Ritzville Council approves ACDC services agreement

The Ritzville City Council approved a Municipal Services Agreement from the Adams County Development Council (ACDC) at their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

The meeting began with a presentation from ACDC Business Development and Marketing Coordinator Julie Flyckt regarding the renewal of an existing municipal services agreement and the establishment of in-kind office workspaces.

The 2015 through 2016 agreement is based on the current population of 1,660, at $.55 per capita totaling $913, explained Flyckt. The Council motioned to approve the agreement, which ends June 30, 2017.

Flyckt then informed the Council she met with Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Marci Miller, regarding providing assistance and improvements in the maintenance and growth of the Ritzville Chamber visitor center.

Miller expressed her concern about the heating and infrastructure issues the Chamber’s building has, said Flyckt. They also discussed the need for increased funding to operate the visitor center, as well as expand their chamber services to businesses.

ACDC is interested in seeking in-kind office space in the City to expand economic development in the county, Flyckt explained. They are also launching a capital campaign in order to increase business assistance, resources and training.

Due to these needs, Flyckt requested the Council consider providing in-kind office space at City Hall for ACDC to share with the Chamber in order to increase economic development. She also asked the Council to consider capacity building assistance to the Chamber to support their visions and goals.

The Council suggested Flyckt present the request to the executive committee to decide if there would be funding available for the requests. Mayor Gary Cook requested a document be drafted if the Council decided to provide the in-kind office space.

The Council agreed to allow ACDC to move forward with creating plans for the requests to be discussed at a later time.

Cook then requested an update from City Attorney Mark DeWulf regarding the Water Billing Ordinance. DeWulf suggested the Council postpone making any decisions until he can meet with the clerk’s office to discuss the specifics of the ordinance.

During the public comment, Irene Jones expressed her concerns about discriminating against tenants who fail to pay their utility bills compared to homeowners. She suggested the Council take the same actions for tenants and landowners who are delinquent instead of granting homeowners extensions.

Councilperson Dennis Chamberlain addressed Jones’ concerns by informing her the state laws state if a landlord is delinquent on a utility bill, tenants have the right to protect themselves by requesting their name be added to the account. Because of this, the Council must follow the state law accordingly and construct an ordinance based off of it, added DeWulf.

Mark Fowler informed the Council they must have a lien on a property in order for them to collect from the owner of the property. Cook reassured Fowler and Jones the Council would continue to discuss the ordinance after DeWulf meets with the clerk’s office about the specifics.

DeWulf stated he still has not received a response from Avista Utilities regarding their franchise agreement the Council approved. The ordinance will be voided and require to be reapproved by the Council if Avista fails to approve it by Oct. 20, he added.

Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick then informed the Council of mechanical issues they have been having with a particular patrol car. He said the department would be looking into requesting a replacement for the vehicle in the upcoming budget requests.

McCormick said he spoke to the task force coordinator about applying for a grant, which would provide Grant, Adams and Lincoln counties with one new speed sign. The funding will not be available until 2018, he added.

He suggested the intersection of Division Street and Weber Road for the sign.