Lind to join Avista’s Solar Select program

During the June 12 meeting, the Lind Town Council authorized staff to submit an application to join Avista Utilities’ Solar Select Program.

Through the Solar Select program, Avista will provide renewable solar energy to large commercial and industrial electronic customers in Washington state.

The energy will be generated from the Adams-Neilson Solar Farm, which is scheduled to be completed in December.

Mayor Paula Bell presented the application to Council at the May 29 meeting. She said Avista invited Lind to participate in the program. The only facilities eligible for the program are the Town’s wells and wastewater treatment facility.

Bell said there is no cost for Lind to join the program, and the term of the agreement is eight years.

In other business, Century West Engineer Steve Nelson said the first phase of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) road improvement project is completed.

Nelson said the design for the project’s second phase will begin in 2019, and will consist of road work on Fourth and I streets, and Sixth Street.

He explained there is no grant funding budgeted for replacing the water line on Sixth Street. Crews will need to install a new water line on Sixth Street before the FEMA project begins.

Nelson suggested office staff contact Washington State Department of Commerce and Washington State Department of Health for potential funding options.

Bell added she is meeting with Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) Stormwater Grants Project Manager Brandy Reynecke to register on Ecology’s Administration of Grants and Loans (EAGL) system.

Nelson said the only issue with the FEMA project is the award closeout taking longer than expected.

He added FEMA will hold a retainage on the grant funding, and will reimburse the Town when the closeout is completed. He has also made contact with officials to help the Town acquire a funding release.

Nelson said another potential funding source for the Town would be Washington State Transportation Improvement Board’s (TIB) Complete Streets program.

He said the program will provide up to $1 million in funding for street improvements beyond maintenance, such as ADA features, street signs, lighting and trash cans.

The TIB website states municipalities are eligible for the program if they have adopted a Complete Streets ordinance. Lind adopted a Complete Streets ordinance in 2016.

Nelson explained Lind is one of the only municipalities to be eligible for the grant in 2018. He said he will contact the Washington State Department of Commerce with the hope of finding an organization to nominate Lind for the next cycle.

In other action items, the Council approved the purchase of two tons of cold patch for approximately $950, as well as a plate compactor for street repairs.

Bell explained Public Works and office staff had purchased one ton of cold patch, which was only enough to repair the bigger pot holes.

During the Mayor’s report, Bell announced Lind Community Garden Director John Claypool submitted a letter of resignation, and Barbara DeVore will now manage the garden.