Ruppenthal selected for council seat

Changes to the uitility late fee waivers, concerns about community drug use discussed.

WAITSBURG - The Waitsburg City Council met at the city hall conference room on April 17, 2024. Council members Jim Romine, Jennifer Bishop, Juliian Henze, Keven House, Mayor Marty Dunn, and City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe were present. The council discussed and approved the annexation of property owned by Timothy, Patresa, and Nancy Mathews into the city.

The council approved amending Chapter 1 of Title 9 of the municipal code to add hardship relief for late fees on utility accounts due to compromised bank accounts.

The council interviewed Karen Gregutt and Court Ruppenthal for the vacant council vacancy. Both candidates previously served on the council, with Ruppenthal recently serving a two-year term. Gregutt is the chairperson of the Waitsburg Planning Commission.

The council appointed Ruppenthal to fill the remaining two-year term vacated by Randy Charles.

Times Archives

City council member Court Ruppenthal.

Bart Baxter from Parks and Recreation asked if Ruppenthal would return as the council representative since there has not been one since the beginning of the year.

The council members gave their reports. Henze told the council that the library received a grant for the summer reading program, and Walla Walla Electric donated an installed heater.

Henze reporting for the Community Health and Protection Committee said a portable AED device and Narcan will be provided to the Waitsburg Grocery. An AED, or automated external defibrillator, is used to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It's a sophisticated, yet easy-to-use, medical device.

Narcan is the brand name for Naloxone, a lifesaving drug to treat overdose from opioids, including heroin, fentanyl, and perscription medications.

The store's staff will be trained in the use of the system and the drug which will be available to the community for emergencies during the stores operating hours.

Romine shared reports from concerned parents that the soft lockdown at the Waitsburg High School was due to Fentanyl use by two students. After the meeting, in a post on Facebook, Romine corrected the information after one of the student's parents contacted him, saying the substance was not Fentanyl.

Romine apologized for the error but reminded residents that as one of two council members on the Community Health and Protection Committee, he is tasked with bringing health and safety concerns to the city council.

In the post, he said, "As a parent and grandparent, I strongly urge every Waitsburg resident to be aware of challenges facing family members, especially our youth. We may not know all the facts, but knowing there is a problem is vital."

He offered to sit down with anyone with concerns, saying he wouldn't put himself out there if he didn't care.

House reminded the council of upcoming events, including the Lions Club Rib Feed on May 4, Celebration Days on May 17-19, and the Junior Livestock Show on June 1.

Bishop asked if the Mi Pueblito food truck was allowed to sell food in the city. Hinchliffe said they are welcome to do business as long as they have passed County Health Department requirements.