Ritzville Council discusses Fire Chief’s resignation, police matters

During the Sept. 5 Ritzville City Council meeting, Mayor Gary Cook read a letter from Ritzville Fire Chief Bill Banner where Banner formally announced his resignation as chief and his employment from the department citing medical reasons.

In the letter, Banner wrote he would assist with the transition of the new Ritzville Fire Chief.

“I have too many good memories to list, but I will carry all of them with me forever,” Cook read from Banner’s letter. “Thank you all for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Ritzville. I’ll be around for awhile, so it’s not goodbye, just no more suiting up for battle.”

Assistant Fire Chief Joel Bell will assume Banner’s duties as interim Fire Chief. Cook added there will be a formal recommendation for Banner’s replacement to Council in the upcoming weeks.

When asked about the operation status of Wells 8 and 9, Cook said the city received a bill from the contractor and will be taking it under advisement with the Finance Committee. Well No. 9 is operational, but not fully automated.

“The city has not received a certificate of Substantial Completion document and the contractor is still responsible for it,” Cook said.

During his report, Cook said he met with City Attorney John Kragt regarding the city’s nuisance ordinance, specifically collection methods.

After examining Colfax’s ordinance and collection process and Ritzville’s own city code, Cook suggested the city adjust its ordinance to include other methods.

“There’s got to be another way that we can not lose money on these nuisance properties,” Cook added.

In his report, Police Chief Dave McCormick announced the department received its speed trailer, but it needs some work before it can go into service.

McCormick said three Ritzville Police officers participated in the Central Basin Safety Task Force DUI emphasis patrols on Aug. 25. Another officer participated in an emphasis patrol on Sept. 1.

During both days, officers made contact with 22 motorists, issued 16 warnings and 12 citations were issued.

The Washington State Traffic Safety Commission, through the Task Force, will reimburse the city for overtime hours the officers accumulated during the emphasis patrol.

McCormick said he spoke with Brian Gordon, manager of the Ritzville Warehouse, about the speed limit sign near Zip’s and potentially purchasing a speed sign on Division Street near the City Park. The discussion led to two signs potentially being purchased as gifts for the city.

“We might have to pay the tax or we might have to foot the battery but I think they’ll pay for everything,” McCormick added.

McCormick said Gordon’s requirement for purchasing the signs would be for the city to lower the speed limit to 20 miles per hour on Division Street from Eighth to Tenth avenues. The signs would be installed on the corners Eighth and Tenth on Division Street.

McCormick said the Warehouse is having their meeting on Sept. 23 and Gordon will try and have the request approved by then. Councilmember Michelle Plumb said the Revised Code of Washington laws requires the city to have engineers conduct a traffic study before they can lower the speed limit.

Cook added he would contact Gordon about the speed limit signs and the 20 miles per hour requirement.

McCormick said the department responded to a report of three dogs, a German shepherd and two pit bulls, recently terrorizing the neighborhood.

According to McCormick, the German shepherd killed one cat. Together, the animals also mauled another dog and attacked a rooster belonging to a family outside of city limits.

McCormick said he located the dogs and spoke with the owner of the incidents. The dog owner agreed to pay the veterinarian bill for the incident regarding the cat.

The owner rehomed the German shepherd and is quarantining the pit bulls for 30 days.

The dog owner is also moving to a new location where there is no fence McCormick said the owner will have to install a barrier to contain the dogs.