ROYAL CITY — The Royal City Council passed more ordinances during a regular city council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 3, than it has the rest of the year. Seven was the magic number for the council, some of which were routine end-of-the-year ordinances.

The council approved the 2020 budget and an annual two percent increase in utility rates. It also approved an ordinance amending the 2019 budget. The amendment is needed to pay CDSI for their garbage services.

“The refuse fund is receiving more revenues than expected,” said Shilo Christensen, finance director for the City of Royal City. “We have had more expenditures as well. We are not allowed to pay CDSI more than we budgeted for, unless the council increases the budget.”

The council also approved updates to the animal code, bringing it up-to-date with Washington state legislation. The language deals with potentially dangerous dogs.

New to the city is an ordinance requiring persons renting out houses or property to have a business license. The property would also have to be inspected every few years, for things such as working smoke detectors, to ensure tenants’ safety.

“It is a similar ordinance to that of Soap Lake,” Christensen said. “We have not had a rental license ordinance in the past. It is new to Royal City, but not to certain cities in Grant County.”

In other business, a public hearing was held for the final project performance on the UV sewer treatment project. The hearing was required since the project was done with federal funds.

Christensen told the council that the city had been awarded $41,620 from the Transportation Improvement Board to chip seal Acacia Street. The council approved the mayor to sign the contract for the project.

Public Works Director John Lasen reported that city employee Brent Flinn received his Group 1 Certification for use in the wastewater treatment facility.

City Planner Darryl Piercy told the council that Red Rock Elementary School is hoping to be almost completely done this month. He also reported that Catholic Charities has received occupancy approvals for two of its new buildings.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at [email protected].