MATTAWA — Someone – maybe several someones – has been overfilling the recycling bins at the Public Works Department shop site, and the city intends to find out who.

At the request of Public Works Director Gary Crowder, the Mattawa City Council agreed at its August 4 meeting to purchase surveillance cameras for the site.

Crowder believes the culprits are out-of-town folks grabbing up the space intended for residents only. He noted they’re depositing not only recyclables but also garbage.

In other business, Police Chief reported to the Council that this year’s Mattawa Community Day Parade was “much larger.” He said one participant in the car section burned rubber and was ejected.

City Planner Darryl Piercy told the Council that Mike Meskimen of Gray & Osborne Engineering is collecting the remaining information needed for the Government Road improvement project. He said the City should receive a draft of the plan in September.

Piercy updated the Council on the Taylor Orchards West development. He said the city has received SEPA comments from Grant County Fire District No. 8 and the Department of Ecology.

He added that, as the project progresses, the developer must meet with each taxing district in the area to learn what requirements each taxing district has. The taxing districts must issue a letter stating what they will require from this development, he said.

The Council gave Mayor Scott Hyndman the authority to sign a $14,225 contract with Gray & Osborne for a General Facility Charge study.

According to City Clerk Robin Newcomb, a General Facility Charge is a one time payment for new connections to the water and sewer system. It does not include hookup fees.

The Council approved a consent agenda that included the Council meeting minutes of July 21, a payroll of $71,319.33 and claims totaling $22,449.45.

Council members Wendy Lopez and Maggie Celaya told the Council they will work with City Customer Service Clerk Jazmin Hernandez to select and purchase new chairs and tables for the Council chamber.