Covey re-elected Moses Lake mayor

Council finalizes meeting payments

MOSES LAKE — In the first meeting of a new term on the city council Tuesday, his fellow members voted to give Ron Covey another two years as mayor of Moses Lake.

Before beginning the business of their regular meeting, the city council unanimously, and followed with applause, cast votes to re-elect Mayor Covey and Deputy Mayor Richard Pearce to their posts.

The votes were atop an agenda in which councilmen also finalized a meeting payment policy approved at the council's last meeting in 2005.

On Dec. 27, council members approved the payment of $30 per meeting for members who represent the council in an official capacity on county boards and commissions. The measure impacts incoming Councilmen Bill Ecret and Jim Liebrecht, and returning Councilmen Covey and Brent Reese, who each began new terms with the city council Jan. 1.

Councilman Dick Deane initially brought forth the plan, and said Tuesday he continued to support it.

"This is a representative overtime stipend, for the people who have their heart in the community, and that's why I pursued it as I did," Deane said.

A policy brought before the council Tuesday stated the qualifications for such a stipend, and also provided payments for attending the two regularly scheduled council meetings each month. That language was soon amended at the suggestion of Pearce, who said he felt they were already getting paid for coming to council meetings and proposed limiting the language to include only special meetings.

"I think it just makes sense to do that," Pearce said of changing the language.

A finalized policy was approved by a vote of 6-1 with Councilman Jon Lane casting the sole opposing vote. Lane pointed to other city and county positions essentially performed on a volunteer basis, and said he felt uncomfortable being paid to go to some of those meetings.

"I think we should refine this," Lane said during the discussion. "And limit where we get the stipend."

Also at Tuesday's meeting:

? Council members accepted the donation of two Japanese lanterns from Yukio and Tomoyoshi Seino for use in developing the Japanese Peace Garden.

? The council approved executing an amended agreement between the city and Central Bonded Collectors of Moses Lake for city debt collection.