CASCADE LOCKS — The Cascade Locks City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, March 9, with a full council in attendance. The highlight was an opportunity for a downtown Visitors’ Center.
But first, the council heard an update from Deputy Joel Ives representing the Hood River County Sheriff Office (HRCSO). Cascade Locks pays extra for on-site law enforcement coverage for a contracted 24 hours a week, but Ives reported that the coverage has been inconsistent while still meeting the terms of the contract, largely because HRSCO is short four officers at the moment. When fully or at least more fully staffed, the deputy assigned to Cascade Locks focuses on Thursday-Sunday coverage and rotates quarterly.
The current officer, Helton, is out on leave, so various others have been filling in. The council communicated that the report Ives shared (not made public) should include a narrative paragraph describing trends and highlights. Ives thanked them for the feedback.
Next, the council discussed whether to submit of a Letter of Support for Columbia Area Transit’s grant application that would bring a bus shelter and second stop to the corner of Wa Na Pa and Forest Lane, east of downtown, for no cost. After Councilor Courtnee Keilman expressed concerns about lost parking spots, the council unanimously approved the Letter of Support for the grant.
Interim City Administrator Gordon Zimmerman then presented a proposal from the Tourism Committee for an affordable space downtown in which to locate a Visitors’ Center. Previously, the city’s center wasn’t easily accessible to downtown foot traffic, being in the museum along the waterfront. They now have an opportunity to share space with Bike the Gorge, operated by Ben de Jarnette.
Tourism volunteers would primarily staff the visitor’s center, with de Jarnette and his staff trained in tourism promotion as well. The cost to the city would be $250 per month. Tourism Committee members were on hand to promote the opportunity and answer questions, and the council unanimously agreed to the plan. The Memo of Understanding takes effect May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027.
Zimmerman also reported that the 2022-23 audit is complete, and the 2023-24 audit is 50% complete. The city has four “findings” to rectify; Interim CFO Marianne Bump has already cleared three other findings, so they expect this to continue moving forward. The delayed audits must now take a back seat, since the city’s 2026-27 budget needs to be planned and approved by the end of June. The Budget Committee is in need of four volunteers; applications are posted on the city’s website.
In his report, Zimmerman shared that a landslide in the Ruckel Creek area has closed the Columbia River Gorge Highway Trail between Eagle Creek and Cascade Locks. Neither Oregon’s Department of Transportation nor Hood River County can fund the repairs, which may cost over $500,000, so Zimmerman suggested the city approach the state for the funds to clear the slide.
Zimmerman then disclosed that Cascade Locks faces penalties for various oversights. The Wastewater Treatment Plant has incurred several violations, three under the previous management of Jacobs Engineering, and two under newly-contracted TEC, which are primarily clerical errors and being corrected.
Oregon’s Ethics Commission issued a sanction for unsubmitted paperwork regarding the use of a lobbyist for the 2025 legislative session. The paperwork was due by Jan. 15, 2026; the city separated from former CA Jordon Bennett on January 6, 2026. Current Administrative Services Director Kathy Woosley was able to rectify the oversight and the city avoided a fine.
The next Cascade Locks City Council meeting is set for Monday, March 23 at 7 p.m. Future topics include an increase in electrical rates, and the city’s proposed prepared food and beverage sales tax.
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