No break on burnt property

MATTAWA — Meeting in executive session on March 17, the Mattawa City Council rejected a request from Carlos Garza to drop legal action against him regarding his property at 200 Riverview.

The Council made no decision, according to City Clerk Robin Newcomb. Checking with City Attorney Katherine Kennison, she learned that means the case against Garza will continue.

Garza suffered a fire at that site two years ago. It is cleaned up now, he told the Council. But the city brought charges against because “several” attempts by the city to contact him about the clean-up went unanswered.

As things stand now, Garza has been penalized $5,000 for not responding to the Notice of Violation Order to Correct (NOVOTC). He apologized and said he hoped he could use the $5,000 to reinvest in the property.

In other business before the Council, Police Chief John Turley introduced the new recruit Jordan Miers, who just finished at the police academy. He was one of the top five in his class with a score of 97 percent.

Public Works Director Gary Crowder got the okay from the Council to order chlorine equipment which is covered in the budget. He announced that a new flag and pole have been installed at city hall.

On the suggestion of City Planner Darryl Piercy, the Council voted to write a letter to the Grant County Commission asking to change Pat-Chee Drive to a city street. Piercy suggested the change now that Taylor Orchards is planning to develop a large parcel of land between the road and Highway 243.

Lars Leland, of the Committee for Government Road Update, gave the Council a copy of a conceptual design (three options), saying there will soon be another community forum for the public to weigh in.

The Council approved a payroll of $14,500 and claims of $42,241.80.