> ## 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. # 🏠 Klickitat Feb '26 Cities Update: Water Projects, Tourism Grants & Housing Policy - URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/klickita/ - Published: 2026-03-06T23:32:22.000Z - Updated: 2026-03-06T23:32:22.000Z - Description: From a $6M water loan in White Salmon to tourism grants in Goldendale and housing policy changes in Bingen, February meetings across Klickitat County tackled infrastructure, planning, and public safety. - Author: Dispatch Squatch - Tags: Bingen, Bingen City Council, Goldendale, Goldendale City Council, Klickitat County, White Salmon, White Salmon Planning Commission, White Salmon City Council, White Salmon Tree Board # 🌲 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. --- # 🌄 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. --- # 🌉 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**.