Millwood closer to becoming city

The town of Millwood is one step closer to becoming a city.

Monday night the Council voted unanimously to enact a resolution of intention as its first official step toward adopting the classification of noncharter code city.

The new city classification would retain the mayor-council plan of government under which the town currently operates while adopting all the powers under the Washington State code city provisions.

“It is the broadest powers a municipality can have,” town attorney Brian Werst said.

“We are adopting that (city classification) so we are on the same footing as all the other cities in Washington,” Councilman Richard Shoen said.

Once the process is initiated, a 90-day waiting period ensues. This waiting period provides residents an opportunity to petition the decision. If petitioned, the issue would be placed on the ballot. Such a petition requires signatures representing 10 percent of registered voters.

If no petition is filed, the council plans to adopt the city classification in March.

Council discussion about becoming a city began in September when Mayor Dan Mork presented a side-by-side comparison between the current town government and the proposed city government.

The primary difference is the flexibility in which the government operates. The town government is more limiting.

“It gives us a great deal of latitude to meet whatever challenges that come to us in the future,” Shoen said. “Not nearly as many restrictions.”

In other town news, the council awarded the design phase of the Argonne Road reconstruction and rehabilitation project to engineering firm Welch Comer & Associates.

Welch Comer was one of three firms being considered. The other firms competing for the project were Coffman Engineering and W&H Pacific.

W&H Pacific is the dngineering girm conducting the Argonne Corridor Study and plans to present a final vision to the town by year’s end.

During W&H’s study, additional improvements beyond the original scope of the project were identified. The town is considering delaying construction for a year giving Millwood an opportunity to explore options to fund these improvements.

The council also unanimously approved the town’s 2008 budget estimating more than $2 million dollars in expenditures.

Mayor Mork announced receiving a letter from James Bedard, a candidate from last month’s election who ran unopposed and won a seat on the Millwood Council. Bedard is a Millwood business owner but not a resident of the town. The letter requested the council remove his name from the position.

“The town statutes state to hold an elected office you have to be both a registered voter and a resident,” Werst said. “I feel comfortable with the acknowledgement we received on paper that we should be able to put this matter to rest. I think it was a misunderstanding on his part.”

The meeting concluded with Councilman Doug Morton raising concerns over the interlocal agreement with Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services.

The base contract for 2008 animal protection services in Millwood is over $8,400, which averages out to be $700 a month.

Morton proposed the town pay the base contract for SCRAPS animal protection services but have separate pet licensing fees.

“I think it (pet license fees) should be lower to have more people register their dogs,” Morton said.

At the last council meeting, Morton proposed adding a dollar onto each resident’s utility bill to cover the cost of animal control. Werst researched the legality of assessing such a fee and found it unfeasible.

Councilman Kevin Freeman suggested reviewing the agreement in January.