Waitsburg Council review fairgrounds

WAITSBURG-Present for Waitsburg City Council's regular meeting on January 17 were Mayor Marty Dunn and council members Kevin House, Jim Romine, Jillian Henze, and Randy Charles. Due to an injury, new member Jennifer Bishop attended by Zoom.

During public comment, Kate Hockersmith told the council that she hoped to use the fairgrounds for an annual youth bluegrass festival beginning with a one-day event this summer. She would not use the grandstands the first year but encouraged the city to preserve the stands for future use and historic value. She gave a printed history of the fairgrounds to each council member.The scheduled presentation by state representatives for the Governor's Smart Communities Award was taken off the agenda due to weather-related travel restrictions. The award was announced in November in recognition of Waitsburg's sewer system improvement project.

Walla Walla County Sheriff Mark Crider gave an annual report on his department's contracted service in Waitsburg. He said the department was over the contracted hours for the year. According to Crider, monthly coverage in Waitsburg is typically over by 15 to 25 hours, which he said was not an issue for the department. Burglary calls were a top activity in the area during 2023, as were protection order violations and civil complaints.

"We had 58 paper services for that," said Crider, "So we should do some kind of neighborhood watch, and all get along, campaign out here and see if we can all get along."

In Walla Walla County as a whole, the department recorded 13 overdose deaths, mostly involving methamphetamine and fentanyl, with individuals from 20 to 60 years old. There were 13 recorded suicides in 2023 of individuals ages 23 to 81.

Responding to a question from Romine, Crider said there were 95 traffic stops within city limits last year and six death investigations.

Crider said three new deputies have begun attending the academy in preparation for upcoming retirements in the department this year. Two officers are retiring at the end of February. Crider answered questions from member Romine concerning current legislative affairs affecting the Sheriff's department. Crider spoke at some length about work by the Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs (WASPC) toward establishing "minimal" requirements for the office of Sheriff, an elected position. Crider stated that the Criminal Justice Training Commission has also been involved in the issue, proposing additional requirements and controls that Crider said the WASPC does not support.

Under committee reports, Member Henze commented that the Community Health and Protection Committee expressed its appreciation for the visibility of deputies in town. In response to an inquiry from the committee regarding drug cartel activity, Crider stated that cartel presence in the area tends to be low, and large drug busts are infrequent here.

Crider said, "We are working with our federal partners to try and move those cases from the low-level street dealers here to their suppliers so we can cut off that supply before it even gets here. That's the goal."

Weller Public Library Supervisor Sarah Roberts reported on 2023 library statistics and activities planned for 2024. For more information, refer to The Times article "Arts Kits, Bird Boxes, and online books at the Weller Library in 2024," published January 18, 2024.

The mayor opened the discussion on the Waitsburg fairgrounds. Randy Hinchliffe said it was added at the request of House. Hinchliffe began by presenting a brief history of the fairgrounds and their use by the Days of Real Sport through 2005. He summarized the conditions of the buildings and grounds, including engineering studies provided in councils' packets. Hinchliffe presented options for demolition and rehabilitation of structures deemed unsafe by the city's insurance carrier.

Hinchliffe said, "From a maintenance standpoint, I don't know that the city's coffers would ever be deep enough to make any substantial improvements that would be cost-effective."

He said that fairgrounds are typically county functions and not the responsibility of city governments.

"The facility doesn't generate hardly any revenue for the city, as a lot of its use is for youth-related programs that we don't charge and is primarily subsidized by property taxes."

Hinchliffe said the 2024 city budget allocates $74,950 for fairgrounds routine maintenance, apart from any events or functions. Hinchliffe submitted a preliminary estimate of $8,000, received in December 2023 from Don Jackson Excavation of Milton-Freewater, for demolition of the grandstands and disposal of materials. Discussion between the council and attendees covered the condition of the fairgrounds' structures, the cost of new facilities, grant opportunities, and event and activity ideas. Concern over the city's potential liability around deteriorated structures was discussed. Community members expressed strong interest in preserving the grandstands as a historic structure.

Member Henze reminded the council that last year's Parks and Recreation Commission survey results showed respondents identified the fairgrounds as the second highest priority after a new city pool. "We have not set our finger on the real problem that we're needing to solve," Henze said. "Capital projects can cost thousands if not millions of dollars, and that's scary and overwhelming to take on. But what can we do within our maintenance budget in the next year that would start to create a little life back into that asset without having to tear down the grandstands?"

Hockersmith said a one-day youth bluegrass festival could be held on the grounds this summer or fall, using a flatbed stage and lawn chairs. Though the grandstands would not be used the first year, they would be viewed by visitors.

The need for a renewed and united effort among citizens and entities, including Waitsburg Parks and Recreation and Friends of the Fairgrounds, was emphasized by many attendees. Possibly forming a fair board was also discussed.

Council member Charles said, "It seems to me that we don't have a long-term vision for use of the fairgrounds. We need to have the community work on that. Until we have that, we're not going anywhere."

Waitsburg Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bart Baxter said the district has developed ideas he can bring to the council.

"The Fairgrounds are used six weekends out of 52 every year," he said. "We have a plan for using it 22 weeks out of the year." The council agreed to set aside time at its March meeting for a presentation by Baxter.

The council agreed that the announcer's booth in front of the grandstands needs to be removed as soon as possible due to its poor condition. The council directed city staff to put out surplus notices for the removal of the structure.

In other business, the council passed Resolution 2024-774 unanimously. It summarized a favorable offset of less than one percent between the 2023 budgeted and actual payroll totals, with no additional adjustments to payroll needed.

Under council committee reports, Henze expressed appreciation for the library's circulation growth last year. The Health and Protection Committee registered concerns about graffiti in certain spots around town, as well as the drug overdose crisis. In addition, Henze reported that she has attained a Certificate of Municipal Leadership (CML) through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC). The CML program recognizes mayors and council members for accomplishing training in legislation, funding, long-term planning, and other areas.

Charles reported that Dustin Nelson, owner of the J.W. Morgan building on Main Street, invited the planning commission to tour the building. Charles acknowledged Nelson for the work completed and said Nelson had submitted a conditional use permit for an owner or caretaker residency in the back of the commercial building.

In his CWWFD #2 report, Charles stated that Jim Hickam and Bruce Abbey are retiring after many years of service. One replacement has been found. Brooke Mikesell will chair the district, which continues to seek a full-time fire chief.

Hinchliffe gave the City Clerk's report, noting that 2023 expenditures were below budget but slightly above revenues. The city ended the year with a positive cash balance despite carrying the old city hall on the books. According to Hinchliffe, the old city hall building needs a new roof, and Gillespie Roofing, Inc. in Walla Walla gave a preliminary estimate of $40,000.