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By Brenda Starkey
Chronicle correspondent
No one showed up for a public hearing on Republic's development regulations Feb. 4, but the specific tasks of the city's off-highway vehicle committee were discussed.
The development regulations, a bulky document that sets aside parts of the city for business and residential areas, will be available for public inspection at city hall, and a 60-day public comment period will allow citizens to comment on them, it was announced.
The document is available at city hall during normal working hours, and the comment period will end Friday, April 3.
The city was required to draft the regulations as part of the growth management process.
"I find it interesting that we're required to do this but we're not required to adopt it," said council member Linda Hall, commenting on requirements of the state Growth Management Act.
If adopted, the development regulations become part of the municipal code and the city's comprehensive plan, it was announced.
Councilman Jim Burnside asked mayor Shirley Couse for specifics on what the OHV committee is supposed to be doing. The committee, consisting of five residents and two council members, held its first meeting Jan. 30.
"You are not there to figure if you want it (the draft OHV ordinance) or don't want it," said Couse. "You are there to figure out how to make it as palatable as possible to those who don't want it."
Two non-council committee members are opposed to any OHV ordinance and wanted the committee to do further research on public opinion.
It will be the responsibility of city council to decide if the ordinance, after it passes through the committee, should be approved, the mayor said.
In other business, the council:
- Approved a plan presented by police chief Nick Merritt to apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture grants and low-interest loans to purchase new vehicles for the police department.
Merritt told the council the department received a $500 grant for a new
and improved breath analyzer. This machine tests ambient air for alcohol, so it will come in handy at gatherings of underage youths, he said.
- Discussed a small works roster for public projects. The council decided to continue research on such rosters, which could be used for planning grants under $30,000 and for any non-maintenance project under $200,000.
Qualified service providers would be asked if they are interested in being listed on the rosters.
- Decided to purchase ecology blocks to protect the chain-link fencing that separates the Verizon lot from the parking area adjacent to the alley between Clark Avenue and Kean Street.
Snow being plowed out of the area is being pushed against the fence and there is concern that a vehicle could tumble over the edge and into Verizon's lot, according to city officials. The city leases the area from Verizon for $100 a year.
- Learned that the mother of Justin Edwards, who was killed when
a well-drilling truck fell on him last year, would like to put a bench in front of NAPA with a plaque to remember him. The council asked to hear more about the bench before the plan is approved.
- Learned from Couse that there will be funds available to study city yard waste and find out the volume of such waste, which can no longer be burned in Republic because of changes in state law.
A state Department of Ecology employee will be available to help the city fill out the application for such funds, council members were told.
- Approved purchase of a tactical vest needed by officer Brett Roberts before he attends federal Drug Enforcement Administration training in March.
- Promised tourism funds of $2,500 to Jacob Tresham to fund a Ferry County tourism guide. Tresham must fill out required forms and follow procedures for hotel-motel funds, the council indicated.
- Approved purchase of a new laptop computer for the city's grant writer, with the old laptop being transferred to the building inspector.
The council also approved purchase of flash drives to back up information and surge protectors for two laptops in council chambers.
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