Update on tribute wall given to ML council

It's not often that the "Interested Citizens" part of the Medical Lake City Council meeting takes top billing, but in a relatively swiftly conducted Aug. 21 session that's exactly what happened.

Terri Cooper of Re*Imagine Medical Lake brought the council up to date on plans that have been in the works for several months to bring the "Moving Wall" to town in 2019.

That happens June 13 –17 in conjunction with next year's edition of Founder's Day, another production of Re*Imagine. Cooper asked the council to partner with her group which tentatively plans to site the exhibit at the corner of Lefevre and Brooks Road. It pays tribute to those who died in the Vietnam War.

What the extent of engagement with the city might be has been left in the hands of the council and other city officials. Cooper suggested help in site preparation might be one way for the city to help.

Cooper said other needs include 100 volunteers, $8,000 in cash plus hotel room and meals for the drivers and other types of on-site support. "We have raised half the money," she said.

The matter was referred to the council's public works committee with a report expected in the coming weeks.

Then it was on to the regular agenda that included scheduling a budget hearing, taking place prior to the Sept. 18 regular Council meeting at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend, but will not be able to comment at that time.

City Administrator Doug Ross suggested to members that they do some homework in advance of that date and bring their thoughts and wish list - on paper - for council consideration.

Mayor Shirley Maike reminded the council that they need to keep priorities in mind considering the city budget is tight.

In other business, with Cheney recently making a change in its public defender contract - and considering Medical Lake tags along for court services there - it was recommended that the city also agree to a contract with attorney Shawn Carr. Council agreed with a 6-0 vote on the first meeting since the official resignation of John Paikuli.

In the matter of finding Paikuli's replacement, information is available at City Hall with applications being accepted until Friday, Sept. 14.

Fire Chief Jason Mayfield gave council a report on the final tally of the recent EMS levy vote that took place Aug. 7. The measure was passing at a hair over 70 percent with certification expected to have taken place earlier on Aug. 21.

Councilman A.J. Burton reported on what was hopefully the final stages of the conversion to new finance software for the city. Fellow councilman, Ted Olson, brought news of the progress in a variety of parks and recreation department items.

Tops on his list were the upgrades in playground equipment at Wilcox Park where new items are being installed, and some original equipment being saved for future use there.

While smoky conditions caused some cancellations outdoors, Olson reported that indoors there is a new offering of yoga.

A public hearing took place on the vacation of a portion of Hallett Street on the north side of the city near the railroad tracks, but after no one voiced any objections council approved the measure unanimously.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].