Nuisance properties are still a hot topic

RITZVILLE – Nuisance properties remained at the forefront of the City Council’s twice-monthly meeting Aug. 15.

During public comments, Jessica Quinn, a candidate for City Council Ward No. 1, shared the results of her online research of Arlington, Kennewick and Spokane nuisance ordinances.

She noted that Spokane Valley updated its municipal codes in May. That city’s revised code provided stricter rules and remedies — including receivership and explicit timelines — for dealing with chronic nuisance properties.

“I bring this to the council’s attention as an option for dealing with these types of properties,” Quinn said.

During the “show cause” portion of the meeting, five properties were discussed.

Of these, the council passed resolutions designating four as nuisance properties. The resolutions authorized the city to proceed with “appropriate administrative procedures,” including the use of city staff or contractors to abate hazardous conditions at the owner’s expense.

The 704 W. First Ave. property, the site of monthly swap meets, was not designated a nuisance.

Owner Pete Spain discussed his efforts to remove scrap piles and construct appropriate fencing. The council agreed with Spain’s assessment and did not, therefore, pass a nuisance resolution for that property.

The council also received a letter from resident and former Journal reporter Rod Larse regarding nuisance properties.

“It’s no longer a problem just ‘in the flats,’” he wrote. “These code violations can be found in virtually every part of the community, and they can have an adverse effect on property values in the neighborhoods where they are present.”

He encouraged the council to take swift action on its nuisance resolutions.

In other business:

Roundabout planning

Adams County Engineer Scott Yaeger, a mayoral candidate, asked the council to approve an application for a 2023 Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program.

He said that the city’s six-year transportation improvement program prioritizes construction of a roundabout at the State Highway 261-westbound Interstate 90 off-ramp interchange — the intersection of Weber Road and Division Street.

Funding of $200,000 will cover preliminary engineering, a feasibility study, and application assistance for the project, which is projected to cost about $2 million, he said.

“This planning grant fleshes out the project so we’re ready to go when construction money becomes available,” Councilwoman Michelle Plumb said.

The council authorized Yaeger to proceed with the application.

Cemetery fees

Based on comparisons with Odessa, Davenport and Harrington, the city Finance Committee prepared a schedule of new fees for the local cemetery.

Fees were increased by $175 per line item. After discussion, proposed changes were remanded to the committee for further deliberation.

Water pressure

Public Works Director Dave Breazeale noted the city well stopped functioning for a brief time last week, and his department wasn’t immediately aware of the issue because phone lines were down.

After “firing up” the well, it took several hours to restore water pressure, he said.

“Situations like that are rare,” Breazeale said. “But it’s inconvenient when they do.”

Water

distribution project

Breazeale noted that POW Contracting is continuing work on the city water system. That project is expected to continue into September or later.

“They’ll be digging throughout the town, replacing water mains and valves,” according to Breazeale, who said the contractor will place steel plates over open holes to keep roads open.

Financial audit

Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt reported on the state auditor’s review of the city’s 2021 financial statements.

The report did not identify any “material misstatements,” she said.

In other words, the auditors found no significant deficiencies in the city’s financial records or reporting.