Cascade Locks City Council passes Ordinance 460

After months of work, the council, with input from the Tourism Committee, drafted Ordinance 460 to add guidance for STR management. The ordinance requires owners to follow a safety checklist and to have a safety inspection completed before operating an STR. Based on the need for safety, the ordinance was deemed an emergency ordinance, and its first reading was accepted. The new requirements are expected to go into effect beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

The City of Cascade Locks has sought to review its planning services. City Administrator Jordon Bennett had previously submitted two options, WSP and the Mid-Willamette Council of Governments (MWCG), which gave a detailed presentation at a previous meeting. Bennett recommended the MWCG option, but the majority of councilors directed him to call for RFPs, or Requests for Proposals, in order to compare additional options for services. These proposals are due to the city by Nov. 22; they will be presented to council on Dec. 9. Staff hopes the new planner can start on Feb. 1, 2025.

Council President Pete Happy shared highlights of his attendance at the League of Oregon Cities Conference. Topics included dealing with hate speech and disruptions during municipal meetings; use of AI in administrative work; current STR policies and issues; and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain designation. Happy had prepared detailed notes on his experience to share with council.

City staff pay structure was back on the agenda. The council, with the guidance of Bennett, has restructured the organizational chart of city staff. The city recorder is now the administrative services director, and the fire chief becomes the emergency services director. Job duties have been streamlined and clarified.

Discussion ensued about balancing competitive, equitable pay, the need for economic progress, and the city’s meager budget. The council agreed to begin the process to fill some of the city’s vacant positions, including a finance director, the administrative specialist, and the community liaison position for code enforcement, which has been vacant for some time.

Council’s greatest concern was the city’s proposed Measure 14-80, which continues and slightly increases the funding for EMS services to Cascade Locks, with Councilor Bernard Seeger saying, “If this doesn’t pass, now we have a huge hole in our budget.” The city is deeply invested in the Nov. 5 election, with nine residents running for three council seats, a mayoral race, approval of the City Charter, and continued funding for EMS services all on the ballot.

The next council meeting is Nov. 25. Any newly elected councilors will be seated in January.