TONASKET – The Tonasket City Council announced during their meeting on Tuesday, May 11 that they did not receive a Community Development Block Grant for the annexation project.

“We did not receive the CDBG and we didn’t put together an application for a half-percent money loan; where is the money coming from for annexation?” Joyce Fancher, council member, asked.

“The reason behind not applying for the half-percent money was a policy issue,” Mayor Patrick Plumb said. “We won’t move forward until we have the money. I’m not going to add restrictions to the way people develop their lands.”

Plumb was referring to the fact that the half-percent money loan included growth management restrictions within the requirements of the loan. He also stated that, due to the state of finances in Washington at the legislative level, there would not have been money to receive even if the council had filled out the loan application.

Later on in the meeting, City Clerk Alice Attwood announced that the shorelines policy would be on the agenda for the council’s next meeting, on Tuesday, May 25, and that City Planner Kurt Danison would be present at the meeting for that discussion. Also, occurring on May 25 is an interview with the swimming pool consultants which will begin at 5 p.m. Community members interested in the process of hiring a consulting firm for the new swimming pool are welcome to attend this interview.

During the committee reports, Council Member Connie Maden gave the council an update on the Tonasket Visitor’s and Business Resource Center.

“We have some new options available to us,” Maden said. “We’ve requested help from the chamber for volunteers, we’ve had communication with the Greater Tonasket Community Association for volunteers and we have had a request from Green Okanogan to trade space for volunteer hours.”

Police Chief Robert Burks then told the council that the police department was allowed to make an amendment to their CTED application for $9,999 in order to be able to buy Tasers with the money instead of using part of their budget for the purchase.

Finally, the council approved the expenditure of up to $50 a month in order to install a telephone service in the pilot’s lounge at the Tonasket Airport.

The next city council meeting is on May 25 beginning at 7 p.m. in City Hall.