Soap Lake looks to digitize records

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake City Council unanimously voted during Wednesday’s regular meeting to use American Rescue Plan Act funds to digitize city records. The meeting also featured a notice from the Soap Lake Community Prevention Coalition as well as the swearing-in of a new Soap Lake Police Officer.

Mayor Michelle Agliano said that the original quote for the digitization of city records was $3,800 in 2021 and that she expected a new quote for the cost to be closer to $8,000 due to inflation.

Council Member Allen DuPuy asked what it would take to get a more accurate estimate on the cost, to which Agliano said that it would require the company to pick up any additional papers and then provide a requote. DuPuy suggested that they wait to approve the motion until the next council meeting to get an updated cost estimate.

“You know, we're spending taxpayer dollars and I think we should get a real accurate number,” said DuPuy.

“At this time, the best way to get it accurate is for them to pick up the papers,” said Agliano. “But they've already got papers there and boxes there for us to fill out. This is something that needs to be done. By state law, we are supposed to have had this done a long time ago. There has been a real push to have this digitization done. And I think this is an opportunity to hit it.”

Council Member Kayleen Bryson asked if they could amend the motion for the funds to not exceed $8,000 without a requote and additional review of the request. All of the council members voted to approve that amended motion.

During the committee report section of the meeting, Agliano reported for the Soap Lake Community Prevention Coalition, saying they need 100 responses to a survey questionnaire put out by the coalition to qualify them for continued funding. City Planner Alex Kovach then provided a bit of information on the coalition’s purpose.

“The coalition goes through processes to try to help to prevent children from substance abuse issues,” said Kovach. “There are also a lot of media campaigns that provide parents with resources on how to talk with their kids about alcohol or other drug uses, so it’s just an educational kind of process within the community.”

Kovach said that the survey is to help inform the coalition of the community’s perspective on the issue and how to respond correctly with that perspective in mind.

Agliano said that the city had not received any letters of interest regarding the vacant City Council Position No. 2.

She also swore in new Soap Lake Police Officer Jacob Leenhouts at the meeting.

Gabriel Davis may be reached at gdavis@columbiabasinherald.com.