The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—Zac Weatherford was elected Mayor Pro-Tempore for 2019 by the Dayton City Council at their first regular meeting of the New Year.

“I’m excited. Zac’s going to do a good job,” said Councilwoman Delphine Bailey who nominated him for the position.

Mayor Craig George said that when he moves to Arizona in late spring, the council will have 90 days to appoint a mayor to serve until the end of the year.

Affordable Housing

The Port’s Economic Development Coordinator, Kathryn Witherington, spoke to the council about her desire to form a committee to look into Dayton’s lack of affordable housing, especially for families and seniors.

She said affordable housing was the topmost voted for priority at the Port’s Comprehensive Economic Steering Committee meeting in December.

“I see this as one of the barriers to economic development,” Witherington said. “I think we need to bring a dedicated group together to solve the problem. I invite one or more of you to be a part of this committee.”

Part of the committee’s work will be to seek solutions on how to incentivize developers.

Columbia County already has some of the lowest permitting fees and RCWs (state codes) allow public and city-owned land to be developed, Witherington said.

“We can build affordable houses here. Let’s come up with ideas and take action,” she said.

Anyone on the city council, or in the community, interested in serving on the committee can reach Witherington at the Port’s office.

Main Street Trees

The city has been notified of its eligibility to apply for a grant from the Department of Urban Forestry to help with Main Street trees.

“Everybody is saying you planted the wrong trees. The consultant is saying, ‘no, you didn’t.’ We have good trees for the street,” said Delphine Bailey, who serves on the committee looking into the trees.

She said the tree root system might be questionable as to how dense they are.

City Administrator Trina Cole said, “Our trees are in good health. They are a community asset.”

Chamber Assistant

In her report, Kathy Berg said there are four applicants for the assistant position at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce.

An announcement could come as early as the end of the month, as to who will be hired, she said.

Planning Department

City Planning Director Meagan Bailey said Code Compliance Officer Clint Atteberry has been successful in removing two RVs, with people living in them, from city streets.

And he has recently produced a report on building activity in Dayton.

“People are putting more money into their property over the last three years, a positive trend,” Bailey said.

She said the Comprehensive Plan Update is moving forward and all updates should be finished by mid to late March for submission to SEPA for review, and then sent to the Department of Commerce for final approval.

Bailey said letters are now going out to owners of vacant buildings on Main Street regarding planned inspections by the Fire Marshal.