Cheryl L Kaelber

The Regular City Council Meeting addressed several agenda items. The Consent Agenda, including approval of prior minutes and claims checks, was approved. During Public Comment, an update was provided by the Chamber of Commerce President regarding new membership tiers and anniversary celebrations. A resident presented a significant city water bill issue, requesting forgiveness, which the Mayor indicated was under review. Key discussions involved a Colville Parking Commission request for additional lighting in the 2nd & Main parking lot, which led to a directive for the Public Works Director to evaluate the entire downtown lighting situation. The Council approved Vinson Fund allocations for several arts and cultural events, including the Missoula Children's Theater production, two Jeffery Cohan Salish Sea Early Music Festivals, and the St. Patty's Hooley. Funding for the PNW Film Makers Showcase Film Festival was deferred pending receipt of a film list. The request for the Woodland Theater Lighting Project funding passed after an amendment to increase the amount failed. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Craig McQuain for a series of Acoustic Jams was approved with modifications suggested by the Mayor. New Business included the adoption of a resolution confirming grant matching funds availability, the award of a contract for the North Roundabout Light Pole Repair and Replacement Project, authorization for a lease purchase agreement for a sewer cleaner, approval to upgrade internet service for Parks & Recreation facilities, and the appointment of a member to the Colville Tree Board. Committee reports included updates on the Comprehensive Plan, the Recreation Center Feasibility Study draft review, EMS Levy discussions, and initiation of a Request for Proposal for the Employee Salary Review.

This guide outlines the periodic update process for fully-planning counties and cities under the Growth Management Act (GMA) for the 2024-2027 cycle. It details mandatory review topics, the steps involved in the update process, and recent legislative changes affecting comprehensive plans and development regulations. The primary focus is to assist local governments in complying with GMA requirements and updating their plans and regulations.

The primary agenda item involved the SEPA Checklist and Threshold Determination for the Stevens County proposal regarding the Colville High School Fish Hatchery Pond Maintenance and Restoration. The Committee moved to approve the issuance of a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS) for the project, concluding that, with mitigation, no probable significant adverse environmental impacts would occur. Discussions regarding Public Use Permit PU-26-101 for the 4th of July Parade and PU-26-100 for the Barmans Holiday Parade were tabled due to outstanding issues concerning traffic control mandates, flagging personnel, and necessary updated signage coordination with the Washington Department of Transportation. Ongoing project reviews included the Momentum Church youth center, the Crisis Stabilization Center, and the Safe Routes to School project. Additionally, the award for the Reservoir #2 Replacement Project was noted as being presented to the City Council.

The meeting focused on welcoming and orienting two new Planning Commissioners, Tom Baun and Alex Matthews. Staff provided a detailed presentation covering commission legal procedures, policies, appearance of fairness, conflict of interest, and the distinctions between Quasi-Judicial and Legislative roles. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the upcoming Colville Periodic Update and Comprehensive Plan, which is due in June 2027. Topics included the roles of City and State government regarding the plan, the requirements of the Growth Management Act (GMA), and forthcoming Land Capacity Analysis with Stevens County. Staff outlined plans for public outreach, including surveys, to gather constituent feedback. Furthermore, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) were presented for informational purposes, detailing draft ordinance changes for internal, attached, and detached units, focusing on areas where the City is not yet in compliance regarding setbacks and height restrictions. Discussion also touched upon the introduction of language regarding Safe Injection Sites for the next meeting agenda.

The meeting addressed operational updates, including the initial marking of a potential permanent helipad site, an inquiry regarding private hangar construction, and an unsolicited estimate for roof replacement which was deemed not immediately necessary. Discussion also covered offering the City use agreements with the Washington DNR for expanded helibase needs. Old Business focused on the implementation of the Federal Aviation Administration-approved Airport Layout Plan, with Mayor Smith noting that grant applications for pavement maintenance (priority), a helipad, and a PAPI installation for Runway 19 are underway with Ardura Corporation as consultants. Property acquisition scoping will proceed, emphasizing communications solely through the Mayor's office, with $50,000 budgeted over the next biennium for matching funds. A new Avgas Fuel Pump Meter is on order, and the Board was advised to budget for a future system replacement and a reserve fund. New Business included a roundtable discussion on potential events for the nation's 250th anniversary, Minard Thompson's new role as Colville's AOPA Airport Support Network representative, a request for airport promotional photos, and confirmation that the local Ninety-Nines chapter will paint a compass rose on the ramp pavement.