BRANDON HANSEN / KCHW NEWS

The Chewelah City Council met Wednesday, August 6, at City Hall for its regular meeting, with Councilman John Kaboski excused. An amended agenda added a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel matters before the meeting moved to public comments.

Public Concerns
A resident raised issues with the city’s Frisbee golf course, saying overgrowth has made it unusable. Council members noted that upkeep was originally handled by volunteers and suggested organizing a community mowing group via social media. The same speaker also asked about starting a city recycling program.

Another resident reported that a speed monitoring sign had stopped working and voiced concerns about pedestrian safety—especially for those with disabilities. Specific issues included non-ADA-compliant sidewalks and short crosswalk timing near Valley Drug.

New Officer Introduced
The council welcomed Officer Russell Wittenberg, a recent police academy graduate who earned top academic honors, top officer ranking, and “best patrol partner” recognition. He begins field training immediately and will soon be on full patrol duty.

Consent Agenda
Minutes from the July 16 meeting and payroll and claims vouchers were approved without changes.

Capital Improvement Plan Update
City Administrator Tonya Wallace, joined by Mike Frizzell, outlined upcoming projects in the city’s 10-year Capital Improvement Plan:

• Airport: Updating the master and layout plans, seeking grants for a taxiway relocation, and exploring donations for a courtesy car. Long-term goals include runway rehabilitation and business park infrastructure.
• Electric Department: No 2026 projects planned, but future replacement of key service trucks will require reserve funding.
• Water: The USDA Water Project will add a new well, pump station, transmission line, and reservoir to improve capacity and quality. Old mains from 1940–1960 remain a priority for replacement.
• Sewer: Plans to replace and expand variable frequency drives to improve motor efficiency and reduce maintenance, with long-term treatment plant upgrades under discussion.
• Streets: Projects align with the city’s six-year transportation plan, with updates expected next month.

US-395 Project Update
Wallace reported on ongoing resurfacing and “complete streets” improvements within city limits. Work now includes saw cutting, sidewalk upgrades, and drainage replacement. September will bring nighttime paving to reduce school-day traffic impacts.

Mayor’s & Administrator’s Reports
Mayor Dorothy Knauss invited residents to Purple Heart Day ceremonies on August 7 and announced committee reassignments. Regional mayor meetings will resume in September.

Wallace noted ongoing labor negotiations with police, hiring of a utility billing clerk, and recruitment for a new police chief. She also discussed wildfire mitigation planning, clean energy implementation, grant efforts for business park infrastructure, and upgrades to City Hall and the Civic Center.

Council Discussion
Members praised recent community events and discussed splash pad planning, vendor space needs, and prescribed burns at the airport as firefighter training.

Old Business
A motion to have the code committee draft an ordinance allowing recreational cannabis businesses within city limits failed 4–2. Supporters cited economic and regulatory benefits; opponents raised concerns about youth access, crime, and public use.

New Business
The council unanimously approved Ordinance 1012, raising the business license exemption threshold from $2,000 to $4,000 in annual sales, and Resolution 2523, allowing volunteer firefighters to contribute stipends to the state’s deferred compensation retirement plan.