City holds special meeting to discuss newspaper of record

DAYTON–The City Council held a special meeting on June 26 to discuss the qualifications of the paper of record; to discuss a resolution to create an agreement with Express Employment for seasonal workers, and to approve a public works pre-construction loan application of one million dollars.

Mayor Rodger Trump stated that the City Council had used the same request for qualifications that they had used in the past, but that by doing so this left out vital information the council needed to decide on this matter. The council's lawyer recommended The Times based on a lower bid. However, Trump also cited an RCW that indicated it may be too late to reconsider the motion and change the vote. Council Member Mike Smith stated that he believed there was a legal requirement to go with the lowest bid, "and the Waitsburg Times was the lowest bidder by about 62%," Smith said.

Councilman Shannon McMillen stated "It just wasn't clear in the letter. You could read it one way or another way. Unfortunately, that was a bummer."

The Council allowed a public comment from Columbia County resident Chuck Beleny. He stated that he researched the revised code of Washington 39.04.270 from 2021 which states "the award shall be made to the qualified bidder whose proposal was most advantageous to the municipality with price and other factors considered."

"I think we need to consider the other factors," Beleny said. "The Chronicle is the only paper in the county. We get taxes from the Dayton Chronicle. Whenever there are events in town, we get money from the Chronicle for whatever we need." He went on to say that when posting business or needs from the Dayton community, it needs to be posted in Dayton, and that in these cases the City Council is currently posting in both papers. "You should be trying to strengthen the businesses you have in town," Beleny continued. "You don't want to take business out of town."

Council member Jim Su'euga replied that the factors of circulation and who would be most likely to read the papers was a consideration in the earlier decision. "So, in being given clarification, I have to go the same way and I would vote we go with the Dayton Chronicle," Su'euga

Councilmember Smith stated "This is why I say we need an attorney. Because sometimes you need an attorney to keep you out of the woods." Councilmember Su'euga stated that they have a lawyer and are still in the woods. "And that's the truth of it right there. I mean we kinda went off in the pucker brush and we decided what we decided, and yes that is probably going to last, but the tax payers are going to pay 62% more for this service. But yes, there are fringe benefits and I can agree with that," said Smith.

The council stated that the time for reconsideration has passed and although some feel the right decision was made, others want to make sure that the application in the coming year clarifies all the information they need, not just the lowest bid.

Council passed Resolution 1544 to reflect the Dayton Chronicle as the paper of record.

The council also passed the resolution for 1547 to authorize an agreement with Express Employment to find and hire seasonal workers for a 90-day period. The agency will handle the taxes, and L&I. The city will pay the agency $25.46 per hour to provide a seasonal worker from the beginning of July to the end of October. The city placed ads to try and find a seasonal worker, but with no luck the use of this agency will help fill the immediate need for employees.

The Dayton City council also gave approval for the mayor to authorize the Public Works Board Trust Preconstruction Loan application for one million dollars. The funds will be used towards the wastewater treatment plant project.

"I just wish everyone would let the newspaper item go," Trump concluded. "We all have our own ideas of what should be. We want to save funds anytime we can. We're still hanging out there with a lawsuit not knowing where that is going to go. The lawyers are working it out."

He mentioned someone from Florida has put in another public records request. According to Deb Hays the request was to see every check the city has written from 2022 to 2023. The city is working to confirm the allowed fees that they can charge associated with requests like this one.