Royal public stays mum at recent council hearings
The Royal Register News
ROYAL CITY - The highlights of the Royal City Council meet of Nov. 18 were two public hearings at which the public had nothing to say.
Mayor Kent Andersen opened a public hearing for comment on the Water System Plan update completed earlier this year. There was no public comment. The hearing was closed at 7:12 p.m.
The Council voted to authorize Andersen to sign final form A19 for closeout of the planning-only grant for the Water System Plan update in the amount of $1,200.
Andersen opened a second public hearing at 7:12 p.m. to obtain public comment and discuss a city groundwater study. It is required by the Department of Ecology to prove groundwater quality.
The project includes the construction of monitoring wells, and sampling and analysis of conclusions related to a hydrogeological study.
The purpose of the hearing was to discuss the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) planning only grant for the study. CDBG handouts were available in English and Spanish. Accommodations were offered to those needing an interpreter. No one responded.
The audience was asked if there were other projects that should be considered for CDBG planning only grant funding this year. No one responded.
Estimates put the cost of the groundwater study at $180,000, with the funding coming from the Department of Ecology as a loan with the potential for 50 percent forgiveness. The loan is a 20-year note with 2.4 percent interest.
The Council approved Resolution 14-15 authorizing the City of Royal City to submit an application to the Department of Commerce to request $24,000 to complete a hydrogeological study on groundwater quality at the water reclamation facility.
In other business, Shane Heston, of Trask Insurance, reported that the city's premiums have been reduced by 2.9 percent.
The Council approved a consent agenda that included the Council meeting minutes from Nov. 4; Payroll for 11/15/14 in the amount of $16,730.18 and claims for 11/18/14 #26536-26555 in the amount of $138,450.02.
There was further discussion on the City's policy for Utility Leak Adjustment. Andersen asked for more information regarding the establishment of a maximum amount of forgiveness.