Report from Dayton City Council

DAYTON—City Administrator Trina Cole told the Dayton City Council last week that her staff has been working to tie up “loose ends from the summer,” which includes the Washington Street FEMA project, and continuing work on the proposed water and sewer projects. Work also continues on the 2019 Preliminary Budget, she said.

Cole said the city has just been approved for a $211,000 grant from the Regional Transportation Planning Organization, RTPO, for sidewalks on South 3rd Street, from Main Street to School Bus Lane.

“We are actively pursuing a lot of grant opportunities,” she added. Cole said she is also looking into a grant for playground equipment

The city had submitted an application to the Department of Ecology for an inert waste site permit, but the DOE has required additional information. After the city’s engineer, Anderson Perry & Associates, completes the report, it will be turned over to the Public Works Department for re-submission, said Cole.

“We’ve made a lot of progress in street improvements,” Cole told the council.

Work continues on the S. Washington St. Road repair project, with paving to take place during and after the week of Sept. 24.

Mayor Craig George said the project will be completely finished by Oct. 17, according to the terms of the city’s contract with Humbert Asphalt, Inc.

The city has received a loan award of up to $1 million from the state’s Public Works Trust Fund for the proposed wastewater treatment plant project, and the city is actively speaking with landowners about acquiring land for the project, he said.

Mayor George’s authorization to sign a contract with Mark Lanning to remove tree limbs and debris from a tree at 338 E. Main St. was approved by the city council. The work will be done by Sept. 22, and the city’s tree committee will tour Main Street on that day, to see if additional work is necessary.

Mayor George’s authorization of a contract with Correct Equipment Co. to repair and replace chlorinators for the city’s No. 2, and 3 water wells, and authorization of a contract with College Place Heating and Cooling to replace the Wastewater Treatment Plan digester boiler, were approved as well.

Mayor George’s authorization to sign an inter-local agreement for planning services with Columbia County was approved, as well as inter-fund transfers in support of the 2018 Budget, regarding park and cemetery equipment replacement reserves.

The city council approved an agreement to transfer the Hedwig-Davis bequest to the Columbia County Rural Library District, and amending the city’s annexation agreement with the Columbia County Rural Library District, to allow the CCRLD to be the custodian of the bequest.

The city council also authorized a public works contract with Humbert Asphalt Inc. to perform pavement repairs on W. Washington St. and N. Cottonwood St., beginning at N. Front St., and ending at W. Patit St., associated with the relocation of the street within the public right of way. Funds will come from city reserves and the capital improvement fund.

A change order to the FEMA street repair project, for additional street curb work on E. Washington St., was also approved by the city council. An amount of $6,300 is available from the capital improvement fund for that, said Mayor George.

Mayor George said he will be on a vacation beginning on September 24, and Mayor Pro Tem Delphine Bailey will serve in his absence.