The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Library adds Saturday to schedule, moves storytime

The Grand Coulee Library will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturdays, in addition to their usual Monday through Friday hours. Additionally, their weekly storytime has been moved to Fridays at 11:30 a.m.

Electric City water rates going up

The Electric City council voted to raise the water rates by $2.50 in 2019, another $2.50 in 2020, and a dollar per year each year after that. Starting with the January 1, 2019 bill, rates will be $41.49 per month for up to 10,000 gallons for residents within city limits, and $47.97 for those outside of city limits.

Goose hunting idea shot down

The idea of opening Banks Lake Golf Course to goose hunting was shot down by the Electric City council over liability concerns, particularly because of houses in that area. There are a lot of geese in that area that some people feel are a problem. Councilmember Carol Nordine suggested using a dog to chase them away. Although the council is recommending against the idea, the mayor can approve allowing the hunting of geese there.

Electric City looking to beautify city without a committee

Rather than form a beautification committee, as previously discussed, Electric City is simply looking into doing things to help the appearance of the city, including asking the state Department of Transportation to paint their building along Highway 155, hiring people in the summer to remove weeds from alleyways, and looking into sign-design options for a sign that would read “Welcome to Electric City.”

Charter to rent poles from Coulee Dam

Nationwide cable company Charter Communications, in the process of acquiring the cable system in Coulee Dam from Country Cable, will rent the utility poles from the city for $9.50 per pole annually, according to an agreement the council approved at their Oct. 10 meeting.

Casino looking to make sign and landscape changes

The Coulee Dam Casino has verbally requested permission form city to make changes to city landscaping, as well as to move or change their sign. The Coulee Dam Town Council received some details regarding trees that the casino would like to replace, but didn’t receive any details regarding the sign. Casino Facilities Manager Daniel Moomaw plans to attend a future council meeting to present his request, according to the city’s agenda bill. The council tabled the issue until they receive details as to exactly what sign changes the casino is proposing.

Budget workshop

Coulee Dam will hold a budget workshop on Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. at their city hall building.

Towns approve Board of Mayors budget

The towns of Electric City, Grand Coulee, Elmer City, and Coulee Dam have each approved the budget proposed by Regional Board of Mayors. The operation of the Delano Transfer station and the closed landfill is set at $836,725 for the Transfer Station, $10,000 for the Transfer Station Equipment Reserve, and $887,500 for the Delano Post Closure Reserve, for a total of $1,734,225.