Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Citizen's Academy is generating interest in Search & Rescue and Reserve Deputy Programs
This table of weapons was displayed at the Feb. 15 Citizen's Academy program in Dayton. The topic of the evening was Officer Defensive Tactics and Use of Force. The table is filled with actual weapons that have been used to confront local officers in the performance of their duties. Thirty-two citizens are participating in the class that runs for 11 weeks from Feb. through April. Sheriff Joe Helm said the class has stirred interest in bringing back the Search & Rescue and Reserve Deputy programs.
DAYTON-Items on the agenda at last week's city council meeting included an update on the city's Wastewater Treatment Plan Project.
"We're getting closer in negotiations with some land owners," said Mayor Craig George.
He said there will be an executive session to discuss property acquisition for the proposed Wastewater Treatment Plant Project at the March 13 city council meeting.
George said a land swap is being conducted between the city and the county.
He said the city will swap land owned near the golf course sheds at the Touchet Valley Golf Course, in exchange for the land beneath the Flour Mill Park restrooms.
In December, some of the property owners in the Cornaggia Addition, a housing development in Dayton, came before council to request the city's involvement in maintaining the streets, there.
At last week's meeting George said the city will not be maintaining private drives in the Cornaggia Addition.
Last month the city's application for an Inert Waste Site Permit was sent to the Department of Ecology, but there has been no response from them, yet, George said.
Councilwoman Kathy Berg said the Dayton Chamber's Brix and Brew auction fundraiser will be held in the Fairgrounds Pavilion on March 15.
A new chamber assistant will be hired within the week, she said.
Sheriff Joe Helm said some changes in policies and procedures are underway in the Sheriff's Department, and that the deputies are working on some really big cases.
"They are really making some progress and are making a dent," he said.
Helm said the Citizens' Academy is generating interest from the public in volunteering in the Search and Rescue Program and in the Reserve Deputy Program.
Councilman Dain Nysoe challenged Helm about his decision not to enforce I-1639, a new law increasing firearms restrictions.
Helm said he is willing to discuss the matter with members of the public by arranging a time to meet with him.
"I'm glad to always have one-on-one discussions," Helm said.
Planning Director Meagan Bailey said the Planning Commission will begin finalizing updates for the 2019 Comprehensive Plan Update and she said the Plan is on target for the June deadline.
The Dayton City Council adopted the following at last week's meeting:
Resolution No. 1366: Adopting the City's 2019-2024 Capital Improvement Plan, which identifies long-term funding requirements for maintenance and improvement of the city's infrastructure, including streets, parks, water and sewer, flood mitigation, the cemetery, and general services.
Resolution No. 1367: Authorizing engineering services with Anderson Perry & Associates, Inc. for 2019-2021.
Resolution No. 1368, 1369, and 1370: Authorizing personnel contracts with city employees; Jim Costello, Deb Hays, and Trina Cole.
Resolution No.1371: Adopting updated county-wide planning policies, which are the "starting point for everything planning", according to Planning Director Meagan Bailey.
Bailey said the planning policies were outdated and she is asking the Town of Starbuck, Columbia County and the City of Dayton for formal support of the updates.
Resolution No. 1372: Authorizing support for the county's intention to create a Flood Control Zone District (FCZD).
The beneficiaries are the Town of Starbuck and the City of Dayton," said Meagan Bailey.
Bailey said there are three levees in the county. She said county road funds have been diverted for maintenance of the levee in the unincorporated area. Funds generated by the FCZD would be utilized for maintenance of the levy in Dayton, and for the levy in Starbuck.
So far the Town of Starbuck is not supporting the idea, she said.
"I think Starbuck thinks they are getting money diverted. They would actually lose out if they didn't do it," said Mayor George, who plans to discuss the matter with Starbuck mayor Richard Ells.
Resolution No. 1373: Adopting amendments to the Master Fee Schedule for changes to building permit fees and charges. The intention is to adopt the county fee schedule, eliminating multiple fee schedules, said Meagan Bailey. Permit fees are based on project valuations, and the fees will go down, generally, she said.
Also adopted, was an agreement with the state Transportation Improvement Board for reimbursement of funds for the conversion of lights on Main Street to LED lights. Dayton has been selected by the state for the Relight Washington Program.
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