Palouse Chamber offers to pay for downtown restrooms

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Dec 20, 20120

Palouse Chamber of Commerce President Bev Pearce told Palouse City Council members Dec. 11 that chamber members have tentatively agreed to pay up to $1,500 a month to keep the public restroom open during the winter months.

Palouse’s downtown restrooms at Heritage Park were set for closing during the three coldest months of the year to save city funds.

The chamber's vow came after the city considered shutting down the restrooms at Heritage Park during the winter as a cost cutting measure.

"Heritage Park is vital to our businesses," Pearce said.

She said that many Main Street shop owners have noted customers discover downtown stores after they make a stop at the restrooms.

"Wow, this town’s got stores in it, we’re gonna shop here," Pearce said, depicting visitors' train of thought.

She reported chamber members discussed the matter and tentatively agreed to cover up to $1,500 per month for the restrooms, which are taken care of by Public Works Superintendent Dwayne Griffin.

"If it’s okay with Dwayne, the chamber could pay for (his hours) also," Pearce said.

Councilman Rick Wekenman noted that the average monthly power bill for the restrooms was $1,015 during the winter over the last couple of years.

"I’d be thrilled if the chamber would be generous enough to cover it," he said.

"I think that’s a very generous and perhaps unnecessarily generous offer you’re making," said Councilman Tim Jones. He added in his view, he thought the city was "abdicating its responsibility" to pay for them.

"It is for our businesses, it is important," Pearce said.

After more discussion followed, the council decided to let the chamber get back to them after their meeting Wednesday.

Chamber member Mike Milano noted later that two highway signs would need to be changed if the restrooms were closed. The two signs on Highways 27 and 272 tell motorists restrooms are open in Palouse.

"The signs would have to be covered or removed," Milano said.

Pearce said she didn't believe that would be necessary.

"We’ve partnered with the city before on things," she said. "So it’s not unusual for us to say, well the city needs us, we’ll help cover part of the cost of the restrooms."

The money would come out of the chamber’s fundraising, which includes fees from the ATM machine at McLeod’s Palouse Market, Haunted Palouse and advertising revenue from a phone directory the chamber publishes each year.

"I think the philosophy for economic development and support is that we have 24-hour restrooms," said Milano, noting that the city often receives sales tax revenue from those who stop.

"I appreciate the council’s agreement in this," said Pearce. "We’ll cover it this year, and hopefully the city will find other ways to take care of it. Then we’ll just look at it again."

"It just illustrates the budget challenges that all our small towns face," said Milano, a six-year Palouse city councilman until last year. "That we’re really kind of at the end of our rope, as far as cuts."