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- It's rolling
- Council votes 4-2 in favor of property maintenance ordinance
- SUNNYSIDE (Monday 4-26-99)---Sunnyside's property maintenance law is now a done deal, replete with property maintenance facilitator (PMF).
- City Councilmen passed the measure 4-2 this evening, with Councilmen Roy Anciso and Errol Brown voting against it. They wanted to hold off passage for a month or so.
- Both said more people needed to be informed about the new law, especially the town's 70% Hispanic population. They also were worried about enforcement costs, estimated at about $60,000 the first year, or about $5 per resident.
- Voting for the measure were Councilmen Don Vlieger, Mike Farmer, Chad Werkhoven, and Mike Aguirre.
- The four indicated the measure already had been talked to death in public meetings and the press. They said citizen input had been incorporated in the new law, 90% of which has already been on the books for years.
- Moreover, City Atty. Mark Kunkler said the law's language had withstood tests of Constitutionality when it was tried in various Washington courts.
- "You can't steer a car until it's moving," said Vlieger. Councilmen indicated they could amend the new law if untoward problems develop with its enforcement.
- During discussion, Fenn Schrader told the Council he "appreciated the concept" of the new, 22-page law, but said he detected a little "bureaucratese" in the language. He indicated he'd had "trouble" with the city in the past. "I caution you not to jump into this," he said.
- Ellen Bird told the council she didn't agree with Schrader.
- "I feel (the new law is) well thought out. People have had a chance to see all of this..." she said. She indicated that, if people disagree, they can come to public meetings and voice their concerns.
- Don Outhet told the Council he didn't have a problem with the new law's purpose. He was worried about the city selectively enforcing it against persons against whom city staff may develop a grudge.
- "If you've had a problem with city officials, and you're on their list, you would know what I mean. Some good people have moved from Sunnyside because of that. If you enforce the law equally, then it's okay," Outhet said.
- Melissa Browning, Daily Sun News reporter, told the council she was concerned that information about the new law had not reached those who don't speak or read English.
- "Are we going to tell them in Spanish? Not everyone reads newspapers or English," she said.
- City Mgr. Don Hahnfeldt did his best to allay concerns. He said Bill Eikenbary, the newly hired PMF, is a former police officer who knows city codes, is a minister, and is an event organizer who works well with the community and thus is well qualified to work smoothly with property owners.
- Hahnfeldt said the city intends to enforce the new code universally, not selectively. "There may be need for some enforcement, but it's not intended to beat up the community," he said.
- And, he said, the city will send out information about the law in Spanish as well as English.
- Reporter Browning asked Hahnfeldt if Spanish speakers would only be informed after the law is passed. "Then, it's too late," she said.
- At that time, Councilman Anciso reiterated Hispanics make up 70% of the population. "I think we need to let them know beforehand," he said.
- Mayor Ed Prilucik gaveled down Anciso and Browning to bring the meeting to order.
- Councilman Don Vlieger said "I hope we don't have to read a biased article tomorrow" in the Daily Sun News.
- Regarding fears property maintenance would cost $60,000, Vlieger said the city budget was already up $50,000 in the black. He added that this has been the most scrutinized legislation the city has ever considered.
- Noting the facilitator was already in the community, Vlieger said six alleys are already set for cleanup, using Americorps volunteers.
- Regarding the fact the new law was not put out in Spanish beforehand, Vlieger said, "Did the state put out the fact that .08 is the new DUI level for blood alcohol? Washington State doesn't put anything into Spanish," he said.
- Chad Werkhoven said the most stinging criticism he has received is the "Big Brother" aspect of the new law he proposed. "If this were the feds doing this, I would be screaming. But what we have here is local control. If this gets out of control, it can be changed. I'm usually on a rampage against government control in our lives. The law's not perfect. But we can change it over the next one or two years if we need to," he said.
- Councilman Mike Farmer told Reporter Browning that Hispanics may not know the law, but most know what is required, and what is needed to be a good neighbor. "This is not going to be crammed down their throats," he said.
- The measure passed first on a voice vote, then with a raising of hands, four in favor, two against.
- In other business, the council:
- Approved for action the city's concrete grant program. It should be up and running in a week. Residents will fill out an application which the city may take a week to process. If the application is approved, the resident has until Sept. 30 to complete the project, and until Nov. 1 to bill the city for the concrete used. For more info call the city at (509) 837-3997.
- Approved an inter local agreement with Richland, allowing that city to house its jail inmates at Sunnyside on a space-available basis.
- Discussed changing liquor license approval procedures, but decided to leave them as they are.
- Received a request to annex CanAm Steel into the city, possibly within two months or so. The Council referred the measure to the Planning Commission.
- Approved granting the Beautification Committee $500 for its operations.
- Approved a permit for St. Josephs Church's Youth Ministry to hold a dance.
- Canceled it's May 3 meeting. The Council will meet again May 10.
- Agreed to discuss who owns citizen-purchased water meters, and why the city charges $20-month utility fee to owners of empty buildings.
- Voted 4-2, without discussion, not to pay warrant number 37944, dated March 15, 1999, for Det. Sgt. Jim Rivard's training at Oregon Executive Development. Training reportedly would advance Rivard's qualifications to advance in rank. Brown and Anciso dissented.