CASCADE LOCKS — The Cascade Locks City Council kicked off its regular meeting on Feb. 10 with a presentation from the town’s new planners: AKS Engineering. Led by Planner Jaime Crawford, the team informed the council that they would be on-site at city hall once a month, the second Wednesday of each month, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are also available by email at planning@cascade-locks.or.us.
Public Works Supervisor Sheldon Price updated the council next. Price reported on the yard debris incinerator that the city would have access to, thanks to a grant. Called a “curtain burner,” it is designed to reduce smoke and particulate matter released, making it a much cleaner and more efficient way to dispose of yard debris.
The curtain burner will be at the community burn pile once every other month to help staff manage the burn pile. Price also welcomed new hire Devon Hadley as utilities technician. In council comments, Councilor Eric Keller pointed out the need for hours at the community burn pile that accommodates the working class with availability between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The council adopted a revised utility deposit plan as well. Previously, a local business left town with an $18,000 outstanding balance on a commercial utility account. Moving forward, new residential users will pay $300 to open a utility account, and commercial users will pay two months like usage, or provide a surety bond. Existing commercial utility customers will have their account reviewed, and if they have shown three years or more of good faith utility payments, they are excluded and may be eligible to have their previous deposit returned.
Janice Crane represented the Tourism Committee for the next presentation to council. The focus of her news was a helpful calendar of upcoming events. The Cascade Locks Museum officially opens on March 1, and there will be a kickoff party on Feb. 26 at Thunder Island Brewing. The committee will host an Earth Day event in April. Crane also gave council notice of the Gorge Waterfall race, a 100K foot race through the Gorge on April 10-13. Crane predicts this will affect local businesses with an influx of visitors since the race ends in Cascade Locks. As a reminder, this committee has three openings presently.
Council then reviewed the city’s ADU guidelines, or “ARU,” meaning Accessory Residential Unit, as it is called in Cascade Locks city code. The crux was whether or not an ADU must have a separate meter, so that tenants can be charged commensurately. Nothing was resolved, but the discussion segued into the utilities deposit discussion. Following the previously mentioned unpaid utilities bill of $18,000, city staff has recommended updating the requirements for utilities hook-ups and billing. Staff will review payment history by current commercial utilities users, and adjust the policy accordingly, The policy will apply to new users.
City Administrator Jordon Bennett had included the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) presentation in the evening’s packet, and explained that had been scheduled to appear in person at the Feb. 24 meeting to discuss changes to the flood plain map and risk assessment. However, FEMA has said that the presentation cannot be confirmed with the shifting federal guidelines regarding federal employee travel and function.
A new floodplain map and changing risk assessment could affect some homeowners’ ability to get flood insurance. Bennett said he would continue to update the council as best he can, and shared FEMA’s timeline for Hood River County’s flood plain maps to be revised.
In council comments, Keller repeated his call for a statement of inclusivity targeting all Cascade Locks residents. Mayor Brenda Wood repeated an earlier discussed idea to offer bonuses to speed up the city’s delayed audits, which are scheduled to be complete within 12 months. She further stated her wish for city hall to be opened to the public five days a week.
The council’s next meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. in City Hall.
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