WASHINGTON — The Washington City Council introduced two ordinances Monday night at its regular meeting: “An ordinance amending Chapter 36.08 of the Washington Municipal Code” and “An ordinance to bring the city of Washington into compliance with the Indiana law regarding nepotism and conflict of interest.”

The first ordinance outlines contract administration procedures and procurement protest procedures for the city’s Transit Department. Transit grant coordinator Chuck Martindale said there have been no problems because the department follows Indiana code, but during a compliance review this year it was suggested the policies should be put into writing. In short, he said, the Transit Department receives federal funds, which come under federal oversight, and the government doesn’t want transit departments to use the money to stockpile supplies.

The second ordinance introduced at the meeting will put the city in compliance with a new state law that requires cities, along with counties and other “units,” to establish policies addressing the practice of relatives supervising relatives on the job and potential conflicts of interest. Current employees are grandfathered in, but all new hires, anyone receiving a promotion, and anyone who has a break in service will be affected by the law, which takes effect July 1.

“We need to pass this by July 1 or the Department of Local Government Finance has the authority to not authorize our budget next year,” said Mayor Joe Wellman.

Both ordinances will be up for adoption at the next city council meeting, June 25.

Wellman and city Parks & Recreation Department Superintendent Mike McLemore talked about issues concerning the park this year. After an update on the Fourth of July Festival plans, McLemore said there was a spider invasion, which is being treated, and there’s a trash problem.

“It’s amazing the amount of trash people leave behind,” he said, adding that sometimes it’ll be mere feet from a trash can.

Items such as diapers, utility knives, underwear, sticks, rocks and flip-flops were found in the plumbing when restroom renovations were done recently.

“When I took this position, I noticed the restrooms were in bad shape,” McLemore said. “I go to a lot of car shows, and when you go to a venue, you appreciate nice restrooms.”

So the old plumbing was replaced and the restrooms were renovated, resolving some issues there, he continued. However, vandalism and flushing inappropriate items down the toilets must stop or the restrooms will be in bad shape again.

“In my opinion as parks superintendent, ducks are ruining the park,” McLemore added. “There’s more and more waste on the sidewalks.”

He said geese are the worst of the water fowl offenders. However, removal is expensive and they can’t be destroyed.

He said he’s open to suggestions for dealing with that problem.

“We’ve had a lot of complaints about the water level of the lake,” he said. “There’s not much we can do about that.”

When McLemore finished his report, the mayor added that several city departments had helped the parks department with various jobs, and he extended his thanks.

“Pretty much every department has come to the aid of the parks department,” McLemore agreed.

When the councilmen were given an opportunity to add comments at the end of the meeting, Councilman Mike Singleton said he received $250 in longevity pay after serving only five months on the council. That amount is half what he’s slated to receive for the year.

“I don’t think council members should receive longevity pay,” he said, stressing the councilmen are part-time city officials and full-time city employees don’t receive longevity pay until they’ve been on the job five years.

Singleton reported he returned the $250 to the city. Councilman Jim Greene also wanted to return his, but requested to donate it to a specific department. He said he’ll donate it to the parks department. The council agreed to discuss eliminating their longevity pay before the next installment. Wellman said he’d have city attorney Tim Dant look into revising the ordinance.

“It comes out of the common council budget,” he said. “We could use it for education and travel.”

In other business:

• The mayor reminded everyone about the Community Clean Sweep project coming up Saturday.

• Street Commissioner Ernie Evans advised the Street Department will be spraying for mosquitoes Friday, as well as Friday, June 29, and Tuesday, July 3, from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. Probably every Friday for the rest of the summer, weather permitting.

• Evans also said Janssen and Spaans Engineering has begun the city’s sign inventory, which will determine if signs are in the correct spot or must be moved and will begin the city’s effort to become compliant with federally mandated sign retroreflectivity requirements.

• Waste Water/Storm Water Department Superintendent Scott Rainey suggested the council look at the city’s compensation and drug policies.