The coronavirus pandemic continues to force the Washington City Council to meet in unique circumstances. Only Mayor David Rhoads, Clerk Treasurer Beth McGookey, Council President Alan Brown, and City Attorney Tim Dant were actually in the City Council Chambers, the other council members, Tom Gress, David Dahl, Ken Showalter, Doug Campton, Darin Lunsford, and Randy Emmons took part in the meeting via a telephone conference call. Department heads were also part of the conference call.
One of the items on the minds of the Council members is the health and welfare of the City residents and employees during the continuing health crisis. Mayor Rhoads said that the City is “changing things day by day, trying to keep everyone safe”. The Mayor said that he has adjusted the schedules of City Workers and the changes seem to be producing the desired results. Mayor Rhoads did say that the last resort would be to close the City and there is an ordinance in place to do that if necessary.
In a press release Monday, the City of Washington is limiting the use of the city’s parks. The playground equipment, shelter houses, pavilion, picnic areas, and bathroom facilities will be closed until further notice. Residents will be allowed to use the parks for walking, running, biking, and fishing, with everyone adhering to the social distancing mandated by Governor Holcomb. The press release reminds residents that the Food Frogger Concession stand at Eastside Park remains open.
The only items on the Council agenda were two resolutions shifting money within the city budget. $2,000 was moved between accounts in the Park Department budget, and $1,600 was moved between accounts in the budget for the Board of Public Works and Safety. The only other business for the Council was a resolution giving the Mayor authority to apply to the Indiana Department of Transportation for a public transportation grant for the City’s bus service. The city’s bus service has seen an increase in ridership of nearly 30% in the past year. Council members were told that in ridership on the City bus had increased from around 13,000 a two years ago to around 18,500 riders last year. The City is hoping the grant money will help them replace the old 2010 model bus.
The Washington Board of Public Works and Safety received bids on the financing of five new police vehicles. Three banks bid on the loans with loan rates ranging from 2.389% to 2.92%. The Board also received bids on the construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s new phosphorus removal plant and lab facility. Five bids were received ranging from $1,265,000 to $ 1,568,000. In Monday night’s meeting, both bids were taken under advisement to be sure that all the specifications were met by each bid.
The Mayor also announced that three derelict structures, on by the railroad tracks on SR 57, one on North Street, and one on West Walnut had been taken down.
