Splash Pad, grant guidelines discussed at meeting

WHITE SALMON — With two councilors absent and no business items, city council’s July 1 meeting was largely filled with updates from Mayor Marla Keethler and staff.

After a temporary closure stemming from damage to one of the sprayers, Keethler announced that Rheingarten Park’s Splash Pad has now reopened. She also flagged pending changes to the federal government’s Uniform Guidelines, the rules that determine how grants, cooperative agreements and other monetary awards are issued to nonprofits, states and municipalities.

“There’s some concerning things in there that really could introduce greater uncertainty, the potential that you could see grants pulled mid-award because of a determined misalignment with the federal agency’s priorities or program goals,” Keethler said.

The changes include pre-issuance review by political appointees, prohibitions outlined in a series of executive orders on diversity, equity, inclusion and gender ideology, and many others. The Association of Washington Cities may submit comments on behalf of White Salmon before the opportunity closes on July 13. If enshrined, the proposed rules would apply to any awards issued in 2027.

Public Works Director Chris True also reported that a critical tie-in operation performed on June 24, part of the city’s Transmission Main replacement Project, was a success. True thanked residents for complying a water curtailment notice that day, and with the new 20-inch pipe now connected, the 1-million-gallon Los Altos Reservoir is refilling at least a third faster than it had before.

In the consent agenda, councilors approved a resolution honoring Michael Morneault and Greg Hohensee, two planning commissioners who retired in June 2026 and February 2026, respectively. They also appointed Erika Price and Nate Loker to another term on the commission, and Adam Elliot to his first.

Lastly, during public comment, local nanny and child advocate Gabrielle Gilbert asked council to establish a committee focused on improving childcare access.

White Salmon’s City Council meets next on August 5.