Toys on their way for Hund Memorial Park

MATTAWA - It's a great day for kids in Mattawa. The city has purchased the promised playground toys for Hund Memorial Park.

They were bought with funds from a $62,500 grant the Paul Lauzier Foundation awarded the city.

Public Works Director Gary Crowder told the city council at its July 16 meeting that the toys were ordered. They will cost $52,574.60, including a freight charge of $4700.40, plus tax.

According to City Clerk Robin Newcomb, it's not clear who will install the toys, Public Works staff or the manufacturer. Northwest Playground Equipment of Issaquah sent the city a quote of $21,500, plus tax, for installation. That would put the total cost beyond the amount of the Lauzier grant.

Newcomb is guessing Public Works will do the installation. The Council has not budgeted for cost beyond the grant total.

The order includes 13 pieces. One will be specifically for wheelchair-bound children. It includes heavy-duty swings with six seats and includes four belt seats. There will be two infant seats with silver shield chain for an eight-foot rail.

The most expensive part of the order is a Discover Place Challenger Structure that includes: Glide Slides, Treasure Tumble Panel, Store Front Panel, Oval Insert Panel, Oval bubble Panel Insert, Funnel Adventure Tube, Rock Climber, Solar Climber, Babble-On, 8-inch Bell, Drum, Cabana Roof and Transfer Station with Step. That portion of the order cost $20,133.

The Council discussed installing a splash pad at a future date, Newcomb said.

At the same meeting, the Council heard from the Washington State University Rural Communities Design Initiative. Bob Crickack works with this group of WSU students to design plans for cities.

"They bill for actual costs associated with the plan only," Newcomb said. He explained that they will draw up a scope of work to present to council and could start work in early August.

The work of this group is related to the revitalization project along Government Way.

Grant County Fire District No. 8 Chief Dave Patterson suggested to the Council that his department start doing the business fire inspections. He would like to do them quarterly and work with the business owners. In addition he would like to see a fire response plan implemented.

The contract between the city and Grant County Fire District No. 8 is old. A revised contract will be presented to the Council at a later date after the city attorney is notified.

The Council approved for payment 2015 payroll EFT and payroll checks #31275-31276 in the amount of $11,300.00 and 2015 claims EFT and claims checks #14513 - 14545 in the amount of $63,125.83.