MATTAWA - The Wahluke School District's plan to open a community center-alternative school in the city center has been scuttled by zoning laws.

According to City Clerk Robin Newcomb, city officials reviewed the area's zoning and found it will not allow schools and informed the district. Newcomb said calling it a community center did not change the fact it was a school.

The school district submitted a request for a variance to allow schools in commercial zoning. The city attorney and planner advised against that action, saying a precedent would be set that could haunt the city later.

If the change were made, city officials told the city council, state law would give the school the power to not allow alcohol at businesses within 500 feet of its location even though these businesses existed before the school.

Newcomb said district officials told the council they would not make such requests. The city attorney reminded them school administrations often change.

"In addition, even if the council allowed this change, the state has the right to veto the city action," Newcomb said.

In other matters before the council, the Local Emergency Planning Commission's Sandy Duffey said the LEPC would like to develop a local chapter. They would consist of fire, police, school, and city officials and would develop a local emergency plan.

The city attorney asked for a copy of the by-laws to review the requirements on forming chapters.

In his report to the council, Police Chief John Turley said he would like to see a closer relationship between the school and the city.

Turley noted the city qualifies again to apply for a COPS Grant. The city could receive $125,000 in grant money that could be used in the first 1-3 years to support an officer. The 4th year the city would be obligated to pay the entire cost of this officer, which currently is around $62,000.

The reimbursement requested from the Criminal Justice Training Commission for the cost of officers covering for Officer Michael Stump while he was at the academy is just more than $16,000.

Public Works Director Gary Crowder noted a complaint was filed with the city regarding a sidewalk east of city hall that needs repair. The council directed public works to get this fixed as soon as possible.

There was a discussion of a possible policy on the sale/consumption of alcohol at the park. The city attorney suggests the city adopt a policy. The council will continue to discuss this at its next meeting.

At the meeting of May 15, Nancy Morter, with Gray & Osborne engineering, noted the city's wastewater treatment plant is almost 15 years old and needs some improvements. The Department of Ecology will review the city's permit next year and make recommendations.

A grant and/or grant/loan combination will be applied for through various funding agencies. Success would likely depend on median household income of the community. It would need to be studied.

Heather Cannon of Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) explained the pros and cons to having the city contract with her group to do an income survey. The city qualifies for grants to cover most of this expense but will have some employee time spent helping with it and postage costs.

Mattawa's official Median Household Income (MHI) is $32,007 which will not qualify the community for much grant money, if any, Newcomb said.

"If the income survey shows this number to be less, we could qualify for a good portion of a grant with little, if any, rate increase," she said.