TONASKET – At the regular meeting of the Tonasket City Council on Tuesday, May 24, Mayor Patrick Plumb read a proclamation which affirms the theme of Founders Day, which is “Home Town Heroes.”

“The theme for the 2011 Founders Day festivities is ‘Home Town Heroes,’ and the City affirms that theme and would also like to acknowledge our Hometown Heroes,” Plumb read. “The City of Tonasket would like to recognize and thank our Hometown Heroes: Fire District #4, Tonasket EMS, the Tonasket Police Department, the Okanogan Sheriff’s Department, the local youth organizations, civic organizations and volunteers in our community for keeping our city safe and sound and a pleasant place to live. Now, therefore, the month of June 2011 is hereby proclaimed as ‘Hometown Hero Month’ in the City of Tonasket.”

During this meeting, the council also approved the holding of a wine tasting once again this year at the 12th Annual Garlic Festival, which will be held in History Park on Aug. 26 and Aug. 27.

City Planner Kurt Danison then spoke to the council about annexing into the Conservation District. He said the district would help the city with projects like cleaning up Bonaparte Creek and deciding whether or not to allow chickens in city limits. The cost to join the district would be $2.40 per parcel added onto property taxes and Danison suggested inviting Craig Nelson to give a presentation at city council. The Council agreed to invite Nelson and tentatively scheduled his presentation for the second council meeting in June, which will be Tuesday, June 28. The presentation date may change.

Finally, the council approved the pay rates for the lifeguards at the Tonasket City Pool this summer. Lifeguards who are water safety instructors will receive $8.92 per hour while lifeguards who are not instructors will receive $8.67.

The next city council meeting will be on Tuesday, June 14 at 7 p.m. in City Hall.