Mayor gives update on Mosier plans

Witt spent many of his years in Oregon and Washington exploring nature and enjoying outdoor activities like skiing, kayaking and wind sports. He lived in B Z Corner near Trout Lake a while for easier access to boating, but is now retired in Mosier where he can get just about anywhere on his bike.

Myrna, his wife, is a local artist who works with acrylics and collage, and the couple built their Mosier home where they live with their dog Zoe. “The Gorge is my gym,” Witt said, sporting scabs on his face from a fall off his bike the previous day.

As mayor, Witt said his touchstone for city projects has been the City of Mosier’s Strategic Plan from 2018, which is available to the public online. The city vision stated in the plan is one of a “vibrant Mosier: A lively, functional town where we can live, work, and play without having to leave.”

The strategic plan explains the “Mosier way,”or the feel of a small rural town that honors its deep agricultural roots and slows down to say hello. Witt’s own favorite things about the city, the small town feel and friendly neighborhood energy, ally himself easily with the Mosier way.

In total, there are six capital construction projects in Mosier’s strategic plan, many of which are sponsored by state and federal grants. Their biggest project is building a fire station/community center downtown along the railroad. Referred to as their “signature project,” Witt explained the vision of a two or three bay fire station with storage and training facilities adjacent to a command center and community center.

The community building would be used for council meetings, events, offices, and warming or cooling shelters in emergencies. Fires from 2018 in Memaloose and 2020 in Mosier Creek, Dry Creek, and Sevenmile have revealed the community’s need for a center to provide public services, safety, and resilience during times of crisis. Plans also include adding space for a history museum and food pantry.

Several of the projects listed in the city’s plan are well underway or nearly complete. For example, restoration in Rock Creek Park, where a major train derailment and oil spill occurred in 2016, is almost complete.

Additionally, flush toilet facilities were delivered on May 8 in downtown Mosier to replace temporary porta potties in town. These facilities should be open in early June, complete with a water station, information and way-finding signage, bike tools, and a charging hub.

Upgrades to waste water treatment, a new water station and well improvements, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are all on the strategic plan. Witt said there are many other projects he would like to see done, from improvements on Highway 30 to bike lanes and crosswalks around town. He hopes to update the city’s comprehensive plan, transportation plan, and natural hazard mitigation plan.

“Volunteerism has helped this community thrive, and this is just one more way I can give back. To me, life is about more than just having fun,” he said. He also hopes to start implementing short-term rental policies and revise the lighting code to fit with “Dark Sky” initiatives.

Due to its size, Mosier has a limited tax base which can present challenges to city planning and development projects. “We want to bring people here for economic reasons but we also want to keep Mosier small and livable, so that people can actually work and live in the town,” Witt said.