PATEROS – The city appointed a replacement for departing council member Christine Perry, heard updates about the volunteer fire department, the museum, Pop-up Market, and green lighted the city engineer to begin the bid process for a major sidewalk addition at its February 16 virtual Zoom meeting.
Warren Avenue Sidewalk Project
The Warren Avenue Sidewalk Project is being funded by a nearly $400,000 grant from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB). The sidewalk will extend along the north side of Warren from approximately Chris Street west to the tennis courts on Riverside Avenue.
“Adding sidewalks for a safe route to the school has long been a priority of the city,” said City Administrator Jord Wilson in a Feruary. 8 letter to Pateros residents. Features and advantages of the new pedestrian addition will include:
● Pedestrian safety with curb and gutter and eight-foot green space.
● Reduce the width of Warren to help reduce traffic speed.
● Minimize use of city right-of-way to reduce private party conflicts.
City engineer Varela & Associates will initiate the bid process.
Pateros Museum at City Hall
With Museum Week just around the corner on May 11-17, Wilson reported on some upgrades at the Pateros Museum at city hall to get the facility ready for visitors. An old restroom in the annex has been converted into a storage room, locks and glass were repaired or replaced on display cases, and artifacts and photos held in storage have been hung on the block and concrete walls.
Eight draft interpretative boards covering topics including Town History, Carlton Complex at Pateros, The Confluence, and Hydroelectric Project are ready for review and editing by the Museum Committee.
“We try to spend a little bit of time each winter on museum repair and maintenance projects,” Wilson said in his report.
Pop-up Market
A request for applicants interested in being the city’s new Market Coordinator has yet to draw any responses.
“I have continued to have discussions with people about the opportunities available,” said Wilson in his report. “
Fire Department
Pateros Fire Chief Karry Heen and Assistant Chief Matt Coffman reported that the all-volunteer department has five new recruits who, added to three returning firefighters, brings the total number of volunteers to nearly 20 this year.
The new recruits include Pateros High School students Aleeka Miller-Smith, Josh Smith, recent Pateros graduate Abigail Harrild, and Brewster High School students A.J. Garcia, and Kaitlin Garcia. Chief Keen’s son, Ricky, a former volunteer, has moved back to the area and has rejoined the crew. Pateros School Superintendent Greg Goodnight is also one of the volunteer firefighters.
Chief Heen said the department will host a training burn of a donated double wide manufactured home at 128 Independence Street., on Saturday, March 6.
“We are always looking for new volunteers anywhere from high school age to retired,” said Heen. “There’s a spot for everybody and each volunteer brings something to the table.” District 15 fire personnel meet at 7 p.m. every Thursday at stations in Pateros, Methow, Brewster, and Rocky Butte. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can attend one of the Thursday night meetings or call Chief Heen at 509-733-2395.
New councilman
Council members interviewed four candidates who applied to fill the seat of Christine Perry, who announced her resignation effective March 2021 at the January meeting. The candidates were Chantel Poole, Greg Wagg, Bruce Henne, and Frank Herbert. Following the interviews Herbert was selected by the council voting in executive session. He will be sworn in on or before the council’s March 15 meeting.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here