Size does matter, Mattawa City Council learns

MATTAWA — With all of the sort-of-important matters under control, the Mattawa City Council took on a serious question about uniforms during the community input segment of the Dec. 17 Council meeting.

The Council wanted to know why public works employees weren’t wearing their recently-purchased new uniform overalls. Customer Service Clerk Jazmin Calvario stated that Kevin Webster wears his. They fit. Some guys got uniforms that didn’t fit.

Calvario added that new Public Works employee Raul Puentes will get a uniform if he wants one. She did not say if he’d try it on for size first.

Public Works came up again in the public comment session. A member of the PW force stated the department would like to have a window between their office and the city clerk’s to enable easy transfer of paper work between offices.

Also during public comment, resident Tony Acosta took a moment to apprise the Council of the fact the school district will no longer bus students who live in the city. He said volunteers are needed at crossings to ensure safety when students walk to and from school.

The first order of business on the 17th was Mayor Hyndman giving Councilwoman Betty Webster her oath of office. Formerly appointed to her seat, she won election in November.

An issue arose at roll call. The Council voted to not approve Councilwoman Cheyenne Weedmark’s absence as excused. She did not give notice, the Council noted, and this was her third unexcused absence.

Council members thanked the Mattawa-Desert Aire Lions Club for the decorative lights it donated for the community Christmas tree.

City Hall staff announced they have moved into their remodeled offices at city hall. They carried out some of their duties with construction workers milling around.

The Council received a briefing on the Dec. 5 Committee for Government Road Update Workshop. Persons who participated said it was successful.

The Council approved assumption of the Transportation Benefit District by the Council. It will no longer have separate meetings and separate record keeping.

City Clerk Robyn Newcomb announced that the city has made a third payment on the city hall remodel to Navarrete Construction of Pasco. All that remains to be paid, she said, is the amount retained by the city until the work has been approved. The project, including change orders, cost $71,575.52.

The Council approved a consent agenda that included a payroll of $14,100, claims for $73,915.09 and the Dec. 3 Council meeting minutes.