TONASKET – Concern about possibly expensive vandalism being done in Chief Tonasket Park was brought to the Tonasket City Council during their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 12.
Public Works Superintendent Bill Pilkinton told the council that he’s noticed tracks in the grass of the soccer fields that have him concerned. These tracks come very close to the locations of the underground electric valves that are used for the sprinkler system. Pilkinton said if these plastic boxes are driven over, they will bust and the electric valve will bust as well. He said the damage could even extend down into the ground to the pipes, which could end up being very expensive for the city to fix.
Although City Council Member Selena Hines said she recently drove onto the soccer fields in order to paint the lines for the youth soccer league program, Pilkinton said the tracks he’s concerned about seem to be those of people doing doughnuts in the fields.
During this same meeting, the council approved Ordinance No. 693, which amends the special park speed limits set forth in Chapter 10.08.005 of the Tonasket Municipal Code.
The chapter is broken up into four section, A through D and now reads “A. There is established a special speed limit of five miles per hour within History Park. B. There is established a special speed limit of five miles per hour within Chief Tonasket park. C. There is hereby established a special speed limit of 15 miles per hour on that portion of Railroad Avenue lying between Fourth Street southerly to the point that is 440 feet from the northern entrance of Chief Tonasket Park and from that point to the northern entrance of the park the speed limit shall be five miles per hour. D. Appropriate signs shall be erected to comply with the speed limits set forth herein.”
The city council also approved the use of Chief Tonasket Park for a Walk-a-Thon on Sunday, May 1 as a fundraiser for the Washington, D.C. trip which Jackie Gliddon at Tonasket Middle School has taken a group of students on the last two years.
Council Member Jill Vugteveen announced that a meeting to discuss dog issues, such as owners not cleaning up after them, will be held at Sue Edick’s house, located at 9 1/2 S Whitcomb Ave., on Tuesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Scott Olson said his e-mail address can be used as a contact for more information regarding this meeting. To contact Olson, e-mail s77olson@yahoo.com.
The B3 Skate Park in Chief Tonasket Park was approved for the Second Annual T-Town Throw-down on Saturday, May 21. Last year, this event raised $450 for the skate park. It is being organized again this year by Jason Vaughan.
On a trial basis, the city council approved the closing of Western Ave. between Jonathan and Delicious Streets during the times of the Farmer’s Market. The area will be monitored to see if closing the street is working or not and the results will be taken to the council for an evaluation in order for them to determine if they will continue to shut down that portion of Western Ave.
Finally, the council heard a presentation from Scott Miller, Okanogan County emergency manager, regarding the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. The plan is good for five years and will cost the city a little over $2,700, although Miller said the worth of the plan is $50,000. The plan will cover how any possible emergency situation should be handled, plus the process, which the city would have to go through if they ever need to declare a state of emergency. A resolution was given to the council that Miller said they have time to modify before adopting.
The Tonasket City Council will next meet on Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
