The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Public Comment

-Keith Parkins, owner of the former Waitsbur Inn, requested a utility rate cap on his property, which has been converted to apartments. Council will hear proposal discussion next meeting.

-Cindy Hofer approached the Council about revising a recently amended ordinance stating that only licensed monument companies may lay markers in City cemeteries. Hofer would like individuals to be able to hire licensed and bonded workers to place monuments.

New Business

-The Waitsburg Art Commission chose four semi-finalists to submit proposals for two bronze pieces to be placed on Main Street. The semi-finalists are: Keith McMasters, Wayne Chabre, Jeffrey Hill and Squire Broel.

-The budget was amended to account for monies received from the Sherwood Trust Grant for art.

-Council approved an interlocal agreement for cost reimbursement for Academy Street parking lot driveway with Waitsburg School District.

-Kate Hockersmith was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Arts Commission. One position is still vacant. Interested parties may get applications at City Hall.

Council Reports

-Deb Callahan: Reported that the fire station was painted inside. Reported that citizens had complained that the cemetery looks dead and that clover has taken over. Proposed that Waitsburg have a "Fun Day/Free Swim Day" to bring citizens together at the park and pool. Reported that she received a leadership award and gained useful information at the Association of Washington Cities conference in June

-K. C. Kuykendall: Asked about possibility of replacing water lines in alleys while sidewalks are being pulled for Main Street retrofit.

-Karl Newell: Noted that manure pile had been removed from fairgrounds and that "trailer park" had been removed from property on the corner of Coppei and Preston Avenue.

City Clerk Report

-The Main Street ADA retrofit has begun and engineers anticipate the project will be finished by month-end.

-The City pool is doing well with approximately 90 people attending each day. There have been no complaints so far this year.

-Anticipates more grant money for sidewalk replacement next year.

-Next BDI will request rate increase of about 30 cents. BDI has added four natural gas trucks to their fleet which may result in a removal of the fuel surcharge in a year or two.

-The Main Street Bridge did make the list of public transportation project the state will consider funding. $175 million is available with $245 million having been requested. Final decisions will be made in early August.

-Requested to close City Hall July 24-25 while on vacation.