Play surface, ARPA projects were April City Council topics

WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg City Council met on Wednesday, April 20, for a regularly scheduled meeting. April was the first month that the council offered a Zoom option. The option will be available for future meetings, and log-in information is provided at http://www.cityofwaitsburg.com with upcoming meeting agendas.

Those using Zoom said it was difficult to hear. The city is exploring options to improve the online sound quality for future meetings.

Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office (WWCSO) provided the council with a services report. WWCSO deputies were present more than 250 hours each month in the year’s first three months. The presenter reminded the council that WWCSO has a three-deputy team on duty at any given time for the county. Deputies are often stretched thin in such a large coverage area.

The office has recently hired two lateral-level deputies, and the onboarding process is almost complete.

Councilmember Randy Charles noted that he appreciates the deputies’ presence in town, but he often sees them parked in unnoticeable areas, including the alleyway that runs alongside the pool. He suggested the deputies park their cars in more visible areas, including Main Street.

The second agenda item was removed from the agenda at the request of library board members. The Weller Library Board of Trustees asked the city to amend a $6,800 grant application to the Washington State Library Association. The original application asked for computers and printers. Library board members asked to amend the application to include cameras, in addition to printers and computers. The city wrote and will submit the grant application, and any changes need written approval from the city. The council tabled the item.

The council reviewed a pool engineering assessment provided by Cortner Architectural. The report said leaks in the pool make it unusable. City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe said that they are exploring all avenues for future use of the pool.

According to the assessment, Cortner Architectural concluded that the 1920s pool has ‘long-exceeded’ its life expectancy, even with updates and alterations made in the 1970s and again in the mid-1990s. Hinchliffe mentioned multiple attempts to reline the pool to slow or stop leaks temporarily. He said the cost of repairing the pool would outweigh the benefits of keeping the pool in its current configuration.

Hinchliffe said that during a February leak inspection, it took over 500,000 gallons to fill the 125,000-gallon pool, and it did not reach maximum capacity, even at that rate of water flow. Following the assessment, Hinchliffe said the city crew did not open the drain, but the pool was empty within 24 hours.

Cortner Architectural estimated that it would cost $50-$75,000 to demolish and remove the current pool and $350-$450,000 to build a new pool. A new public entrance, showers, restrooms, and parking could cost another $400,000.

Councilmember Jillian Henze asked about the possibility of providing pool passes or some compensation for families taking their children to neighboring pools, and Hinchliffe said he did not see why they couldn’t. The city offered to partially reimburse families for pool passes last year, and he said that he had talked to the donor who covered the cost of swimming lessons in the past, and they were okay with their donation being used to cover the expenses.

The full report is available in the April 20 meeting packet, which can be found on the city’s website.

The City of Waitsburg will receive its second American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation this year. The funds will be used to install maintenance holes every 300 feet of Waitsburg’s sewer system, bringing the system up to state standards.

Hinchliffe said that he reached out to Culbert Construction, who has done work for the city in the past, but they are booked out for more than a year. Michels Pipe Services, Salem, Ore., was the only other contractor that responded to Hinchliffe’s requests for bids.

The project will cost roughly $130,000 for maintenance hole installation and repair. The city will proceed with relining the lines later when funding is available. The entire relining project is estimated at $700,000. The proposal from Michel’s is available online in the council packet.

The council awarded the ARPA project to Michel’s Pipe Services without amendments to the contract.

Purchase of a sewer line camera system for $12,253.65 was approved. The camera system has been talked about for several years, but other projects and needs have been prioritized. Having the camera system will allow the city to start planning a complete sewer system inspection, allowing them to pinpoint problem areas and prioritize problem areas for future relining and repair.

The city council approved a request to allow cyclists to ride through Waitsburg as part of the annual Tour of Walla Walla race. The council approved using the surrounding roads for the June 3-5 race.

Along with the addition of the splash pad at Preston Park, the city will be adding a play surface, where two house foundations were left behind following the 1996 flood. Hinchliffe said that a ‘local gentleman’ has expressed that he wants to donate to the play surface project but was unsure what amount he would provide. The council approved this project.

Local business owner Tom Bennett offered to donate play equipment, such as basketballs, that community members can use to enjoy the play surface.