Medical Lake accepts climate grant

MEDICAL LAKE – A split City Council voted March 19 to accept a $100,000 climate planning grant.

In a 5-2 vote, Councilmen Chad Pritchard and Don Kennedy dissenting, the council agreed to accept the grant.

Prior to the vote, City Administrator Sonny Weathers highlighted the importance of securing the grant.

“We could have more money to do what we want, to approve a plan for potential disasters, a hazard mitigation plan,” Weathers said.

However, discussions also revealed the complexities inherent in communication and collaboration, particularly in the context of the Growth Management Act.

Kennedy expressed reservations.

“As a smaller city, we are capped at $100,000,” said Weathers, reflecting on the financial constraints imposed by the Act.

Despite differing viewpoints, there was consensus on the need to integrate relevant considerations into the city’s comprehensive plan, with Weathers suggesting incorporation of Growth Management Act parameters.

In other business during the meeting, the council:

• Awarded a bid for the city’s Jefferson Street water main project to Colville Construction Co. The project replaces the water main from LeFevre Street to the lake. It includes more than 1,000 feet of piping, the addition of a fire hydrant, 300 tons of crushed surfacing and decommissioning of the existing water main. “We originally had eight bids, but seven bids were not responsive, and the lowest bidder did not meet the requirements,” City Administrator Sonny Weathers said.