Pullman vehicle licensing sub-agency closes doors

The vehicle/vessel licensing office that had been at the Pufferbelly Depot in Pullman for 27 years closed its doors Monday when a new operating contract was awarded to another party.

The Pullman Vehicle/Vessel Licensing Sub-Agency in the Pufferbelly Depot closed its doors Monday, following the Washington State Department of Licensing’s decision to award a new operating contract.

The shutdown leaves Pullman without an vehicle licensing office until the new vendor, selected by a special committee appointed by the Department of Licensing, begins an operation.

Whitman County Auditor Eunice Coker put out a request at the end of May for applicants for a vehicle/vessel licensing sub-agency business in Pullman, and two proposals were received. The previous contract was held by Dan Antoni, and upon his death in December 2015 it was thought the contract would pass to his daughter Meghan Antoni. Dan Antoni had written a letter of recommendation prior to his death for Meghan to be the new contract holder, Coker told the Gazette in May.

“Dan was well-prepared,” she said. “That carries weight, but you cannot inherit a sub-agency.”

There was no guarantee that Meghan Antoni would be the new contract holder, despite her father’s letter of recommendation, and after all applications were received, the contract was awarded to Molly and Jeff Johnson, who live in the Upper Union Flat area, by a state department of licensing committee. Meghan Antoni had been operating it since December.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity. I feel privileged to have won the contract,” said Molly Johnson. “I hope it’s a refreshing, welcoming upgrade to the community.”

Meghan Antoni opted to close down the Pufferbelly Depot licensing office once the new contract was awarded. Johnson said she had hoped for there to be a continuity of service with the Pufferbelly Depot location until the new office can open on Bishop Boulevard.

“Construction started today,” Johnson said Tuesday. “We’re custom building the new office.”

Coker said she estimated about 45 percent of the vehicle/vessel licensing business in the county was conducted through the Pullman sub-agency.

Coker had nine months from the time of Dan Antoni’s death to fill a new contract, but the contract was fast-tracked in May to six months in order to allow for continuity of service. There will now be a brief period without a sub-agency in Pullman.

The Johnsons plan to re-locate the Vehicle/Vessel Licensing Sub-Agency to 1096 SE Bishop Blvd., Suite #3. The site will be located between the Verizon store and Sweet Mutiny.

Johnson said she is not sure exactly when the new office will open, but it will be “as soon as possible.”

She said she is excited about the new space.

“I just want it to be a completely different experience than Pufferbelly,” she said.

She noted there will be a 28-foot work station in the new building, with three work stations and no windows for customers to walk up to.

“Every time someone comes in, I want them to be greeted,” said.

Another aspect of the location she is excited about is the parking.

“There is handicap parking directly in front of the building,” said Johnson. “That was a really, really big deal for me. That was huge. I think there is better access and a friendly environment that will be cheery and inviting.”

Johnson had been working at Wysup in Pullman with the state secure licensing system.

“I’ve been working on licensing for several years. To have experience is priceless,” she said. “Being a part of the business making an investment in the community is something I’m really excited about. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people, and I’m so happy to still get to service them.”

Once open, Johnson said hours at the new sub-agency will be Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. She said it will be closed holidays and Sundays. Additionally, she said the location will be marked with a Washington state license plate as the business sign on the building.

“Everyone will know what it is,” she said. “I’m really excited about that.”

She said she will be the owner/operator, and some employees from the previous licensing office will be working in the new one.

The Colfax Vehicle/Vessel Licensing service in the auditor’s office at the courthouse will be open for customers who would have usually used the Pufferbelly Depot location, and the sub-agency in Rosalia will also be open.

The hours of the Colfax office are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed 12:30-1:30 for lunch Monday through Friday. The Rosalia office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Title work or renewals for residents here can be processed at any county auditor’s office or sub-agency in the state.

Vehicle owners can also send their paperwork by mail to PO Box 350, Colfax, WA 99111.

Tab renewal can be be completed online by selecting the Colfax office http://www.DOL.wa.gov.