WSU design group to start Government Road project

MATTAWA – Folks in this community will soon see tangible evidence that the city is serious about Improving Government Way, the city's main street.

Lars Leland, chairman of the Committee for Government Road Update, announced at the Council Meeting of Nov. 5 that the WSU Rural Communities Design Initiative group will be in town Dec. 5 for a workshop.

It will be held in the Grant County Fire District No. 8 station across from city hall.

The purpose of the workshop is to start drawing a new Government Way with sidewalks, a left turn lane and landscaping. The city has contracted the WSU group because of the need to control cost. Two of the group's members are Wahluke High graduates.

City Planner Darryl Piercy reported to the Council that the city hall update, being done by Ignacio Negrete, is about 50 percent complete.

The Council took three actions regarding the remodel. It approved a change order for making the storage room fire proof, including a fire proof door. The additional work will cost $2,950.98.

The Council turned down a change request to replace the old carpet. And it approved a partial payment of $20,713.73 to Negrete.

The Council had a brief discussion about the Farias Community Center, which is a plan for now. A hearing examiner has approved a community center. The prospective owners are working on securing building permit.

The Council approved the pay scales for the positions of clerk-treasurer and public works director, both of which are non-union jobs.

In its consent agenda, the Council approved a payroll of $67,175.62 and a claims amount totaling $29,545.30. It also approved the minutes of the Oct. 15 meeting and the purchase of a U.S. Government Bond in the amount of $701,042.40.

In questions without answer, Mayor Scott Hyndman told the Council that the Council would like to award plaques to the teachers and certificates to the students responsible for the murals going up around town. No action was taken.

Someone at the meeting asked why there were three MPD officers and one sheriff's deputy at the homecoming football game. It was suggested that one officer patrol the town while the other two are at a football game. No action was take.

In public comment, Jennifer Harris, FFA advisor for the Wahluke School District relayed her group's offer of helping with community projects. It was suggested they pick up litter and help those residents who need to clean up clutter on their properties.

Someone reported seeing a city employee fixing his car at the city shop after hours. The Council was reminded that government employees are not allowed to use city resources to benefit themselves.

A visitor asked when the sidewalk will be poured for the Hund Memorial Park playground toy designed for handicapped children. There was no answer.