Davenport Council OKs 3 land moves

DAVENPORT - The Davenport City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the vacation of an unused portion of 15th Street, took the first formal steps to annex two state-owned parcels managed by the Department of Natural Resources and authorized a new 30-year ground lease at the municipal airport.

During a public hearing, resident Gary Buck questioned whether he would be entitled to any of the 15th Street right-of-way being vacated at the request of property owner Betty Sparks of Lewiston, Idaho. Sparks had petitioned the city to vacate the east 40 feet by 100 feet of the original 80-foot-wide right-of-way adjacent to her lot in Essig's Addition.

Mayor Jonathan Chapman explained that state law allows only the abutting property owner to petition for vacation of the portion directly touching their land and that the city does not sell the ground but simply vacates its interest for a fee. Council member Cory Hollis added that any future request along Buck's property south of an alley would require a separate application and could be denied if it landlocked neighboring parcels.

Following the hearing, the council gave first reading to Ordinance 1211, which vacates the requested strip while preserving utility easements for existing and future sewer service. The ordinance becomes effective only after Sparks reimburses the city for filing and notification costs.

In a second public hearing, Matthew Matulovich, transition lands manager for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, asked the council to annex two Common School Trust parcels totaling several acres next to the city's school sports complex.

"These properties currently generate no revenue for K-12 education," Matulovich told the council. "Annexation and rezoning for commercial, light industrial, or high-density residential use would allow us to sell them, put them on your tax rolls and move the proceeds to higher-yielding trust investments."

The council passed Resolution 2025-26, requesting an annexation election and directing staff to study potential water and sewer hookups and long-term revenue impacts before setting final zoning.

The council also unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-25 authorizing Mayor Jonathan Chapman to sign a 30-year ground lease with Josh Piper for the city-owned land beneath a hangar Piper recently purchased at Davenport Municipal Airport.

In routine business, the council approved prior meeting minutes and claims totaling $213,641.97. Members scheduled an airport committee meeting for early January to further discuss impact fees.

Before adjournment, Mayor Chapman presented appreciation plaques to outgoing council members Cody Jenkins and Daniel Coriell for their service. Council member Patrick Katz then presented a similar recognition to Chapman.

Council members Lance Strite and Heath Becker were absent. Reardan mayor-elect Kathy Eastman attended as an observer.

"I'm just here as a citizen today, observing how different small towns run their meetings for comparison," Eastman said.