Ephrata council accepts multiple grants, awards dog‑park relocation contract

Ephrata City Council on a unanimous voice vote approved multiple grant acceptances and awarded a contract to relocate the city dog park, actions officials said will advance stormwater planning, sidewalks and police wellness services.

Three grant acceptances were highlighted by staff. Dave Bren, who identified himself as working in grant planning under engineering, said the city received an intent to award from the Department of Ecology for a stormwater quality grant the city applied for at roughly $125,000. "They came back and said, well, how about we only do a 5% match, and that 5% match makes a forgivable loan ... So if you complete the project, it's a 100% paid for," Bren said, adding a contract must be executed before the January deadline and some administrative work remains before the award is final.

Council also approved acceptance of the Sandy Williams Community Connections grant to build sidewalks in the Basin corridor. Bren told council the award covers design and construction inspection for about 4,500 linear feet of sidewalk — both sides of the street between identified block endpoints — plus crossings and lighting. "So 570,000," Bren said when presenting the grant estimate, and told council the grant is 100% funded and staff will manage monthly billings to speed reimbursements.

On public safety and employee supports, the council accepted a Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission officer‑wellness grant and authorized a related contract with 1st Watch/First Watch Wellness. An agency speaker described the program as focused on psychological wellness: mandatory check‑in sessions, optional counseling and up to six individual sessions per employee, plus training and post‑incident support.

Council also voted to award the dog‑park relocation contract to Jersey Landscaping. Amy Walton, speaking for the project, said the move will place the dog park in underused green space at Lee Park, maintain separate areas for large and small dogs and preserve parking and sports uses nearby. Walton said staff had received generally positive feedback from neighbors during outreach.

For each of the resolutions that required votes, the chair called for the question and council members responded in the affirmative; staff recorded the motions as adopted.

Council members and staff said the grants are part of a broader effort to leverage outside funding to preserve and improve city infrastructure, and staff committed to public outreach and frequent billing to avoid long city float on reimbursable projects. The council also asked staff to prepare communications so residents understand timelines and the multi‑step process from award to construction.

The council moved next to separate business after the approvals.