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- Council overhauls Park Comm.law
- SUNNYSIDE (6-15-98)--The city council tonight overhauled Chapter 2.52, laws governing the creation and operation of the city's Parks and Recreation Commission.
Probably the biggest change was expanding membership to include folks within Sunnyside School District rather than confining membership to persons who live inside city limits. Geographically, the school district covers a lot more ground than the city.
In addition, the new law sets three-year terms for commissioners, except for the student representative, who will serve a two-year stint. The council also formally appointed Lindsey Graff as student commission member, effective the date the new Chapter 2.52 becomes law.
The new law, which takes effect June 20, says commissioners who move outside the school district will lose their seat, and a new person will be appointed. The rest of the city's Title 2 remains unchanged.
- Almost all the city's Parks and Recreation Commission resigned recently, including Rudy Ramos, Brent Cleghorn, Ray Maltos, Katie Martin, and Ruben Fernandez.
Only newcomer Ellen Bird stayed on board, though she agreed with former commissioners--and not with the Council--on the city's recent decision to dissolve a contract with Sunnyside's Rotary Swim Team.
That annual contract charged Rotary $3,800 for pool use. At Council's request, staff massaged it down to considerably less.
Volunteer Park Commissioners and Parks staff maintained that city taxpayers will take the hit for private swimmers' reduced costs, and feared the decision will open the door to other private groups who want similar favors. Feeling ignored by the Council, Commissioners resigned enmasse.
In other business, the Council:
- Approved continuation of a liquor license for AJ's Market at 1121 S. 16th St., owned by Armando and SanJanita Corpus.
- Agreed to grant another noise variance to Snipes Mountain Brewery for parties June 27 and July 11. But the council intends to write a letter to Snipes notifying them that future noisy shindigs need to go inside the establishment after 10 p.m.
- Paid $439,152 in monthly bills, with a request from Mike Aguirre to except a request on one voucher.
- Okayed a bid on a lawnmower for Public Works from Western Equipment, Spokane. This baby has a four cylinder liquid-cooled gas engine--we're talking 45 horses here--power steering, an integrate hydrostatic transmission, two post rops and an A-1117 canopy. It was the real deal steal at only $14,392, but can't be used to cruise South Sixth Friday and Saturday nights. And the city got $3,500 for its old Toro Groundmaster.
- Okayed replacement of a vehicle used by LEAD--the Law Enforcement (something) Task Force. The new vehicle will be a four-wheel drive Isuzu, so Sunnyside taxpayers can help Sunnyside detectives take bites out of crime all over Central Washington this summer. They can even operate near the border up by Blaine and Okanogan, says Chief Wallace Anderson. One detective was present to tell the Council "seven out of nine" LEAD vehicles are four-wheel drive rigs. Gotta have it.
- Discussed a house on West Edison Street that's been up on four-foot stilts for a year. Kids can easily get to it, and could be pinned beneath it if it falls. The city is going to notify the owner to carry it away, get it back on its foundation, or make some kindling.
- A new state law allows cities to impound cars of drunk drivers and folks driving with suspended licenses. Problem is, the city is "land poor". So where would they put all those impounded cars, given that a whole LOT of Sunnyside drivers have suspended licenses? City fathers will mull this problem. Meanwhile, the law can't go into effect in Sunnyside until the city drafts a mirror ordinance.
- Agreed the city can chip in some bucks--about $31,000-- for a grant writer and embellishments who will develop proposals for the city, the port district, and the hospital. This busy guy or gal will pull down a top sal of $66,980 with fringies for a 15 1/2 month stint.