Colfax City Council discusses annexation

Garth Meyer, Whitman County Gazette | Jan 21, 20210

COLFAX — Under the direction of Mayor Pro-Tem Jim Kackman, the City Council discussed a possible land trade Tuesday night between Hill-Ray Plaza and the Church of Jesus Crist of Latter-day Saints -- which would re-draw city limits on the hill at the south end of town.

The trade would consist of two triangular-shaped pieces of land spanning 5.36 acres of grassland/farmland.

The request is being made by Hill-Ray, with an agreement from the church, 2652 Almota Road.

“It looks like it’s appropriate in this instance,” said Kackman, filling in for Mayor Jim Retzer, who is in Olympia with the state patrol providing security at the Capitol.

Kackman said the exchange would address an encroachment by Hill-Ray done years ago. Asking for the council to indicate whether it may entertain the trade, all representatives said they would.

Before any action is taken, a public hearing would be held along with a comment period.

In other business Tuesday, during department reports, Fire Chief Craig Corbeill said new radios, nozzles and other equipment upgrades were coming in, paid for by the CARES Act.

He also reported Fire Department training will re-start in February – socially distanced, with personal protective equipment.

“We’re gonna do it in a safe manner and see how it goes,” Corbeill said.

In another report, City Public Works Director Matt Hammer reported several trees will soon be taken down in Schmuck Park to help provide “multi-generation tree growth.”