Waitsburg City Council Update

Unfinished Business

City Election Discussion: Walla Walla County Auditor Karen Martin participated in a discussion regarding possibly aligning Waitsburg’s annual city election with the county and having the county run the election. The council tabled the discussion until June when more specific information would be available about the cost of elections and whether Waitsburg could retain its top vote-getter election process. A vote on whether or not to change Waitsburg’s election process from one-year to four-year terms to align with the state was also postponed.

Walla Walla County Sheriff Update/Agreement: Walla Walla County Civil Deputy Ron Varner provided an update on Waitsburg statistics and the council unanimously approved a contract for law enforcement services for years 2019-2022. The contract specifies minimum coverage of 25 hours per week at a cost of $80,000 annually. Following approval of the contract, audience member Walt Gobel asked if the next contract renewal could specify coverage for Waitsburg Celebration Days at no additional charge.

New Business

Waitsburg Park and Recreation Report: Sandra Morrison, Justin Stegall and Danielle Carpenter provided updates on interim board duties, fully-funded board duties, 2018 in review and a five-year-plan. Park and Recreation meetings are held the first and third Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the high school band room and are open to the public.

Election Certification: The 2019 Waitsburg Annual Election was certified with no change to the sitting council. City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said that approximately 60 more votes were received than in 2018. Oaths of Office will be administered individually.

City Hall Renovations/Upstairs Use Discussion: The council discussed repair and maintenance needs and the possible rental/use of the upstairs by groups such as the Waitsburg Flood Control and Emergency Preparedness Committee and the Parks and Recreation Committee. The council will schedule work sessions to discuss renovations, possibly in June.

Garbage Collection Billing Agreement: The council voted to approve a contract with Basin Disposal, Inc. to take over billing of Waitsburg solid waste services, with council member Terry Jacoy opposed. (See story on Page 7)

TIB Complete Streets Grant Agreement: The council unanimously approved a Transportation Improvement Board grant of $300,000 for pedestrian improvements. (See story on Page XX)

DOT Solar Signage Grant Agreement: Approved a grant agreement with the Department of Transportation

City Clerk Report

Pacific Power streetlight upgrades will be delayed until enough lights need upgraded to allow for a discounted rate.

The wastewater plant treatment press is expected to be ready by the end of April or early May.

Sod removed from the school baseball field was repurposed by the bridge.

Hinchliffe will sit on the steering committee for the Blue Mountain Region Trails Project -Dayton-to-Waitsburg trail, which is expected to be built over the next five years.

Crews will be crack-sealing and chip sealing roads.

A fourth public works employee has been hired.

A Vactor truck was purchased for $24,000, but the vendor rejected the offer of $40,000 for the Vactor truck and dump truck combo.