The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-The Columbia County Commissioners and the County Planning Department are in the process of developing a Facilities Plan for the Columbia County Fairgrounds and the Touchet Valley Golf Course. County Planner Meagan Bailey has been tasked with coordinating that effort.

Special events might be held in the area where the East Grandstand is currently located. The grandstand is to be demolished sometime during the winter months, according to the commissioners.

That area, along with the Pavilion, with its new HVAC system, could both be used for special events, the commissioners have said.

At their meeting on Aug. 17, Bailey spoke with the commissioners about her ideas. Her goal is for the public to help create a plan for public use, she said.

Bailey said she plans to use a "structured decision-making method," including public participation and participation by the golf and fair boards, she said.

Bailey's vision is for an initial group of eight to twelve people to meet frequently, out of which a greater vision will come, and she hopes to get meetings underway in October.

Commission Chairman Merle Jackson said, "I have had no negatives in talking with people. I have not heard any naysayers."

Commissioner Talbot responded, "I'm looking forward to seeing what can come of this."

Commissioner Robanske said he hopes to see a vision in place in 2017 for the area where the East Grandstand is currently located.

Bailey responded that a vision is the last step, and that talking, and figuring it out, will come first.

"I think there are a lot of positives going forward," Robanske said.

Also at their meeting on the 17th the County Commissioners discussed and approved budget amendment requests for County engineer Andrew Woods.

County Building and Planning Director Kim Lyonnaise was also on hand to discuss the new Shoreline Master Plan, and the 2015 International Building Code, along with an amended Building Fee Schedule for Commercial and Industrial plan review, all of which were approved by the commissioners.

Ken Graham

The fairgrounds pavilion recently received a new HVAC system.

Sheriff Rocky Miller's budget was also amended to take into account "two large bills" due to care for two inmates in February, 2016. This included a roughly $20,000 helicopter ride for one of them, and another roughly $19,000 to keep the inmates housed separately, one of them in Walla Walla.

Remodeling the Superior Court clerk's office in 2017 was also discussed by the commissioners and Superior Court Clerk Susan Marinella. The remodel will be done for safety reasons, and to meet compliance with the American Disabilities Act, Marinella said.

Marinella told the commissioners that she will be meeting soon with a representative from Total Office Concepts to discuss the design.

"It's the times," Commissioner Robanske said, about current safety issues at the courthouse. "I think it's a good idea."