Monday’s Hoquiam City Council meeting saw the approval of a three-year contract for the police department that includes an incentive to stay with the force, a timber sale that could bring more than $100,000 to the city, and acceptance of a grant that will allow for much needed maintenance at the city cemetery.

Police contract

The contract includes a 7% raise to the base salary in the first year starting Jan. 1, 2020, along with a 3% cost of living increase, a total 10% raise. There will be cost of living increases of 3% Jan. 1 2021 and Jan. 1 2022.

The bargaining agreement includes a new provision for “longevity/retention pay, ” which rewards police personnel for staying with the department.

The longevity/retention pay is based on the number of years worked: $75 a month after five full years, $100 a month after 10 years, $150 a month after 15 years, and $200 a month after 20 years, on top of existing salaries. The longevity/retention pay began Jan. 1.

Under the contract, in the first year, a patrol officer with a year or less with the department would make just under $63,800 annually, a sergeant just over $85,600. Officers also qualify for step increases, based on the number of years they have served with the department. In the first year of the new contract, an officer with more than five years on the force would earn just over $81,400 annually, plus whatever longevity pay they qualify for.

Hoquiam was one of the last cities that didn’t have longevity pay in its police contract, said city Finance Director Corri Schmid. City Administrator Brian Shay said, “In doing comparisons with other union contracts, most cities do offer what is called longevity pay to their employees.”

Timber sale

The city saw an opportunity when it was notified the Dorothea Parker Family Trust was going to log timber on its property between Endresen Road and the College Hill water reservoir to log harvestable timber on adjacent city-owned property at the same time.

“Current estimates are the city could take in $100,000 to $180,000 in revenue, which would be nice for the general fund,” said Shay. “There are trails that could come from that, and maybe even a few home sites created. To me that is a really exciting opportunity.”

The sale could remove danger trees near the cemetery and protect the water reservoir as well.

Estes Timber LLC was tapped by the Dorothea Parker Family Trust to log its property, and the city Monday approved Estes Timber to prepare its own timber sale “with a cost estimate not to exceed $4,000,” according to the approved report.

Cemetery

A $40,600 Historic Cemetery Preservation Grant will allow the city to perform repairs to the mausoleum roofs, ADA ramps, restrooms, gate and lighting at Sunset Memorial Park, the city cemetery. These funds don’t require a city match and come from the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

Mayor Ben Winkelman, presiding over his first council meeting, said Community Service Coordinator Tracy Wood was instrumental in securing the grant.

“Brian (Shay) said he asked Tracy to get all the information for the grant application and next thing you know this thing is ready to go, signed, sealed and delivered,” said Winkelman.

Shay said estimates for the total amount of work to be done at the cemetery came to around $60,000, but the grant will cover most of that, with the potential to use some city money if needed to complete the maintenance.

Ward 1 Councilman Dave Wilson noted how difficult its been to maintain the cemetery with the lack of funds available. “This is a significant site, historically obviously, and needs to be taken care of,” he said.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Ben Winkelman was sworn in as Mayor of Hoquiam prior to the City Council meeting Monday. Finance Director Corri Schmid performed the swearing in.

DAN HAMMOCK | GRAYS HARBOR NEWS GROUP Re-elected and newly-elected Hoquiam City Council members were sworn in prior to Monday’s council meeting. From left: Steven Puvogel, Ward 2; new Ward 4 Councilman Al Dick; Dave Hinchen, Ward 6; Shannon Patterson, Ward 3; Brenda Carlstrom, Ward 5; Elizabeth Reid, Ward 6; and Dave Wilson, Ward 1.