[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6178989,"mediaKeyId","5134780-eaa6cc5f3bf91a54a7ce4459d7b6b925","parentId",5134780,"title","Ephrata declares emergency, orders repairs after Well 3 pump failure; staff expect well back online after tests","audioSeconds",89,"startMs",3341000,"endMs",3430000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134780-eaa6cc5f3bf91a54a7ce4459d7b6b925&start=3341&end=3430","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134780-eaa6cc5f3bf91a54a7ce4459d7b6b925/thumbnail_3341000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6178989/Ephrata/Grant-County/Washington/Ephrata-declares-emergency-orders-repairs-after-Well-3-pump-failure-staff-expect-well-back-online-after-tests","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178989-e4e23182c637c7de328caf7fdff89265/orig.mp4?Expires=1778618799&Signature=IPrD-8UddbZjtPSQm6-z9D9DawmN025aD96gOZmDlJmdKQ1fFyuQ9tSypjunRNzoEHx49zyhzuN5F5Rx5g1I~0PPlCOQSOWzBVaA~4l4pqbjzb39joFYlWvAhKIbLfCX1EO-fePiKm2jdYQiwMuvBPlrNwftuFSYL5kRv4mMor5a3BKIYAMU~bUGvG7WoSK5bojkESLNvRRNAD5Z76XFPksv2j7CLN4WhABlbCiS28tKv2zGW~Ca8MGgH3GEPPY87rp1ofe3~R8u0c~9Pj5pdIKE8tgRP5j1FOTtgc1x6MHA5FqB8bBTtZWrVL1L3987r-GY70G9S5GVcnEzscZCpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ephrata City, WA","date","2025-07-03T02:03:34Z","article","City staff presented a timeline and photographic evidence of a mechanical failure at Well 3, and the council approved an emergency declaration and authorization for repairs to restore the city’s water supply.

What happened: Staff reported that on June 24 they were notified of unusual motor noise and a loss of pumping at Well 3. A contractor (ITC/Irrigation Technology Control) removed the column pipe and found a broken line shaft and a damaged pump housing. Staff said a section of the line shaft fell down the well and bent components of the pump assembly.

“Approximately at 130 feet we found a broken line shaft,” a staff presenter said during the PowerPoint overview, describing the retrieval and inspection of the pump and line shaft. Staff said they elected to rebuild and wholly replace the stainless line shaft rather than sleeve the old shaft, which was the approach used during an earlier servicing decades ago.

Emergency declaration and repairs

To expedite the work and ensure system reliability given projected weather and Well 5 being offline, staff recommended and the council approved an emergency declaration (Resolution 25‑48) to authorize immediate repairs. Staff described pump removal, a cracked housing and a broken flange, and said they chose to rebuild the pump rather than reinstall a damaged unit.

Water quality and expected timeline

Staff said they flushed and chlorinated the well and collected samples. One sample was sent to an accredited lab in the Tri‑Cities and another was tested in the city lab as a preliminary indicator. Staff told the council the unofficial results from the local lab were consistent with expectations and that they expected final lab results back the following morning; if results were as expected, staff said they planned to have the well back online by about 11:00 the next day.

Council action

The council moved, seconded and approved the emergency declaration to authorize repairs. Officials thanked the crews and staff for rapid response and documentation of the failure.

Ending

Staff will return any required compliance reports to the council and will report back when the Tri‑Cities lab results are received and the well is returned to service.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - July 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved an emergency declaration and repairs after staff and contractor crews removed a broken pump and damaged line shaft from Well 3; staff reported water sampling and an expected return to service if lab results are acceptable.","taxTitle","Ephrata, Grant County, Washington","taxId",62260,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6178995,"Council ratifies purchase agreement for former Rite Aid; approves feasibility study contract on consent",1058,1898000,2956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134780-eaa6cc5f3bf91a54a7ce4459d7b6b925&start=1898&end=2956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134780-eaa6cc5f3bf91a54a7ce4459d7b6b925/thumbnail_1898000.jpg","/articles/6178995/Ephrata/Grant-County/Washington/Council-ratifies-purchase-agreement-for-former-Rite-Aid-approves-feasibility-study-contract-on-consent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6178995-0712fa075e172ab76d5a94d138a36823/orig.mp4?Expires=1778618799&Signature=EbTpEG4QdotEJkD4CwneBn0sn7~WpRqVvpbw1UPaU8i99hPZorlTfxCLSwbHRPaP4l9uOyGIyFsccBOecTXYWouKa3ocZmZ03SMT69Ovm1ydf0um0-ren~UyVozjxbxv9KIdb2QxWwoUe0kffK2Cko5b8Qgwu6Rw4TBbxzr2l1jKoZuWBep0obZW5bHolrjdmGdomLQ19BPNKav3RoQr02Pgjc3ouRCenaGGF0fYOlIhjcmMeddcDVsLucicWvhC0Bl1eJhBQKJ90qiiK0Ej-Ec4OQkVLqM3QiPcBwjtumXPSbh5XjI9FZn~6L9w1XpZocObcpbI6OUULzkMkgYZSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a request to ratify a purchase and sale agreement for the former Rite Aid property and to authorize a professional services agreement to evaluate the site’s suitability for city operations.

Greg (staff) told the council the asking price for the property was $2,500,000 and staff negotiated $2,300,000 as the final purchase price with a 60‑day due‑diligence contingency. “The asking price was 2,500,000.0… we were able to bring them down to 2,300,000.0, and that's what we were able to bring them down to,” Greg said.

Why it matters: staff presented detailed photos and testimony about substandard conditions at the city’s current police/city hall facilities — dating to 1955 with subsequent remodeling — that officials said create security, storage and health concerns in the police area. City leaders described the vacant Rite Aid site as a potential consolidated location for broader city operations and police facilities.

Key council action and debate

- Ratification vote: The council moved, seconded and voted to ratify Resolution 25‑42 to accept the purchase and sale agreement for the Rite Aid facility. After some audio difficulties for one councilor, Sarah stated on the record, “I'm in favor.” The mayor announced, “Motion carries.”

- Feasibility study selection: Council also approved Resolution 25‑47 authorizing the mayor to enter a professional services agreement with Design West (Design West Architects) to perform a feasibility study on adapting the Rite Aid building. Staff said Design West scored highest in the qualifications process and has prior work experience in the area.

What staff showed and noted

Staff provided photographs and a slide presentation documenting conditions at the current City Hall/police facility, citing small and insecure parking, makeshift garage conversions used as offices, undersized evidence and armory storage, plumbing failures causing persistent odors, limited locker and shower facilities and inadequate HVAC and training/conference spaces. Police leadership flagged officer safety, secure vehicle storage and evidence handling as operational deficiencies.

Next steps

Staff said they will bring the design/feasibility contract to the consent agenda (it was placed there at the meeting) and proceed with the 60‑day due‑diligence timeline tied to the purchase contract. Staff also said they will return with professional‑services work products and a feasibility report to inform any further purchase decisions or adaptation work.

Ending

Councilors generally supported pursuing the property as an option to address chronic space and security problems at the existing facility. No vote to close the purchase was taken beyond ratifying the purchase and sale agreement and authorizing the feasibility study.","Ephrata lawmakers ratified a purchase and sale agreement for the former Rite Aid property as the city pursues a new facility for municipal operations and authorized a feasibility study with Design West Architects to examine adaptation of the building.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6179000,"Ephrata to combine comp‑plan update, climate resiliency element and impact‑fee study; downtown floodplain study proposed",73,393000,466000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5134780-eaa6cc5f3bf91a54a7ce4459d7b6b925&start=393&end=466","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5134780-eaa6cc5f3bf91a54a7ce4459d7b6b925/thumbnail_393000.jpg","/articles/6179000/Ephrata/Grant-County/Washington/Ephrata-to-combine-compplan-update-climate-resiliency-element-and-impactfee-study-downtown-floodplain-study-proposed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6179000-546f7a6759c66b9f94573ea9b48b20ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1778618799&Signature=Y4IgWBtRCMkq4~TPjlzXHx41G7FKpCIXsm6ybrMzWG7JSgHzC0Dloe5AqPKWUyTSEEeOiVT-PIGLgV5eNAuqQUaLKNUzq2Pba5ikTz8b-I-KfpKkOx8-~t~VkjVKgsQfPOmCikc~WlCLs5uti4c-FzxxMYc9h1jayQ7-uJQgmYxO~MJ1TU3MX6Rv05teiYq3Ba3SRzPiVNXOTE3z9dYXYcTfXcByGm23-XfWl1jo1Yx05986ywbiSAR27IEL4-cWtLFXnsuQ3atQ3StCBRFopUVlWagaU2bYW5Vqnvg0qp9dHAOU7kxD4bVehcyb7lqzAmhGWGmHxo3N~7oyOs-xhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aaron Mercow, a consultant with CJ Alliance, told the Ephrata City Council that staff are proposing to combine four planning efforts into a single, coordinated project so the city meets a state deadline and leverages available grant funding.

The combined scope includes the next periodic comprehensive plan update (required by the Growth Management Act), a newly required climate change and resiliency element, a transportation and parks impact‑fee study, and a potential downtown plan/floodplain study. “The comp plan update is due 06/30/2027,” Mercow said, and the city has begun pursuing state grant funding to cover much of the work.

Why it matters: the GMA periodic update sets local land‑use policy and development regulations; the new climate element is a state requirement and, together with an impact‑fee study, affects how growth pays for transportation and parks infrastructure. Councilors and staff framed the downtown floodplain as a local economic and safety concern that could benefit from targeted study.

Key points presented

- Deadline and funding: Mercow said the periodic comprehensive plan update is due June 30, 2027, and that state grant programs are already open; staff expect the update and the climate element to be largely state‑funded through Department of Commerce grants. “The climate funding grant is $150,000,” Mercow said, and he characterized that amount as sufficient to meet the state’s basic requirements.

- Scope and phasing: The consultant described a phased approach that prioritizes the transportation plan and impact‑fee study to complete those deliverables before 2026, while allowing two years for the comp‑plan and climate work. Mercow said the team would perform a land‑capacity analysis, vulnerability and asset risk assessments for climate impacts (heat, drought, smoke, floods) and public outreach tied to the climate element.

- Downtown and floodplain: Because downtown Ephrata is affected by floodplain constraints, staff proposed adding a downtown/floodplain study within the overall scope if schedule and funding permit. Mercow said the climate grant can be used for floodplain mitigation work but that downtown revitalization elements would need other city funds or separate sources.

Council and staff response

Council members welcomed floodplain mitigation work as a high‑priority local issue. A councilor asked whether the downtown study would recommend ordinance changes or beautification projects; Mercow said the climate grant must be used for climate‑related work and that any downtown revitalization components would rely on other funding but could be paired with floodplain mitigation for efficiency.

Next steps and decisions

Mercow said staff plan to bring a contract for the combined scope before the council at the next meeting, likely on the consent agenda unless a councilor pulls it for discussion. He told the council the grants are eligible for reimbursement beginning July 1, which would allow work to begin once grant awards and scopes are finalized.

Ending

Council members did not take a formal vote on policy at the meeting; they heard the consultant’s overview and were told an approval of a professional services contract will be scheduled for the next meeting. The city will seek available state grant funds to pay for the comp‑plan and required climate element work.","City staff and consultant SCJ/CJ Alliance outlined a combined work program to meet the Growth Management Act update deadline, add a state‑required climate resiliency element and complete transportation and parks impact‑fee work — with an optional downtown/floodplain study to follow.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Ephrata declares emergency, orders repairs after Well 3 pump failure; staff expect well back online after tests

Council ratifies purchase agreement for former Rite Aid; approves feasibility study contract on consent

Ephrata to combine comp‑plan update, climate resiliency element and impact‑fee study; downtown floodplain study proposed