Pateros council endorses county emergency communications proposal

PATEROS – Mike Worden, the Chief of Communications for the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office addressed members of the city council last Monday, April 15, to asked for the council’s support for an Infrastructure Improvement Initiative to upgrade the emergency communications network.

The project would be funded by a .2 percent sales tax increase that is contingent on approval of ESSB (Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill) 5272 now before the Washington state Legislature that would increase the maximum tax rate for voter-approved local sales and use tax for emergency communication systems and facilities.

“We are hoping we can generate enough support from other entities inside the county…to pursue a November ballot before the voters,” Worden said.

The upgrade design would include a four-channel, simulcast, public safety radio system for law, fire, EMS and EM/public works traffic allowing simultaneous broadcast via multiple repeater sites within the system.

Worden explained infrastructure, operational costs, billing projections, and replacement aspects from the current year through 2035 and fielded questions from council members regarding the plan.

Council members voted to draft an official letter of support to add to the departments list of endorsements.

In other council business, city contract planner Kurt Danison explained the elements of a Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) through HUD and the requirements for qualifying to apply for it for current and future projects.

CDBG funds fall into four categories from General Purpose Grants of up to $75,000 per applicant, Economic Opportunity Grants of $300,000, Housing Enhancement Grants for $200,000, and Public Service Grants allocated on the basis of population and poverty.

Danison said smaller communities like Pateros must show that more than 50 percent of residents are of low to moderate income.

Danison the city is currently using CDBG funds to do the planned development of the trailer park on Pedersen Road. The park has 20 mobile homes under a single ownership. The goal for the park upgrade is to see it divided into individual ownerships for each mobile home. Individual ownerships will allow for the development of better water and sewer services and make it easier for owners to qualify for financing.

Council members also approved a professional services agreement (PSA) to engage Varela & Associates to work on the Industrial Way chip seal project funded by the Transportation Improvement Board.