County officials report to the Dayton City Council

DAYTON—Columbia County Sheriff Joe Helm spoke at length in his report to the Dayton City Council last week.

Most notably, he reported about traffic stops and criticism he has received from some who say there have been way too many. Since January 1, the road deputies have made 748 traffic stops.

Helm said the stops are not only for safety reasons but also to prevent crime and drugs from entering the community.

According to the sheriff, Columbia County is a major drug route from the west coast to Lewiston.

Over the last few weeks, deputies have taken some “dangerous” drivers off county roads, confiscated a large number of drugs, recovered stolen property, apprehended several fugitives, and assisted numerous law enforcement agencies across the country in solving crimes.

During one stop, Deputy Riley Conahan recovered $50,000 in stolen property and arrested a fugitive in possession of two stolen vehicles from the New York area. Helm said that person was on a crime spree across the country, stealing identities, passports, and credit cards. At the time of the stop, there were four children in the vehicle and illicit drugs.

Another stop on the west end of town yielded 200 fentanyl pills and powder. Fentanyl and opioids are the leading cause of drug death in the 18-46 age group, according to Helm.

He said the Sheriff’s Office would continue a “balanced approach” with public safety in mind as they continue to work on traffic issues.

There are two new faces in the Sheriff’s Office, said Helm. Gino Bruce and Daniel Wagner have been hired and are waiting to be admitted to the Police Academy, either in Burien or in Spokane.

The Sheriff’s Office has policies in place, and applications are being accepted for the volunteer Posse program. Anyone older than 18 years of age is welcome to apply. Volunteers can work in the office, at special events, with traffic control, and in making security checks. Help is also needed with public education programs and neighborhood watch programs.

Helm said his office is gearing up for the Blue Mountain Search and Rescue academy in October. Those who participate will receive their core competency requirements and become fully certified during the weekend event.

Firearm safety classes are also in the process of development. To volunteer in the various programs or ask about the courses phone the Dispatch Office at: (509) 382-2518.

Helm also provided the incident log report for July: 399, City. 139, County. 43, EMS, City. 11, EMS, County. 8, Fire, City. 5, Fire, County.

Columbia County Commissioner Ryan Rundell reported on a year-long process for the Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan. The scope is in four phases; organizing planning resources, risk assessment, public engagement strategies, and plan development. City officials are invited to attend those meetings.

Rundell said Chuck Beleny, Debbie Davis, and Nancy Laughery have been appointed to the county Board of Health. Jeff McCowen has been promoted to Project Manager in the Public Works Department, and Amber Phinney is now the Assistant Public Works Director/Business Manager.

Interviews are underway for the position of Emergency Management Director. Desi Lockard is the Interim Director.

Rundell said Jeromy Phinney will take the lead for the county’s drone program. Two drones were purchased with help from a $20,000 Wildhorse grant.

Dayton Mayor Zac Weatherford said he and city staff met with Anderson/Perry & Associates regarding a draft agreement with a property owner for a new piece of property for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. They hope to have an agreement with the owner within the next month after which, it will be brought before the city council for review.

Work on the 2023 budget will begin on Sept. 1 and Sept. 2.

He would like to have an informational meeting, also in Sept. or Oct., for the public and for city council to meet with the Public Works Department staff to learn about the city’s snow removal program.

So far, Public Works Director Ryan Paulson has received one bid for the city’s crack/seal program. The Transportation Improvement Benefit (TIB) for that program is capped at $50,000.

Paulsen said he met with Sheriff Helm about a “drastic” rise in vandalism on city-owned property, particularly to the public restrooms. Deputies now have keys and will lock the restrooms at the end of each day.

A manufacturing defect is causing the LED street lights to turn purple when they are about to burn out. They have been exchanged and more will be exchanged as they burn out.

Paulson said his department has been sending out a fairly substantial number of code enforcement letters to property owners regarding public nuisance and fire hazards for unkempt yards.

“It just seems like there is a lot.”

He also has had complaints about unlicensed dogs. He estimates that nine out of ten dogs are unlicensed. Dogs need to be licensed with the city annually, he said.

The Main Street Tree Committee has asked Paulson if an arborist can assess the trees as to which should be removed or kept. An arborist from Walla Walla will be brought on board.

The city has received an $80,000 grant for sidewalk improvement.

Mayor Weatherford said, “We’re trying to figure out how to spend that money the best way possible. We don’t want to dump a bunch of money into sidewalks and then have the trees wreck the sidewalks.”

City Clerk Deb Hays said city hall will be closed for staff meetings during a portion of the first Wednesday of each month. That meeting and the staff safety meetings will reduce insurance premiums for the city.

She also said the city will work to become a “Wellness City” offering exercise activities and other health initiatives for the city employees.

The Dayton City Council approved the following:

Resolution 1499; authorizing Mayor Weatherford to execute a fifteen-year comprehensive solid waste agreement with Basin Disposal, Inc, for collection of garbage for all businesses, residences and premises within the City of Dayton. This contract allows for a fuel surcharge of around $1.94 per household billed each month, beginning with the Sept./Oct, 2022 billing cycle. The reason for the surcharge is the high cost of diesel fuel. In 2016 the rate case was $2.53. In June of this year, the rate case was $6.46, according to Rebecca Francik, a government relations representative for BDI. The rate will be adjusted up or down depending on current costs.

Ordinance 1992; amending Ordinance 1568 and Section 9-47.04 of the Dayton Municipal Code, Domestic Violence Protection Order Statues. The city is cleaning up some codification inconsistencies. County Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack recommended the city ask its attorney to keep them informed of updates to ordinances, codes and RCWs at the end of each state legislative session.

Resolution 1500; authorizing Mayor Weatherford to sign a Resolution of the City Council pertaining to the receipt of notice of intent to annex certain real property known as the Jasper Pines Annexation. Mitch and Kathleen Mathews hope to build six homes east of South Fifth Street.

The next Dayton City Council will be on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at the Dayton City Hall.