City of Mattawa reimbursed for training costs

MATTAWA — The Mattawa City Council learned at its July 21 meeting that the City has been reimbursed for the cost of training for one police officer and will be reimbursed for another.

The Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission has sent the city $26,650.08 for the costs to send Officer Jordan Miers to the police academy. That covers the cost of replacement officers while he was gone, City Clerk Robin Newcomb said.

Newcomb added that the city should receive the reimbursement for Officer Maybel Pantaleon any time.

Police Chief John Turley reported to the Council that a complaint was made that there are quite a few parties on the weekend at a particular location, and they are loud. The police have advised the occupants and will monitor, Turley said.

The Council received confirmation that Pedro Hernandez has been hired as the wastewater treatment plant operator. He has started at $17.41 per hour. He is on a one-year probation and will be working on getting his water and sewer certificates.

Public Works Director Gary Crowder told the Council it will spend between $4,000-$5,000 for a new lawnmower. The Council approved.

The Council heard that there have been two incidents of delivery trucks driving over the curb and breaking the concrete at La Fina. Chief Turley said repairs would start shortly.

Questions by Grant County Fire District No. 8 Chief Dave Patterson during public comment led to clarifications on the proposed Taylor Orchards development projects in the area of the Highway 243 roundabout.

Patterson said he was told by Taylor Orchards that the Taylor Orchards West plat would house around 1,000 beds. He expressed concern about being able to serve the number of people they represent.

The City does not have a fire department. It contracts with District No. 8 for service. District No. 8 believes the city’s payment may be too low as things stand now.

Newcomb said the Fire District’s information is not the same information the city received from Taylor Orchards. She said Taylor Orchards is planning a Phase 1 of about 100 beds and a phase 2 of 200. It could be a maximum of 500 eventually, she said, but that would be well into the future.

Newcomb said the State Environmental Protection Act mailing regarding the Taylor Orchards project just went out to all agencies and interested parties. Comments are due August 5 by 4:30 p.m.

City Attorney Katherine Kennison said the city hasn’t established any impact fees. Because this type of housing doesn’t pay property taxes, the city will make it a condition that a fee is paid in lieu of property taxes for the same amount.

The Council approved a consent agenda that included the Council meeting minutes of July 7, a payroll of $9,500 and claims of $47,870.64.

During public input, German Godinez said some of the community’s soccer players would like to see more lights in the park, removal of weeds from the volleyball field and the repair of a hole left when a tree was removed.

Crowder said Grant PUD would need to be contacted regarding the lights in the park, and the hole will be filled in. He suggested soccer players can remove the weeds from the volleyball field.

Kennison suggested the city ban inflatables in the park including small inflatables that hold water. Insurance companies do not cover these items.