ML to vote on Mattawa interim police chief deal

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake City Council members will consider on Tuesday an interlocal agreement to provide an interim police chief for the city of Mattawa.

The council will decide on a three-month agreement that would allow Moses Lake Police Department Capt. Mike Williams to be the Mattawa Police Department chief.

Mattawa Mayor Maria Celaya placed former MPD Chief Joe Harris on leave and fired him April 10.

The Mattawa City Council approved an interlocal agreement in a special meeting April 20. In a memo accompanying the proposal, Moses Lake City Manager Allison Williams said Mattawa city officials contacted MLPD Chief Kevin Fuhr, who said the MLPD could meet the request and would provide what Allison Williams called a “great leadership opportunity.”

“As consideration for such services, Mattawa agrees to pay Moses Lake at Captain Williams’ current hourly rate, $77.79, for all time spent acting as interim chief of Mattawa, not to exceed 40 hours per week,” according to the proposal submitted to the Moses Lake City Council.

Under the terms of the agreement, Williams will use the Mattawa command vehicle, including for commuting to and from Mattawa, but will wear his Moses Lake police uniform.

According to the interlocal agreement, Williams will “create, supervise and monitor work schedules for the efficient operations of the (Mattawa) PD and its personnel,” and “provide guidance and oversight of operational activities.”

Williams also will be responsible for other administrative duties and supervise staff training.

The agreement was prepared by Moses Lake city attorney Katherine Kension, who also represents the city of Mattawa, so Moses Lake council members also will consider a waiver allowing her law firm, Kension Franz, to represent both parties.