Ritzville speed advisory sign operational, Council holds Show Cause hearing

Ritzville residents and visitors may notice a flashing sign as they are coming down Division Street as they pass the golf course.

During the July 18 Ritzville City Council meeting, Police Chief David McCormick informed council that the electronic advisory speed sign on Division Street near Zip’s is operational. The sign will flash when a car is going at least 27 miles per hour.

“It’s slowed people coming down Division,” McCormick said. “If we had eight more around town, it would be better.”

The advisory sign was paid with a grant from the Traffic Safety Commission, through the department’s affiliation with the Central Basin Traffic Safety Task Force. While the sign currently rests at Division Street, McCormick said crews will have to move it twice a year.

When asked about the possibility of installing a second advisory sign in the city, McCormick said the department may receive more grant funding through the task force.

The task force administration applied for another grant for agencies, including Ritzville. McCormick said the department should receive money in the next 2-3 weeks.

Continuing with the discussion on speed limits, Councilmember Mark Weigand asked if the city could lower the speed limit at the Ritzville Water Park, or install caution signs for drivers to watch out for children.

Clerk-Treasurer Kris Robbins said council could pass a resolution that lowers the speed limit around the park from 25 mph to 20 mph. Staff could also install caution signs and see the result before drafting a resolution.

“We’ve got to something in the short term that will get attention,” Mayor Gary Cook added. “Harvest will start soon and Division will be used a lot more.”

Public Works Director Larry Swift informed the council Well No. 8 had issues. Staff fired up the well for five minutes until the shaft broke.

Crews also modified Well No. 9 to where it can be run on manual, which Cook said will help fill reservoirs. He added that the city’s water restrictions were lifted.

Robbins informed council that City Attorney John Kragt will bring a prosecuting attorney from Colfax to introduce him to council.

She also announced the city’s branding reveal is scheduled for Aug. 9 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. There will be live music and food available. Genesis, out of Spokane, will be filming around Ritzville.

Council also voted on various properties during Show Cause hearings.

The first property was a residence on 405 W. Fifth Ave. Regarding the junk cars, McCormick said he would need to review the city’s ordinance regarding junk vehicles on private property because it has been so long since the Police Department dealt with that issue.

McCormick said he was not sure if the ordinance would hold water for the department to go on private property to remove the vehicle.

Council passed the ordinance 5-1, with a caveat that it will address junk vehicles if it is plausible by law. If it is plausible, Robbins said should like to incorporate it into the Show Cause process. If it is not, staff will bring the matter back to council and have it excluded from the process.

Weigand voted against ordinance, saying he does not want to see the city spending money to clean up the property. Councilmember Michael Schrag was absent from the meeting.

Council also voted 5-1 on ordinances for the city to abate properties on 404 E. Cherry Avenue and 310 Whittlesey Street.

Robbins said the Cherry Avenue property had junk vehicles while the Whittlesey Street residence did not. Weigand voted no on both ordinances.

Council voted for an extension for a property on East Broadway Avenue. Chamberlain noted the property was cleaner than the last time he visited the residence. Robbins said the property owners have been good with communicating with the city.

“They were in last week and said they had taken some stuff and had another week and try and get it all out,” she said. “They’re trying.”

Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Asmussen added that the owners drew up an eviction notice and will remove the tenants if they do not keep the property clean.