Municipal code updates, flood preparations and snow fallout covered at Council meeting

WAITSBURG—At the Waitsburg City Council meeting on February 17, agenda items included municipal code changes to electronic signs, city elections, and zoning. Mayor Marty Dunn addressed recent posts on social media concerning snow removal in the city.

Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider was scheduled to give the council an overview of last year’s criminal and other activity in Waitsburg. Sheriff Crider was unable to attend the meeting and did not submit a report. City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said that he would reinvite the Sheriff’s Office for next month’s meeting.

The board reviewed Resolution 715 to rezone the property at 127 E 3rd Street from commercial to residential. The Planning Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the resolution. The property owner, David Stark, submitted the request. The proposed change is needed to meet the criteria for a construction loan from Starks financial institution. Hinchliffe said the change would benefit the city as it would increase residential properties within city limits. City council members voted to approve the rezoning.

On February 19, 2020, the city council voted to transfer the city’s election process to the Walla Walla County Auditor’s Office, eliminating the city’s historical annual election for council members and mayor. At meetings leading to the vote, residents expressed opposition to the change, saying it drifted too far from the city charter. The council made its decision in part to ensure continuity in leadership and possible economic benefits by reducing costs associated with running the annual elections.

Under the county, city elections will be held in odd years, with staggered four-year terms for council members. The first election will elect the mayor and three council positions to four-year terms. The remaining two council positions will have two-year terms and be up for re-election as four-year terms in 2023.

Ordinance 1068 would amend the Waitsburg Municipal Code consistent with the council’s intentions stated in Resolution 2020-698. Approval of the ordinance would be the final step towards moving the city’s election system to the Walla Walla County Auditor’s Office. The council voted to approve, with Councilmember Karl Newell voting in opposition. The entire ordinance can be read on the city’s website, http://www.cityofwaitsburg.com.

Ordinance 1069 regarding various changes to the license code was the next action item. According to City Attorney Jared Hawkins, he and Hinchliffe made changes suggested by the Washington State Department of Revenue to the code.

Part of the ordinance pertains to business licensing in the city with changes to compliance, fees, and fines. Councilmember Karen Gregutt had questions around the fines, which read as “$25 per day or fraction thereof, payable in advance, by each firm employing solicitors.” Gregutt suggested having a flat fee, which would be capped at no more than $300.

Business licenses range between $25 and $50 in the City of Waitsburg. Councilmember David Paxton voiced that $300 felt a little steep, and he was concerned that businesses would feel “strong-armed” by such a high fee. He suggested including a business license in the fee. For example, a $100 fee would include the $50 license and a $50 fine. The council agreed to this change in the Ordinance. Councilmember Jim Romine moved that the board vote for Ordinance 1069 with the change mentioned above. The council voted to approve.

The council discussed Ordinance 1070 concerning code violation abatement procedure updates. Code violations, including nuisance complaints, can be reported by citizens or city officials. Currently, when an issue is brought to City Hall (a barking dog, excessive weeds, etc.), the city administrator issues what Hinchliffe called a ‘nice letter,’ notifying the homeowner that a complaint has been lodged and allowing them a chance to correct the problem. The Planning Commission has recommended they take the first step towards contacting homeowners, as the commission ultimately oversees the complaint process.

The second part of Ordinance 1070 regarded language prohibiting electronic/digital signage, similar to signage at the PF1CU drive-up ATM on the corner of Coppei and Preston Avenues.

The final part of Ordinance 1070 addresses changes to the prohibition of shipping containers within city limits. Hinchliffe said this particular issue came to light after the Stark property discussed earlier was initially bought. At the time, Hinchliffe believed the code prohibited all shipping containers within Waitsburg city limits. However, upon further research, he found that the code only banned the containers in flood hazard zones. With the new proposed verbiage, shipping containers would be banned from the city, with limited exceptions for temporary use only.

The council voted to approve Ordinance 1070.

Mayor Marty Dunn addressed conversations on social media, which revolved around snow removal. He shared that the city does not own or has ever owned snow removal equipment capable to handle the recent snow load, which was up to two feet in areas. Washington State Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for keeping state-roads and highways clear. This includes part of Main Street, Coppei, and Preston Avenues. Walla Walla County provides snow removal for the rest of Main Street and other select streets.

City of Waitsburg Public Works employees worked to remove snow and apply deicer from various sidewalks around town. Mayor Dunn said he, the city council members, and the city administrator are more than happy to answer questions about the city’s Public Works and equipment capabilities.

Mayor Dunn and the council thanked all of the neighbors who stepped up to help others around town with snow removal. He extended a very big thank you to Bill Moran and Alpine Industries for volunteering to clear the school parking lots, Main Street, and other areas.

Councilmember Jim Romine reported on behalf of the Community Health and Protection Committee. The committee met last week to discuss the possibility of a flood after heavy snowfall and a warming trend that was similar to what caused the 1996 flood. The committee contacted groups who assisted during last year’s flood to prepare for a possible high-water event indicated by the current conditions. Romine said the Waitsburg Christian Church is prepared to set up a shelter/command center similar to last year. He shared a request made by Waitsburg residents for the town’s siren to be used as a warning should flooding occur. Last year, the siren was not sounded, in part because the flooding happened too quickly, in the middle of the night, and isolated to one area of the city. If flooding occurs this year, city officials have a procedure to sound the siren should it be needed for public safety. City of Waitsburg Public Works Director Jim Lynch and Hinchliffe would work together to determine if the siren is necessary and contact Mayor Dunn to give the official order to activate the siren. Should Dunn be unavailable, mayor pro-tem Kevin House would give the order.

The Walla Walla Emergency Management Citizen Alert Notifications are also available for Waitsburg residents. The notification system gives users the option to receive a text alert, phone call, or email for severe weather, road closure, public safety, and utility notifications. You can sign up for notifications at https://tinyurl.com/1acp5q6s.

The council adjourned shortly after approval of the city bills.