Clerk/Treasurer Dee Roberts reported to the South Bend City Council on June 26 on the Association of Washington Cities conference she and other city officials had recently attended. Based on what she'd learned there, Roberts warned that the city will have to be cognizant in the future of remaining neutral in regard to ballot measures and persons running for elected office.
Roberts told the council that one of the takeaways from classes she had attended at the conference, and something she had not encountered in her years of work with the city, is that any expression of support or opposition to a ballot item from an elected official at a public meeting or in response to a specific inquiry is not permissible by law. Roberts read aloud from a portion of the RCW that explained this prohibition.
The only exception to this, according to Roberts, would be if the city were to advertise a public hearing in which all sides were allowed to attend and discuss a given issue.
On a related note, Roberts said that persons running for office aren't allowed to come to council meetings to discuss the fact they're running, as doing so constitutes use of a public facility to campaign. Mayor Julie Struck likewise reminded those in attendance that campaigning can't be done on city property and vehicles with campaign signs have to be parked at a distance from city property.
Additional items of discussion on June 26 included the following:
· A public hearing was held in regard to the planned application by the city for a USDA Rural Development Grant to potentially help with the purchase of a new garbage truck. Clerk/Treasurer Roberts noted that a grant is not guaranteed to the city. Mayor Struck added that USDA determines the grant amount themselves and that a grant/loan combination package is also a possible outcome of the application. The total cost of a new garbage truck and cans to the city is $348,000. The city does not anticipate having to raise rates because of the purchase, Struck stated. Those members of the public in attendance at the meeting seemed supportive of the city's application.
· A member of the public reported that a company contracted by the city to control mosquitoes and other nuisance insects had been seen spraying at a time of day that could potentially result in harm to bees. Council members stated that they believe the contractor is typically careful about avoiding collateral harm and that they had personally only witnessed the company spraying at night.
· Officer Stigall reported that the South Bend Police Department is currently busy working on investigating a sexual assault case involving a child.
"The suspect is in custody at the Pacific County jail being held on a $250,000 bail for two different counts of rape of a child," Stigall explained. "We've executed several search warrants, and pending the results of those search warrants, additional charges are possible. It's still an ongoing investigation."
Stigall further reported that police have recently noticed a number of children riding bikes without helmets. Stigall said the department is looking at different solutions besides confiscating bicycles from kids after warnings have failed. Police have coordinated with the fire department on the purchase of helmets to be distributed to some area kids who might otherwise be unable to afford them, Stigall said.
Stigall went on to remind motorists to exercise caution this summer: "We've had an unusually high amount of collisions lately on the highway, more than normal. So I just want to remind people to please drive safe. There's a lot more traffic on the road right now."
· A member of the public claimed that a total of 22 people have been detained by federal immigration authorities in the area of Long Beach and asked Officer Stigall if he was aware of ICE activity in the South Bend area. Stigall answered that he was only aware of ICE arresting a person from South Bend with an outstanding warrant several weeks ago. He said ICE typically notifies local law enforcement when they are in the area as a courtesy.
· Clerk/Treasurer Roberts mentioned the existence of a non-profit organization called Craft 3 that provides low interest loans based on income level. The loans can be used to finance work on failing side sewers or septic tanks, she said.
"I think it's an amazing program, and I know there are several citizens within our community who could easily take advantage of this," Roberts stated.
· Mayor Struck reported the city had received a plaque from the insurance board on which she sits for the city having lowered its injury/L&I claim rate, which has been an issue for the city in the past.
· Council Member Clarence "Bunny" Williams observed that the apartments on Water Street across from the gymnasium often have children playing around them and the area requires extra caution on the part of motorists. Williams said he is concerned about the potential for an accident in the area but is unsure how the issue might best be addressed.