MATTAWA - The Mattawa City Council heard from Police Chief Steve Jensen at its Jan. 5 meeting that there have several recent graffiti strikes.

That unfortunately, says City Clerk Robin Newcomb, means property owners need to clean it up. City ordinance gives them 15 days to do it.

"The police are going to work on some ideas to put a stop to this," Newcomb said.

In other matters, the council has started a review of how to invest city funds while they are unspent.

The council heard a presentation by Paul Stokes of Columbia Basin Ground Water Management. He said six area communities, including Othello, are in risk of shortages for their wells.

According to Newcomb, Stokes was sounding an alert for Mattawa as well. She said Stokes said the matter will be researched more fully in the coming six months.

In executive session, Newcomb said, the council reviewed the performance of a city employee. Afterward, in open session, it awarded Police Officer Tony Valdivia a 7.1 percent raise.