City Council sees large turnout for public hearing

WAITSBURG—The May 19 City Council meeting was scheduled to include a public hearing concerning the possible sale of 212 Main St, which houses the Weller Public Library. A much larger than usual crowd attended the Waitsburg City Council meeting. Over 40 people were there specifically to attend the public hearing. Many people were concerned that the proposal was about closing the library altogether. Comments supported the library, and many wanted to keep the library in the historic building on Main Street.

Mayor Marty Dunn opened the regular council meeting by reassuring those in attendance that no one in city government wants to close the library. He said they are trying to find a place for it that is better than the place it is in now.

Council Member Karen Gregutt said the library was the heart and soul of the city and everyone wanted to continue to embrace it.

The room was opened to public comments, not related to the library. Randy Charles asked when the limb debris facility would be reopened. Lisa Norris from the city crew said it is closed because the prison crew is busy with the pre-Memorial Day clean-up at the cemeteries and other areas. No time has been set to reopen the facility.

Terry Jacoy commented that city council meetings should be posted on the city hall door again. Dunn said the information is posted on the City’s website. Jacoy responded that there are people who don’t have access to the internet to check the website for meetings.

After the public comment period, the Council discussed City Hall access. Hinchliffe said the city had spent many years trying to find a way to rehab the building, and the last significant upgrade was opening the keystone windows on Preston Avenue. The building has fundamentally remained unchanged since the city took ownership from the First National Bank.

In 2018, the City completed a conceptual plan available on the City’s website under the Government tab, under City Hall Renovation Project. In 2020, Waitsburg City Hall was included on the Washington State Heritage Capital Projects Ranked Projects list using the plan in the application. The City has a pending award of $66,000 towards the $234,000 estimate for the design and engineering phase cost. This leaves $168,000 for the City to cover should the legislature fund the grant and the city council approves the project.

The biggest issue the city must address is the need to make the building compliant under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). Blair Kok, Risk Manager at Clear Risk Solutions, the City’s insurance carrier, joined the meeting via phone to discuss changes he identified in an ADA assessment he completed for the city last year. The report is available on the City’s website at the bottom of the government tab.

Kok gave three of the issues that would need to be addressed for ADA compliance. First was the access into the building, which is not at ground level. The only location for a ramp would be the Preston Avenue side of the building. However, the sidewalk is not wide enough to accommodate pedestrians and the ramp. Second, all the interior doors would have to be replaced as they are not wide enough to accommodate wheelchair traffic. Third, an ADA bathroom is needed in all public accessed spaces.

Mayor Dunn asked if the city needs to make the ADA changes since it is a historic building and had never been ADA compliant. Since the city offers alternative services for those who cannot access the building, including a dropbox and sidewalk service, would the city be ok?

Kok said, “Sometimes it is ok and sometimes not. You should be able to allow everyone to come inside. The city must offer equal accessibility.”

Councilmember Gregutt asked if posting signage saying the building is historical and the city is working on changes for accessibility would help protect the city?

Kok said that payment signage and a doorbell would be a smart thing to do.

A comment was made from the audience that signage could also point out a problem where none has existed before.

An attendee asked Kok why the City Hall needs an ADA bathroom, is it for the public or employees?

Kok said, “All public facilities should have one available if it is open to the public.

Councilmember Jim Romine asked, “Why does City Hall need one (ADA restroom) but not the grocery or bank or other buildings.”

“Grocery stores have ADA public bathrooms,” said Kok.

In a moment of unexpected unity, the room said, “Noooo, we don’t.”

The crowd went on to say that the grocery and other public buildings in town do not have bathrooms open to the public. Ten Ton Coffee does have an ADA public restroom. Kok noted that buildings that are open to the public and don’t have ADA bathrooms are in violation of the code.

Mayor Dunn said that since the city has a dropbox, online services, and staff available to come out of the office, City Hall could remain closed to the public to avoid potential issues.

The Council decided to continue to keep City Hall closed, as it has been under COVID-19 restrictions.

The Council moved on to the Public Hearing regarding the potential surplus of 212 Main Street, which houses the Weller Public Library. Hinchliffe said that he has had multiple parties have expressed interest in the building, understanding the structure will require extensive repairs to the upper floor and repairs to the main level.

There was a recent appraisal done on the property, which is available on the City’s website. The appraised value was estimated at $140,000.

The city also had a conceptual plan that offers three options starting at $180,000 for minimal improvements to a complete update and redesign of the building and library for an estimated $1,400,000.

Hinchliffe clarified that the City is not looking to stop providing library services: If 212 Main were to sell, the City would find a more accessible space to house the library.

Many in attendance said this felt like the cart before the horse.

One person shared that she had seen no problems with library access or crowding, asking why the Friends of the Library could not be involved with fundraising for building updates and maintenance.

The Friends of the Library purchases books and materials for the library, but the City of Waitsburg owns the building, pays the librarian’s salary and is responsible for the building’s utilities and maintenance costs.

Lisa Winnett from The Friends of the Library asked anyone interested to help support the library to contact her.

Multiple speakers spoke of their experiences at the library and their desire to keep the library in the historic space. Some were concerned that the city was losing its history.

“It feels like we are going in the wrong direction,” one speaker said.

One commenter criticized newer residents who have bought buildings on Main Street and were causing Waitsburg’s history to be lost.

Councilmember Jim Romine said that the town’s limited budget makes major repairs to two city buildings very difficult, and the City must consider what is the most financially sound option while still offering the same services. Romine commented that it did not make sense to put $500,000 into a building valued at only $140,000 to end up with a property worth $400,000. He said we can buy another building and move and set up shop for much less

Romine said that with a city budget of $2,000,000, there is no money available to remodel City Hall and 202 Main. "We are trying to do what is financially sound for the city and still provide the services."

Romine said the city was looking at a building to house both City Hall and the library.

Jillian Henze said, “I hear you don’t want to close it (the library), but we need a safety net and a plan.” She said she knew it has been hard on the Council and Mayor, and staff and was glad for the opportunity to be heard.

“I feel the energy in the room, and I think it is time to think critically for the library and the building and the program. It should be a win/win for town and kids.” She said, “Let’s use the opportunity to make it better.”

Henze’s comment elicited applause from the audience.

Bringing comments to an end, Gregutt spoke about the charm of the city. She stressed the importance of saving the city’s historic buildings for our children and grandchildren. She said owners of the buildings on Main street have invested in the buildings, making sure they will be there in the future.

“Nobody wants this beautiful treasure in the center of our town, with that lovely, dedicated piece of art, to go anywhere except to be there for the next 200 years for your great-grand-children and your great-grand-children,” she said.

This is just an examination of the issue Gregutt said. “We are dedicated. We are just starting the process.”

She expressed her wish to see the library open every day, computers available, reading and kids’ programs expanded, and a quiet place for kids to do their homework.

Members of the audience later expressed concern that this was not just the start of the project, but may be farther along than stated by the City Council or the City Administrator. One participant noted that the public hearing may have just been the City doing the necessary step needed to legally sell the building without further imput from citizens. "Checking the box."

The City Council voted to table any decisions regarding the surplussing of 212 Main Street until more information could be gathered and presented. They will discuss and possibly vote on the matter at the June meeting.

The Council approved Resolution 2021-723: Authorizing Tour of Walla Walla to conduct a bike race through the City of Waitsburg on June 4-6.

The Council approved Resolution 2021-724: Entering into an interlocal agreement with Walla Walla County, City of Walla Walla, City of College Place, and the City of Prescott related to an update of the coordinated solid waste management program. The interlocal agreement is available to view on the City’s website, http://www.cityofwaitsburg.com

At the April meeting, the Council voted not to open the pool for a second summer due to COVID-19, staffing concerns, and structural concerns.

Hinchliffe introduced a plan for a splash pad, which would be installed at Preston Park, as a way to provide local kids a place to play and cool off during the summer. Splash pads have gained popularity at parks in recent years.

Hinchliffe said that the splash pad would not require a lifeguard, no need for additional water treatment and a much longer season than the pool can offer with current resources. Hinchliffe presented a sample plan for a pad to be installed in Spokane, which would cost roughly $70,000. He did not think it would cost that much in this area. The plans are available to view on the website.

Community members at the meeting showed support for a splash pad, and the Council voted to move forward with the planning process and send the plans to bid. The Council will be able to approve or deny any future bids.

Because the City will not be opening the pool this summer, the Council passed Resolution 2021-725, allowing a 50% reimbursement for pool passes to the Walla Walla Memorial and Prescott pools. Families who wish to be reimbursed must provide a receipt.

The Council appointed Jillian Henze and Twila Johnson-Tate to the Planning Commission.

The Council awarded the Wellfield Backup Generator project to Dayton Electric. The project will begin the installation process for a backup propane generator that would provide water in the event of power failure from a disaster, like a fire.