Othello approves temporary dog housing, CRNA week and new legal counsel.

OTHELLO — The Othello City Council’s regular meeting Monday featured the approval of improvements to a Public Works building for temporary dog housing, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Week and new legal counsel, as well as discussion of a donation to the city and cargo container ordinances. 

Mayor Shawn Logan introduced the stray dog housing item.

“The public works building behind the Parks and Recreation building is where equipment is stored,” Logan said. “The city has need to do some specific work needed to temporarily house stray dogs. As you're aware, we didn't come to an agreement with the Adams County Pet Rescue, and we still have the responsibility to manage stray dogs in the city, so we wanted to set up a temporary location which we've done.”

Logan said the temporary setup involves improvements to lighting, plumbing and the water supply. Logan said city staff is requesting a limit of $12,000 be placed on the project.

“Whatever improvements that we're making to the building will also continue on after to the benefit of the Public Works Department and the city,” he said. “We're not making any improvements that are just temporary.”

Logan said the space would be able to house eight dogs.

“This is a temporary step towards a solution,” Police Chief Dave Rehaume said. “The concern about how many animals we're going to have there, yes, it is a low amount. But we are working towards getting some good quality animal control. So this isn't a shelter, this is animal control. It's two different paradigms.”

At the beginning of the meeting, Logan discussed CRNA Week. 

“Be it resolved in the city of Othello, Wash., that the week of Jan. 21 to 27, 2024, shall be known as CRNA Week … to recognize the importance of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and their role in providing high-quality care for the public and our community.”

CRNA Angela Martinez spoke after the pronouncement. 

“I work here at Othello Community Hospital, and I’m one of three of us (CRNAs) here in town and we really enjoy serving the community, and we serve communities surrounding Othello as well, and are just happy to be here, and thank you,” Martinez said. 

After the declaration, Logan invited Board Chair Rolando Cerrillo to speak on behalf of the Adams County Parks District 1, which transferred ownership of P.J. Taggares Park to the city of Othello last year. 

“I want to thank you for how the park looks right now, and it's what we had envisioned because we were trying to run the county park without any funds. We're trying to raise money, and it was just kind of a losing battle,” Cerrillo said. “So we came to the city and I want to thank you; (after) one year, it looks amazing. I like driving by just in the evenings while there are soccer tournaments and there are 300 people down there and they're all enjoying the park.”

Cerillo said the parks district will be donating $5,000 to replace the park’s entrance sign to keep the district involved in the park and help make park look even nicer.

“Thank you. It’s a very generous donation and the city sincerely appreciates that,” Logan said.

After acknowledging the donation, Logan introduced the city’s new legal counsel, Kenyon-Disend, to be approved by the council. The city’s former legal counsel, Kelly Konkright took a position with the city of Spokane Valley.

Kenyon-Disend Managing Partner Hillary Evans spoke at the meeting.

“I've been an attorney for almost 20 years now, most of which has been working with municipalities,” Evans said. “Our firm serves only municipalities and primarily cities. We have a great depth of experience in all issues relevant to your city. We have six attorneys and three staff at your fingertips, and the mayor asked for my cell phone number today so I know he can get a hold of me 24/7 and we really look forward to serving your city.”

At the end of the meeting, the council also directed city staff to proceed with bringing an ordinance to the council that changes current city codes to include a permit and fee for a temporary container during a construction project, limiting the time before and after construction that a container can be on site. Containers used for storage in C-2 and C-3 zones would be allowed for a maximum of three years, with an annual permit and fee required if the new ordinance passes at a future meeting. Containers will still be prohibited in C-1 zones.

Gabriel Davis may be reached at gdavis@columbiabasinherald.com. Download the Columbia Basin Herald app on iOS and Android.

    Adams County Parks District 1 Board Chair Rolando Cerrillo announces the district’s donation of $5,000 to the city of Othello to replace the entrance sign of P.J. Taggares Park.
  

    Playground equipment at P.J. Taggares Park, ownership of which was transferred from the Adams County Parks District 1 to the city of Othello last year.
  

    Othello City Council member Genna Dorow, left, Mayor Shawn Logan, middle, and council member Denae Valdez, right, applaud Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in the audience at Monday’s regular council meeting.