Royal streets to be improved soon

ROYAL CITY - Several of Royal City's streets that are bumpy - and worse - will be improved as early as the start of summer.

The Royal City Council, on May 5, accepted the low bid from Central Washington Asphalt of $193,894 to complete the project. There were only two bids, Gray & Osborne Engineering's Mike Meskimen reported.

The project will take 3-4 days, according to Royal City Finance Officer Greg Pike, and it will likely start in late June.

"Some (of the streets) really need it," Pike said. "Widmer is really bad."

The project will include Widmer Drive from Ahlers to Porch or right up to the start of the Rock Creek Housing Development. The rest of Widmer, to Road F, will be installed by the Rock Creek developers.

Other streets to be repaved include Fern St., from Ahlers to Royal; Evergreen Ave, from Acacia to Community; Hargraves Ave., from Widmer north and around to Rock Creek; Acacia St., from Apple to Royal; King St., a short street that ties into Widmer; Wildflower St., which passes by Red Rock Elementary to Porch; Catalpa Ave., from Camelia to Acacia.

In other Council business on May 5, Royal High softball coach Robin Valdez received approval for a circus on June 7 in the space behind the Moose Lodge. It will be a fund-raiser for the softball program.

Valdez was granted permission on the condition she show proof of insurance. It is city property.

Jeff Stevens of Gray & Osborne reported on the April 30 meeting with various federal and state funding agencies to discuss funding of infrastructure projects. The City has been working with USDA Rural Development on a funding package for replacing the water main on Camelia St.

Stevens said the discussion went on to the possibility of expanding the scope of the project to include additional water and sewer mains and streets. Stevens said funding discussions included federal and state grants and city reserves.

The Council passed a consent agenda that included the Council meeting minutes of April 21, payroll for April 30 in the amount of $39,149.94 and claims for May 5 in the amount of $29,522.36.

Public Works Director John Lasen reported that the water main replacement on Fern St. has been completed. He said city well No. 1's submersible pump would be pulled and assessed.

City Planner Darryl Piercy reported that construction of the new intermediate school is nearly complete. Work is in the final stages, he said.

City Attorney Katherine Kenison reminded council members that the marijuana moratorium is expiring. She also told Council members that communications, including text messages, related to city business constitute public records.