By CHRIS THORN

Tensions ran high at the Selah City Council meeting Dec. 22, when the central topic of discussion was the Matson Fruit Company property.

Mayor Bob Jones was one of the most vocal during the discussion. 

He said the current development agreement before the city council allows 40 years for Matson Fruit to expand which is not acceptable. 

Matson Fruit Attorney Michael Shinn and the family had been working on a development agreement with the city for about a month.

“This has to be expedited much quicker than 40 years,” Jones said.

Council members Paul Overby and John Tierney echoed that sentiment and said 40 years seemed to be inconsistent with Matson’s immediate need to expand.

Council member Kevin Jorgensen said the community wants Matson Fruit to expand, but many have concerns about traffic and buffers to the nearby commercial property on North Wenas Rd.

“I don’t see where those areas have changed in the last month,” said Council member Dave Smeback in reference to the development agreement proposed by Matson.

Shinn responded and said it’s common to have 10-year, 30-year, 40-year, and indefinite development agreements. He said they were willing to go back to the drawing board and address the concerns.

“I’d like the opportunity,” Shinn said.

City Supervisor Frank Sweet said Shinn and the Matsons have known what the concerns were for quite some time. Shinn said they knew some of them.

“We talked about it but you don’t listen,” Jones said. “We want to see Matson expand but not at the expense of our city.”

Smeback then asked Selah City Attorney Bob Noe whether the council members could sit down individually, one-on-one with Shinn, and have their concerns addressed. 

Noe said that was possible. Smeback then made a motion to give the Matsons until Feb. 9 to work out an agreement with the city. 

Jorgsenen seconded the motion and Overby voted yes. Tierney voted no. 

“There better be significant movement on this thing,” Jones said, to close the discussion.