The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON- The Dayton City Council held its regular meeting at 6 p.m. on September 12, 2023. Mayor Zac Weatherford and council members Teeny McMunn, James Su’euga, Michael Smith, Kyle Anderson, Dain Nysoe, Laura Aukerman, and Shannon McMillen were in City Hall.

Sheriff Helm gave a report during which he discussed the increasing graffiti problem in the City of Dayton but did not discuss a solution.

The first public comment period opened with a resident asking if the City of Dayton would take over the library should the Columbia Rural Library District be dissolved. Weatherford said he and the City Council had not discussed the issue. Still, he understood that the building, furnishings, historical documents, and the trust funding would revert to the city. He said the city would have to supply some sort of library services.

Weatherford also reminded the speaker that any books or library material obtained by the rural library district would be returned to the State. He said, “At this time, the city doesn’t have the staff or budget to provide the same library services that the rural library district is providing to our community right now.”

He suggested that without staff, the library might have to be run on an honor system, “take one, leave one” basis.

Aukerman asked about three trusts created to support the library. Weatherford said they would revert to the city if it decided to run the library. The council and mayor were waiting for definitive information about the trusts, including principal, and the interest used to fund the Dayton Memorial Library and later the CCRLD. A source confirmed that the combined annual interest from the trusts is significantly less than $10,000.

Another resident said she was concerned after hearing some community members say that if the tax district was dissolved, it didn’t mean we wouldn’t have a library. She said people spoke as if they had the blessing of the City Council that the library would continue.

Several of the council members said they were frustrated to hear people speaking for them on the issue.

After the comments, Sheriff Helm gave his report. He said there was minimal law enforcement needed at the County Fair. Now that school has begun, there will be increased patrols in the school zone to address complaints about speed and crosswalk violations.

Speaking for the County Emergency Management, Tina Bobbit encouraged residents to visit the department’s Facebook page to learn about emergency preparedness and 911 services, including the county’s new text-to-911 capability.

The Council approved a change order for the Third Street contract to add repairs to the Third St. bridge at Patit Creek. The change adds about five days to the project but there is no cost increase due to earlier savings.

The Council also approved Resolution 1521, authorizing an agreement with the Department of Corrections to provide labor when available.

Ordinance 2003, concerning the Shoreline Master Program Periodic Review, was adopted.

The council passed Ordinance 2004, which amends Chapters Four through Five of the Dayton Municipal Code to clarify that lateral sewer lines (those lines connecting the property owner’s systems to the main sewer lines) are the property owner’s responsibility and not the city’s.

Finally, the council corrected the dates in the new franchise agreement with Charter, changing the length of the deal from 25 years to ten.

Weatherford announced three open houses concerning the sewer project. The first, on September 26, 2023, at City Hall, will have two ten-minute presentations, one at 5:30 p.m. and then at 6:40 p.m., so members of the public may arrive when convenient. The Second open house will be at 5:30 p.m. on October 17, 2023, across the street from City Hall, to receive public comment. The date for the third open house will be announced later.

Public Works Director Ryan Paulson said the Third Street Project south of Main Street is on target for completion in mid-November. He said repairs to the number two well pump motor for the city’s freshwater system would cost nearly $50,000. A new motor would cost $285,000 so the council elected to repair the pump motor.

Paulson also noted that during the recent thunderstorm, a tree in the cemetery was struck, and its roots conducted the lightning to the irrigation line, destroying some valves and the electrical distribution panel. Public Works are still evaluating the extent of the damage.

When Weatherford asked if there was any unfinished business, Aukerman asked to make a statement. She began saying she was going to talk about something she didn’t want to talk about and didn’t think anyone would want to hear because of the controversy.

Aukerman said, “You had commented, Mr. Mayor, that you moved here because of the library. I didn’t move to Dayton because of the library. I believe libraries are important, and growing up, I spent lots of time in the library. But I moved to Dayton because the people were great, it was a beautiful location, and everyone treated each other very kindly. And that’s why I moved to Dayton. We’d been coming here for thirty years before we moved here. And that’s what I saw.”

“What I see now is disagreement – which is fine. Not everyone sitting at this table or in this room is going to agree. But what I don’t like is what we are seeing all over the nation and that’s disagreement and the way we are treating each other,” said Aukerman.

Speaking to Weatherford she said, “You were able to give your opinion so I kind of wanted to give mine, and it’s about the library. My personal opinion is that pornography should not be given to minors. If a person wants to do that in their home, I have no say over that, but I don’t think it should be pushed on to children. And pornography is pornography. It’s real easy to spot.”

She followed by stating her belief that the annexation agreement put in writing that the city could take over running the library. The city would regain ownership of the building, fixtures, equipment, pre-annexation collection and the trusts at no cost. She admitted she did not know if the city could afford it since she did not know the status of the trusts.

Aukerman ended her statement saying she believed in the power and responsibility of voting. Saying she was all about voting. But wanted it said on the record, that she was disgusted that a group had chosen to sue an individual in town, referring to Jessica Ruffcorn.

Su’euga said the interim Library Director was addressing community concerns. He said, “But to get rid of a library in terms of telling people what to do and what not to do. Granted, I think there are community standards that we all agree with in general, but let’s not kill the very thing that we need in a community.” He said, “If you don’t treat people with dignity and respect, then don’t expect any.”

In closing comments, Roger Trump, the sole candidate for mayor on the November ballot, said several citizens complained about excess garbage charges. They had expected the items, like refrigerators, to be picked for free by BDI. Weatherford said he’d look into it.

Elise Severe joined on Zoom and said, “I did hear Laura’s (Aukerman) comment, and I agree. I think that taxation without representation is not a good thing, and I’m really glad that we can agree on that.”

Aukerman interrupted, saying, “Do you agree on treating people a certain way? With kindness and dignity? Probably not!”

After a brief back and forth between the concilmember and the commentor, Severe asked, “So we can agree that taxation without representation is not appropriate.”

As Weatherford attemped to regain control, Aukerman spoke over Weatherford and Severe. She said, “I will defend myself… we know the background from how this person does treat people.”

Mayor Weatherford asked Severe if she wanted to continue her comment.

Severe said, “No, I just wanted to let Laura know that I agree with her.”

The meeting adjourned and the next City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on October 10, 2023.