>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

WALLOWA — The Wallowa City Council authorized on April 15 the advertising of two open positions on the city council created by the resignations of Star Longley and Bud Phillips over the ethics reporting issue.

The council also approved amending the project budget for the construction of a new city hall from $93,000 to $133,000. The project will be let out for bid July 1.

A $600 donation to Community Connection to maintain the daily bus schedule from Wallowa to Enterprise was unanimously approved. In addition, the purchase of $490 worth of tools for the fire department was authorized.

The council voted to table a lot alignment issue until the next meeting when more information will be available. A lot purchased in November by Audra Burns of Wallowa was found to be in violation of the setback requirements.

The lot, located on Sixth Street, was divided in 1998, according to Realtor Jan Boucher, and the lot line measurements were in error. It seems that two lots are involved and one is encroaching on the city street and one on the adjacent lot belonging to Charlotte Skvortsov.

Realtor Jim Soares said the  Skvortsov house was built in the 1940s when the location of Sixth Street was uncertain.

“Other houses were placed right but there were problems then with this one and there are problems now,’’ Soares said. “No one is angry. We just want it resolved. Maybe vacating part of the street would help. Burns bought the house not knowing there were problems. Nothing was attached to the title.”

City Recorder Lori Waters said that surveyor Greg Blackman is scheduled to analyze the lot lines and there will be more information by the next meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 20 at 7 p.m. in the senior center in Wallowa.