ILWACO – The Ilwaco City Council meeting was awfully heated Monday night as the councilors and Mayor Doug Hubbard discussed how to proceed with Sahalee’s water system.

Originally the night’s agenda included a business item that would rescind the council’s past motion to purchase parts and supplies to connect the Sahalee subdivision to the city-owned Discovery Heights water supply. But as the meeting warmed up, councilor Ron Willis asked Hubbard why this item was removed from the night’s agenda. Hubbard stated that each business item requires background paperwork and a cover sheet. Willis and councilman David Johnson asked if the agenda item was pulled because of another motive, adding that there is “no state statute or city ordinance” that requires such additional paperwork for an item to be put on the business agenda.

Willis asked council to allow the business item to be put back on the agenda. Councilman Fred Marshall asked if it would be as an action item or a discussion item, stating he would support discussion of the topic. The council allowed the item back on the agenda, where it was tackled first.

Recently there have been concerns raised regarding the condition and reliability of Sahalee’s water system, such as water pressure and fire flow. At one point a suggestion was made to connect Sahalee to Discovery Heights’ water supply, which some felt would be an upgrade for Sahalee residents even though a latecomer’s fee would be charged by Discovery Heights’ developers, MSW, LLC. At one point, council voted to purchase the parts and supplies necessary to connect Sahalee to Discovery Heights’ water supply. But on Monday, Willis and Johnson preferred that the council rescind the previous motion and deal with the Sahalee water issue in a different way.

Willis asked past Ilwaco mayor Ed Leonard to speak about the decisions made on the issue when he was in office a few years ago. Hubbard stated that it was not appropriate to have Leonard speak during the present debate and said that the city needs “facts from both sides” and “recommendations from qualified people,” such as input from the city attorney and engineer. Hubbard said that the Department of Health has reservations about Sahalee still using a wooden water tank.

“I don’t have a say in this, but I want what is best,” said Hubbard.

Johnson added that the city already has qualified people to look into the problem.

At one point, accusations were thrown amongst the board and councilors questioned each other’s integrity during past executive sessions. Willis felt that the executive sessions weren’t valid because an MSW partner, who happens to be Marshall’s brother, sat in on the discussion. Willis stated that this issue must become and remain a public matter.

Johnson reminded the board that this has been an ongoing problem since 2002 and that “we will keep bringing it up.”

Describing some of his fellow councilors’ actions as “totally inappropriate,” Marshall noted that the city footed a $500 bill for the city attorney, David Nelson, to research the matter. Marshall said that Nelson determined that he wasn’t in the wrong.

Councilor Mike Cassinelli apologized for any hard feelings; Leonard never was allowed to speak; and council moved to the next agenda item. This issue is expected to rear its ugly head again in future meetings.

Tall ships comingKarla Nelson, member of the Ilwaco Merchants Association and chair of the Nautical Renaissance Committee, approached council with a funding request for the upcoming tall ships event at the Port of Ilwaco.

The event will span over three weekends and feature visits from the crews aboard the Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain and HMS Bounty (which was just recently added to the lineup). HMS Bounty recently went through a $2 million renovation.

Donna Rew explained that the HMS Bounty chose to stop in Ilwaco because of Ilwaco’s welcoming reputation; the ship only makes four stops along the West Coast.

Nelson requested $1,500 to help cover the costs of promotion along the Interstate 5 corridor, entertainment, and hotel costs for the ships’ crews to stay in Ilwaco for the duration of their visit. Council granted the request.

Open meeting violationsIn other business, Hubbard asked to set action regarding the city council and the Open Public Meeting Act. The mayor explained that, “in the past the council has unknowingly violated the Open Public Meetings Act.”

He advised that the city council schedule a time to attend a free risk management session with officials from the Association of Washington Cities (AWC).

“You don’t want to unknowingly violate an act and end up in court,” said Hubbard, who felt assistance from the AWC would be valuable.

A motion was made and passed to schedule a workshop with AWC for a lecture on the conduct of public officers, the Appearance of Fairness Act and the Open Public Meeting Act.

Council also approved a promotion request for Ilwaco City Treasurer Melissa Busby and a request to surplus three city trucks. In addition they tabled a weed-spraying proposal.

In staff reports, Ilwaco Fire Chief Tom Williams stated that the department is purchasing a replacement Ford truck. Public Works Superintendent Randy Lavold reported that the new ramp and docks are now completely installed at Black Lake.

City Clerk Brandy Ferguson announced that the city would appreciate sponsors, volunteers and donations for the Black Lake Fishing Derby.

Gary Kobes, project manager for the Ilwaco Fire Hall rebuild and the Community Building renovation, reported that the Community Building demolition has been underway for the past few weeks and is expected to be complete by Wednesday. The fire hall rebuild is still not resolved with the insurance company. It is getting to be crunch time for the city, since the costs will go up if the project is not completed by Nov. 30.

In council reports, David Jensen discussed the Pedestrian Safety and Mobility Program in regards to the Brumbach Avenue sidewalk project.

Johnson reported on a laundry list of tasks he has completed since the last meeting, such as moving a stoplight control box near Just Treasures Antiques and attending numerous meetings. A licensed plumber in the state of Washington, Johnson said he assessed Sahalee’s water mains with Willis, Lavold and Chris Staudenraus on April 11. He presented his findings and advised that the city work to replace and improve the existing parts of Sahalee’s water system instead of connecting it to Discovery Heights. That way the city to save up money for additional maintenance and replacements over the years. He suggested the city look at water issues on Cook’s Hill, as well.

Willis commended Long Beach Police Chief Flint Wright on his recent training accomplishments.

Cassinelli complimented the docks and ramp at Black Lake, as well as how nice Lake Street looks.

In his mayor’s report, Hubbard reminded the public of the upcoming fishing derby and Loyalty Days. He added that Myrtle Street was graded and rocked and the boat launch road was rocked, too.

During public comment, Ed Leonard thanked Tom Williams for his quick response during a recent medical emergency.

Bob Bogar said the tree committee has scheduled an Arbor Day celebration for April 25 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lewis and Clark Historic Garden by the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum. The event is to “reiterate the city’s commitment to being a tree city” and will consist of a tree planting, speakers, food and education.