Friday, March 29, 2024

Brewster Council gets water update, welcomes new member

Posted

Brewster Council gets water update, welcomes new
member
By Mike Maltais
Staff writer

BREWSTER – Representatives from J.U.B. Engineers in Spokane updated city council members concerning the final stages of the reservoir renovation project and the initial steps of the city water manganese program.
Engineer consultants Michelle Johnson and Steve James said the renovated reservoir -  for which the city won the annual Drinking Water Award from the Infrastructure Assistance Coordination Council – is all operational and came in under budget.
Tackling the manganese content in the city water is the next challenge.
“We’re getting ready to drill a couple of test wells and we’ll look at water quality in a couple places around town,” said Johnson. “Probably in the next five to six months.”
Johnson and James said the hard part is acquiring the property for drill sites.
“That’s the hard part,” James said.
There are limited open areas available,” Johnson said.
Following the requisite public hearing council members approved the 2018 city budget.
Council members also approved a resolution authorizing the city clerk to pay bills that cannot wait the 30 days between council meetings. The formal resolution is necessary for the city to comply with new grant requirements.
Public Works Director Lee Webster said Bonney Lake tree carver Jacob Lucas is expected to begin work transforming two tree trunks in Columbia Cove Park sometime after the Christmas holidays.
Webster also presented the 2018 city fee schedule for council approval noting that there are some changes “most notably RV park rates.”
Webster said his department tried to find a middle ground where the new fees would cover improvements being made to the park facilities but remain reasonable for users.
Council also welcomed its newest member, Emmanuel “Manny” Hurtado who was presented with his official council nameplate that will designate his position when he attends his first council meeting in January.
Hurtado, who won his seat over two-term incumbent Ramiro Villagrana by three votes in the November general election
Hurtado has already attended Open Government Training in Olympia. The training has been a requirement for many public officials since mid-2014.
“It was a great experience,” said Hurtado who recommended the course as a refresher for anyone serving in government.

brewster council, new member, City Council

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