City council accepts bids for city surplus properties

WAITSBURG-Sales agreements will be negotiated with the city for two Main Street properties after bids were accepted at the February 16 Waitsburg City Council meeting.

Mayor Marty Dunn, Councilmembers Jillian Henze, Jim Romine, Randy Charles, and Kevin House were in attendance. Councilmember Court Ruppenthal was not available for the meeting.

During the public comment portion, Tom Bennett asked if there was a way to address the dog waste left on the sidewalks and in the alley behind his building on Main Street. City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said that the best thing to do is snap a photo of any dogs that Bennett sees, send them to Hinchliffe, and he will try to contact the pets' owners.

The council reviewed bid proposals for the surplus property, including the former city hall and the vacant lot at 124 Main Street. At the December 2021 meeting, the council approved changes to the city's surplus property policy, allowing the city to consider proposals and the amount of the bid.

There were two bids for the city hall property; Hinchliffe recommended the council approve the bid from Randy Hallowell of Walla Walla for the former City Hall building. In the proposal, Hallowell said there were four partners for the project: He will be the lead and primary contact, and other partners would be James, Bruce, and Brent Hallowell.

With more than 20 years of experience in the construction field, Hallowell said that he and his partners have the experience, knowledge, and resources to renovate the building for a retail space at the main level and residential units on the upper level.

In the bid proposal, the retail space will be changed minimally to create booths for pop-up space for local artisans and vendors. Hallowell said they were considering converting the middle room of the building to commercial kitchen space with a three-compartment sink, prep sink, and a handwashing sink. This kitchen would be a commissary providing opportunities for food trucks or a snack/lunch shop in the real space.

'Ultimately, I want what is best for Waitsburg,' the proposal reads. 'I have been coming through since I was a kid. I have watched the cycles, but due to recent events, feel like it is headed to a whole new level.' The entire proposal can be temporarily found on the City of Waitsburg's website.

Hallowell and his partners expect anywhere from $250,000-$350,000 in, on top of the $205,000 they offered for the building. He wants to begin the renovations as soon as possible.

Councilmember Randy Charles asked Hinchliffe how the city could enforce a buyer to follow through on their proposals. He said this was not a reflection on Hallowell, and he was only concerned over the possibility the building could be left empty.

Hinchliffe said there could be a clawback provision in the sales agreement; however, he did not elaborate on what that might look like.

The council voted unanimously to accept the bid from Hallowell and partners with a clawback provision. Now the city attorney will negotiate a sales agreement with the buyers, which will need approval by the council.

There was one bid submitted for the vacant lot at 124 Main Street. The bid for $24,000 was submitted by Tom and Judy Bennett, who are opening American 35 in the building adjacent to the lot. The Bennett's proposal stated the lot would provide outdoor dining and gathering space for their business. The council voted unanimously to accept the bid.

The council reviewed the status of purchasing an emergency backup generator. Before the pandemic, the city received a FEMA grant for $51,000 to purchase and install the generator. After supply chain issues delayed the project, costs for the generator increased. Hinchliffe was able to get an additional $15,000 from the grantor, however, the costs have continued to rise. The city received two bids to continue the project; Walla Walla Electric was the low bidder at $83,161, and Dayton Electric bid $95,405.

Hinchliffe said he had looked into a low-hour used generator, however, the grant will only allow the purchase of new equipment. The project is mainly funded by grant money, with the city responsible for 25% of the total project cost. Hinchliffe estimated that the city's portion would cost $10-12,000, up from the original $6,200.

Hinchliffe has reached out to inquire about a second grant increase. If the increase is denied, the city's portion for the project may be as much as $20,000, should they move forward. The city's share would come from the Water and Sewer fund.

The council voted to move forward with the project.

FEMA funds will cover the cost of a new culvert on E Second Street, near Harmon Street, replacing the current drainage ditch that flooded in 2020.

A public hearing will be held at the March meeting, regarding the possible vacation of an alley that splits a property on W Third Street. The alley, according to Hinchliffe, is no longer used as an alley and has no utilities connected to it.

During council reports, Jim Romine reported that potential vandalism on Main Street had been thwarted just ten days prior to the meeting. While crews were pouring a new concrete slab at the north end of Main, a four-legged, scruffy-haired resident, otherwise known as Tuffy Stellwagon, had attempted to permanently imprint the wet concrete. He was caught in the act by city staff and returned home with clean paws. Romine reported that Tuffy is on house arrest for the time being.

In the Administrator's report, Hinchliffe said work on the splash pad had been delayed after parts had not yet been shipped, and the city is still looking for contractors. He said he had hoped the pad would be open by Memorial Day, but that looks less likely.

Hinchliffe said a past employee has been rehired for the fourth public works position and will start next month.