Harrington News

Tuesday at 7 p.m. the Harrington Public Development Authority met at the Harrington Golf & Country Club led by President Josh Steward. Additional members present were: Jay Kane, Carolyn Mattozzi, and Bunny Haugan. The new agenda topics were the April Car Show and a grant with the application date deadline of May 15. There was a nice crowd of visitors including Margie Hall, Stacey Rasmussen, Mark Stedman, Allen Barth, Gordon and Billie Herron, Marge Womach, Mayor Paul Gilliland, Dusty Oestreich, Paul Charlton, and Jerry and Karen Allen.

Allen Barth's Third Annual Car Show will occur on April 26 with the Harrington Spring Festival and, as in previous events, will be serving a lunch. Last year there were 65 cars registered while more than 100 people turned out for the event. Last year there were prizes and awards, and this year he has added trophies. The judging team has been selected. There are presently more than 15 sponsors for this year's event. There will be a selling of raffle tickets, but one must be present to win. Barth will introduce his 1926 Studebaker fire truck. He has a group of volunteers to help with the event and would love to have more.

A grant sponsored by the Washington State Historical Society for which the Public Development Authority and the Hotel Lincoln could partner in order to be recipients of funds was introduced and discussed. The Washington State Historical Society announced the 2015-2017 application cycle for grants from the Heritage Capital Projects Fund. Nonprofit organizations, local government agencies, tribal governments and public development authorities are eligible to apply for funding to assist with eligible heritage capital projects as described in the grant guidelines. Through this program, the state provides up to ten million dollars each biennium to reimburse up to 33% of the eligible costs of selected heritage capital projects, with grantees providing at least a 67% match.

Each applicant is limited up to $1 million with the minimum grant being issued at $25,000. Workshops regarding the grant application were held earlier in the week in Spokane, led by Janet Rogerson. Jerry and Karen Allen and Josh Steward attended. The eligibility requirements for this grant included: 1) The Department of Archeology must inspect the project; 2) the project must create jobs; 3) the project area must have community access; 4) the funds must be at a 67% and 33% reimbursement ratio, allowing for receipts to go back to 2009; 5) the project must demonstrate significant public benefit; 6) property must be held a minimum of 13 years beyond the completion of the project; and 7) have the capacity and readiness to proceed and complete their project by June 30, 2017. Applications are due May 15, 2014.

Jerry Allen, an owner of the Hotel Lincoln, stated that he has receipts to the amount of $434,200 dating from July 2009, which would constitute the 67% of the funds. The remaining 33% would be provided by the grant to the Public Development Authority which they in turn would pay to Jerry Allen for rent of an area for 15 years. Accordingly, the Public Development Authority would have no actual expense. The room that the Public Development Authority would be renting for 15 years would be priced at $1.50 per sq. ft. for 15 years, at a value of $350,000; and the Public Development Authority would essentially own the space for the 15 years, and could rent it out to other entities, since the Public Development Authority is not in need of a specific meeting place. The rental of the meeting room does not occur immediately, rather the grant allows the work on the hotel to progress, and when the hotel is completed, the room will be ready for occupancy by the Public Development Authority.

Regarding the eligibility requirements, Allen has previously had the Department of Archeology inspect his hotel. In terms of jobs, Allen estimated that 14 to 16 jobs in the hotel and restaurant would be available when the project is complete. Little discussion took place regarding the need to demonstrate the hotel being a significant public benefit, since there are no lodging houses available in Harrington and there is no year-round restaurant. Many made mention of the need for the hotel to be completed to encourage people to travel a greater distance for the productions and performances at the Opera House. Allen assured the group that the project is ready to go when funds are available. For all intents and purposes, the requirements of the grant appeared to be met. The actual grant application was not shared with the entire group but had been reviewed by Josh Steward, Margie Hall and Stacey Rasmussen. Mayor Paul Gilliland clarified the city's position by stating that the Public Development Authority was formed in 2003 by the city, and that the Public Development Authority will not be allowed to create a liability that the city would be obligated to pay. Someone commented that this statement was negative and seemed to indicate that the city was somehow opposed to the proposition; however, the mayor did not make any statement to that effect. The Allens had offered to have their attorney draw up a contract, and comments were made that both the Public Development Authority and the city would need an attorney to review any agreement.

Jerry Allen indicated that at some point, this project could be attached to the Main Street Program. Minimal discussion was then held regarding the Wenatchee Main Street 101 project, and that money for that program comes from B & O taxes.

Most of the information regarding the grant was contributed by Allen, and a question and answer period followed; the Allens removed from the meeting to allow the group to openly appraise the proposition. The Public Development Authority has no prior experience and that will be a detriment to being considered for the grant, if the Public Development Authority decides to apply for it. There is little time for the group to consider all the aspects of the proposition, with much confusion about the actual dollar amounts. For a first venture for the Public Development Authority, the monetary values seemed high. No conclusions were made, and a copy of the grant was promised to be copied for the Public Development Authority members to pick up and scrutinize before giving a decisive answer. The Public Development Authority is short on board members, and voting will necessitate that each member be present in order to vote. With such a nice group from the community present, Josh Steward extended a cordial invitation for the community to plan to attend more of the Public Development Authority meetings, as the meetings are open and would benefit from additional input. All citizens interested in joining the Harrington Public Development Authority please contact Josh Steward or join him at the next meeting. Date of the next meeting will be scheduled soon and posted in public places such as the city hall and the post office.

Harrington Opera

House Society

This week brought spring break for the music/art students, instructors and staff. A Recital date has been set for May 4 at 4 p.m. with the students performing in the opera house auditorium followed by snacks and videos in the art room. These young ones love secrets and surprises, and already one student has come with a special surprise for the recital, sure to delight.

President Mark Stedman graciously invited all interested members to attend a leadership workshop held by http://www.Washington nonprofits.org on April 15th, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Lincoln County Public Works Offices' basement.

An alert member found and recommended a webinar titled: "Thriving on Engagement: The Basics to Building a Strong Volunteer Program" on April 4, 2014 from 12 to 1 p.m. on-line at no cost. http://www.washington nonprofits .orgindex.cfm?fuseaction= Calendar.eventDetail&eventid e+360&pageId=516

The next member meeting will be April 7 at 7 p.m. in the art room, where preparations for the Spring Festival will also be discussed. As always, all interested are welcome to attend.

Studebaker Shop

Saturday morning through mid-afternoon the Studebaker Shop was a gathering place primarily for those involved in the Car Show at the Spring Festival, making plans for judging the cars, selling t-shirts, parking cars, etc to make the event go smoothly. Following the meeting Alan Barth served lunch to some 20 involved persons. Some of the crowd included Fred Scharff, John Wagner, Josh and Katie Steward, Terry and Loren Howe, Paul Charlton, Bryan Armstrong, Jerry and Karen Allen, Marge Womach and Alan Barth.