Pateros city council considers speed controls for Warren Avenue

PATEROS – A candidate for Okanogan County Sheriff and a concerned Pateros citizen delivered audience input at the regular monthly meeting of the Pateros City Council on Tuesday, June 21.

Former Okanogan County Field Deputy Kevin Newport addressed the council relative to his bid to run for Okanogan County Sheriff and cited four principal goals of his campaign:

• Re-establish leadership.

• Bolster the number of field deputies and corrections officers.

• Modify current COVID restriction protocols for jail bookings.

• Address Okanogan County jail infrastructure.

City resident Steve Hough spoke about excessive speeding on Warren Avenue where construction is currently underway to complete a new sidewalk along the north side from Riverside Drive east nearly to Chris Street,

Hough suggested a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Eveline and Warren as a speed brake for those who are not observing the 25-mph limit. Other ideas included temporary fair-weather speed bumps that could be removed for winter snow plowing or a portable radar speed sign that alerts drivers to their driving speed. Mayor Kelly Hook said he has looked into the latter item and advised that the portable sign costs about $15,000.

In other business City Administrator Jord Wilson said the Warren Avenue sidewalk project is running about three weeks behind the original schedule due to contractor and sub-contractor delays. He stressed the importance of ensuring that when it is completed runoff rainwater is adequately collected and diverted into the city’s storm drain network.

“It is critical that water does not pool in driveways, on the sidewalk or ramps and that water is not diverted into people’s yards and/or structures,” Wilson said.

The pergola has been installed and painted at the Welcome Center. Irrigation is completed and electric 95 percent so. Next steps include repainting parking stalls in the Wright parking lot and adding an Americans with Disabilities Act parking stall.

Scheduling and material availability has delayed the reservoir solar project until August at the earliest.

Public works submitted planning and design to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Pedestrian and Bicycle Program for a pedestrian crossing and pathway along US 97 between Pederson Road and Dawson Street. The WSDOT grant application is for $99,219 and awards are not expected until October.

A grant application has been submitted to the state for downtown vehicle charging stations. An award notice is expected soon.