South Bend gets ready for Spring

By SCOT PEARSON

SOUTH BEND - The Spring Clean-up this year in South Bend is scheduled for May 4-9 and residents will have an opportunity to collect their yard trash and get a free day at the dump during that time.

Information was provided during Monday night's South Bend City Council meeting about the Spring clean-up and how residents can take one free pick-up load to the Royal Heights Transfer Station with proof of residency, their water bill. The hours of operation during the prescribed days is from 10 am-2 pm. It was also cautioned that residents might be required to sort their loads so you may wish to call for specifics prior to taking your trash to the dump.

The South Bend City Council meeting was short and to the point while lasting just inside 30 minutes.

With a full council in attendance for the meeting, the only real agenda item was the second reading of Ordinance No. 1496, Chapter 14.10, an amendment to align the cities flood damage prevention to FEMA standards. The Ordinance was quickly approved to move forward with no discussion.

During Department Head Reports, City Supervisor Dennis Houk requested that one of the cities vehicles be placed as surplus as it is starting to cost more in repairs and maintenance than it is worth. The request was unanimously approved.

Supervisor Houk also made mention of the upcoming sewer project on California Street and it should be starting in the near future and a couple of chipseal projects will also be going on in the future; one will be conducted by the county. There was also an update that the city dock had been cleaned and skid plates had been set down for better traction for visitors and local users.

Rick Meyer spoke during Public Comment advising the council of a new project that he is attempting to bring to the area. Along with a potential 16 green houses for the growth of hydroponics vegetables, he is also onto some new technology that will perhaps be a possible solution for estimated water shortages from local industry.

With the world looking at ways to better serve their communities and create potable water from waste water, and foundations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation already looking at possible solutions for third world countries, Meyer believes that his solution might be a perfect fit for the local economy, as well as it is smaller, faster and more cost effective than the warehouse models being touted across the water filtration industry. Still looking for additional financing, Meyer hopes to get the attention of the local seafood and marijuana industries to help get the project through the proofing phase.

Mayor Julie Struck advised the council that the water solution to tap into area creeks, thought to be a few years out, might be stepped up a bit as it has been listed as a top priority for the engineering firm looking into the solution.

Council member Lisa Olsen gave a quick report on the chamber attending the Astoria Seafood and Wine Festival where Willapa Harbor was well represented and came away with the most funds that they have seen in recent years, and they ran out of oysters while feeding the hungry crowd in attendance.

The next South Bend City Council meeting is scheduled for May 11 at 5:30 pm.