Seats filled for Mattawa

MATTAWA - The Feb. 5 meeting of the Mattawa City Council did not have a long agenda, but it paved the way to start the hiring process for a new police officer.

The council approved Mayor Scott Hyndman's appointment of Carlos Morales to the Mattawa Civil Service Commission. It now has two members, which are enough to conduct business.

Police Chief John Turley has been waiting for a commission to be formed so that it can develop a candidate list for the open MPD officer position.

The commission normally has two members, and former member Juan Puentes is expected to apply for the third seat. Meanwhile, the commission can start a candidate search with only two members.

In another personnel move, the council approved Hyndman's appointment of Cheyenne Weedmark to council position No. 1, which has been open since last spring.

Fire Chief Dave Patterson was announced as Grant County Fire District No. 8's representative to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

City Planner Darryl Piercy announced he plans to put out a request for bids this week for the planned remodeling of city hall. The project is supposed to create more space for city office staff and the police department.

The police department announced to the council that officer Tony Valdivia is on sick leave with broken ribs. MPD clerk Maybelline Mendoza is doing defensive tactics training at the reserve police academy, and Nick Trejo has resigned as a reserve officer in Mattawa.

In its consent agenda, the council approved a payroll and checks 31219-31226 totaling $69,956.82 and EFT and claims checks 14270-14207 totaling $36347.94.