Waitsburg earns State's Smart Award

Council member Charles steps down

WAITSBURG - Mayor Marty Dunn called the city council meeting to order at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Council members Cindy Bishop, Kevin House, Jim Romine, Jillian Henze, and City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe were in attendance.

Hinchliffe introduced representatives from the Washington State Department of Commerce to present the city with a 2023 Governor's Smart Community Award. The Smart Project Award was given to the City of Waitsburg for its work updating the city's aging sewer system. The representative said the city executed a complicated plan that included updating terra cotta pipes, installing dozens of manhole covers, and replacing sewer lines. They noted the city's commitment to long-term planning.

Dunn asked Hinchliffe, Public Works Specialist I Lisa Norris, and Public Works Director Jim Lynch to join him to accept the award.

The mayor told the council he received a letter of resignation from Council Member Randy Charles, in which he also thanked the council and mayor.

Dunn said he and the council would miss Charles and commended the council member on his work as council liaison for the Fire District and Planning Commission. He noted Charles's contributions to the city including prioritizing fire hydrant maintenance.

The council accepted the resignation and will interview nominees to complete Charles' remaining term.

Hinchliffe reviewed updates to the hydrant system. There is a plan to continue testing, flushing, replacing, and installing several new hydrants.

Hinchliffe said it is approximately $7,000 per hydrant, and the plan is to replace up to four of the 70 city hydrants.

The council discussed funding for the hydrant project, including a potential utility tax increase.

The final item under new business was to approve surplussing a small property owned by the city at the end of E. 6th Street. It had been a portion of a city dump and now has little value to the city. The council approved moving forward with surplusing the property.

In unfinished business, the council discussed the county health department's deadline to submit a plan to cover or fill the empty city pool. Hinchliffe said the county might not wait for Waitsburg Parks and Recreation to complete the pool feasibility study. He said he did not know if fines from the county would be $100 or $1,000 a day.

The city's attorney, Jared Hawkins, said he did not think the county would want to fine the city. Hawkins said the county most likely just wants to see progress. The matter was tabled until next month.

Henze reported on an art program at the Weller Public Library, a Warren grant awarded to the Waitsburg Christian Church for a basement pump for flood preparedness, and encouraged anyone interested to apply for the open city council seat.

Romine said more trees were being cut in the city's watershed, including one with the "no trespassing" sign attached.

House and Bishop had nothing to report.

Hinchliffe reported that the mapping of the two city cemeteries had been digitized and that the sewer project is 90% complete, including sewer lines and manhole covers.

The GIS and sewer projects are being used to cross-train the city crew in anticipation of Lynch's retirement.

The mayor suspended the public meeting and went into an executive session on the agenda per RCW 42.30.110(i) to discuss an item related to potential litigation.

The mayor adjourned the regular meeting after returning from the executive session.