WALLOWA The largest volume supplier of firewood for Wallowa County consumers, Ed Sparks, of Wallowa, has approached the Wallowa City Council in an effort to expand an operation where another Wallowa resident, Ben Deal, would help retail the expanded line of products.

Sparks handed a proposal to the city council June 17 asking to lease seven acres of city-owned property formerly occupied by a post and pole operation that since has relocated to the former Wallowa Forest Products mill site as part of Integrated Biomass Resources.

The woodcutter wants to bring truckloads of green logs onto the city-owned site near the high schools softball/baseball complex, saw them into appropriate lengths, and then employ a drying strategy to shorten the time before they can be sold for firewood. His goal is to expand sales in Wallowa County and begin exporting firewood to other places in Oregon.

Instead of often-seen bundles of firewood, Sparks desire is to sell firewood in sacks capable of holding 1/5 to 1/3 cord of wood.

In 2013, the Wallowa woodcutter cut and sold about 400 cords, he said. If the lease on Wallowa city property is approved, he anticipates his sales volume will double or triple.

Firewood is not the only product Sparks hopes to sell. His business already includes filling orders for custom posts and poles, and he plans to continue that activity. In addition, he says he can add nitrogen and decompose wood mulch into a marketable product.

In response to council concerns about debris that might be left behind were Sparks to discontinue his use of city property, Sparks said, There is not much cleanup now remaining (after the previous post and pole operation left) … and my mess is minimal.

The tentative agreement called for monthly rent in the $275-$300 range and a five-year lease, with an option to renew.

Councilors and Mayor Vikki Knifong expressed support for Sparks overall written plan. They asked him to return with changes they wanted included in a proposed final draft.

Also during the June 17 council meeting:

Public Works Supervisor Travis Goebel reported that the two-year water upgrade is beginning to wind down. He said the second reservoir tank on Green Hill is almost completed and within days the switch from existing Well No. 1 to new Well No. 2 will be accomplished, allowing contractor Henderson Logging to make needed upgrades on Well No. 1s pump station. Too, Goebel said he anticipates that paving contractor Humbert Asphalt, from Milton-Freewater, will conclude its work in Wallowa soon, likely before June 27.

Fire Chief Gary Hulse announced the city has received a matching grant of $9,500 for new wildfire gear. Hulse said the citys match requirement can be filled through volunteer firefighter training hours, calculated at $15 an hour.

Citizen Charlie McDaniel questioned the city about water issues facing his property and the property of neighbors on the east side of Highway 82 near the entrance to Wallowa from the direction of Lostine. No fire hydrant currently exists nearby on the east side of that state route, plans are in place for water project contractor Henderson Logging to bore a pipe under the highway near McDaniels property, and no provision is in place to install a hydrant on that east side where additional homes might be built.

A plan initiated by citizen Megan Wilson to hold a cleanup day for the city of Wallowa was discussed for the second time. Wallowa County has agreed to bring two dumpsters to Wallowa for that Saturday, July 12, cleanup and the city councils earlier request that 99 percent of all labor be performed by volunteers will be met.

The council agreed to consider signing a one-year franchise agreement with Rahn Sanitation. For $1,000, the city would agree not to allow any other private contractors to haul garbage out of Wallowa. Amanda Rahn, representing Rahn Sanitation, agreed to have the complex contract simplified before the council takes its deciding vote.