🌲 White Salmon Updates

(Tree Board – Feb. 9 | Planning Commission – Feb. 11 | City Council – Feb. 4)

Infrastructure upgrades, a heritage tree walk, and planning policy research dominated White Salmon’s February civic meetings.

🌳 White Salmon Tree Board

Feb. 9, 2026

The Tree Board focused on planning Tree Fest (March 21) and advancing early work on a heritage tree walking tour while continuing discussion of how the city manages tree removal tied to development.

🌲 Heritage Tree Walking Tour

Board members reviewed a draft route map highlighting notable trees around town.

The goal is to have a preview map ready for Tree Fest so residents can give feedback before a final version is created.

Ideas discussed included:

• Highlighting notable trees on public property first
• Adding private trees later with owner permission
• Including species names and descriptions
• Creating a community questionnaire for additional tree nominations
• Encouraging residents to identify historic or culturally significant trees

The long-term goal is to build a community-driven appreciation of White Salmon’s urban forest, including trees connected to local history and Indigenous landscapes.

🌸 Hiroshima “Peace Tree” Seeds

Board members discussed seeds descended from trees that survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing, part of the international Peace Tree program.

Seedlings are currently being grown in Odell and could eventually be planted in White Salmon.

🌿 Tree Fest Plans (March 21)

Tree Fest will serve as the board’s primary public outreach event this spring.

Planned materials include:

• Heritage tree walking tour preview map
• Heritage tree nomination forms
• Tree ordinance information
• QR codes linking to Tree Board resources

🌳 Tree Preservation & Development Fees

Members continued discussing the 2024 tree ordinance, which allows developers to pay a fee instead of replacing removed trees.

Before setting a fee schedule, the board wants to better understand how the policy interacts with subdivision approvals and development permits.

Possible uses of collected fees include tree planting or preservation projects.

🌱 Upcoming Community Work Day

The board is planning a Gaddis Park cleanup weekend (likely April 10–11) focused on trail cleanup, signage removal, and landscape improvements.

🏙 White Salmon Planning Commission

Feb. 11, 2026

The Planning Commission meeting focused on student planning projects and the city’s 2026 work plan.

🎓 WSU Planning & Landscape Architecture Projects

White Salmon hosted Washington State University senior capstone students studying landscape architecture and planning.

Students toured the city and met with:

• City planning staff
• The Underwood Conservation District
• Public works staff
• Local fire authorities

Students will use White Salmon as the study site for their capstone planning projects, which could include conceptual designs and policy proposals.

🧭 2026 Planning Commission Work Plan

The commission confirmed its annual work plan, which includes:

• Shared utilities policy research
• Short-term rental rules in commercial zones
• Downtown parking requirements
• Pre-approved housing plans (including possible ADU designs)

Commissioners will research policies from other cities and present findings later this year.

🏠 Housing & Development Ideas

Commissioners also discussed revisiting pre-approved housing plans, which could streamline permits for small homes and accessory dwelling units.

Community surveys may be used to gauge design preferences.

🏛 White Salmon City Council

Feb. 4, 2026

White Salmon’s February council meeting focused on water infrastructure financing, bridge coordination, and planning priorities.

💧 $6 Million Water Infrastructure Loan

Council approved a $6 million low-interest state loan through Washington’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

The funding will replace aging sections of the city’s water transmission system.

🌉 Bridge Replacement Coordination

Council approved an agreement with the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Authority allowing the city and bridge project to coordinate work affecting city rights-of-way.

🏗 Development Agreement: Water Main Upsizing

Council considered an agreement related to Alpine Grove development.

Under the proposal:

• A developer-installed water main would transfer to city ownership
• The city may waive up to $36,435 in impact fees in exchange for larger infrastructure that benefits the broader water system

📋 Planning Commission Work Plan

Council revisited the Planning Commission’s 2026 priorities, including:

• Shared utilities policies
• Short-term rental rules
• Downtown parking requirements
• Pre-approved housing plans

🗣 Public Comment

Residents raised several issues:

• A homeowner described challenges related to a previously denied variance.
• A Mt. Adams Chamber representative asked council to correct a lodging tax reimbursement error.

📚 Black History Month Recognition

Councilmember Ben Giant recognized Black History Month and highlighted the importance of honoring Black history and contributions.

The city plans to host a Black in the Gorge speaker event later this month.

🔎 Key Takeaways - White Salmon

What changed

• White Salmon secured $6 million for water infrastructure upgrades.
• The city formalized coordination with the bridge replacement project.

What escalated

• Planning debates around shared utilities, STR rules, parking policy, and ADUs are moving forward.

What’s next

• Planning Commission research on shared utilities
• Tree Fest – March 21

How to Join

White Salmon public meetings are held at White Salmon City Hall and typically streamed on Zoom.

• City Council: First and third Wednesdays, 6:00 PM
• Planning Commission: Second Wednesday, 5:30 PM
• Tree Board: Second Monday, 5:30 PM

Agendas and Zoom links are posted on the City of White Salmon website before meetings.

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🌄 Goldendale Updates

(City Council – Feb. 2 & Feb. 17, 2026)

Goldendale’s February council meetings focused on tourism funding, neighborhood safety, and city administration updates.

🏛 Goldendale City Council

Feb. 2, 2026

🎖 Oath of Office

Council member Steve Johnston was sworn in for his new term after missing the January ceremony.

🚓 Police & Fire Updates

Recent reports included:

• 230 police calls for service and 9 arrests
• Exploration of NextRequest software for public records
• Fire officials responding to two chimney fires and urging residents to inspect chimneys

💰 Lodging Tax Grants

Council approved over $100,000 in tourism grants.

Because of the number of applications, most requests were reduced by 20%.

Some council members raised questions about whether growing grant allocations provide sufficient economic return.

🚦 Neighborhood Traffic Safety

Council approved several changes on 21st Street, including:

• New stop signs at Benson Court and Chatfield Street
• A speed-feedback sign to address speeding complaints

Council also began considering lowering the North Columbus speed limit to 25 mph.

🚒 Surplus Fire Vehicle

A 2008 Ford Explorer command vehicle was declared surplus and transferred to the Bingen Fire Department.

🏛 Goldendale City Council

Feb. 17, 2026

👷 Municipal Employee Union Contract

Council reviewed a proposed 2026–2028 labor agreement including:

• Comp time buy-back options
• Clothing and boot allowance increases
• Updated vacation schedules
• 2% annual wage increases

🧭 Other City Updates

Council also discussed:

• Tourism funding through Resolution 751
• A future county fire-spread modeling presentation
• Upcoming community cleanup events

🔎 Key Takeaways - Goldendale

What changed

• Over $100k in tourism grants approved.
• Traffic safety upgrades approved for 21st Street.

What escalated

• Council debate about tourism spending levels and measurable economic impact.

What’s next

• Possible North Columbus speed limit change after a public hearing.
• Continued review of public records software and the union contract.

How to Join

Goldendale City Council meets:

First and third Mondays – 6:00 PM
Goldendale City Hall

Meetings usually include public comment (3 minutes per speaker) and are sometimes available via Zoom.

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🌉 Bingen Updates

(City Council – Feb. 3 & Feb. 17, 2026)

Bingen’s February meetings focused on infrastructure projects, housing policy changes, and city grant planning, along with a discussion about whether the city should issue a statement related to federal immigration enforcement.

🏛 Bingen City Council

Feb. 3, 2026

🚧 East Steuben Waterline Project

Council awarded a $211,920 construction contract for waterline upgrades along East Steuben.

🚸 SR-14 Pedestrian Crossing Upgrade

Council approved a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) pedestrian crossing project on SR-14.

The project exceeded initial cost estimates due to additional lighting requirements, and the city will seek additional Transportation Improvement Board funding.

⚖ Adult Probation Services Proposal

Klickitat County officials proposed a cost-sharing agreement (~$5,000/year) for probation services.

About 25 probation cases last year were tied to crimes committed in Bingen.

Officials said probation supervision can reduce jail costs by steering people toward treatment or community service.

🏛 Gorge Heritage Museum Building

Council discussed potential ADA upgrades and repairs to the Gorge Heritage Museum building.

A new engineering estimate will update a 2009 accessibility study.

⚡ Columbia River Transmission Line Review

The Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) requested a city representative for review of a proposed power transmission cable under the Columbia River.

Councilmember Eric Schroder volunteered to serve.

💻 Online Utility Bill Pay Review

Council reviewed whether to keep the Xpress BillPay system, which costs the city about $1,378 annually for roughly 21 users.

🏛 Bingen City Council

Feb. 17, 2026

🏨 Society Hotel Sidewalk Agreement

Council approved a development agreement with The Society Hotel for Cedar Street sidewalks.

The hotel’s contribution will range from about $57,900 to $66,500 depending on final project costs.

🏠 STEP Housing Ordinance

Council introduced an ordinance allowing:

• Emergency shelters
• Transitional housing
• Emergency housing
• Permanent supportive housing

The policy is required under a Washington Department of Commerce housing grant.

A public hearing is scheduled for March 3.

💻 Online Utility Bill Pay Ended

Council voted to terminate Xpress BillPay after reviewing user feedback and cost concerns.

🛹 Grant Planning

Council discussed possible grant applications for:

• Road safety striping
• Skatepark improvements
• Sidewalk expansion
• Bike and pedestrian improvements

Some projects could be funded as early as 2028–2029.

🗳 Immigration Resolution Debate

Council discussed whether Bingen should issue a community rights statement similar to one adopted in White Salmon.

Members expressed mixed views about whether such a statement would support residents or create division.

The conversation will continue at a future meeting.

🔎 Key Takeaways - Bingen

What changed

• Development agreement approved for Society Hotel sidewalks
• City voted to end Xpress BillPay

What escalated

• Discussion began about a local immigration-related resolution

What’s next

• STEP housing ordinance hearing – March 3
• Possible probation services agreement
• Grant applications for safety and infrastructure projects

How to Join

Bingen City Council meets:

First and third Tuesdays – 6:00 PM
Bingen City Hall and Zoom

Agendas and Zoom links are posted on the City of Bingen website before each meeting.