Ritzville Council examines Historical Building ordinance

During the Aug. 1 meeting, staff presented the Neglect of Historic Buildings” ordinance draft to the Ritzville City Council.

The purpose of the “Neglect of Historic Buildings” ordinance is to provide the city with adminsitrative measures it can take to protect historically desginated structures and properties from being demolished because of a property owner’s failure to maintain them.

The city will collaborate with property owners to maintain, protect and enhance historical assets through incentives, programs and technical assistance wherever appropriate.

Clerk Treasurer Kris Robbins informed council that the Ritzville Planning Commission passed the ordinance at their last meeting, and it is similar to an ordinance the city of Tacoma approved for preserving its historical buildings.

Mayor Gary Cook voiced his concern about legal parameters in the ordinance, specifically with Penalties and Enforcement.

According to the ordinance, when the city determines a neglected historical property exists within its borders, it may begin enforcement action pursuant to procedures outlined in the city’s municipal code to issue a Notice of Violation and Abatement.

It can also enter and repair or correct any conditions that threaten the integrity of the building. Cook asked if entering the building would that be a potential violation of a person’s rights.

Outgoing City Attorney Mark DeWulf said the city can acquire a warrant to enter the building if its condition poses a danger to others. City Attorney John Kragt gave the example when the city declared a state of emergency at the Ritzville High School building in 2013.

In the same section, Councilmember Michelle Plumb asked about the mortatorium that prevents developers from installing a parking lot on a property where a building was demolished for a five-year period.

If a building is demolished, the ordinance allows developers to build a new structure on a property.

However, the replacement structure must “reproduce the square footage and visual, aesthetic, architectural and material character of the demolished building.”

Developers must have the structure approved by the Planning/Historic Commission before they can receive any development permits.

The city will not issue any permits for the operation of a parking lot, nor shall a parking lot for vehicles be operated on the site for five years.

Kragt said the idea behind the paragraph is to prevent property owners from selling the property to someone who would turn into a parking lot.

In action items, city approved $5,000 for the city’s Branding effort, with $4,000 for the recently produced video and $1,000 to complete the project.

The funding source for the request comes from the capital improvement fund, which is funded through retail excise tax.

The Council also approved a $3,200 request to purchase roofing and siding material for a building where city departments have been storing equipment. The cost would be split among three different departments.

The Council approved a request from the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair board to hang a 4-foot-by-6-foot banner attached to straw bales at the entrance into Ritzville. In the letter to the city, Lori Williams said the banner could go up the weekend before the fair and be taken down after the event is over.

Council also approved a request from Dusti Kissler, Administration Assistant for the Washington State University Extension Office, to close off the block in front of the Extension Office on Fridya, Sept. 8, from 1:30-8 p.m. for the My Farm, Your Table event.

The event runs from 3:45-6:30 p.m. The hours for the street closure would allow extra time for setup and cleanup.

Kissler explained the event would provide students and parents with an opportunity to meet local farmers and learn where their food comes from.

Prior to the council meeting, Kissler said she approached all but one of the businesses on Main Street - The Hair Center.

There was initially some concern from Hometown Family Medicine regarding parking during the street closure. Kissler added Hometown would bring their patients through the back door and have parking available behind their office during the event.

During Department Updates, councilmember Mark Wiegand once again expressed concern with motorists driving recklessly near the Ritzville Water Park and not watching for children in the area.

After the July 18 meeting, the city had installed four green alert signs on the corner of Division Street and Tenth Avenue.

Robbins said the pool staff have been placing the signs during the day. Dan Haarstad has also been moving the signs to locations in an effort to make them visible to drivers.

Wiegand suggested placing alert signs on Columbia Street, resulting in Cook asking Robbins to order more signs. Cook added that he asked Police Chief Dave McCormick to conduct emphasize patrols in that area.

Public Works Director Larry Swift said staff is working on having Well No. 9 operate automatically.

“We have it running on manual to make it by,” Swift said. “When it’s running, it pumps 2,300-2,400 gallons a minute.”

Councilmember Mike Schrag said residents are complaining about lower water pressure. Swift the well can be used more consistently once its punch list is complete.

As for Well No. 8, crews pulled out the tube and found a couple of hairline fractures in it, then pulled the motor. Swift said there is speculation that Well No. 8 has no more water. He added crews can run a sounder tube down the hole to check the decrease in water levels.

“There’s no doubt the water levels are dropping,” Swift said.

During her report, Robbins said staff received a report of a piece of a building was found in the alley on West Main Avenue. When the building inspector went to investigate the report, he found the adjacent property is in a similar condition.

The city contacted the property owner, who said they are looking into ways to fix the problem. The city also sent letter to the owner of the adjacent property.

When asked if staff can block off the alley behind the property, Kragt said the city can do so if they feel the area is dangerous for others.

In other business, council presented DeWulf with a Certificate of Appreciation for his years of service as the City Attorney.