The Cathlamet Town Council covered a lot of ground at their regular monthly meeting on Monday.

The meeting was the last for Council Member Sue Cameron who is moving to Clark County.

Sheriff Mark Howie reported officers are close to making arrests in a burglary last week of the Skamokawa Resort. The business had security cameras which captured images of the perpetrators, and Howie recommended all businesses install the cameras.

Overall, crime is down in the county, Howie said.

His department is now fully staffed, he said, adding that he has been talking with the Humane Society of Cowlitz County about a contract for investigations of animal abuse.

In response to a recommendation from Interim Clerk/Treasurer Sarah Clark, council members voted to authorize her to pay off loans to the water and sewer departments. Clark said the move should save over $25,600 in interest payments.

Clark also recommended that the council set an ongoing $500,000 level of funds in the town's timber reserve fund. The money should be held for emergencies, she said, and not spent down to cover unfunded operational expenses.

The council passed for the first reading an updated business license ordinance. Attorney Fred Johnson said the ordinance changes were mandated by the state legislature, which is attempting to create uniformity in business licensing across the state.

Currently, anyone doing business must buy a license. Under the new ordinance, a license is necessary when doing over $2,000 in business in the town. The fee is $25 for $2,001-$3,000; $50 for $3,001- $10,000, and $75 for $10,001 and up.

The council and members of the audience addressed the issue of public comment at council meetings.

Until this year, public comment has been scheduled early in the meeting, but following heated meetings last year, Mayor Dale Jacobson moved it to the end of meetings, saying the council needs to conduct its business before becoming involved in heated discussions.

Council Member Laurel Waller said she would like to move the public time back to its original spot, and her motion to do so was seconded.

The vote on the motion ended in a tie, however, and Jacobson broke the tie by voting against it.

"Here's the deal," Jacobson said. "Some of the people involved in the discussions will be in a different position (they'll be elected to the council in the November election). After the first of the year, we can make changes."