Council considers drought resolution for fireworks

LIND – Town council discussed drafting an ordinance or resolution to restrict fireworks in the case of extremely dry conditions at their July 13 meeting.

Mayor Paula Bell said Lind Fire Chief Kevin Starring was unable to attend the meeting due to working late.

“Kevin asked to be part of the council meeting before the July 4 celebration, which was right after the fire that happened at Paha and Lind,” Bell said. “At that time, he was concerned with the fire aspect.”

Bell said the fire chief did not think the council needed to ban fireworks, but get an ordinance or resolution in place so they can close it down in the case of very dry conditions, as experienced this year.

Mayor Bell said she agreed with Starring when she quoted him saying, “Don't take everything away from the people. There is enough of that already.”

“It's a celebration of being an American,” Bell said. “It's just; people, be smart. And some people weren't.”

Bell said while she realized council members differed in their opinions, she personally was not in favor of banning fireworks, but getting something in place to authorize the town and fire department to take the weather into account.

Bell reminded council members state law requires restrictions regarding fireworks to be in place at least one year before they can take effect.

Bell said in the past, any fireworks displays were up on the high school football field, not in any residential areas; but the town received complaints about that from school staff left to clean up the mess the next day.

One council woman asked how any restrictions around fireworks would be governed.

“I think what Kevin Starring wants out of this discussion is, in case of a drought situation; not banning anything but have a safety net for us and the fire department,” Bell said, adding she would work on language of a resolution or ordinance for the next council meeting, and update Starring on where the council stood.

Employee handbook revised

The mayor and council members also revised the language of their employee handbook at the July 13 meeting.

“We are changing the language to help clarify what we have found in the past to be confusing,” Bell said.

Changes included clarifications to pay periods, with payday on the last day of the month and employees not allowed to take a draw beforehand. Clarifications to standby and call-out time included specification that standby time must be equally rotated between qualified employees, with a time frame of Monday at 8 a.m. to the following Monday at 8 a.m. Council members were in unanimous agreement in a motion made by Richard Baldwin and seconded by Rose Elkington to accept the new language.

Camera system to monitor sewer tanks

Cory Bartlett of Gigamedics in Ritzville presented council with a proposal for a 3-camera wireless security system, fully installed, for a total cost of $349. The cost includes a one-year warranty, and training on using the system. Council discussed the lack of WiFi access at Town Hall, and said once they settled on WiFi service, they would contact Bartlett back.

"The camera system is so that Casie Monge can remotely monitor the sewer tanks at the Wastewater Treatment Plant," Bell later explained. "She comes out of the Cheney/Airway Heights area, and this would give her the ability to monitor that at a moment's notice. We just have an alarm system. The security system already in place doesn't show the tanks."

Engineer's report

Mayor Bell re-capped CenturyWest Engineering town engineer Steve Nelson's report, who was in town earlier in the day finishing the corner of 7th and E Street.

“He raked gravel and Cagney and I picked rocks,” Bell said, referring to Public Works employee Cagney Wills.

Bell said Nelson continued to progress with grant-writing research.

“With the COVID aspect of all agencies, offering different projects, loans, and grants; you have to fit your situation to their requirements. So Mr. Nelson is doing his best to fit us, a round peg into a square hole,” Bell said. “There are a lot of projects for the town of Lind.”

Council reports

Council woman Rose Elkington said she checked into getting a cardboard recycling bin placed in Lind so residents don't have to travel to Ritzville to get rid of cardboard. Elkington said she called Consolidated Disposal and was told they do not offer any cardboard recycling at this time, but the owner would check into possibilities.

"A lot of people are ordering items online, and end up with a lot of cardboard. They have to go to Ritzville to get rid of it, so it would be nice to have one in town here," Elkington said.

Mayor Bell said it did not pay for the city to recycle cardboard, as it has to be trucked over the Cascade Mountains to Arlington.

"It's expensive," Bell said.

Mayor's report

In her Mayor's report, Bell said she posted a notice around town assuring residents the town of Lind does have water, residents are being asked to conserve.

"The well pumps have had a difficult time keeping up with usage demand at this time," Bell said. "The forecast is for temperatures to continue to be above 90 degrees through August. Please conserve water and irrigate wisely. The town, cemetery and school district are doing their part, and watering during the cooler parts of the day. We appreciate all the cooperation, and the well pumps do, too."

Bell also reported a loan for the USDA RD lift station for $49,000 has been approved, and pumps are being ordered. Bell said the interest rate for the loan at signing was 1.75%, with the town required to provide $15,000 toward the cost of the pumps.

"We will have two new pumps, and with the one we have been borrowing, there have been no alarms," Bell said. "We have had excellent service so far."

Bell said Public Works employees Wills and Steven Thompson have been getting their routines established, with Wills doing the wash-down twice a week and Casie Monge coming every week to do the pressing.

"Casey said the Lind plant is doing very well," Bell reported.

Bell also reported the town has received one application so far for the position of Clerk/Treasurer, with two more people expressing interest in the position. Bell said the official hiring for the position will take place during the July 27 regular meeting.

"The town hall office is running nicely with Myra Horton filling in as a volunteer," Bells said. Horton, a current council member, worked as Lind clerk/treasurer in the past.

Bell said construction would be done the following morning to repair a water line breakage discovered a couple weeks ago, with installation of a water system for the Osborne family scheduled for the afternoon.

"It's done and everyone is happy," Bell reported Thursday, July 15.

In other business, council:

- Accepted minutes from a July 2 special meeting. Bell said the special meeting was held to formalize the resignation of Clerk/Treasurer Kylie Buell, whose last day was June 30.

- Approved warrants from June 22 to July 13 in the amount of $26,318. There were no pending invoices.

- Heard the men's restroom in the city park is being remodeled with a new sink and cabinet.