City and Port of Ephrata to join forces on grant application

EPHRATA — The city of Ephrata will partner with the Port of Ephrata to apply for a grant that would pay most of the cost of analyzing city and port infrastructure needs. Ron Sell, Ephrata planning director, said the city would pay half of the required match, about $10,000, if the grant is awarded.  

“It is for a joint economic development plan,” Sell said.  

If the port and city receive the grant, the money would be used to determine what infrastructure improvements are necessary to improve Ephrata’s capacity for economic development. It would include reviews of transportation needs, sewer, current and future water supply and the possibility of water reuse.  

Council members also approved an agreement between the Ephrata Police Department and a state agency that provides support for local municipal information systems. Police Chief Erik Koch said the agreement with WaTech would improve EPD’s ability to access federal and state law enforcement information. Koch estimated the city would save about $9,000 per year.  

The council declared some equipment as surplus, including garden and maintenance tools and equipment removed from the city’s wastewater treatment system.