Pateros selects contractor for Recreation Base Camp sign project

PATEROS – The new Recreation Base Camp sign scheduled to rise along Commercial Avenue as part of the city’s mall renovation project took a step closer to reality after the city council selected Graybeal Signs to manufacture and install the anchor piece.

Using the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) small works roster the city advertised for bids and received three with Graybeal coming in with the lowest of those at $26,669.85. Unanimous approval at the regular monthly meeting on April 21 made it official.

The Peninsula Park beach expansion by the Douglas PUD is underway and expected to be completed sometime around mid-May.

The HUD grant for the mall renovation project has been submitted.

“Even though we have been awarded $2.5 million we are required to submit an application,” reported City Administrator Jord Wilson. “The federal portal has been extremely challenging to navigate.”

As reported in earlier issues of The Quad, funding has been frozen for many county agencies including a $20 million award through Sen. Patty Murray’s office to the Okanogan County Community Action Council.

Following an earlier request for qualifications (RFQ) for engineering and surveying the city received three responses. A committee selected and council approved Varela Engineering and Management for engineering, and Erlandsen & Associates for surveying services.

The city follows the Okanogan County building fee schedule that the county updated since its last change in 2017. Accordingly, the council approved a resolution updating the city’s building fee schedule.

At the request of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) the council adopted an ordinance regulating and enforcing speed limits on State Route 97 within the city. Those limits include:

• From SR 97 milepost 253.59 to milepost 254.15 (.56 mile), 45 miles per hour.
• From SR 97 milepost 254.15 to milepost 254.65 (.5 mile), 50 miles per hour.

The ordinance does not change the previous speed limit.

The familiar giant curly willow tree that grew behind the Memorial Park restrooms has been removed.

“This willow was probably 60-plus years old and in serious decline,” said Wilson. 

Another willow is scheduled for removal next year when replacement trees will be planted.

Councilmember Holly Bange gave a shoutout to the world premiere of a Beth Harrington documentary about early 20th Century frontier photographer Frank S. Matsura titled ‘Our Mr. Matura’ that played at Omak’s Mirage theater April 18-19.

“He took pictures of the people and the towns and the tribes and he is renowned,” said Bange, “Tourists from Japan are coming to this area to see his artwork, some of which is displayed on the walls and buildings in Okanogan.”

 Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media