Police interior walls to be insulated

MATTAWA — There was not a lot to do for the Mattawa City Council at its meeting last week, but the police did get insulation for their office’s interior walls.

The remodel that is ongoing at city hall will expand the city clerk’s office, expand the police department and construct an office for the public works director. PW currently borrows space in the main hall.

Three change orders were approved at the Nov. 19 meeting. One was to install insulation in the walls of the MPD that are shared with other departments. The goal is sound proofing. The cost will be $375 plus tax.

Another change order authorized the installation of air conditioning wiring in the public works office. That will cost the city $520 plus tax.

The third change order calls for a savings of $1,100 in the work being doing to the clerk’s office. The present carpet will be removed by city staff. New carpet will be installed by professionals at a cost of $925.

In other business, the Council cleaned up language on several ordinances so they don’t state violations are criminal instead of civil.

According to City Clerk Robin Newcomb, City Attorney Katherine Kennison told the Council the changes were necessary so that there is no confusion.

These changes affect ordinances:

• 15-74 (junk and weeds)
• 15-576 (nuisances like trash, brush, old cars)
• 15-577 (penalties, street use)
• 15-578 (feeding seagulls)
• 15-579 (penalty, litter control)
• 15-580 (penalties/additional sales-use tax.)

On violations of these ordinances, police will have the option of issuing a violation ticket or issue a notice of violation, order to correct.

The changes in language do not do away with the fact a violation can net the violator a $5,000 fine.