Council moves on nuisance properties

RITZVILLE – The City Council held show cause hearings, Aug. 17, related to six alleged nuisance properties in the city.

The properties are alleged to be in violation of provisions of the nuisance ordinance.

Resolutions were passed on three of the properties requiring cleanup of the conditions by the city, or its designee, at the expense of the property owner.

Those properties are 304 E. Dogwood Ave., 205 Turner St. and 508 E. First Ave.

No property owners or occupants appeared at the hearings.

Ralph Elmes, a renter at 109 W. Cherry St., appeared before the council and was granted an extension until the end of September, to remove miscellaneous garbage, vehicles and other debris.

An extension was granted for a property at 307 E. Third Ave. until the Sept. 7 council meeting to allow City Attorney John Kragt to examine options for condemning the vacant property and having the structure removed.

Kragt said condemning a building can be done “in emergencies, like the old high school,” but he needed to research this particular situation.

No owner appeared for this hearing, but Police Chief Dave McCormick noted the property has significant structural damage, the chimney has collapsed, and there have been reports of kids entering the building.

No action was taken on a property at 406 E. Third Ave., as it was decided while there was still yard debris next to the building, conditions at the property had improved.

Mayor Linda Kadlec noted other properties are being “added to the list” of potential nuisance violations, as city clean-up efforts continue.

In other business:

• A request was received from the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce to close, Main Avenue from Columbia to Jefferson, and Broadway Avenue from Jefferson to Division on the morning of Saturday Sept. 4, for the Wheat Land Communities Parade. It was also requested to close Washington Street the evening of Sept. 3 from Main Avenue to Railroad, in order to set up the announcer’s reviewing stand. All streets will reopen at noon Saturday. A motion was made and passed unanimously.

• Councilwoman DeDe Boyer noted the chamber is in need of volunteers to help with the parade. Interested persons should contact the Cchamber.

• East Adams Rural Library District Director Venesia Adams presented a Basin Refrigeration and Heating proposal for replacement of the rooftop air conditioner at Ritzville Library. The city owns the building and the district operates the library. The proposal amount is $10,668.73, plus tax. After a brief discussion, it was determined the City Council could approve up to $7,500 toward the replacement. A motion was passed to contribute $7,500 to the replacement with the library district to pay the rest.

• Councilman Scott Yeager reported bids received from Empire Drilling, LLC. and Holt Services, Inc. for the replacement of Well No. 8. Both were reviewed by Ben Varela, the principal engineer at Varela Engineering and Management. Both bids are incomplete, lacking required documentation. A motion was made and passed to reject all bids and re-advertise the project with minor changes to the bid documents to clarify qualification requirements.

• Mayor Kadlec told the council she has made “a mayor’s decision” to lock the public restrooms on Washington Street across from the Depot Museum. Individuals have been using the rest rooms for sleeping accommodations. Chief McCormick said he recently “pulled a mattress and other items out of one of the restrooms.” The restrooms will be locked at 6 p.m. nightly and unlocked the next morning.