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Commissioners approve grants, contracts and property transfers in routine business
Summary
At its March 3 meeting the Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners approved a series of routine vouchers, grant applications, training contracts and the transfer of three county-owned houses to the Walla Walla Housing Authority, and authorized other public-health and safety purchases and letters of support.
Walla Walla County commissioners on Monday approved routine vouchers and consent items, voted to apply for a juvenile community litter-cleanup grant, authorized multiple public-health contracts and approved the transfer of three county-owned supportive-housing properties to the Walla Walla Housing Authority.
The board unanimously approved the county’s submitted vouchers, warrants and electronic payments and passed the consent agenda without discussion. Commissioners later approved a request from Juvenile Court Services to apply for a state community litter-cleanup grant (base amount cited in the packet $43,000). Juvenile Court Services Director Nori Gregoire asked the board to sign a required “proof of coordination” with the county’s waste management office; the board approved the application.
The Department of Community Health (DCH) brought multiple items before the board and won approval for several. Commissioners approved a contract with Jennifer Camarena to provide Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) suicide-prevention trainings in the community, and a one-time county sponsorship to host the Traffic Safety “Superhero” fun run as a fundraiser and community event. The board also approved a contract with Bonney Lake Police Department to provide Child Passenger Safety Technician training and seat-check support for the county’s child-safety work.
Separately, commissioners approved a resolution to deed three county-owned supportive-housing properties — 1815 E. Alder St., 512 E. Chestnut St., and 185 & 189 Tausick Way — to the Walla Walla Housing Authority and authorized transfer-related steps. Commissioners voted against a separate DCH request to fund a carpet replacement at 512 E. Chestnut from county fund 319, concluding that the deferred-maintenance monies accompanying the property transfer should be used by the housing authority to prepare the unit.
Public-health purchases approved included board authorization to buy a Vanta XRF lead-paint analyzer (HUD certified) aimed at speeding environmental assessments during child lead‑exposure follow-up, and a letter of support for the Opportunities Industrialization Center’s veteran-housing funding opportunity. The board also authorized staff hires and payroll items in Human Resources: two part‑time work-crew supervisor roles (grant funded) and a promotion/hire above step B for the homeless-and-housing engagement coordinator (also grant funded).
All motions recorded in the meeting minutes passed on voice votes. No ordinance, zoning change, or expenditure from current‑expense general funds was adopted that required extended debate.
Votes at a glance - Approval of vouchers, warrants and electronic payments: motion passed (voice vote). - Proposal 2020533 JJC: approval to apply for 2025–27 community litter-cleanup grant (base $43,000): passed (voice vote). - DCH — QPR contract with Jennifer Camarena: passed (voice vote). - DCH — Traffic Safety Superhero Fun Run approval (county sponsorship): passed (voice vote). - DCH — Transfer of three county-owned homes to Walla Walla Housing Authority and related resolution: passed (3–0). - DCH — direction to fund carpet replacement at 512 E. Chestnut from Fund 319: denied (board direction). - DCH — contracts with Bonney Lake Police Department for child passenger-safety technician course: passed (3–0). - DCH — purchase of HUD‑certified XRF lead paint analyzer: passed (voice vote). - DCH — authorization for vice chair to sign letter of support for OIC funding opportunity: passed (3–0). - HR — allow two part‑time employees in work‑crew supervisor position (grant funded): passed (voice vote). - HR — approval to hire homeless-and-housing systems engagement coordinator above Grade 7 Step B (grant funded): passed (voice vote).
Discussion vs. decision - Discussion: Several items were introduced with brief staff explanation and limited back-and-forth; most were accepted as routine and passed without extended debate. - Direction/administrative: Commissioners directed DCH and the housing authority to use the transfer funds and noted recording/transfer fees would be handled in closing. - Formal action: All votes summarized above are reflected in the meeting record.
Ending The board completed the remainder of its action items before moving to department reports and an executive session. The transfers and contracts approved Monday will proceed to implementation steps documented in departmental files and grant agreements.
