has been addressed. He has spoken with the Sheriff's Department about locking the gates at night again. He and Deputy Clerk Misty Yost will be taking a grant writing course to be better equipped to pursue funds for the City.

Weatherford talked about the council workshop held the day before where they discussed various projects. He mentioned that they are still working on negotiations with the owners of the proposed property for the Wastewater Treatment Project. A letter about the Touchet River sediment issue was presented to council to add their signatures to the mayor's to be sent along with a similar letter from the Board of County Commissioners to agency representatives and regional governing representatives. The letter is seeking support of ideas for resolution or funding. Paulson is also in direct contact with agency reps to work towards a solution.