The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Council members: Chuck Kimsey, Matt Tunell, Paul Forney, Douglas Venn, Val Jacobson, and Mayor Steve Heimbigner, with Forney absent.

*Walla Walla County Sheriff John Turner presented updated crime statistics and call records for the City of Prescott. Turner reported law enforcement had provided 63.25 hours above those contracted, year-to-date and that crime statistics were down. “Crime in the cities of Walla Walla and College Place is up but in the areas we’re responsible for, it’s down,” Turner said.

*Turner said deputies will keep an eye on Prescott during Aug. 22-23, the weekend of the recently cancelled Rally in the Valley motorcycle event. “I’m not against a fun event but some of the people associated with this event, that were listed on the flyer, are known outlaws,” Turner said.

*Turner reported that he would be meeting with Walla Walla County Commissioners on July 14 to discuss how the recent transfer of jail management from the Sheriff’s Office to the County Commissioners would affect cities who have contracted with the Sheriff’s Office for jail services.

*Council unanimously approved budget amendment 2015-03 to allow the transfer of collected EMS funds to Fire District No. 7, for the purchase of a new first responder vehicle. The request of $45,000 for the purchase of the vehicle, was the district’s first request in many years. Mayor Heimbigner explained that EMS levy funds are collected by the city but can be used only for EMS services. The funds accumulate until they are requested by the fire district.

*The council and City Attorney Jared Hawkins discussed proposed updates to the city’s current business license ordinance. An updated ordinance will include specific requirements for mobile vendors and temporary businesses. Hawkins will draft the updates which will be presented to council at a later date.

*Council agreed to add one “Caution – Children Playing” sign and move another that had been placed on the back of a stop sign. The signs will be placed near the intersections of 3rd and “F” streets.