White Salmon City Council looks to revise committee meeting procedures

WHITE SALMON — While it wasn’t an action-filled meeting, White Salmon’s City Council discussed committee procedures at length on Jan. 21, along with this year’s planning priorities, albeit more briefly.

“I don’t believe the changes that council made in 2023 were as deliberate or intentional as suggested. Nor do I believe that we all understood the downstream impacts of the decision, which is why I’m bringing back a broader conversation on committees,” said Councilor Patty Fink.

In December of that year, council unanimously made several amendments to its code regarding boards, committees and commissions, one being that most of the city’s now nine accessory bodies are no longer subject to Washington’s Open Public Meetings Act. Noticing, attending and producing minutes for each meeting had become burdensome for staff, but by limiting public testimony and reducing all committees, not including the planning commission, to a strictly advisory role, the city wouldn’t need to fulfill those legal requirements.

At that time, White Salmon’s CityLAB Board also wanted to meet more frequently and continue pushing ahead on the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Plan, which staff couldn’t accommodate. In the years following, however, some committees continued to notice meetings on the city’s calendar and allow informal public comment to continue engagement, while others did not, prompting Mayor Marla Keethler to issue a clarifying memorandum last November.

Staff time remained the key barrier to any potential code revisions during last Wednesday’s conversation. Jennifer Neil, the city’s director of finance and operations, said it was already challenging to complete her workload, and Public Works Director Chris True agreed.

“I have a hard enough time getting a department head report out to you guys,” True said. “I’m open to do what we have to do, but if more stuff like this keeps getting added, additional staffing will be required.”

Council largely sought a middle ground. They questioned whether it was possible to re-institute some requirements, like noticing and recording, without the full suite, and pitched creative ways to take some of the load off staff. While unable to comment on the legality, City Attorney Shawn MacPherson did commit to conducting a comprehensive review when his schedule allows.

“I would write agendas, I will take notes, because my north star still is reducing the burden on staff,” said Councilor David Lindley. “I think public input at the committee stage is critical … I’d rather have those blinders exposed when something’s in the brainstorming phase than waiting until it’s fully-fledged.”

Councilor Morella Mora seconded Lindley’s offer. In theory, residents can provide comments when committee matters eventually advance to council, but she added that it’s a more intimidating forum, and that meetings writ large aren’t a substitute for community engagement.

“I would say that is the role of the council,” said Keethler. “How are each of you taking the information from these meetings and getting into the community?” Ultimately, council tabled the discussion so that MacPherson and staff could present more concrete options for opening up committee meetings at some point in the future.

Council also reviewed the planning commission’s 2026 work plan. Key priorities, in no particular order, were as follows: shared utilities, trash can nuisances, e-bike regulation, short-term rentals in commercial zones, downtown parking, mobile vendors and pre-approved building plans.

Nearly across the board, council felt that trash can nuisances and e-bike regulation weren’t items that deserved immediate attention from the commission. Councilor Doug Rainbolt, however, requested more time to review the list and suggest other items, so council agreed to hold off any action until their next meeting on Feb. 4.

In other updates, Keethler and Rainbolt took the Jan. 21 meeting from Olympia. Keethler reported that securing funding for the State Route 141 Complete Streets Project, which has been delayed for years, was a primary objective.

With the next phase of White Salmon’s water main replacement set to begin this spring, Keethler also flagged that an open house about the project is scheduled for Feb. 24. More details are forthcoming, but residents heading north to Trout Lake on State Route 141 should expect delays for upwards of 30 days, likely beginning in May.

•••

Our journalism needs your support. Visit columbia www.gorgenews.com to read more and subscribe.