Flyckt appointed as Ritzville Clerk-Treasurer

During the April 17 meeting, the Ritzville City Council voted 4-2 to confirm Mayor Gary Cook’s appointment of Julie Flyckt as the City’s new Clerk-Treasurer.

Flyckt takes over the Clerk-Treasurer position after former Clerk-Treasurer Kris Robbins left in December to take a job with the City of Moses Lake.

Council Members Mike Schrag and Mark Weigand were the opposing votes, and Council Member Debbie Chapman was absent from the meeting.

Cook explained his appointment of Flyckt to the role was based on the recommendation of the hiring committee.

Council Member Dennis Chamberlain, who was on the hiring committee, said nine candidates had applied for the job and they were narrowed to four finalists, which he noted were excellent interviewers. In the end, the committee chose Flyckt for the role.

In new business, the Council voted to approve Chamberlain’s request to close the sidewalk on Main Avenue in front of the former Soup It Up building.

Chamberlain, who abstained from voting, explained he is having a mason conduct brickwork on the building. The objective is to block off the sidewalk and parking spots to prevent tools from damaging vehicles parked into those spaces.

Chamberlain had already discussed the matter with the Senior Center staff who approved the request. He noted the mason is scheduled to begin work on the building on April 23 and should be finished at the end of the week, weather permitting.

The Council also approved Ritzville Classic Car Club Ted Schlund’s request to close Main Avenue, from Columbia to Jefferson streets from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 27 for the Classics on Main.

The event is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but Schlund explained the additional time would provide the car club extra time to set up for the event. Division Street will not be closed during the event.

The Council voted 5-1 to pay $8,000 for installing a new engine into one of the Police Department’s vehicles. Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick explained the engine in one of the department’s vehicles had stopped working and the two options for repairing the issue consisted of rebuilding the top end of the engine for $5,700 or installing a new engine in the vehicle for $8,000.

McCormick said he discussed the matter with Cook and they decided to move forward with a remanufactured engine, including a warranty for 30 years or 50,000 miles.

The funds to pay for the engine will be paid from the Equipment, Rental and Revolving (ERR) fund.

The Council also voted 5-1 to approve Golf Course Manager Dan Duff the Ritzville request for a new fairways mower for $10,000 for the Ritzville Municipal Golf Course. A portion of the cost will be covered by ERR while the rest will be taken out of the department’s budget.

During department reports, Public Works Director Larry Swift informed the Council Well No. 9 was fixed and appears to be working. He added the Public Works crew is also helping with the First Avenue beautification project.

Schrag also provided an update on the First Avenue project, saying Cook has volunteered to install the water system and the City is working to install water to the areas designated for landscaping.

He added the project is being organized in steps and the Tree Board hopes to finish the first phase before June.

Deputy Clerk Michelle Asmussen said she had begin drafting letters for nuisance properties. Cook said this will be the step in addressing the issues with the nuisance properties.