ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Council selected an engineer for the Poplar Street Project during a city council meeting on Tuesday, April 2. Anderson Perry and Associates, from Walla Walla, was chosen. The city will work with the engineer to finalize the details of the project before doing a final award on the project.

Public Works Director John Lasen reported that the restrooms are open and operational in the park. Irrigation will start in the next couple of weeks.

Lasen also reported that the city’s street sweeper is having mechanical issues. They are currently attempting to figure out what the problem is. Lasen has looked into purchasing a sidewalk sweeper, but has not found one yet. He intends to look at used equipment and state surplus to find one that is “potentially less expensive.”

Darryl Piercy, Royal City’s planning and building, said that someone is interested in the Sparks building. The building is currently in foreclosure.

“They are required to bring the building completely up to code,” said Piercy. “We were planning to tear it down. The gentleman has gone through with an engineer. He believes he can take it down to the studs. He has done this before. I’m optimistic with this person’s ability to go forward.”

If the building does not get redone, it will be torn down.

Piercy reported that Smulligan’s Pizza & BBQ will open mid-April, pending the addition of some minor signage both inside and outside of the restaurant. The 12 units upstairs are not yet completed. The units are designed for living or office spaces. The lower units are handicap-accessible, which is within code.

Catholic Charities will be starting activity soon. Piercy is worried about dust, as the job site is big. He expects them to have a clean, neat and well-managed worksite.

The duplexes are nearing completion.

“They got a lot accomplished over the winter,” Piercy said. “They have their final inspection left.”

When asked about the sewer capacity, Lasen said that it will be able to treat everyone currently in town and those buildings being built.

If city reaches the point that they no longer have capacity, applications for new buildings will be denied.

Finance Director Shilo Christensen reported that previous training for new city council members was canceled due to sickness on the part of the trainer. The new training is set for Wednesday, April 17.

Christensen also reported that the UV project at the wastewater reclamation facility will be starting soon. While the contract with Apollo Inc. of Kennewick hasn’t been signed yet, it is close to signing. The project will cost the city around $600,000. The old system at the wastewater plant is no longer supported by the manufacturer.

The city council was reminded that Royal City Spring Cleanup will be April 12 through 14. Four large dumpsters will be available for residents to put in regular household trash, furniture, carpet/carpet pads, mattress/box springs, light construction materials, car batteries and yard waste. The dumpsters will be located at 125 Apple Ave. NE in Royal City, and will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until the dumpsters are full. Items not being accepted include paint, chemicals, oil, tires, rocks, concrete, bricks, tiles, dirt, shingles and hazardous waste. For more information, call 346-2263.