Moses Lake preparing for council retreat

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council will have a more in-depth meeting this weekend, working for two days with city staff on their plan for the next few years.

The city holds an annual retreat/workshop to set goals for a two-year period and to update council members on city activities and projects.

"It gives us an opportunity to plan for programs and projects into 2007," Moses Lake City Manager Joe Gavinski said.

This year won't see the introduction of any new projects, but rather the review between staff and council members of projects already on the table such as the Sinkiuse Square and downtown redesign proposals. Gavinski said the annual retreat allows for a more in-depth discussion of those plans.

The city will be concerned with staffing levels into 2007, Gavinski said. He said city staff will have input and suggestions into those staffing levels, which he said will be most pressing in city departments including engineering and maintenance. Some of those level needs are in part due to the number of projects entering building stages at the city.

The Friday afternoon and Saturday program will be held at the Cave B Inn in Quincy. Representatives from the Port of Moses Lake are scheduled to make a presentation, with representatives of the citizen's group Vision 2020 also planning to attend.

Gavinski said a consultant will be on hand for a discussion on a proposed expansion to the city's Museum and Art Center. City officials are currently seeking financial options for the MAC project, including grant money options.

The retreat begins at 1 p.m. Friday and will continue all day Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at the inn. Among the topics of discussion on the retreat agenda will be park and facility enhancements, bonds and general obligations, downtown revitalization, fireworks and the Longview Tracts water and sewer project.