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Pullman council rejects Mountain View bids, approves district court lease and advances council goals
Summary
At the same April 14 meeting the council rejected bids for the Mountain View Garden City improvements project, approved a lease with Whitman County District Court for Old City Hall space, and discussed a draft of council goals and priorities (housing metrics, tourism/lodging, 311 system timing).
Beyond the HB2015 tax vote, the Pullman City Council took several additional administrative and planning actions on April 14.
Bid rejection and timeline: Clayton Forceman presented two bids for the Mountain View Garden City Improvements project that came in about 11% above the engineer’s estimate (low bid roughly $2.2 million). Staff recommended rejecting the bids and postponing the project to 2027 to allow for increased competition and more stable market conditions; council approved the resolution rejecting the bids (Resolution R‑12‑26).
District Court lease: Council approved a motion authorizing the mayor to sign a lease agreement with Whitman County District Court for courtroom and office spaces at Old City Hall (325 SE Paradise Street). The lease contemplates tenant improvements that will relocate court administrative offices within the building.
Goals and priorities: Staff presented a draft list of council work groups and two‑year goals. Councilmembers debated the level of specificity to include in the final goals and recommended adding targeted items: Councilmember Forjone proposed a measurable housing objective (advance 30 new owner‑occupied ‘‘missing middle’’ units per year by Dec. 2027); other councilmembers asked staff to clarify how goals would translate into the upcoming two‑year budget and to prioritize items so staff can align work plans to available resources. Staff said the 311 system is proposed in the 2027 CIP with vendor selection to begin late 2026 if funded.
Process and next steps: Staff will circulate a ranked draft of the goals for council review and will return with budget‑feasibility analysis for the priorities. Council emphasized the need to balance near‑term fiscal constraints with longer‑term growth strategies (housing, lodging and tourism improvements) as they refine priorities for staff work plans and the next biennial budget.
Other routine business: The consent agenda — including previous meeting minutes, multiple disbursements, acceptance of a completed contract (DE Camp 21‑07), a CHIPS grant authorization with the WA Department of Commerce, and a lodging tax grant to support a WSU‑affiliated event — was approved earlier in the meeting.
The council adjourned after a brief executive session on potential litigation.
