The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg City Council met Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. via conference call. All board members were present except councilman Karl Newell. The council discussed the Complete Sidewalk Project Award, a capital library grant, and the status of the city pool.

City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe gave an update on the Complete Sidewalk Project Award that the City received earlier this year. He said that he has been in contact with property owners who will be impacted by the project, and he is working to resolve any negative feedback he receives.

Hinchliffe also reported that the City of Waitsburg, with the approval of the council, will be applying for a Library Capital Grant. The grant was developed by the state legislature in 2019 with the goal of assisting libraries operated by government entities with improvements, construction and/or rehabilitation. The grant program is a 50/50 structure, meaning that the grant will only cover 50 percent of the proposed cost. Currently, apartment-style rooms or professional rental spaces (meeting/conference areas) are being explored. Hinchliffe has been working with an architect and asked the board for $6,600 to cover fees related to the architectural work. The board voted to approve the $6,600 requested.

The council weighed the status of the city pool. Earlier in the year, the pool’s closure was presented as a way to free up money to pay for flood-related damages. Pools across the state are currently weighing the viability of a season with the pandemic-related restrictions, and the council members were concerned about pool staff, attendance, and other issues. After much discussion, it was ultimately decided that it would be safest to close the pool for the 2020 summer season. Many council members requested that the city utilize the closure to assess the pool for repairs and improvements.

The city council voted to appoint Kevin House as mayor pro tem. House has served as mayor pro tem in years past.

Mayor Marty Dunn appointed Jim Romine, David Paxton and himself to the Community Health and Protection Committee, formerly the Emergency Preparedness Committee. Kevin House and Jim Romine were appointed to the Infrastructure and Budget Committee. Karl Newell and David Paxton were appointed to the Community Recreation and Remembrance Committee. Karen Gregutt was appointed to the Planning Commission.