Waitsburg City Council meeting update

WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg City Council held its regular meeting at city hall on June 21, 2023. City council members Jillian Henze, Jim Romine, Kevin House, Court Ruppenthal, Mayor Marty Dunn, and City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe were present. Council member Randy Charles was absent.

Washington State Senator Perry Dozier presented a recap of the recent legislative session. He discussed the capital, operating, and transportation budgets.

Dozier worked to replace $21 million diverted from the 2015 “Connecting Washington” transportation package, allocated to widen U.S. Highway 12 between Wallula and Walla Walla. He mentioned his frustration over the Climate Commitment Act, saying it was responsible for the state having the highest gas prices in the country. Dozier noted that exemptions in that act for agriculture, trucking, and maritime industries had not gone into effect.

He said the approved state budgets included $42 million for projects in the 16th District. He described them as “things people can embrace” and gave the example of a playground in Kennewick.

The capital budget allocated money for mental health projects in the Tri-Cities, schools, and $876,000 towards replacing Preston Street Bridge in Waitsburg.

After thanking the Senator for his visit, the council passed four resolutions, including vacating an unused easement, adopting the Six-year Transportation Plan, and approving the Pool Pass Reimbursement program for the 2023 summer season.

Waitsburg residents can use the pool passes at the Prescott or Walla Walla Pools; a family pass from the city is worth $160.

Mayor Marty Dunn reported on attending the Project of the Year Awards sponsored by the Project Management Institute (PMI), Columbia River Basin Chapter. The competition has two categories: large projects (over $1 million) and small projects (below. $1 million.) He and Hinchliffe attended, representing Waitsburg which was nominated for the Taggert Road waterline project. Nominees had 10-15 minutes to present an overview of their projects before the final vote that evening. Dunn said Hinchliffe gave a speech “he should be very proud of.”

Hinchliffe was surprised the Taggert project was nominated, especially against projects that included a nuclear reactor safety project and an animal shelter.

The reactor project won top honors, and the shelter won people’s choice.

Jillian Henze reported the Community Health and Protection Committee believes the county should improve its portion of Bolles Road. She also noted that the library received a $5,000 grant to replace the rear windows of the building.

Jim Romine reported on the Sheriff’s Office’s difficulties in retaining and recruiting officers. He said two officers recently completed the training academy. A new regional law enforcement training academy was opened in Pasco, making training much more accessible to new officers in Walla Walla and the surrounding areas.

Kevin House gave a council report covering the Junior Livestock Show at the Waitsburg Fairgrounds. This year the show included Jackpot entries for goats and sheep, including some from Idaho and Oregon.

House said the Junior Livestock Show Board has decided “to continue along the Jackpot lines,” which tripled the number of attendees over the last show. In addition, House said the board agreed that future shows would not be run as state fairs, losing $2,000 in state funding.

The board would like to increase sponsorships and make improvements at the fairgrounds, including the grandstands, railing, and possibly grassing in the track.

Court Ruuppenthal said he was excited about the upcoming Waitsburg Brewfest on July 8. He said the other vendors are looking forward to the event. Ruppenthal expects a great turnout.

Hinchliffe reported the sale of the former City Hall has fallen through. The realtor said the buyers backed out due to financing issues. The building is back on the market.

Deputy City Clerk Brittany Zuger has resigned, having taken a job at the Waitsburg School District. Hinchliffe said he might revamp the deputy clerk position.

Hinchliffe said the city population increased by 40 according to the state.

Reporting on flood control, he said the city would most likely have to provide funds to Columbia County to have them work on mitigation efforts.

Hinchliffe ended his report by saying most of the city’s fire hydrants have been tested and color-coded for water pressure. He said 95% of the hydrants have at least 1,500 gallons per minute and were marked blue on the top.

The council went into executive session before adjourning. The council did not state the purpose of the session at the meeting.