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Soap Lake council addresses creative district, city position and dog park

NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months, 2 weeks AGO
by NANCE BESTON
Staff Writer | September 18, 2025 5:59 PM

SOAP LAKE – The Soap Lake City Council met Thursday to discuss appointing a mayor pro tempore and to receive updates from city officers and committees.  


Creative district 


The Soap Lake Creative District will have the Creative District Director Adam Emerson at Soap Lake City Council on Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m. to talk about how the creative district works. On Oct. 4 there will be a celebration recognizing the district from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Soap Lake Community & Senior Center.  


“Join us for our celebration,” said council member Kayleen Bryson, who’s also part of the creative district.  


Mayor pro tempore 


Council member Judith Gorman brought forth a resolution to appoint a mayor pro tempore, claiming that the position was limited to six months.  


However, Bryson said they typically appoint a new mayor pro tempore at the first council meeting in January or if the standing mayor pro tempore steps down or is appointed to a position such as mayor.  


Council member Karen Woodhouse was appointed as the mayor pro tempore after Peter Sharp was appointed mayor in September 2024.  


No further action was taken on the matter.  


Dog park, planning updates 

Sharp said he has been working with Grant County Humane Society for a first installment of $15,000 for upgrading the Soap Lake Dog Park. He said the goal is to fundraise or get grants for around $40,000. 

This will be used for new fencing and upgrading the facilities at the park. 

Sharp said he is also working with Moses Lake on an interlocal agreement for city building and planning. 


“I should have the agreement in the next couple of days,” Sharp said.  


Alex Kovach was the former city planner and building inspector, but his contract was terminated by the city, with Aug. 30 being his last day.  


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