Public commenters press council on downtown benches and conservative budgeting resolution

At the March 26 meeting the council heard two public comments unrelated to the formal agenda: one asking the city to replace benches downtown and another urging a budgetary restraint resolution.

Sharon K. Schiller, who identified herself as a Walla Walla resident at 1414 Topaz Street, told council that benches have been removed from downtown over the last decade and that seating near the Walla Walla Library and transit center has become scarce. Schiller described people waiting outside the library and the difficulty of sitting on planters or bike racks and asked the council to consider restoring benches; she said, “places to sit have become more scarce, namely benches.”

On Zoom, Robert Lee urged council to place a resolution on a future consent agenda that would prohibit approval of any budget or contract amendment obligating the city to additional expenditures within the current biennial budget period unless sufficient cash or guaranteed receivables already exist. Lee described the approach as “no budget or contract amendment obligating the City to additional expenditures within the current biannual budget period would be approved without sufficient funding already in a cash or cash equivalent status.” He said he would email suggested language to council.

Ending: Council received both comments during the public‑comment period. No formal action was taken during the meeting on bench replacement or on Mr. Lee’s proposed resolution; both matters would require staff follow‑up or placement on a future agenda for consideration.