Raymond Mayor Jason Dunsmoor announced at the city's Feb. 21 council meeting that he will be stepping down as mayor, effective March 31, due to his taking up of the position of general manager for Pacific County PUD #2, where he will replace the retiring Doug Miller. Interviews for candidates interested in the position of mayor are scheduled to be held at the regular scheduled council meeting on March 20.
Other items of note from the council's Feb 21 meeting include the following:
•Tony Nordin of the Raymond Theatre Advisory Committee was informed by Council Member Chris Halpin that if a substantial offer were made to buy the theatre, the city would sell it.
•It was reported that council members had not had time to meet with Pete Darrah of the Willapa Seaport Museum regarding contract renewal for the use of the museum building. However, council members agreed that some type of rent should be paid for the use of the building. The contract discussion was tabled until the council's next meeting.
•Liang's Restaurant's contract was renewed for two years with no changes being made.
•Fire Chief Todd Strozyk reported he would like to put the city's 1978 Mack fire engine up for auction as surplus. The engine is unable to pump or hold water. The council voted unanimously to authorize the move.
•Public Works Director Eric Weiberg reported he had received a bid for work on the Raymond Theatre's roof from A-1 Roofing for $55,000. Weiberg reported Curtis Crites has declined to put in a bid for work on the roof due to the extent of the work required. Weiberg indicated he is also waiting for another expected bid on the project to come in.
•Clerk/Treasurer Gretchen Sagen told the council about some options for a credit card terminal at the Raymond Theatre involving one- or two-year lease agreements. The council voted unanimously to authorize a two-year credit card terminal agreement with the Bank of the Cascades.
•Discussion of a contract with the Pacific County Sheriff's Office for the boarding of prisoners was tabled pending further review of the contract by police chiefs within the county.
•The council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to sign and submit an easement application to Washington State Parks in regard to a proposed project that would extend the city's Alder Street southerly across the former Burlington Northern rail corridor to an area that is now an undeveloped portion of the Willapa Hills State Trail. The extended street is to serve as a new residential development if approved.
•The mayor's signature on an agreement between Pacific County and all incorporated municipalities to help maintain solid waste disposal within the county was authorized by the council.
•A resolution was passed that designates the amount of mileage and meal allowance to be reimbursed to employees on work-related trips based on per diem rates set by the Internal Revenue Service. The resolution replaces one that was adopted ten years ago.
The Raymond City Council is scheduled to hold its next regular meeting on March 6 at 6 p.m.