Water works complete, SL muni services pact, candidate forums, QCBID board positions
Updated
Ephrata deems water works project complete
EPHRATA — Ephrata city council members on Wednesday approved a resolution deeming a $9.6 million municipal waterworks project complete.
The project included construction of a new 3.83 million-gallon water reservoir and replacement pump and wellhouse on Ephrata Heights near Columbia Ridge Elementary School, said city engineer Shawn O’Brien.
The project was awarded to contractor T. Bailey Inc. of Anacortes in late July 2024 based on a bid of nearly $9.7 million. But O’Brien said city staff including public works director Rob Harris were able to reduce costs by $65,000 by making changes in concrete, asphalt, fencing, and drainage work at the site.
The contractor and sub-contractors were cooperative and “good to work with” on the project, said O’Brien. Residents, businesses and the city itself are now benefitting from increased water pressure, volume, and storage for fire protection with the infrastructure improvements, he said.
Over the previous decade, rapid housing development in the Ephrata Heights area contributed to reduced water pressure and volume, particularly in summer months.
The work was largely financed and subsidized through a long-term state loan received in 2023. Another related improvement included a new booster pump station constructed at the base of East Division Avenue at B Street S.E.
The council’s formal acceptance of the project enables the city to file a “notice of completion” with state agencies, O’Brien explained. Councilman Matt Moore commended staff for their efforts in finalizing the work under budget.
SL council OKs municipal services pact; status uncertain
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake city council members on Wednesday unanimously approved an agreement for municipal consulting services, but Mayor Peter Sharp did not immediately sign off on the pact and its implementation was in limbo.
The city has been seeking a full-time city administrator-treasurer for several months, but has not yet retained one.
In the interim, council members have recommended hiring an independent contractor on a part-time basis to provide management and financial administrative services. On Wednesday, members Kayleen Bryson, Susan Carson, John Carlson, and Karen Woodhouse approved an agreement with TDC Consulting LLC operated by Trina Cole, a former clerk-treasurer with the City of Dayton.
As drafted, the agreement is scheduled to start on Oct. 5 and continue on a monthly basis. Payment would be $85 per hour with a monthly maximum limit, plus one-day-a-week commuting travel expenses.
On Friday, staff at Soap Lake City Hall did not immediately reply to emailed queries about the status of the agreement. Bryson, who also serves as mayor pro tem, was out of state on Friday. In a text message to GCJ.news, she was also uncertain about its current status.
During a council meeting in early May, Bryson said the city’s hiring committee had interviewed and recommended hiring a candidate for Soap Lake’s open administrator-treasurer position, but the mayor chose not to hire the applicant at that time.
Several candidate forums on tap
‘Tis the season for candidate forums.
In advance of the Nov. 3 general election, several events are planned featuring candidates for elective offices in Grant County, two state legislative districts, and a U.S. House race representing central Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
On tap:
— The South Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Wahluke School District will host two forums at Wahluke High School in Mattawa, both starting at 6 p.m. The first, scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 23, will feature candidates running for Grant County assessor, auditor, sheriff, District 3 county commissioner, and Grant PUD commissioner in District 3 and at-large. A second forum is planned for Thursday, Oct. 1 featuring candidates for Grant County Superior and District court judges and state legislative districts 13 and 15.
— 4th District congressional candidates John Duresky, D-West Richland, and Amanda McKinney, R-Yakima, will square off on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The forum is being hosted by AARP Washington, the League of Women Voters, and Northwest Public Broadcasting. It will be livestreamed on Northwest Public Broadcasting's YouTube channel and AARP Washington's Facebook page. It will also be posted on AARP Washington's webpage shortly after airing, and broadcast on KTNW-TV before election day.
— Ephrata American Legion Post 28 will sponsor a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. All candidates appearing on the Grant County ballot, including state legislative and congressional races, have been invited. The Legion post is located at 726 Eighth Ave. N.W.
Filing period open for QCBID board positions
QUINCY — A filing period is open for three elective positions on the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District’s board of directors representing Divisions 1, 2, and 4.
Prospective candidates must be U.S. citizens and state residents age 18 or older who hold title to assessed land within the irrigation district and the director division they seek to represent.
A map of the director divisions, along with other information, can be viewed on the district’s websiteor by calling the main office at 509-787-3591, said QCBID secretary-manager Roger Sonnichsen.
To file, candidates must submit a completed “petition of nomination” form signed by at least 10 qualified voters within their director division. Nomination petitions must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5. Forms may be obtained by calling or visiting the QCBID main office, 1720 Central Ave. S. in Quincy.
Steve Omlin is the current director of Division 1, which includes all of Range 23 and the portion of Range 24 west of State Route 281 and south to the Frenchman Hills.
John Rylaarsdam is the incumbent director in Division 2, which includes all of Range 24 east of SR 281 and south to the Frenchman Hills.
The director position is currently vacant for Division 4, which includes all of Range 26 and south to the Frenchman Hills. The candidate elected to this position will serve the unexpired portion of a term that ends Dec. 31, 2028.
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Water works complete, SL muni services pact, candidate forums, QCBID board positions
Ephrata deems water works project complete
EPHRATA — Ephrata city council members on Wednesday approved a resolution deeming a $9.6 million municipal waterworks project complete.
The project included construction of a new 3.83 million-gallon water reservoir and replacement pump and wellhouse on Ephrata Heights near Columbia Ridge Elementary School, said city engineer Shawn O’Brien.
The project was awarded to contractor T. Bailey Inc. of Anacortes in late July 2024 based on a bid of nearly $9.7 million. But O’Brien said city staff including public works director Rob Harris were able to reduce costs by $65,000 by making changes in concrete, asphalt, fencing, and drainage work at the site.
The contractor and sub-contractors were cooperative and “good to work with” on the project, said O’Brien. Residents, businesses and the city itself are now benefitting from increased water pressure, volume, and storage for fire protection with the infrastructure improvements, he said.
Over the previous decade, rapid housing development in the Ephrata Heights area contributed to reduced water pressure and volume, particularly in summer months.
The work was largely financed and subsidized through a long-term state loan received in 2023. Another related improvement included a new booster pump station constructed at the base of East Division Avenue at B Street S.E.
The council’s formal acceptance of the project enables the city to file a “notice of completion” with state agencies, O’Brien explained. Councilman Matt Moore commended staff for their efforts in finalizing the work under budget.
SL council OKs municipal services pact; status uncertain
SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake city council members on Wednesday unanimously approved an agreement for municipal consulting services, but Mayor Peter Sharp did not immediately sign off on the pact and its implementation was in limbo.
The city has been seeking a full-time city administrator-treasurer for several months, but has not yet retained one.
In the interim, council members have recommended hiring an independent contractor on a part-time basis to provide management and financial administrative services. On Wednesday, members Kayleen Bryson, Susan Carson, John Carlson, and Karen Woodhouse approved an agreement with TDC Consulting LLC operated by Trina Cole, a former clerk-treasurer with the City of Dayton.
As drafted, the agreement is scheduled to start on Oct. 5 and continue on a monthly basis. Payment would be $85 per hour with a monthly maximum limit, plus one-day-a-week commuting travel expenses.
On Friday, staff at Soap Lake City Hall did not immediately reply to emailed queries about the status of the agreement. Bryson, who also serves as mayor pro tem, was out of state on Friday. In a text message to GCJ.news, she was also uncertain about its current status.
During a council meeting in early May, Bryson said the city’s hiring committee had interviewed and recommended hiring a candidate for Soap Lake’s open administrator-treasurer position, but the mayor chose not to hire the applicant at that time.
Several candidate forums on tap
‘Tis the season for candidate forums.
In advance of the Nov. 3 general election, several events are planned featuring candidates for elective offices in Grant County, two state legislative districts, and a U.S. House race representing central Washington’s 4th Congressional District.
On tap:
— The South Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Wahluke School District will host two forums at Wahluke High School in Mattawa, both starting at 6 p.m. The first, scheduled Wednesday, Sept. 23, will feature candidates running for Grant County assessor, auditor, sheriff, District 3 county commissioner, and Grant PUD commissioner in District 3 and at-large. A second forum is planned for Thursday, Oct. 1 featuring candidates for Grant County Superior and District court judges and state legislative districts 13 and 15.
— 4th District congressional candidates John Duresky, D-West Richland, and Amanda McKinney, R-Yakima, will square off on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The forum is being hosted by AARP Washington, the League of Women Voters, and Northwest Public Broadcasting. It will be livestreamed on Northwest Public Broadcasting's YouTube channel and AARP Washington's Facebook page. It will also be posted on AARP Washington's webpage shortly after airing, and broadcast on KTNW-TV before election day.
— Ephrata American Legion Post 28 will sponsor a forum on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. All candidates appearing on the Grant County ballot, including state legislative and congressional races, have been invited. The Legion post is located at 726 Eighth Ave. N.W.
Filing period open for QCBID board positions
QUINCY — A filing period is open for three elective positions on the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District’s board of directors representing Divisions 1, 2, and 4.
Prospective candidates must be U.S. citizens and state residents age 18 or older who hold title to assessed land within the irrigation district and the director division they seek to represent.
A map of the director divisions, along with other information, can be viewed on the district’s website or by calling the main office at 509-787-3591, said QCBID secretary-manager Roger Sonnichsen.
To file, candidates must submit a completed “petition of nomination” form signed by at least 10 qualified voters within their director division. Nomination petitions must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5. Forms may be obtained by calling or visiting the QCBID main office, 1720 Central Ave. S. in Quincy.
Steve Omlin is the current director of Division 1, which includes all of Range 23 and the portion of Range 24 west of State Route 281 and south to the Frenchman Hills.
John Rylaarsdam is the incumbent director in Division 2, which includes all of Range 24 east of SR 281 and south to the Frenchman Hills.
The director position is currently vacant for Division 4, which includes all of Range 26 and south to the Frenchman Hills. The candidate elected to this position will serve the unexpired portion of a term that ends Dec. 31, 2028.