> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # 🏘️ Housing, Enforcement & Public Safety: Klickitat City Govts Recap - October 2025 - URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/housing-enforcement-public-safety-klickitat-city-govts-recap-october-2025/ - Published: 2025-11-13T01:01:17.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-18T22:46:20.000Z - Description: October council updates from across Klickitat County: White Salmon eyes a major upzone and debates drone policy, Goldendale plans park upgrades and reviews budget priorities, and Bingen faces pushback on stream buffer rules while weighing a public safety sales tax. - Author: Dispatch Squatch - Tags: Bingen, Goldendale, Goldendale City Council, Klickitat County, White Salmon, White Salmon City Council, Bingen City Council ## 🏛️ White Salmon City Council – October 2025 Recap *Key meetings: October 4 (Regular), October 11 (Budget Workshop), and October 27 (Operations Committee)* ### 📅 October 4, 2025 – Regular Council Meeting Council opened the month with updates on interlocal utility agreements, housing policy planning, and previewed topics that would be discussed in more depth at the upcoming **budget workshop**. They also: - Received early department reports - Noted continuing coordination with the **West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority (WKRFA)** - Scheduled items like drone policy, wastewater agreements, and enforcement reforms for review at the **Operations Committee** later in the month --- ### 📊 October 11, 2025 – Special Budget Workshop *(Also covered in* [*Columbia Gorge News*](https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/white-salmon-city-council-talks-agenda-process-holds-budget-workshop/article%5F7a789011-b776-4851-981c-34645fb300ff.html?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)*)* This in-depth workshop provided a department-by-department review of 2025 achievements and 2026 budget proposals. #### 💵 Finance - $93K recovered through audits and vendor reviews - \~$78K annual revenue restored via reinstated TBD fee - New Smartsheet systems for AP, grants, and admin - Proposal for **additional accounting staff and IT system upgrades** #### 🚧 Public Works - Completed **Transmission Main Phase 1** - Chip sealing, SCADA upgrades, Dock Grade resurfacing - Proposed a new **City Facilities division** to manage buildings and grounds - A **Sewer & Stormwater Master Plan** proposed to map and plan infrastructure upgrades #### 🔥 Emergency Preparedness - Ongoing support for **Burdoin Fire recovery** - Coordination with WKRFA on new staff, training, and joint planning - Fuel break grant delayed, but planning continues #### 👮 Police Department - 24/7 staffing continues; low complaints; two lifesaving commendations - Previewed a potential **drone policy** to improve officer safety and emergency response - Noted the need for upgraded communications and grant alignment #### 🏘️ Planning & Housing - 2025 saw success with **unit lot subdivision code**, **tree protection**, and **Bluff Connector Trail planning** - 2026 priorities: - The "**Big Upzone**" to align zoning with the Comprehensive Plan - Launch of a full **Comp Plan update (due 2027)** - Bluff Trail construction and housing action implementation #### 🌎 Equity & Engagement - Staff proposed a **Councilor Engagement Fund** - Plans to increase **language access**, **mobile inspections**, and **bilingual outreach materials** - Shifting focus from education to **proactive code enforcement**, especially around fire and nuisance hazards --- ## 🏘️ Special Section: What’s the “Big Upzone” in White Salmon? In 2026, the City of White Salmon will launch what planners are calling the **“Big Upzone,”** a major effort to update the city’s zoning map and land use rules to match the goals of its adopted **Comprehensive Plan**. ### 🧱 What’s Changing? - The upzone will **increase housing flexibility** across the city - potentially allowing for **townhomes, ADUs, small-scale apartments, or mixed-use buildings** in areas that are currently restricted to single-family homes. - This work builds on ordinances already passed in 2025, like the **unit lot subdivision code**, which made it easier to build **fee-simple homes** on small lots. - It also prepares the city for its next **Comprehensive Plan update**, due by **mid-2027**. ### 💡 Why It Matters: - White Salmon is a small city facing **mounting housing pressure**. This update could open the door for **more affordable, walkable, and sustainable development** options. - The upzone is expected to help implement key goals from the city’s **Housing Action Plan**, adopted in 2021. - It could also shape the future of **Downtown**, **residential neighborhoods**, and **transition zones** where infill is needed. ### 📣 How to Stay Involved: The city hasn’t launched formal hearings yet, but work will begin in 2026\. Here’s how to follow along and get ready to weigh in: - 🗓️ **Check meeting agendas and packets**: cityofwhitesalmon.org/meetings - 🏛️ **Attend Planning Commission meetings** (typically monthly) and Council workshops where the upzone may be discussed. - ✉️ **Sign up for city alerts**: Look for city newsletters or email announcements at cityofwhitesalmon.org - 🗣️ **Reach out to your city councilmember**: Ask them to advocate for **housing choice**, **equity**, and **climate-smart development** in the upzone. --- ### ⚠️ October 27, 2025 – City Operations Committee Meeting This small committee reviewed: - A proposed **drone program policy** - **Wastewater interlocal agreement** terms with Bingen - **Water policy goals** for 2026 - **Code violation hearing protocols** - Issues with the **Dogwood neighborhood’s sewer infrastructure** **However, this meeting was not recorded, and no minutes were published,** an unusual interpretation of the **Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA)** that has drawn criticism from some residents. While committee meetings are sometimes treated informally, the lack of documentation for a meeting with substantial policy discussion has raised concerns about transparency. --- ## 🏛️ Goldendale City Council – October 2025 Recap *Meetings from October 7, 14 (Budget Workshop), and 21, 2025* ### 📅 October 7, 2025 – **Code Enforcement & City Safety** **🚧 Code Enforcement Strategy** Councilmembers expressed growing concern about persistent **code violations**, including: - Abandoned vehicles and RVs - Overgrown lots - Vacant structures Discussion centered around how to prioritize violations and potentially **contract with external enforcement** agencies to improve turnaround and accountability. **🦺 Broadway Crosswalk Delays Continue** The city remains unable to move forward with **Broadway and Collins curb painting** due to WSDOT approval issues. Staff are exploring alternate striping approaches or documentation to move forward without further delay. **🚒 Fire Debrief and FEMA Claims** Council reviewed staff time and equipment used during recent wildfire response. Staff are compiling documentation to support **FEMA reimbursement claims**, particularly related to **mutual aid deployments** in Lyle and Appleton. --- ### 📊 October 14, 2025 – **2026 Budget Workshop** The Council held a focused **budget workshop** to review fiscal trends and set direction for 2026. **💰 Key Points:** - The **general fund is stable**, but rising costs and deferred maintenance are stressing available resources. - Council reviewed **departmental needs** across Public Works, Parks, Police, and Admin. - Staff emphasized the need to **adjust utility and permit fee structures** to reflect actual costs. - Future capital needs (e.g., **fleet replacement**, HVAC, roof repairs) were noted as critical but currently **unfunded**. Council did not finalize any cuts or new investments but agreed on the need to: - Explore **grant matches** - Increase transparency for service costs - Continue small-scale improvements without exceeding reserves --- ### 📅 October 21, 2025 – **Park Planning & Utility Maintenance** **🏞️ City Park Improvements** Council reviewed initial designs for **new restrooms at Ekone Park** and discussed a potential site layout that would integrate better pedestrian flow and ADA access. Community feedback will be gathered before construction is finalized. **🧰 Equipment Purchases Approved** Council approved: - Purchase of a **utility truck bed** for fleet maintenance - Replacement of **stormwater pumps** at two key culvert locations These were funded through previously budgeted capital allocations and considered essential for winter preparedness. **🏠 Housing & Land Use Referrals** A brief update from the Planning Commission noted continued interest in **short plat applications** and requests for **variance reviews** on small lot development. **👮 Public Safety & City Staffing** The Police Department shared updates on summer enforcement efforts and training. Staff discussed retention challenges and praised officers for **community event presence** during Pride and the Back-to-School Bash. --- ## 🏛️ Bingen City Council – October 2025 Recap *Critical areas, sales tax debate, and public works updates* ### 📅 October 7, 2025 – **Public Safety Sales Tax & Public Works Review** **🚓 Public Safety Sales Tax Discussion (PSEST)** Council held a public hearing on **Ordinance 2025-12-779**, which would authorize a [0.1% sales tax to fund law enforcement services](https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/free%5Fnews/public-safety-enhancement-sales-tax-public-hearing-oct-7/article%5F280792e1-3adc-4e30-b2ca-484c9312a78b.html?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io). BWSPD Sergeant Clifford raised serious concerns about state mandates that come with the tax, suggesting the requirements may exceed the revenue generated. He emphasized the administrative burden on the small department, especially if the **BWSPD doesn't qualify for exemptions** under HB2015. Mayor Kiewit acknowledged the confusion and compressed rollout timeline, saying she didn’t want to pursue the tax if it would create hardship for the police department. Council ultimately **tabled the ordinance** until December to gather more information and possibly renegotiate the interlocal contract with BWSPD, which expires at the end of 2025. **🚒 Fire Department Update** Chief Spratt reported 43 calls in September, including 5 in Bingen and 38 mutual aid. The recent pancake breakfast fundraiser was a success, raising around **$2,000** and serving an estimated **400 attendees**. The city also received **$16,605 from the WA State Patrol** for assisting in the Burdoin Mountain Fire response. **🛠️ Public Works Q3 Report** Superintendent David Spratt shared updates on major projects: - New **bus stop shelters** were installed with lighting, bollards, signage, and benches. - Work continued on the **East Steuben waterline** and general **infrastructure inspections**. - Emergency removal of a large **oak tree in the city park** was completed. **🗺️ GIS Mapping Tool Demonstration** Bingen showcased a new **GIS system** developed by RCAC at no cost. The map will be enhanced this winter with notes and historical memory from Superintendent Spratt. **📑 Other Actions:** - Approved USDA Q3 budget statements - Cancelled a lost fuel payment check (Resolution 2025-008) - Reviewed a draft **franchise agreement with NW Natural** - Pushed discussion on **Maple Street tree removals** to the next meeting **🌉 Regional Updates** Mayor Kiewit shared news from regional planning calls: - **Bridge replacement design** to complete by mid-2027, construction starts October 2027, new bridge opens in 2031 - **WSDOT roundabout construction** near SR-141 beginning October 13 after delays with rail flaggers --- ### 📅 October 21, 2025 – **Critical Areas Ordinance Sparks Community Pushback** The meeting featured a well-attended **public hearing** on proposed changes to the **Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)**, specifically expanding **riparian buffers** near Jewett Creek and Dry Creek based on the **SPTH200** model (Site Potential Tree Height 200). **🏞️ Community Testimony Floods In** Residents and property owners pushed back hard, saying the buffers were inappropriate for: - **Dry Creek**, described repeatedly as a **man-made, concrete-lined stormwater ditch**, not a natural stream - **Jewett Creek**, where proposed buffer changes would derail **a 48-unit Phase II of a workforce housing project** already under development Speakers included: - **Paul and Robert Rudinsky**, developers of the housing project - **Stan Dickey**, of Dickey Farms, citing hardship on future repairs or expansion - **Miriam and Randy Knowles**, longtime residents concerned about property rights - **Garret Stump**, representing **SDS Lumber**, who said they weren’t properly notified - **Multiple homeowners** near Dry Creek who described the buffer as excessive, unfair, and not ecologically justified **🌲 Outcome: Council Pushes Back** - Council voted to **request a formal deviation** from the state’s Best Available Science (BAS) recommendation - Rejected the **SPTH200 method** as outlined by the Department of Fish and Wildlife - Authorized issuance of a **60-day intent-to-adopt notice** for a revised ordinance with adjusted standards ### 📅 What Comes Next: 1. **60-Day Public Review Period (Fall-Winter 2025)** The intent-to-adopt notice triggers a **public comment window** during which the public and agencies (e.g., Ecology, WDFW) can weigh in on the deviation from Best Available Science (BAS). 2. **Revised Ordinance Draft** Staff will prepare and circulate a **new draft of the ordinance**, likely with: - Modified buffers for Dry Creek (not using SPTH200) - Adjusted buffers for Jewett Creek that consider **Phase II of the workforce housing project** and other impacted parcels 3. **Final Adoption Vote** Council will revisit the CAO in **early 2026**, incorporating public input and agency comments. A formal vote is required to adopt the revised ordinance. **💬 Public Safety Tax Follow-Up** CJTC, the agency overseeing the Public Safety Enhancement Sales Tax rollout, was reported to be **flexible** in implementation. Council is still deliberating and has **not yet passed the tax**. **🏛️ Pool District Presentation** Representatives from the **White Salmon Valley Pool Metropolitan Park District** shared funding updates: - $5.6 million raised out of an $8.4 million goal - Trout Lake will vote on annexation in November - Pool hopes to secure final funding by end of 2025 and begin construction in 2026 **🌳 Maple Street Trees & Staff Reports** Discussion resumed about removing old trees on **Maple Street**, but no action was finalized. Staff also presented budget updates and department reports. ### 🧠 Dr. David Ruiz on Behavioral Health Disparities in Klickitat Amid a packed agenda, the October 21, 2025 Bingen City Council meeting featured **Dr. David Ruiz**, Klickitat County’s Health Officer, who provided a candid overview of the region’s **behavioral health challenges.** He emphasized both statistical disparities and structural gaps in care delivery. **Key takeaways from his presentation included:** - **Severe Shortage of Mental Health Providers:** Klickitat County has no full-time psychiatrists, and **youth behavioral health care** is especially under-resourced. Residents often wait weeks or months for specialized services, many of which require travel to The Dalles, Yakima, or Vancouver. - **Youth and Crisis Response Gaps:** Dr. Ruiz emphasized the lack of **school-based mental health support**, even though local schools have reported increases in anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues post-COVID. He also noted that **first responders and law enforcement are too often left to manage psychiatric crises**, especially after hours. - **Data on Disparities:** The county’s mental health hospitalization rates remain higher than regional averages, while access to follow-up care lags significantly. Ruiz framed this as part of a larger pattern of **rural health inequity**, where systems fail to adapt to geographic and staffing constraints. - **Coordination Problems:** He acknowledged that Klickitat’s fragmented public health landscape, spanning city governments, the sheriff’s office, county agencies, and nonprofit providers, creates **communication silos** that worsen service gaps. **Proposed strategies and needs outlined:** - **Regional partnerships** with Mid-Columbia Center for Living and Comprehensive Healthcare - Exploration of **community paramedic models** to reduce law enforcement burden - Support for **telehealth** in behavioral health, including broadband access and patient tech literacy - Calls for **funding flexibility** from state and federal sources to better fit rural realities - Commitment to improving **data tracking and early intervention** coordination with schools and local providers Ruiz also echoed earlier themes shared by **Erinn Quinn** and **Dr. McCullough** at Board of Health meetings: rural counties like Klickitat need not just funding, but **structural reform** to make behavioral health services accessible, timely, and community-based.