Deputy Quigg recognized at Dayton City Council meeting

DAYTON- Mayor Roger Trump called the Dayton City Council to order at 6:00 p.m., August 13, 2024. Mayor Roger Trump and all council members were at City Hall, including Teeny McMunn, Michael Smith, Laura Aukerman, Joann Patras, Kyle Anderson, James Su'euga, and Shannon McMillen.

Ryan Rundell, speaking for Columbia County, reported July dispatch numbers. The city had 433 law enforcement calls and 172 for the county. There were five city fire calls and eleven for the county. EMS calls were 26 for the city and 17 for the county. Rundell said the commissioners were still looking for volunteers from the public to serve on the Columbia County Board of Health.

Sheriff Helm said Chief Civil Deputy Tim Quigg's retirement party, celebrating 43 years of service, would be held at the Best Western Hotel from 1 to 4 p.m. on August 31. Deputy Quigg's wife will host the party.

Helm said the department would increase traffic enforcement during the start of school later this month.

The Chamber of Commerce Director, Belinda Larsen, said the chamber awarded grants for storefront improvements to Main Street businesses, including Locally Nourished, Hotel Hardware, and Main Street Salon. She said the chamber was working on installing locally made bike racks downtown. Larsen also reminded everyone to check out the new Vicky's Sweet Shop, describing it as "really cool."

The council handled several administrative items before considering Resolution 1548 to adopt a policy covering Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT). Auditors had recommended a policy since there was no EFT policy. The resolution passed without debate.

The council discussed Resolution 1549 which would adopting a policy on utility shutoffs for nonpayment during extreme heat events. State law prohibits a city from terminating water service for nonpayment during heat-related alerts, including an excessive heat warning, a heat advisory, or an excessive heat advisory.

Under state law, customers whose service was terminated for nonpayment may request reconnection during a heat event. Cities may establish repayment plans for customers whose service was reconnected under these circumstances, not exceeding six percent of the customer's income.

The city staff said repayment plans would be an administrative burden and may not cover the costs of setting them up.

Su'euga and Aukerman questioned the new policy, and Mayor Trump offered to table the measure to give the council more time to research the issue. Ultimately, Su'euga moved to approve the policy which passed, with Aukerman casting the only dissenting vote.

The council meeting adjourned before 7 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 6 p.m.