Mattawa Police: City suffers first drive-by in three years

MATTAWA — Mattawa Police Chief John Turley reported to the city council last week that the community suffered its first drive-by shooting in 39 months last week.

Turley did not report any injuries. In a separate incident last week, Turley arrested a suspicious person/gang member who was carrying a concealed weapon without a permit.

In other MPD news, Turley noted that officer Maybeline Pantaleon passed her firearms training and has five weeks left in the police academy. Then she will return to her duties as the City’s first female police officer.

Turley announced that Amy Rodriguez has been chosen as the student who will represent the MPD at the annual countywide Chief for a Day. Martin Mapa will represent the fire department.

The Public Works Department reported to the Council that two pressure tanks need to be replaced at the wastewater treatment plant. It reported that the vacuum needs some repairs.

Public Works Director Gary Crowder told the Council that someone has been placing rocks on the sprinkler heads in the park. He said the City needs to come up with a plan for handling the problem.

City Planner Darryl Piercy announced that the Committee for Government Road Update has scheduled an open forum for 4 p.m. on April 23 at the Mattawa fire house. Townsfolk will be asked to choose among three options designed by the Washington State University Rural Communities Design Initiative.

The Wahluke Enrichment Organization requested the use of the arena on U Road on city property by the wastewater treatment. The WEO would like to use it this summer for a family rodeo night. City Attorney Katherine Kennison will prepare a draft agreement.

In addition, the WEO would like to do a park event on June 3 which would include food, music and a beer garden. An event permit would be required for this.

Carlos Garza returned to the Council to ask if there is a way the City and he can come up with compromise resolution regarding the Notice of Violation and Order to Correct that has been filed in court against him by the City. There was no movement.

The Council approved a consent agenda that included the March 17 meeting minutes, a payroll of $84,690.36 and claims in the amount of $37,319.62.