Code enforcement officer resigns in Medical Lake

The city of Medical Lake will be looking for a new code enforcement officer after the City Council on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Don Mayfield, who accepted a job in Spokane.

Mayfield has been working as a code enforcement officer since May 5, 2008 – the first time the city had that position available. Mayfield enforced the nuisance section of the Medical Lake municipal code, which encompasses 11 violations including filthy, littered or trash-covered yards; foul or malodorous privies, sumps, cesspools, not protected from rats or flies; and any unsightly building billboard or other structure or any old abandoned or partially destroyed building.

Originally a six-month position, city administrator Doug Ross extended Mayfield’s employment for another six months in November 2008.

“My employment with the city of Medical Lake, in the positions that I have held, have been both positive and enlightening experiences,” Mayfield said in his resignation letter.

The council also presented Duane Wakan, a partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, with a 2010 Census Partner Proclamation, which states the city will support the goals and ideas of the census, encourage the community to participate, participate in events and initiatives that will raise awareness, support census takers and create or seek opportunities to collaborate with other groups in the community to advocate on behalf of the census.

The census results will help determine how much state and federal money the city can receive in coming years, and will determine how many representatives a population has in local, state and federal offices.

Ross read the proclamation to the council and Mayor John Higgins presented Wakan with a plaque.

The council also held a public hearing to discuss vacating a portion of the Jefferson Street right of way, south of Mary Avenue and north of Brooks Road.

“I don’t see any use that the city would have for that property,” Ross said.

The council will hear the first reading of the ordinance to vacate the property at the next council meeting, May 18.