The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON--At last week’s Dayton City Council meeting, Howard Boggs and Adam Schmidtgall, with Engineering Firm Anderson Perry & Associates, presented the council with an evaluation of potential design concepts, means of construction, cost estimates and funding sources for several street improvement projects in the city.

The engineers discussed North Hill improvements for Whitman and Columbia Avenues, between Front and Willow streets, and Front St., between Whitman and Columbia, which are unpaved.

They also discussed East Washington Ave., from N. Fourth St. to the Main St. viaduct, which is an existing paved street used for residential access, and access to Seneca Foods, Inc. The existing pavement has deteriorated to an unserviceable condition, and has been closed to through traffic.

The city is also looking ahead to 2018, when chip sealing can be done for S. Fourth St., from Main St. to the city limits, for S. Third St., from Main St. to Jackson St., and for South Second St., from Park St. to School Bus St.

The city has applied to FEMA for $72,500 for help with Washington Ave. repairs, and the Transportation Improvement Board has $50,000 available to help with street repairs, according to City Administrator Trina Cole.

Also, when the city gets facts back on FEMA, and from the TIB, Seneca will be asked for help with Washington St. repairs, Mayor George said.

In the last few years, Dayton has been pretty high on the list for getting funding with the TIB, according to Boggs.

The Anderson Perry engineers have identified around $160,000 worth of damage due to winter freezing and thawing, and the TIB has responded with a $50,000 grant for making repairs on potholes around town, according to Boggs.

The council will meet with the engineers to discuss ideas and costs for street repairs going forward, at a workshop planned for 5:30 p.m. on May 8, prior to the regular city council meeting.

The city is also moving forward with a street improvement plan that will include an understanding of the health of the infrastructure located beneath the streets.

“Our ultimate goal is to make huge amount of improvements to a lot of streets,” said Cole.

Anderson Perry has been tasked by city officials with creating an inventory of every street in town, as to street conditions and the condition of the water and sewer lines beneath them.

It would be counterproductive to pave streets over old water or sewer line, said Schmidtgall.

Schmidtgall said the City of Walla Walla has a comprehensive street infrastructure plan, which is tied to utility rates. Their philosophy is “it is cheaper to pave than to patch”, he said.

The engineers said they will use information supplied by the TIB, and the water system plan, to assist with the creation of a comprehensive street plan, by the time the next funding cycle takes place.

In her report, Cole said she has been working on the Six-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. She has also made an application to the USDA for the water improvements on S. First St., Oak St., and part of Second St., in order to obtain a lower interest rate.

Also at last week’s meeting City Planning Director Karen Scharer talked about the Complete Streets Forum and Safe Routes to School.

“We got a lot of good information. The hope is we can begin working on some of the paperwork needed, and some policies, and eventually get some funds to improve some of the sidewalks and such that we haven’t been able to address,” Scharer said.

Scharer also introduced the topic of medical marijuana cooperatives. According to state law a qualified patient can grow up to fifteen marijuana plants on their property, but the law also allows for medical marijuana cooperatives, so that four people can grow up to sixty plants at one residence, she said. The concern is what the impact is to the neighbors due to smell.

Councilwoman Delphine Bailey expressed the desire to include the Sheriff’s Department in any conversations about medical marijuana.

Mayor George said, “This is not going to be solved in the next couple of months . . . We need to get it out and get educated on it.”

In his report, Dayton Chamber of Commerce Director Andrew Holt said tourism inquiries were down at the visitor’s center due to the harsh winter weather, but the chamber’s social media campaign is doing well. There has been a 19% jump in Facebook hits and website hits are up 73% over this time last year, he said.

The chamber is partnering in production of a new Dayton Area Visitor’s Guide, which will be placed in visitor centers state-wide, Holt said.

The Cup of Joe program is going well, and there have been four presentations made since January including; financing for small businesses, assistance available through the state Department of Commerce, business succession planning, and developing a food system, said Holt

Holt told the council that relocation package inquiries are split 50/50 among people looking for possible retirement in the area, and people taking jobs in the area.

The council also approved first readings of the city’s Shoreline Master Plan ordinance, and a new water and sewer revenue bond ordinance.