Payment for utility lines at issue
SUNNYSIDE (2-9-98)--Awhile back, the state and his tenants pressured Dan Martinez to provide city water and sewer hookups to his trailer court south of Outlook Road and west of Scoon Road.
If he didn't, the Dept. of Ecology threatened to shut him down.
To comply, Martinez hired contractors to dig a lot of ditch and lay a lot of pipe. He supervised the contractors himself.
He told the city it cost him about $106,000 to do the work. That included payment to the contractors at $71,000, plus his own time,expenses and loan interest.
The city went over his requests and determined they could pay Martinez only the $71,000 contractor tab.
City staff noted a portion of the utility lines were on Martinez' private property, and the city can't give public money away as a gift.
Moreover, they noted Martinez' property values were raised as a result of the work.
Martinez, on the other hand, said he took out a loan to pay the contractors. And the interest on the first three years of a six-year loan has already totaled about $21,000.
City staff disputed Martinez' claim for another $14,000 for his time on the project and use of a pickup at $200 a day for 71 days, plus phone and postage at $250.
Complicating the issue further were benefits brought to five other area property owners as a result of Martinez' work.
Included were properties owned by Richard Bootsma, Israel Estrada, Dave Driscoll, and the City of Sunnyside itself. If any of these decide to hook into the utilities, they would have to reimburse the city their part of the $71,000 the city has so far agreed to pay.
Councilmembers were hesitant to turn Martinez down flat on his request for dollars over and above the $71,000 he paid contractors.
They agreed they needed more documentation regarding Martinez' costs. They will discuss such documentation at a future council meeting.
In addition, the council said it would bring the matter before a public hearing.
As a precaution, "We need to bring in the state auditor to make sure the city does this this correctly," said Mayor Ed Prilucik.