City expenses top $24,000 in May and rising as old high school resolution nears

Through the end of May, the City of Ritzville has spent $24,306 in an effort to deal with the old high school on Seventh Avenue at Division Street. Legal fees and expenses incurred in June are not included in the preliminary figure.

Tuesday, July 2, following an executive session, the council authorized the mayor to sign a court motion that would clear the way for an earnest money agreement between the city and a yet unidentified buyer. The interested individual will not be identified until the earnest money agreement is in place. Council members Scott Yaeger, Gary Cook and Eric Ottmar were not present.

City Clerk/Treasurer Kris Robbins said the buyer will not be required to cover the city’s expenses. She said it appears the buyer will only pay a $250 receiver fee, approximately $3,000 in back taxes and title and closing costs.

The buyer will be required to demolish and remove the building debris within 90 days of assuming ownership of the brick building.

Through May, attorneys’ fees have been the top expenditure. The city has paid Foster Pepper, PLLC, $11,622.60. Carpenter, Mcguire & DeWulf, P.S., has been paid $9,641.81. The structural engineer hired to exam the building, JUB Engineering, cost $1,200. Honey Bucket (through June) has been paid $1,841.67 for the fencing rented to close Division Street.

Robbins said the June bills for attorneys’ fees are expected about mid-July.

Adams County Superior Court Judge Brian Miller previously ruled that the building, which is at risk of collapse, is a dangerous building and a nuisance that must be abated. He appointed a receiver and granted the city permission to seek a potential buyer who is capable of taking ownership of the building and has the resources to render the building safe or demolishing it in a timely manner.

Attorney Victoria Iverson was appointed as the receiver.

While the city does not own the building, it has, since mid-May, been working to resolve a dangerous situation that was discovered after firefighters knocked down a large shrub fire that was ignited by a male juvenile.

The end wall of the old high school, facing Division Street, is bowing outwardly and at risk of collapsing in the street.

Since then, Division has been closed to traffic and pedestrians in an effort by the city to prevent injuries in the event of a collapse.