Warden City Council hears trail report

WARDEN — Rachel Granrath, of the engineering firm ECJ Alliance of Spokane, spoke to the Warden City Council during a regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10. ECJ Alliance is working on a report for Washington State Legislature concerning the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, formerly John Wayne Pioneer Trail, about the impact that the trail has on the communities and landowners it touches.

“They want to know if it is well liked in the communities, if people are trespassing and if they’re throwing garbage,” said Kriss Shuler, city clerk for the City of Warden.

The report will be used by the legislature to determine the funding that goes into the trail to improve its current condition.

In other business, the council members and mayor elected in the recent election were sworn in.

“We swore in everybody but Byron Starkey,” Shuler said.

Warden Mayor Tony Massa told the council that he is willing to continue to be the seat nine representative for the Grant County Health District. Seat nine represents the towns of Warden, Royal City, Mattawa and George. Massa currently fills the position. He is willing to keep the position unless someone else offers to take it.

The city council voted to increase garbage rates, effective February 2020. Regular residential rates will increase $0.35 per month.

The council also voted to sign an agreement with the Department of Ecology to accept funding for work on Lift Station Two. The grant is for $382,437. They also approved a loan for $422,913. The project will go out for bid as soon as the city gets an easement from the Bureau of Reclamation.

The council also approved a resolution stating their intent to adopt House Bill 1406. House Bill 1406 encourages investments in affordable and supportive housing. Cities that adopt the house bill will get tax credit from the state.

“It is our intent to adopt it,” Shuler said. “We’re still investigating.”

Warden Police Chief Rick Martin told the council that the forces newest officer, Jonathan Balas, graduated from the law enforcement academy on Dec. 13. He also informed the council that the police cars were getting new decals. So far, at least two of the vehicles are done.

Shuler informed the council that the Lift Station Four project is scheduled to start on Jan. 13. The city has also received two permits for new single family homes.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@suntribunenews.com.