Town Council

The Odessa Town Council met Monday evening in the public library to discuss the town’s business.

Council member Terry Goetz reported on the history of Odessa’s downtown trees. Recent discussions at meetings of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce and Town Council had led to more questions than answers regarding responsibility for the trees.

Goetz quoted the May 3, 2007 edition of The Odessa Record in which then publisher Don Walter wrote that the Kwanson flowering cherry trees that had been planted along the First Avenue business district in 1992 had begun to die off one by one. Jerry Schafer was the Chamber president in 2007 and reported at an April meeting that the George and Dorothy Gies Foundation had offered to fund replacement and planting of the trees. At the same time, the Chamber had formed a Downtown Revitalization Committee headed by local attorney John Strohmaier which began researching which trees might be suitable replacements for the Kwason cherry trees.

Strohmaier had previously planted honey locust trees on the Alder Street side of his building, and they had done very well, he said. The decision was made to plant two different varieties of honey locust along First Avenue to replace the prior trees. A prior downtown improvement project had provided for the installation of a drip irrigation system beneath the downtown sidewalks.

Goetz called the Gies Foundation president, Jim Gies, at his home in Liverpool, N.Y. to get first-hand information on the gift that was made. Gies told him that $4,500 for the trees was given in 2006, with the clear understanding that the town would supply the water through the irrigation system. The foundation, he said, was also willing to have the trees pruned every two or three years. If there were problems with trees covering business signage, the foundation and the Chamber would work together to remedy the problem. Gies also said that the foundation has previously worked with Gibson’s Nursery and Landscape Supply at 1401 Pines Road in Spokane.

Thanks to councilman Goetz, the issue is now clear that the Chamber and foundation are to work together on issues of tree trimming (with the exception of watering which falls to the town) and maintaining sign visibility in front of businesses. The trees are not the property of the business owners.

Controversy continues regarding the blocking of alley traffic despite the town’s new ordinance.

Council members received a request from Chamber member Jennifer Martin to use the grassy area next to the Reiman Park playground for youth activities during the Deutschesfest. Police officer Bryce Peterson added that the local mental health group that meets at Christ Lutheran Church was also looking at youth activities and that the two should perhaps work together.

Building inspector Abby Reyes had requested assistance with inspections to be performed on a new home to be constructed in Odessa. Reyes’ full-time job at the hospital does not allow him the flexibility to perform such inspections in a timely manner. Mayor Lois Hubbard and Reyes himself have both spoken with county inspector Chip Hunt who will provide the needed assistance.

Hubbard advised council members that budget discussions were going to be difficult. The town’s expenses continue to outstrip its revenues. Some of the projects the town had planned will have to be postponed or canceled.

A candidate for the position of police chief is now undergoing background checks. Interviews were held last week.