Grand Coulee appoints Dalton mayor

Grand Coulee officially has a new mayor. 

The council quickly voted Tuesday to install Ruth Dalton who, as the city's mayor pro tempore, had already assumed the duties of the office since Mike Eylar resigned in May. She was also the only candidate to apply. 

"I have lived and loved this community for the last 38 years and now I bring a special community interest to the table," Dalton wrote in the letter of interest she submitted earlier this month. She referenced a "varied career with experience in finance and business management."

With the appointment, Dalton is set to serve as mayor through the end of 2025. To retain her seat beyond that, she would need to file to run in 2025 and win a majority of the vote in the November general election that year.

The motion to appoint was made by Councilmember Anita Eylar and seconded by Mark Nash. Councilmembers voted by a show of hands. Councilmember Gary Carriere voted in favor, and Dalton abstained. Councilmember Tom Poplawski voted no, but offered no comments or discussion while the motion was on the table.

Once the vote was official, several people in the meeting room offered applause and congratulations. 

After the meeting, when asked why he voted no, Poplawski said he was aware of members of the community who were not happy with the lack of options, and with the process. He said for his part, he would like to see more openness from the office of the mayor when it comes to involving council in city hiring.

"I just don't think she's the right person for the job," he said. 

By law, the mayor can make most hiring decisions and council approval is not required. However, Poplawski said he believes the council should be consulted, as he believes hiring impacts the council's responsibility for the long-term financial health of the city government.

Also at the Grand Coulee meeting, council members voted to appoint Ruth Olmstead as public works director, replacing Dennis Francis who retired last month.

According to the terms of the appointment, both the city and Olmstead have the option to change their mind within the first six months. In that case, Olmstead could fall back to her previous position in the department as long as she was not fired "for cause." Olmstead's public works staff position will remain open until the six-month interim period expires, at which time she would receive a pay raise.

The council also selected the engineering firm to design significant reconstruction and road-widening work scheduled for a portion of Spokane Way above Grand Coulee Ave/SR-174. Gray & Osborne Engineering has been retained for the design, which also includes storm drainage improvements.