Mayor Blackburn swears in Officer Wells, discusses city council compensation

Mayor Blackburn is aware of the barriers many people face 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.

Development Code Audit and Update

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)

City 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.”

“The development code review project sounds dry but has the potential to change how the city helps/hinders developers and builders,” wrote Abigail Elder. This project is in preliminary stages but they will be diving into drafting phases soon.

Municipal Bond Election Strategy 101

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.

 Other Council Comments and Actions

City Council approved a resolution to turn the Powerdale Corridor into a county park space, though no city money or upkeep will be required from them. Council also approved the transfer of power for the Urban Renewal Agency, meaning city council will be the acting URA council.

They voted to provide a letter of support for Clackamas County to be renewed as the head of the state tourism board and applauded councilmember Glady Rivera for being one of three women nominated as Woman of Distinction by Soroptimist Hood River.

Additionally, council commended Columbia Area Transit (CAT) for providing a temporary bus stop outside of Ferment Brewing during the weekend of Cider Fest and discussed a future agenda item to address CAT and ODOT’s approach to the regional transportation plan in Hood River Valley.

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