Amending fees is on the agenda

By Terry Murry on Tuesday, April 5th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The Pendleton City Council will hold public hearings on three resolutions that would amend water, sewer, and street maintenance fees at its meeting at 7 p.m. today (Tuesday).

Resolution 2862 is for water rates, Resolution 2863 pertains to sewer rates, and 2866 deals with street maintenance utility fees. The change is to use the annual average year-to-year percentage change of the Construction Cost Index to set rate increases.

Several bids are expected to be awarded by the council. Suez Water Technologies and Solutions has bid $79,764 to make telemetry system upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant. Silver Creek Contracting bid $186,207 to replace the existing rail car bridge that was damaged by releases from the McKay Reservoir in 2019. The council is also expected to award a bid from Western States Caterpillar for back-up generator equipment at the cemetery booster pump station for under $68,000.

The Pendleton Parks and Recreation Commission is asking the council to create a scholarship program for the aquatic center in memory of the late Pete Wells, a long-time swim booster who also served as city attorney. The Pete Wells Aquatic Scholarship would be designed to help low-income families participate in activities at the center, including swim lessons.

The council will also honor Municipal Court Judge Monte Ludington, who is stepping down. The new judge, Blaine Clooten, will be sworn in at the meeting as well.

The meeting is available via Zoom. The ID number is 848 8298 2122 and the pass code is 248854.