February 2006
Council will have a Resolution before them to approve matching funds should WSDOT grant overall funding for preparation of an FAA approved Airport Layout Plan. The granted funds will require a 5% City match. The ALP is necessary to qualify for future grants at the Airport. The City selected Airside, an airport consulting firm, to perform the tasks. The grant application was submitted last week asking for grant funds to perform the Airport Layout Plan.
The Chewelah Planning Commission approved, with several conditions, the preliminary plat for MeadowCreek, formerly Pinebrook. This preliminary plat appears for City Council consideration at the March meeting for the Public Hearing. The PC also approved a request for conditional use made by St. Joseph’s Hospital to construct a shop and storage building on the NE corner of 5th St East and Webster.
Council will continue debate and take public input on the proposed Temporary Sign Ordinance. There was considerable discussion at the February council meeting on garage/yard sale signs and the distinction between temporary and permanent. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact your council members or attend the March meeting.
I am reminding everyone the WRIA 59 Draft Detailed Implementation Plan is available for viewing by the public. A copy is in the Chewelah Library. This process and timeline for incorporating the plan has been under study for several years.
The City will soon begin working on plans for water conservation procedures. We will issue advisory literature when people apply for building permits on which types of soils to use for a lawn base since we have many new homes built in sandy and gravelly areas. Lawn watering in these areas is oftentimes excessive and different soil types will reduce water consumption.
Department of Ecology clarified that open burning is permissible by permit thru December 31, 2006. Citizens wishing to burn may apply for a burn permit at City Hall. I encourage those wishing to burn that there are very specific rules on open burning, most notably: 1-no burning at night, 2-no burning barrels, and 3-no burning in the street right-of-way.
The Electric Department purchased a used line truck from the Lewis County PUD and it will be in service soon. Council approved the purchase at the February meeting.
The Northeast Tri County Health District issued an I-901 Compliance Checklist several weeks ago which clearly outlines responsibilities to enforce the new “No Smoking in and around Public Places.” Please stop by City Hall for a copy of this document if you need additional clarification.
Western Federal Lands is dust control watering on the yet-to-be-paved sections of the Flowery Trail Road. Many residents complained that the dust created by the traffic during the recent warm spells was very hard to live with.
We selected Purple Flat Top to design the detailed changes at the Chewelah Library. This layout will provide cost estimates for each segment so we can plan accordingly and best manage available funds and budget. The City will re-roof a segment of the Library roof that does not have a rubber membrane on it this spring.
