Last week's Winlock City Council meeting began with Mayor Dowell discussing the sinkhole on the corner of Nevil Road and Highway 505.
Dowell stated, "county and state came in and assisted and it's basically a long-term band aid until we can get funding to replace the culvert. As long as the culvert is [less than] 60 inches the city is responsible for it inside the city limits."
The City of Winlock has to apply for grants to have culverts around the city fixed. Council Member Tim White asked if the city would be responsible for the repairs made, Dowell stated that the city probably would be.
The Skate Park was discussed and the city intends to call the company that will put up the fence now that the drainage has been fixed. Mayor Dowell stated it should only be a few days worth of work once the company's availability is known.
Carolyne Nixon, Jodie Curtis and Angela Tover were at the council meeting to discuss Egg Day. The Egg Day Committee discussed the road closure, the bridge that is closed, and the fireworks show. There are a few things that will be added to Egg Day this year. The City Council agreed to the road closure.
The permitting process for Winlock is currently contracted out to Napavine, which has had a slew of problems lately.
Council Member White stated on the subject, "It should not be a three-ring circus between Steve Ashley, Chris Dodd, and Stormy."
Steve Ashley retired as of Friday. March 3, and Winlock is currently reviewing its permit process and the possible use of an outside company to provide permits for Winlock.
The issue of the evening was the use of the Town Crier as the legal publication for the City of Winlock. Currently it is a year-to-year contract and is not up for vote at this time, but Dowell wanted to consider the issue. The City of Winlock has been using the Town Crier as their legal publication for years, but Dowell asked the council if they wanted to stay with the Town Crier or use the Chronicle for the same costs.
Council Member Gifford stated, "The Town Crier is in our town. Why would we not use a business in our town?"
"We have the Town Crier .... I know what you are doing and I'm not going along with it," Council Member Orbino told the mayor.
The meeting ended with a complaint directed against the mayor by a member of the public who stood up and stated, "Mr. Mayor has been going around spreading rumors that I was a puppet for somebody else. I would appreciate, Mr. Mayor, if you would not go around like a youngster spreading rumors that are not true."
Council Member Gifford apologized on behalf of the mayor, saying that such an accusation against the mayor doesn't surprise him.
The council was excused to go into executive session and the meeting was then adjourned.