Votes at a glance: Washington council approves budget amendment, fiber lease, VFD replacements, engineering contract and other business

The Washington City Council on March 17 approved a series of ordinances, contracts and appointments. Discussion on most items was brief; the council handled a number of routine matters by roll call or voice vote. Key items approved included a small budget amendment for library programming, a fiber service agreement at a water tower, utility equipment replacement at the wastewater treatment plant, an engineering contract tied to a CMAQ grant, and a first amendment to a commercial lease.

What the council approved (selected items):

- Budget amendment (Ordinance 7a): Council approved an amendment to the 2025 budget to record a grant of $4,080 and corresponding expenditures for library “spotlight” materials and tablets. The ordinance passed on second reading.

- Bluebird Fiber service order (Ordinance 7b): The council approved acceptance of a service order between the City of Washington and Bluebird Fiber to provide fiber service at the Crestview Water Tower. The staff memo said the arrangement will save about $11.50 per month compared with prior service costs.

- Replacement and programming of three variable frequency drives (Ordinance 7c): City public works staff presented a proposal from Vannevar Engineering to replace and program three VFDs that control disc aerators at the wastewater treatment plant. Staff said bundling three units saved roughly $1,400 versus replacing them one at a time; the ordinance directing acceptance of the proposal passed on second reading.

- HDR Engineering contract for East Fifth Street/Highway 100 intersection (Ordinance 7d): The council authorized a contract with HDR Engineering for design and construction inspection services for the Highway 100/East Fifth Street intersection improvement project tied to a CMAQ grant. Staff estimated the HDR contract at about $340,000; the city share is 20% of project costs under the CMAQ agreement.

- First amendment to lease with Axe Depot LLC (Ordinance 7e): Council approved the first amendment to the lease for the freight depot property, allowing new lessees to assume lease payments and extending lease terms as discussed. Staff recited an annual lease rate of $37,008 and described a four‑year lease extension with a 3% consumer price index escalator each year.

- Final plat approvals and development matters (Ordinance 8c and 8d): The council approved the final plat for Glenview Commercial Subdivision, with a performance contract and an escrow of $16,250 to cover sewer work; and approved the final plat for The Bluffs at Psora Place after the developer reduced the number of lots to 21 (down from 23).

- Appointments and reappointments: The council appointed John Gross to the Industrial Development Authority and reappointed four police officers: Rebecca Corbett, Bridal McMillan, Preston Marquardt and Calvin Bros (reappointment list provided by police department staff).

Brief operational updates: Public works reported the Front Street waterline project began that morning but the crew encountered a storm drain alignment issue that required a shutdown the next morning; staff said work would resume at 7:00 a.m. and that a curb stop and other service issues were addressed with a vacuum truck and on‑site repairs.

Most items passed on voice or roll call with minimal debate. Several items were described by staff as "money in, money out" (small grant accounting) or as engineering/maintenance upgrades; the council noted the items were routine or part of previously approved capital plans.