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WALLA WALLA CITY COUNCIL Work Session Minutes May 12, 2025

CALL TO ORDER

Present:	Councilmember Brian Casey; Councilmember Rick Eskil; Councilmember/Mayor Pro Tempore Steve Moss; Councilmember Gustavo Reyna; Councilmember Jeffrey Robinson; Mayor Tom Scribner; Councilmember Monte A. Willis
City Staff in attendance:	City Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain; Parks & Recreation Director Andy Coleman; Deputy Director Development Services Emily Arteche; Planner Lisa Wasson-Seilo; City Clerk Lisa Neissl
Attendees:	Jackson Anderson; Clay White, Kimley-Horn and Assoc.

Mayor Scribner called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

ACTIVE AGENDA

Wiffle Ball Field Project

Jackson Anderson, a student at Garrison Middle School, gave a presentation on his proposal to add a regulation wiffle ball field to Tietan Park.
There was discussion on:

The history of a wiffle ball tournament put on by the late Andrew Reed in his backyard.
Information about the game, including players, positions, strike zone, and rules.
The proposed layout design of the field.
Offers from local contractors to donate time for construction.
The need to fundraise for the money to pay for materials.
Minimal costs for the equipment (a bat and ball) for a person to play the game.
Tournaments are held in other areas around the state.
Other games, such as blitz ball, use a similar layout.
A community engagement plan to get word out about the addition of the field.
Staff is currently gathering estimates for the materials cost.
Potential to name the field in honor of Andrew Reed and a tournament in honor of Jackson Anderson.

Proposed Middle Housing Code Changes

Staff and the consultant gave a presentation on the proposed Middle Housing Code changes.
There was discussion on:

The community survey responses.
The timing of adoption and updates to the comprehensive plan.
Incentives to add additional parking spaces to allow reduction in setbacks.
Increase the diversity of the supply of available housing types.
Affordability - "middle housing" is not always low income, but increases the availability of housing which can free up more affordable options.
Importance of keeping with the character of the community.
The types of middle housing available in Walla Walla.
Some potential barriers in the building codes to buidling three or four plexes as they are subject to commercial codes, which increases the cost of building.
If the city does not take action to implement its own ordinance, the default state regulations would automatically be implemented.

State of the City Presentation

City Manager Chamberlain gave a presentation on the State of the City and briefly answered questions from council.

MEETING ENDS

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 6:07 p.m.

Approved:

___________________ Mayor	Attest:
	___________________ City Clerk