Lind city projects progressing

LIND – Council members heard an update on the cemetery water line project duirng an online meeting April 14.

Patrick Sheehy with Century West Engineering said 16 bids were received for the project; the lowest was from C&E Trenching of Pasco at $147,517. That was lower than the engineer's estimate of $208,000.

Sheehy said that the contract was awarded to C&E Trenching last Thursday. Construction is expected to begin mid- to late-May.

He has been in contact with Avista about setting the power pole in the pump house, and it will do it in the next few weeks.

The Community Development Block Grant water system improvements project is also going well, with the Department of Health reviewing the plans and a copy sent to Town Hall for review, Sheehy said.

Councilman Jim Dworshak asked if the cemetery was going to have a well, and Sheehy said it would be connected to the town water main.

When Mayor Paula Bell asked Steve Nelson, also with Century West Engineering, about progress on the roof project, Nelson said with an estimated cost of just $12,000, it might be better to look into a loss prevention/risk assessment grant.

"The CDBG program, they like community centers, they like fire stations, but they don't fund police and they sometimes don't like town halls. So let me look into the loss prevention or risk reduction program for you," Nelson said.

In new business, the council discussed a request for another light pole near a resident's home, which is outside of the city's area of responsibility. After discussing several options for the resident, council members agreed the individual should look into a solution with Avista at their own cost.

A second request came from an individual who purchased a vacant lot on the south side of town and wanted to hook up to city water but not sewer or garbage, in order to plant fruit trees. Council members agreed they could allow that.

Mayor Bell said she was asked to have vegetables planted in the planters around town and allow students to take care of them.

It was decided since the town already has a community garden, and the town has received donations for soil and flowers in the planters, several council members will work together to purchase soil and plant flowers.

In the mayor's report, Bell gave an update on the pandemic, saying town hall is running smoothly.

Bell said the Department of Health visited several businesses to see what steps they are taking for the pandemic and offered additional suggestions.

Bell also reported that there are several new families moving to town and she has enjoyed visiting with some of them.

The mayor also reported that the John Wayne Trail Riders will not be coming through this May. Despite having a full register of guests, they had to cancel because of the governor's stay home orders.