City Administrator’s Report

July 2006

Chaz Bates, City Planner-Studio Cascade, started the inventory process for the City Comprehensive Plan update.  If you have issues you want addressed, now is time to make them known.  Additionally, at their July 20 meeting, the Planning Commission continued debate on the Shoreline Master Plan to August 17, 2006, and expects extensive public testimony.  City Council will meet with the Planning Commission in a joint workshop at 6:00 pm on the same date.

The Library upgrade project is making progress.  I remind library patrons to have patience with us while this project runs its course. The Library will be closed for business for a couple of weeks while the books are in storage. 

City council will discuss modifications to Ordinance 784 prohibiting commercial use of the municipal park and any public right-of-way by peddlers and amending the penalty for violation.  Additionally, the council will consider modification to Ordinance 785 amending the penalty provisions of Chapter 6.04 regarding the keeping of dogs.  We welcome public comment at these hearings

Administration is crafting policies to administer the recently approved Ordinance allowing Temporary Signs, permits for them, and penalties for violations.

Stevens County requires all municipalities to pass a Resolution approving the County Solid Waste Management Plan.  This plan is very comprehensive and approved by Washington Department of Ecology.  The public may view a copy of this plan at City Hall or at Stevens County Public Works in Colville.

Bids will be solicited on the Barbour Sports Complex Tennis and Basketball Courts very soon.  The City has been asked to provide $30,000 monetary aid since in-kind labor by the city will not be allowed due to requirements by State bid laws. The City Parks Committee met last week and determined to recommend the $30,000 be granted to the project with approximately one-third coming from the HUD fund and the remainder from the General Fund.  This project, like many in a small community, has multiple funding sources and is encumbered with increasing cost due to rising petroleum prices.  Council Action

Bonneville Power Administration presented the City of Chewelah good news last week with a smaller than anticipated rate increase for the remainder of 2006 and the next two years.  We anticipated a minimum 40% wholesale increase for October 1, 2006, but it will be in the range of 27.5% and since the city anticipated a large increase October 2006 three years ago there will be little impact for this year.

The Mayor signed the closing documents on July 26, 2006, to purchase the ten-acre parcel for an addition to the Chewelah Memorial Cemetery.  The final cost was $30,340.28 and exceeded the $30,000 you approved earlier.  Please approve the $340.28 for the closing costs.  Council action

Although we have not completed discussions with our building official, I urge the council to grant a month-to-month extension of his contract which expires this month.  At the conclusion of our negotiations, I shall present you with either a new contract or an alternative.  Council Action

Avista presented the City with a new twenty-year Franchise agreement allowing them to provide piped natural gas to customers within the City of Chewelah.  This Franchise is non-exclusive.  I ask for approval of this Franchise.  Council Action

Tabled for further study