New technology installed in Ritzville Council chambers

The Ritzville City Council met on Tuesday, April 19, with new technological improvements made to improve future meetings.

Two televisions are mounted to the wall so when presentations are used one will face the audience and the other faces the council members.

New microphones and a speaker system were additionally installed to improve the audience’s ability to hear the council during the meetings.

The meeting began with the approval of the consent agenda, which included the acceptance of the agenda, the April 5 meeting minutes and the claims in the amount of $47,094.55.

The priority items discussed began with Eric Ottmar requesting the closure of two parking spots on Railroad Avenue, as well as the use of the gravel lot near the public restrooms on May 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Eagles, in partnership with Spay Neuter Your Pet (SNYP), are holding a fundraiser to raise money for improvements of the Eagles building and for the SNYP group to provide spay/neuter coupons to residents. They are bringing in a Goodwill truck for patrons to drop off items.

They requested to park the truck in the gravel lot and use two parking spots for patrons to unload their items.

The Council approved the use of this area and the closure of the spots during this timeframe.

Brian Shanaman requested the closure of Ninth Avenue from Adams Street to Washington Street for the East Adams Rural Heathcare construction.

After brief discussion of ensuring residents will be able to get to their homes, the Council approved this closure beginning the second week of June and ending Oct. 15.

Mayor Gary Cook provided an update on numerous items beginning with the group of Cub Scouts who have been working hard to improve the sign at the Ritzville Cemetery. They will be present at the May 3 meeting to receive certificates of appreciation from the Mayor.

Cook also announced Mark Weigand will now be serving on the Finance Committee.

The American Ramp Company (ARC) reached out to the City to inquire if they would be interested in holding a presentation of bikes and ramps at the Ritzville Skate Park. This event would be free to the City but does require an application.

The Council discussed moving forward with the application and wanted to include children from all of the surrounding communities should an event such as this take place.

Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick brought up recent complaints about residences, which have been involved in a fire sitting vacant with no attempts to improve them being made. He advised they are a safety issue.

The Council agreed there are a few houses, which have remained vacant after a fire so the property owner defaults on taxes and the property is transferred to the County. The County then has to pay $5,000 to $6,000 to have the building torn down.

McCormick suggested citing the property owners with a Civil Infraction carrying a fine of up to $500 per day. This infraction would be in regards to the nuisance order the City has in place.

Currently, the City sends a notice to clean the property and the resident is allowed time to clean and time to be heard at a council meeting. This Civil Infraction would take place after this process is followed.

City Clerk/Treasurer Kris Robbins advised the City is currently below the needed number of returns on the Income Survey sent out in March. They meet the required number of low to moderate income levels but need more surveys to be turned in.

Ritzville Fire Chief Bill Banner presented to the Council information on the calls, which have taken place since the previous meeting. He also advised there is still around $1,000 left of the grant received from BNSF Railway Foundation.

Banner requested authorization to purchase 30 Nomex fire hoods to close out the grant, which the council approved unanimously.

Mike Schrag then presented for the Tree Board in regards to upcoming Arbor Day celebrations on Friday, April 29. He advised they will be meeting at 10 a.m. at the Ritzville City Park to have the fifth grade class help in planting four trees in the park.

The fourth and fifth grade students in both Lind and Ritzville will receive a Ponderosa Pine seedling to plant at their own homes as well.

Councilmember Scott Yaeger advised the Public Works Committee met to discuss the First Avenue overlay project from Palouse Street to Cascade Street.

He advised they will be advertising for bids on the project in the upcoming weeks and are looking to begin the project on June 13 and have the project completed on July 8.