Pateros City Council welcomes new member, recognizes Sherrard

PATEROS – The Pateros City Council officially said farewell to one council member and welcome to a new one at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 15.

Mayor Kelly Hook presented a plaque of appreciation to Megan Sherrard for her years of service to the community. Sherrard announced earlier this year that she was relocating to the west side of the state. The council also approved and swore in Frank Herbert as Sherrard’s replacement for Position No. 5 on the council.

Council held two public hearings, one on the updated Shoreline Master Plan, and the other on a short plat application by Chelan Valley Construction at 356 Ives Street.

City Planner Kurt Danison delivered a background review of the plan and committee reports explaining that cities must update their plans every seven years by state mandate. Following some discussion over development near the shoreline and the Douglas PUD dock management, the council approved the plan.

The short plat hearing received a written comment from a homeowner on 102 Cemetery Road who opposed the measure because he believes the proposed structure will block his view of the Columbia River. A comment from the floor also opposed allowing the short plat on such a small parcel of property and questioned the size and quality of structures that would be built there. The council approved the short plat application.

The Pateros Fire Department will put up 40 American flags – visible from Highway 97 - along Cemetery Road for Memorial Day weekend and remove them the following Tuesday. The department will also participate in the upcoming city wide yard sale and will distribute the city maps showing sale locations.

Public Works Administrator Jord Wilson reported that roof construction started last fall in the winter, has been completed and the walls and panels will be added this fall.

One side of the new kiosk along Commercial Avenue has been completed and work on the electric charging station will begin soon.

Douglas PUD installed a new dock at the Methow Boat Launch and will be finishing the walking trail that runs along the river on the south side of city hall.

Pateros was awarded two grants this month, one a $29,656 street tree grant from the Department of Natural Resources that will begin with community workshops in July and August.

The other, a $99,219 grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation is for planning and analysis for the Highway 87 pedestrian crossing and pathway project.

The city is applying for several more grants including a Public Works Board grant to perform a new water system plan. The city’s 2014 plan has been built out and expired. Lacking a current plan, the city will be ineligible for upcoming infrastructure funding.

Application for a $109,000 Department of Ecology grant for a stormwater plan made the DOE’s 2024 list of approved drafts.

Application for a $101,625 grant for a Pateros Mall Renovation Planning Study has been submitted with selections expected this month and second round state allocations in June or July.

The citywide yard sales will run from June 2-4. Maps to the various sale sites will be available at city hall the Thursday before the event.

The 72nd Apple Pie Jamboree will be on July 14-16 this year.