[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6192853,"mediaKeyId","3957351-0f8fe6b2d7f1f6b67f79d7703edc8319","parentId",3957351,"title","Council approves telecom audit contract, firefighter insurance, railroad study match and engineering agreement","audioSeconds",440,"startMs",2074000,"endMs",2514000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3957351-0f8fe6b2d7f1f6b67f79d7703edc8319&start=2074&end=2514","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3957351-0f8fe6b2d7f1f6b67f79d7703edc8319/thumbnail_2074000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192853/Ephrata/Grant-County/Washington/Council-approves-telecom-audit-contract-firefighter-insurance-railroad-study-match-and-engineering-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192853-0e782b0ea5877d4907cc0c16492801cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153776&Signature=GvotoeaLOiapPDCsop0upwXMhuNBJBf8OKpQaektPWH55~QuijdbdGy39oAVJsxEL0HBfXuS4wu~yKAxs~OBwxhsAMTs~d2SGppkwsHKHNZ1zCj-HzbOuB1lb40dxpq4eoryBco4eQ6a46ZhBs3rjOYgcPvTibcIosTSmTAsfOul5io8~IFxY1ix3M~8nzCs0SOAUEARinJx33ddK2jAKu3Oa8x-ZznJoMQG1ek6Eo81grQknC5d7x-BF2vVoe0D3FX4H81p7QVY4NAqvK1sRZPFggerBN1Oz0n-ruhF0dGm5lsJiWMz5KE1ZnJP4xNAM0UdL1a6YwVqWOEP0vGDsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ephrata City, WA","date","2025-06-19T14:10:42Z","article","The Ephrata City Council approved four resolutions during Tuesday’s meeting related to audits, insurance, planning grants and engineering services.

Spinal Glass telecom audit agreement (Resolution 25‑39)
Staff described Spinal Glass as a telecommunications‑billing auditing firm that reviews phone and IT bills for overcharges. The contract carries no fee unless Spinal Glass finds recoveries: the firm takes 50% of recovered overcharges and, for eliminated duplicate services, charges 12 times the monthly service as a recoverable amount. Staff noted a prior engagement in 2017 yielded about $2,000 in annual savings and $840 in federal tax savings. Council moved and approved the resolution by voice vote.

Provident supplemental insurance for volunteer firefighters (Resolution 25‑41)
Council approved a supplemental insurance policy to cover volunteer firefighters and fire‑department staff for income gaps and certain injuries sustained during covered fire‑department activities. Jeremy, speaking for the fire department, said the policy fills a coverage gap similar to a labor‑and‑industries model and covers injuries during training, responses and department events. The city budgeted $10,000 for the policy in the 2025 budget; staff said the insurer’s quote is under $8,000. Council approved the resolution by voice vote.

Quadco UPWP railroad crossing/arterial study grant (Resolution 25‑43)
Council authorized submission of a Quadco UPWP grant application to study options for a second railroad crossing and a north‑south arterial. The council authorized applying with a 15% local match to strengthen the application; staff said the 15% match is approximately $7,500 if the city seeks the full $50,000 grant. Staff noted that if the grant is not awarded, the city would not be obligated to pay the match. The resolution passed by voice vote.

Professional services agreement with GEO Engineers (Resolution 25‑45)
Council approved hiring GEO Engineers to provide specialized groundwater/well‑drilling documentation required by the Department of Ecology for an active well project; the approval was subject to final attorney review. Council approved the agreement by voice vote.

Votes and procedure
For each resolution, council members approved the motions by voice vote; individual roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript. Where a mover and seconder were named in the record, they are noted below; otherwise the transcript records only a motion, a second and the chair’s call for the voice vote.

Why it matters: The measures authorize outside expertise and insurance to reduce financial and operational risk — telecom audits to cut recurring overcharges, supplemental insurance to support volunteers, a planning study to advance long‑term transportation options, and engineering services to meet state permitting requirements.

Actions taken (summary)
- Resolution 25‑39: Authorized telecom audit agreement with Spinal Glass. Mover: Mike (motion recorded). Seconder: Phil. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: contingency fee model; no charge if no recoveries.
- Resolution 25‑41: Approved provident supplemental insurance for volunteer firefighters. Mover: Mike. Seconder: Kathleen. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: 2025 budget line $10,000; quote under $8,000.
- Resolution 25‑43: Authorized Quadco UPWP grant application with a 15% match (~$7,500 of $50,000). Mover: not specified. Seconder: not specified. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: match only paid if grant awarded.
- Resolution 25‑45: Approved professional services agreement with GEO Engineers, subject to attorney approval. Mover: not specified. Seconder: not specified. Outcome: approved (voice vote). Notes: needed for Department of Ecology well documentation.

Council directed staff to return with any contractual details that require further council action or budget adjustments.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - June 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted to authorize a telecom‑billing audit agreement, adopt a volunteer firefighter supplemental insurance policy, approve a 15% match to a railroad crossing/planning grant, and approve a professional services agreement for groundwater/well documentation with GEO Engineers (subject to attorney approval).","taxTitle","Ephrata, Grant County, Washington","taxId",62260,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192858,"Planned SR 282 roundabout closure draws concern over school traffic and local streets",63,3007000,3070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3957351-0f8fe6b2d7f1f6b67f79d7703edc8319&start=3007&end=3070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3957351-0f8fe6b2d7f1f6b67f79d7703edc8319/thumbnail_3007000.jpg","/articles/6192858/Ephrata/Grant-County/Washington/Planned-SR-282-roundabout-closure-draws-concern-over-school-traffic-and-local-streets","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192858-fcca5f9867dd7261907c702bc594c645/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153776&Signature=IRORXXFyJVSVHBs8wzRL0s4Q24h0RDI3rEpc4TA5c38sbmdGTC3ay7nrhrDqItwD6X-NpdiOQvtvKPIy3acy9C0V6oc0~4FLIHmYKDgy2D0rzaefcf5es9i~k9DeeTKkKYgQLNSNI-FPeehJ0vKMVm4cR0wXmaezEpWIWtvq9oGJG~8uRuEVAplgqGKdGQCPWQ8TppTN282EAtSW5ZtPOB-NDi5eLbR3nt4lsvjnaY7Fa-IdzLTJy0Vkgpejy4a1~w09FF3v0f0kWr2ZERTlwg5hdcAoAcn0Yd~tUN4kKDr3WuBC13PwGtBRs-O3IHXBXBaHKGOOLY5tCRlAFosm~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ephrata city staff and councilors on Tuesday discussed a Franklin County/State plan to close State Route 282 for a roundabout project that would reroute traffic through parts of Ephrata, including near schools and neighborhoods.

Staff described a proposal the county circulated that would close the intersection at Mount Washington Way and SR 282 for construction and detour east‑west highway traffic through the city. The proposed work window in the county email, staff said, begins July 21 and would be completed by Sept. 12 — covering the first several weeks of school.

Traffic counts and neighborhood impact
Staff and councilors noted the most recent published traffic count at the intersection was from 2007 (about 8,000 vehicles per day) and estimated growth since then could raise volumes to roughly 12,000 vehicles per day on SR 282 through the city. Staff cautioned that detoured traffic could cause backups on local streets that already see heavy flows during school arrival and dismissal, and that school buses and heavy trucks could compound congestion and worsen wear on city pavement.

Councilors and staff asked whether local access would be preserved for businesses such as American Rock Products and for Port District traffic; staff said signing and detailed detour plans remain under discussion. “Part of our gut reaction on this was…we should have sat down and had more of a conversation,” a city staff member said, noting concerns about railroad crossings, traffic signals and the risks of backups near the middle school during peak times.

Why it matters: The proposed full closure would shorten the construction schedule but concentrate traffic impacts on local streets for several weeks, city officials said. The council asked staff to open more detailed conversations with the county and other stakeholders, including the port and school district, to identify mitigation measures such as alternate routing, conspicuous truck‑route signage and coordination on school‑bus scheduling.

Next steps
Staff said they will continue coordination with county and state transportation staff, examine updated traffic counts, and press for mitigation measures before a final detour plan is implemented.","County plans to close SR 282 for a roundabout and reroute traffic through Ephrata for several weeks this summer; councilors and staff raised concerns about backups near the middle school, bus routes, heavy trucks and wear on local streets.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6192863,"Ephrata advances comprehensive plan work as large Desert Plains subdivision nears next phase",788,640000,1428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3957351-0f8fe6b2d7f1f6b67f79d7703edc8319&start=640&end=1428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3957351-0f8fe6b2d7f1f6b67f79d7703edc8319/thumbnail_640000.jpg","/articles/6192863/Ephrata/Grant-County/Washington/Ephrata-advances-comprehensive-plan-work-as-large-Desert-Plains-subdivision-nears-next-phase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192863-01ab521f4c7731c2769f133944e00ce3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153776&Signature=O3QD82chmu4z89Fhl~MS1bxOw14RRjGfEYxpXFJeYICBopNgPFMlTqOcqCuDuvNLB4aR2rpB4wMxLX727UPFqf070YtnyvYv94Q5QN~gVYqnkrfoUphDVmjLrbKHfeW-pgAkxcgBO4DGDKKV7EkcWs50T52HNZTYmoNG8DThFV4J7qmfonWhANdoQAN9vDCK7ZM8JQNIyuLG3f3iBnjAZa-BkQyjZKI6bigJsxwxI5Q4H36kMwa~lF05nV8eh1P1FNOD2N0laYebOdOnn1zjsAKHzgtWyIeN3C8TOhtSrycBSdyG4mpn5p2Y-5WkMlH~smytGdkgEbsZcpmLc7~N7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on Tuesday told the Ephrata City Council that a multiyear update to the comprehensive plan and several large development projects will shape the city’s growth over the coming years.

The Community Development report, delivered by staff member Ron, said the city is generally tracking near its five‑year averages for permits but flagged several big projects that skewed recent totals, including a multiunit complex and a hotel that drove higher valuations last year. “We are growing. We are keeping busy,” Ron said as he reviewed building‑permit trends.

Why it matters: The council approved scoping and partial funding for a periodic comprehensive plan update that staff and consultant SCJ Alliance will carry out over roughly the next two years. That work will feed updates to impact fees, the finance and resiliency elements, and a downtown floodplain study, officials said. The city has budgeted $125,000 for impact‑fee work this year and plans another $125,000 next year; staff also applied for a $150,000 climate resiliency grant and a separate $125,000 periodic‑update grant to supplement the work.

Key development projects and planning issues
- Desert Plains subdivision: The applicant proposes a 329‑lot subdivision on the city’s northeast side. Staff said the first phase (about 45 lots) is nearly built out and the developer will soon seek approval for the next phase, which will require a lift station and other infrastructure. The development agreement currently allows the developer to pay a fee in lieu of building on‑site park space; the fee in lieu remains $1,800 per lot under the existing agreement. Staff said the developer has recently requested variances for yard setbacks and corner lots; staff may authorize 25% adjustments before a true variance is required, but applicants must justify requests.
- Microtel Inn: A Microtel Inn near Walmart received building permits for foundation and site work; hydrants and fire protections must be in place before combustible construction continues.
- Railway Estate subdivision: A 51‑lot project remains stalled after failing to provide the two access points required for developments over 30 lots.
- Accessory dwelling units and code enforcement: Staff noted a pending accessory dwelling unit standard from state legislation and said the city still needs to fill a code‑enforcement position; until that hire is made, enforcement is largely complaint‑driven.
- Hearing examiner process: The city has shifted some subdivision approvals to a hearing examiner (a neutral, legally trained third party). Staff said the change streamlines review and reduces potential liability that can arise when elected bodies act as the final decisionmaker.

Council and staff emphasized public engagement for the comprehensive plan update. Aaron of SCJ Alliance will attend the next meeting to present the scope, timeline and budget for the periodic update, staff said. The scope, staff added, includes traffic and parks impact‑fee analysis and a resiliency element tied to the climate grant application.

Attendance and next steps
Staff asked the council to encourage qualified residents to apply to serve on the planning commission; the commission currently has four members and has been short one seat for roughly the last year and a half. The planning portion of the periodic update will include additional public and council participation, staff said, and the next formal public hearing on a site‑specific rezone tied to a reuse of a concrete commercial building will go before the planning commission next week.

For now, council directed staff to continue the scoping work and return with the consultant presentation and budget details at a future meeting.","City staff outlined a multiyear comprehensive plan update and several large development projects, including the 329‑lot Desert Plains subdivision and a Microtel Inn hotel; council discussed park fees, variances and the new hearing‑examiner review process.","actionData","errors"]

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Council approves telecom audit contract, firefighter insurance, railroad study match and engineering agreement

Planned SR 282 roundabout closure draws concern over school traffic and local streets

Ephrata advances comprehensive plan work as large Desert Plains subdivision nears next phase