Pateros approves water bond ordinance for Rural Development loan

PATEROS – The city council gave the green light to a water bond ordinance at its regular monthly meeting on Oct. 18, allowing the city, in the words of the ordinance “providing for the issuance of a taxable water revenue bond of the city in the principal amount of $1,720,000 for the purpose of providing funds to pay part of the cost of the acquisition, construction, and installation of improvements to the city’s water system” and related details. The bond is a necessary step for the city to finalize a water loan with USDA Rural Development.
In other council business the city approved its annual agreement with the North Central Washington Narcotic Task Force (NCWNTF). Pateros approves $2,300 a year for its participation in NCWNTF.
A survey funded by a $30,000 Rural Development Block Grant is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving. The city hired CREA Affiliates in Seattle to study the feasibility of establishing a plastics recycling facility on industrial acreage the city owns on Starr Road.
The Department of Ecology (DOE) awarded the city $11,200 to review its Shoreline Master Plan. The council approved hiring contract planner Kurt Danison of Highland Associates to complete the SMP project.
Manganese levels at the downtown pump station are still quite high according to the most recent water test. Wilson said he is working on the problem with city engineer Varela adding that the process may involve removing the pump for a video inspection of the well.
“We have pulled the pump offline to rest the well until peak demand in June and July to see if that doesn’t help,” city administrator Jord Wilson wrote in his report to the council.
Work has begun on the winter barn adjacent to Industrial Way. BTO Construction has removed storage containers from the area and was expected to begin excavation for the building foundation footings last week.
“Excess soil from the project will be used at the right-of-way park remodel at Lakeshore Drive and Warren,” said Wilson. “We are widening the bank for plowing safety and future sidewalk or trail.”