Ritzville Council discusses ways to increase community involvement

The Ritzville City Council meeting on Jan. 19 provided various committee reports and allowed the council members to discuss current issues within the city.

Public Works Director Larry Swift requested the council to approve the purchase of a trailer since the price dropped by $1,200.

The trailer will help when hauling grass clippings and other debris collected at the cemetery and park.

Two bids were made, the first from a company in Idaho whose price is $7,799. The second was from a company in Moses Lake, their bid is $7,795.

Swift stated he would ask for a final bid from each with tax and delivery included and the council approved the purchase. They advised they did not see the price lowering any more.

The next topic came from Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick who followed up on the issue from the previous meeting regarding semi-trucks parking in residential areas.

He advised he spoke with the homeowner whose truck was brought into question. The resident stated the truck had been parked for one or two nights over Thanksgiving and has not been back since.

McCormick checked the sidewalk for tire marks in the snow and verified the truck had not been there recently.

He also followed up with the resident in regards to the claims of the truck keeping its engine running. The resident stated as far as they knew it would only be a generator running and not the actual engine.

McCormick explained the noise may be in violation of the noise ordinance of the city and asked if they would consider parking the truck elsewhere next time.

Clerk/Treasurer Kris Robbins sent a letter outlining the ordinances and codes the truck may have been in violation of for the resident’s reference.

While at the residence, McCormick witnessed a collision after an idling car slid out of park and rolled into a parked vehicle.

The owner of the parked vehicle also parks a semi near the intersection of Second Avenue and Adams Street.

McCormick discussed the line of sight issues the truck causes for the intersection and the owner was very understanding.

The owner will begin parking elsewhere when possible.

Robbins then presented an update on the new City of Ritzville website. The website will feature a calendar with city events as well as meeting minutes from City Council and other committee meetings.

With the addition of a narrative of the specific tabs the website is ready to go online. The incomplete pages will show they are “under construction” until they are each finalized.

The council agreed they would like to see the website live as soon as possible.

The council approved a contract with Varela Engineers for the grinding and overlay project for First Avenue from Cascade Street to Palouse Street. The contract is set not to exceed $47,240.

The project is expected to be finished before harvest in July.