Mattawa set to have drug take-back box

MATTAWA — After a presentation by the We Speak Community Coalition on children and drugs at its Nov. 3 meeting, the Mattawa City Council has decided to have a drug take-back box.

There are six such boxes in the county. It is paid for by a grant, and it is monitored (drugs disposed) by the Mattawa Police Department.

The We Speak Community Coalition’s mission is to give children a better opportunity to stay away from drugs and alcohol.

According to the WSCC, Mattawa has been rated high risk for drinking among youngsters, Councilwomen Wendy Lopez and Maggie Celaya moved for accepting the take-back box. This is the first take-back box in south Grant County.

In other business, the Council authorized the purchase of a motor for city well No. 3.

The Council heard from Mayor Scott Hyndman that potholes in Mattawa streets have been repaired by the public works department.

Grant County Fire District No. 8 Chief Dave Patterson thanked MPD Officers Randy Miers and Maybel Pantaleon for handling a call involving a person who had stopped breathing. Because of the CPR that Officer Pantaleon administered, this person lived, Patterson said.

City Planner Darryl Piercy announced that the Government Road update presentation by Gray & Osborne Engineering has been moved to the Dec. 1 Council meeting.

Fire Chief Patterson discussed the contract his department has for coverage of the city. It needs to be updated, he said. The old contract didn’t guarantee water and didn’t include a hold harmless clause, and a cost adjustment needs to be made.

Patterson said 44 percent of the department’s calls occur in the City of Mattawa, not including clinics or the school. This year the city paid $41,283 to the fire department.

Another issue is service to the Taylor Orchards Development under way at Highway 243 and Road 24 SW. The city attorney and planner agree that it is in the best interest of both parties to annex. The attorney will attend the next board meeting for Grant County Fire District No. 8 on Nov. 8.

The Council agree to a cost of living increase for the city clerk and public works director equal to the increase their employees received under their union contract.

The Council approved a consent agenda that included the meeting minutes of the Oct. 20 Council meeting, a payroll of $73,843.71 and claims in the amount of $46,206.84.