Blackburn swears in new officer, discusses city council compensation

Columbia Gorge News

HOOD RIVER — On April 22, Connor Wells took his oath of office as a new Hood River Police officer, sworn in by Mayor Paul Blackburn. City council also discussed council and mayor compensation, a topic that has not been reviewed for roughly 15-25 years.

Currently, city council members make $50 per month and the mayor makes $100 per month. Abigail Elder, city manager, provided options for future compensation updates such as reevaluating every few election cycles or an inflation-related increase.

Blackburn said many people face barriers to serving on city council and wants to lessen those barriers. While some council members choose to forgo their stipends, others suggested offering technology as compensation, like a laptop or iPad, in order to access the work.

Compensation adjustments will be decided in meetings to come with a focus on valuing a diverse and equitable council. This decision will not affect current council members but rather will only affect future elected officials with terms beginning in 2025.

Senior Planner Kevin Liburdy presented on the Development Code update and audit project, which involves many stakeholders to help clarify the development code and address local, equitable housing needs.

Liburdy and MIG, a contractor for the Department of Land Conservation and Development, explained they are looking for a multi-step review process that provides edits for readability, format and organization, and assessment of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They are also putting together a community engagement phase for local input.

Stakeholders mentioned at the meeting include:

• Developers and builders, including those who develop multi-family housing

• City Planning Commission, Landmarks Review Board

• Mayor’s equity group, Nch’i Wana Housing

• Spanish-speaking community members

• Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, Port of Hood River, Hood River County Chamber of Commerce

• Columbia Cascade Housing Authority, Mid-Columbia Community Action Council

• Hood River County Community Development Department

• City of Hood River Engineering & Public Works, Fire, Police & Building Departments

• Advocacy groups (e.g., Dark Skies, tree protection, Safe Routes to Schools Housing Land Advocates, Fair Housing Council, Thrive Hood River)

Council reiterated the importance of focusing on Spanish-speaking and Tribal involvement as well as including the Energy Council in discussions. Though there are state legislative requirements and technical processes that must be followed, Liburdy said they want to be “blank slates for input.”

This project is in preliminary stages but they will be diving into drafting phases soon.

Chris Longinetti, finance director, presented on the Municipal Bond Election Strategy, a plan for future elections to help with some of the city’s large capital needs. With support from a municipal advisory firm called D.A. Davidson, debt tools can be better used to fund infrastructure and long-term assets.

D.A. Davidson offers assistance with any debt-funding path Hood River chooses and any final decisions will require further approval from city council. The financial overview from Longinetti should help council decide on maintaining or adjusting financial policies and practices for the future.

There is a joint meeting set for June 3 to discuss annexation with Hood River County Board of Commissioners.