Ordinance patterned after Omak’s

OROVILLE-The Oroville City Council adopted an ordinance allowing people to drive their ATVs on its city streets at their Tuesday, July 7 meeting.

The ordinance, which is patterned after Omak’s will allow licensed four-wheelers and side-by-side All Terrain Vehicles to travel on all roads where the speed limit is 35 mph or below, which is all of Oroville’s streets.

Councilman Ed Naillon wanted to make sure the ordinance was not talking about all categories of ORVs (off road vehicles).

“We are talking about the common smaller four-wheel vehicles with handlebars, as well as the larger four-wheel utility ATVs?” asked Naillon, by way of clarification before making a motion to approve the ordinance. “The common theme is they’re a four wheel vehicle.”

“Yes, we kept to Omak’s closely,” replied Chris Branch, Oroville’s director of Community Development.

“I just want to make sure what the ordinance is talking about,” said Naillon.

“Were not addressing anything like an ORV park,” said Branch. “That wouldn’t be allowed anywhere in the city.”

Naillon made the motion to approve the ATV ordinance and Councilwoman Neysa Roley seconded and it passed unanimously.

The new ordinance does not change the city ordinance as it relates to the use of ORVs for snow removal. The ordinance will go into affect after it has being published in the local newspaper’s legal notices, according to JoAnn Denney, Oroville City Clerk. The riders will have to follow Washington State law  regarding ATV use on streets.

New Business

Under new business, the council approved a request from Denney to continue to contract with Municipal Code Corporation for their Municode Software.

“How much is it?” asked Naillon. “I assume it makes it (city codes) indexable and searchable?”

Denney said the software was $300 a year and makes Oroville’s ordinance much easier to search. It can be found on the city’s website at www.oroville-wa.com, by clicking on the Municipal Codes tab at the top.

Mayor Chuck Spieth requested that the council approve a new board member for the Oroville Housing Authority, which has been short one member since the passing of Roger McClendon.

“Cheryl (Lewis, OHA executive director) and I have talked and think it would be beneficial to both parties is Chris Branch was appointed,” said Mayor Spieth.

“We work for the same purposes and once in awhile I think we could better keep on that purpose if they know the city’s side of things,” said Branch, who said he was willing to join the board.

There was discussion about the broken curb near the Subway parking lot. Public Works Superintendent Rod Noel will assess the situation.

“Has there been a discussion among staff about people dumping garbage in city receptacles?” asked Councilman Jon Neal.

He was concerned about people who live outside the city limits coming to town and filling up the garbage cans in the parks and on city sidewalks, rather than contracting for garbage service on their own, or hauling it to the transfer station.

“The City of Chelan has a good ordinance,” said Branch.

“Is it a requirement that everyone in town have garbage service?” asked Clyde Andrews, Oroville Chamber of Commerce president and manager of the Camaray Motel.

Andrews was told that it was a requirement and then he asked who was doing the dumping.

“People from out of town,” answered Denney.

The council will study the Chelan ordinance covering the situation and decide if that is something they would like to pattern their own ordinance after.