City Administrator’s Report

August 2006

The Chewelah Planning Commission continued debate on the Shoreline Master Plan to September 21, 2006.  This action was due to additional information received from Washington DOE.  The Commission also approved the site plan review proposed by Chewelah School District to allow installation of a portable classroom adjacent to Jenkins High School.

The Library upgrade project is nearly complete.  We appreciate the patience of all library patrons during this project. 

City council will continue discussion of amended language to Ordinance 784 prohibiting commercial use of the municipal park and any public right-of-way.  Four private property owners located at opposite ends of the City along Highway 395 (Park Street) expressed willingness to provide space for these vendors.

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

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.  Council Action

The City postponed seal-coating the airport runway in 2005 pending WSDOT-Aviation approval of an Airport layout Plan (underway) which is necessary to approve grant funding.  We still need to seal cracks in the runway to preserve the surface integrity throughout the winter.  We received an estimate from ACE Seal and Stripe for $1,461 plus tax to do this and we should pursue it.  Council Approval

The Pioneer Cemetery maintenance committee has expressed an interest in engaging a service vendor to perform regular grounds upkeep at the Pioneer Cemetery.  The committee has the funds to perform the task.  Included in your packet is a proposed service contract and job description for this purpose.  This a contract similar to the one used by the City to provide janitorial service at City Hall.  No benefits or taxes are to be paid to the vendor and the Cemetery Committee will reimburse the City for the costs.  The service contract contains language for an “Escape Clause” should the arrangement fail to work out.

On August 10, the City began formal contract negotiations with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union, Local #77, representing our Electric Department employees.  Negotiations are expected to wrap up before year-end.

Due to several close fire calls this summer, I want to remind all our citizens that burning in burning barrels and trash burners is not allowed and has been so for many years.  Burning permits may be allowed this fall until December 31 but council has yet to consider this.  Open burning within the City will not be allowed after that date by order of the Washington Department of Ecology.