CASCADE LOCKS — With two public hearings and an executive session on the agenda, the Cascade Locks City Council opted to start its June 23 meeting at 6 p.m. instead of the usual 7 p.m. This meeting focused on new FEMA floodplain requirements, code requirements of the Downtown Revitalization plan, increased wastewater rates, and a tentative update from the city’s lobbyist.
The first public hearing was to discuss and gather feedback on the new FEMA rules for floodplain development. Dan Meter and Jamie Crawford of AKS Engineering led the group through the city’s options. FEMA has established new floodplain maps based on more accurate technology, as well as updated restrictions and requirements.
The state gives each city three options: to ban all development in the floodplain; to require an expensive biological habitat assessment to accompany each permit application; or to adopt the FEMA’s and the state’s recommended guidelines for development, with the latter deemed the best choice for most cities. If the municipality does not adopt one of the three options, their community will not be eligible for the National Floodplain Insurance Program.
The updated code has some more stringent requirements, such as larger setbacks, and is intended to not only protect the homeowner from flood damage, but to also protect the riparian zone. Cascade Locks already regulates development in the floodplain, and the updated regulations will affect very few landowners. There was no public comment, and the council plans to adopt the FEMA guidelines at its July 14 meeting.
An update from hired lobbyist Tre Hendricks offered hope for one part of the city’s finances. ODOT ordered Cascade Locks to replace the power lines near the McCord Creek Bridge; the city was forced to borrow $1.1 million to do the work. Hendricks, hired by the city to lobby for reimbursement of the loan, reported that the reimbursement was included in a bill likely to pass, House Bill 5006, which “appropriates moneys from the General Fund to specified state agencies for biennial expenses.” HB 5006 features numerous city-specific allotments, and includes $1 million to the city of Cascade Locks for reimbursement of the project. The bill faces a third reading and vote, but Hendricks was grateful to have it included, and was cautiously optimistic about its success.
The second public hearing focused on the Downtown Revitalization Plan. After two years of work by University of Oregon consultants and the city’s Downtown Revitalization Committee, and robust public outreach, the grant-funded process has resulted in updated zoning for the downtown area, and some updates to city code regarding its development. Based on feedback from residents, consultant Amanda Ferguson said the plan seeks to create “a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented corridor.” With a single public comment made by resident Lach Litwer, the council will keep the option for residents to submit written testimony open until July 7.
Councilor Denise Emmerling-Baker, with plans to move outside the city, declared that July 1 will be her last day representing the city. Residents of Cascade Locks interested in being on the council will be asked to submit an application to the council once the seat is vacant. The invitation is typically open for 2-4 weeks. Council will then invite all applicants for an interview and vote on their choice to fill the empty seat until the next election, according to City Administrator Jordon Bennett. Upcoming events in Cascade Locks include a reminder that City Hall will be closed on Thursday, July 3, in observance of the Fourth of July. The city burn pile will be open to residents on Saturday, July 12, 8 a.m. to noon. On Monday, June 30 at 7 p.m. (after press deadline), the council will hold a public hearing to discuss proposals from public or non-profit organizations for possible uses of state Revenue-Sharing Funds.
The next regular meeting is set for Monday, July 14 at 7 p.m.
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