Death of staffer leads to change at city hall

MATTAWA - Mattawa City Hall had to sadly go about the business re-organizing recently because of the death of Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Diane Martinez on July 31.

At the Aug. 7 city council meeting, Mayor Scott Hyndman announced the promotion of Anabel Andrade Martinez to the deputy clerk-treasurer position at $15.96 per hour.

Hyndman noted that Jazmin Calvario was given a permanent full-time position as customer service clerk at $14.01 per hour. She had been hired temporarily earlier this year to fill in for Martinez while she battled the cancer that took her life.

City Clerk Robin Newcomb said Martinez will be missed. In addition to being an excellent clerk, Martinez was a "very nice person," Newcomb said.

Martinez worked at city hall from 2005-2011. She went to Sunnyside, where she lived, for a year and served in Mattawa again from 2012 until her death.

In other matters, Hyndman announced that Newcomb and Andrade Martinez will attend the Washington Finance Officers Association Conference in September. Two scholarships have been received for $425 each. The cost of the conference is $425 each, plus travel.

Public Works Director Gary Crowder told the council that more than 100 of the new electronic water meters have been installed. He said Public Works will continue to work on installing the remainder of them. He also said previously planned sidewalk repairs should be completed this week.

Brian Berghout moved and Ellen Hopkins seconded his motion to approve the purchase of a street sweeper for $9,500 plus tax and a pickup for $6,500 plus tax. The council voted in favor.

In other business, the council approved a motion to repeal the ordinance that allowed yard sales in the park. They will no longer be allowed.

In the consent agenda, the council approved:

Claims, Prepaid Claims and Payroll Vouchers audited and certified by the City Clerk as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursement claims, certified as required by RCW 42.24.090, have been recorded on a listing which has been made available to the council for approval and is retained for public inspection at city hall.

The Council approved for payment 2014 payroll EFT and payroll checks #31169 to #31174 in the amount of $71,559.82, and 2014 claims EFT and claims checks #13820 to #13844 in the amount of $30,558.68.