Join us for Kalama Parks and Rec August Dance Classes on Wednesdays, 6:30pm-7:15pm @ the Kalama Community Building (216 Elm St). August classes include: 6th: Waltz, 13th: Salsa, 20th: American Tango, 27th: Bachata. This is for beginners! Each class is $20 or buy a punch card = 8 classes for $120 (a $5 discount per class) register at https://tinyurl.com/4jvzmmtz
The August edition of the City newsletter is here: https://5il.co/3mskf
Don't miss the "upcoming events" section on the last page! August is a month packed with opportunities to fully experience community in Kalama. We'll see you at National Night Out!
Mark your calendar for Kalama's upcoming National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5th, from 6-8pm! Join us for a family friendly evening of fun hosted by the Kalama Police Department at Haydu Park (253 Kalama River Rd). Enjoy free food & drinks, a dunk tank, first responder vehicles, family games, public safety demonstrations, and a good time! We'll see you there!
Here are the Details:
Kalama’s event will be held at Haydu Park near the expo center at 253 Kalama River Rd. Local service organizations will be represented with informational tables/booths showcasing their services and available resources to the community. There will be music, a dunk tank, free food (hot dog BBQ) and drinks, as well as first responder vehicle show and tell, family games/fun, and public safety demonstrations.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Organizations host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits, and much more.
Downtown street striping is happening on Wednesday, July 30th on North First St (from Elm St to Kingwood St)! Please have vehicles off North First Street on 7/30/25 from 6am-5pm. Vehicles left parked on the street will be subject to towing. As soon as the paint is dry, we will open segments of the street. All sidewalks will be open. Thank you for your cooperation.
The August Drum 4 Fun schedule is here! Kalama Parks and Recreation Drum 4 Fun classes will be: Tuesdays only from 10am-11am, August 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th. All Tuesdays = $20.
Location: 216 Elm St, Kalama, WA
More info at: 360-673-4562 or cityhall@cityofkalama.com
Update: 7/30/25
The City of Kalama is still seeking residents interested in serving on the official “For” and “Against” committees for the upcoming ballot measure regarding the Community Building.
We appreciate the community’s engagement and the many perspectives shared so far. We’re still looking for individuals willing to take the next step by helping craft the formal statements that will appear in the Cowlitz County Voters’ Pamphlet. Email cityclerk@cityofkalama.com or call 360-673-4561 if you are willing to help! We are extending the date to Friday, 8/1 by 5pm.
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🗳️ Help Inform Kalama Voters!
The City of Kalama is seeking local residents to serve on the official "For" and "Against" committees for the upcoming Community Building ballot measure. This is an advisory vote to help guide City Council decisions regarding the Community Building. These committees will draft the arguments that appear in the Cowlitz County Voters’ Pamphlet.
✅ Are you passionate about preserving or repurposing the Community Building at 216 Elm Street?
✅ Do you want to help voters make an informed decision this November?
👉Express your interest by 5pm on Wednesday, July 30th, 2025 (email cityclerk@cityofkalama.com, call, or notify at City Hall)
📄 Learn more about the ballot measure here: https://5il.co/3m9iv
"For" and "Against" committees consist of members of the public who commit to write a statement either in favor of or in opposition to a ballot measure. These appointed members must reside inside Kalama's city limits (although Kalama residents outside the city limits can help form the statement). Each committee is limited to 3 members, but the committee can have an unlimited number of people assist them in preparing statements.
The full Jurisdictional Manual for 2025 can be found here: https://5il.co/3maah
📬 Contact the City Clerk at cityclerk@cityofkalama.com or 360-673-4561
🌟 We need YOU, Kalama! 🌟
Looking for a way to get involved and make a difference in your community? We’ve got openings on two local committees and would love to have you on board!
🎡 Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
We’re looking for:
• 1 member who lives inside city limits
• 1 member who lives in the 98625 zip code but outside city limits
This group helps shape Kalama’s city parks facilities and recreation programs—and they meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:15pm.
📘 More info: https://library.municode.com/wa/kalama/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.56PAREADCO
💼 Kalama Salary Commission
This group reviews and sets salaries for elected officials. Must live inside city limits.
They typically meet just once per year, before budget season (around August or September).
📘 More info: https://library.municode.com/wa/kalama/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT2ADPE_CH2.08MACO_2.08.020MACOCO
These are volunteer roles, and your input matters!💪 Positions are open until filled. Questions? Contact cityclerk@cityofkalama.com or 360-673-4561
📝 Apply here: https://www.cityofkalama.com/page/application-for-commissions-boards-and-committees
City Council Update: July 17, 2025
The Council voted 4 to 1 to place an advisory vote on the ballot to ask the citizens if they are willing to pay additional property taxes to repair the Kalama Community Building and keep it operating for the benefit of the community. The Council wanted to be clear that as an advisory vote this will be used to guide further discussion on what the City needs to do with the facility. Councilmembers noted the need for options, or “next steps”, on both sides of the ballot measure. The building’s future will be an ongoing discussion during the 2026 budget hearings and into 2026. The final ballot wording has been reviewed by the city attorney after many revisions.
The graffiti along Meeker Drive was noted and a citizen asked how to get it cleaned or removed. This is WSDOT jurisdiction. The City has reached out to the State and will work with them.
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 1534 amending the Kalama Municipal Code to adopt state laws (RCW’s) needed to address illegal activities and provide the prosecutor with the tools needed to enforce the laws of the city and state.
The street overlay (chipseal and onyx seal coat) for downtown has been completed except for the striping which should occur in the next two weeks. The contractor worked to minimize disruption to the downtown area. This is a preservation project to keep the street in good condition to avoid major upgrades that would disrupt the business community for much longer time periods. Several other projects are nearing completion and the new speed limit signs will be going up soon. Crosswalks and street markings will be refreshed in late August in preparation for the start of school.
The Planning Commission’s recommendations on private road access should come before the Council in August. The review of the Comprehensive Plan continues.
There was discussion and appreciation to all that helped with the successful 4th of July, “Kalama Summer Lights on the 4th” event. The Police Department will be hosting the National Night Out event at Haydu Park this year instead of downtown on August 5th at 6pm. The Chamber parade was well received with over 30 participants. The Chief noted it was fun doing the Ice cream giveaway throughout the community.
Upcoming Events
8/5: National Night Out @ Haydu Park, 6-8pm
8/15-17: All City Garage Sale, Chamber of Commerce, sign up here: https://www.kalamachamber.com/coming-soon-03
8/16: Street Dance Kick Off, former OYO parking lot, 4-10pm, Chamber of Commerce
8/17: Untouchables Car Show, downtown Kalama, 7am (hosted by the Untouchables Car Club)
8/23-24: Kalama Cultural Festival, Westin Amphitheater, 10am-6pm, Port of Kalama
New striping for parking spots, crosswalks, and centerlines will be done at a later date, and we will put out date notification as soon as the information. Thank you for your patience as we use grant funds to improve downtown Kalama!
The City of Kalama has scheduled a street maintenance project on North 1st Street for July 14th–16th, weather permitting. The contractor, Sierra Santa Fe, will apply a chip seal to the 12' travel lanes and onyx topcoat curb to curb to help preserve and refresh the downtown roadway from Elm Street (by the 4-way stop) all the way to Kingwood Street.
To complete this work safely, no parking will be allowed on North 1st Street during the project. We understand this will temporarily impact local businesses and residents, and we appreciate your patience. The contractor will notify affected businesses and residents in this area in advance, and the United States Post Office access will remain open (at Ivy).
The schedule is as follows: both orange and pink chip seal Monday 7/14 and Onyx Pink on Tuesday 7/15 and orange on Wednesday 7/16. Sierra Santa Fe will be chip sealing the two 12’ travel lanes Monday. They will sweep up the extra chip Tuesday morning then will apply a Onyx top coat form curb to curb from Elm Street to Geranium Street.
Please continue to support our downtown businesses during this time—they’re the heart of Kalama, and your support matters!
Once complete, the project will give our downtown a clean, polished look and help protect the road for years to come. This project is 95% funded by a state grant provided by the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board!
This project has been in the schedule for over a year, but finding a time when the weather is correct and in between city events has been difficult. Be advised that there will be another shut down for the re-striping of parking stalls, crosswalks and centerlines at a later date.
For more information please contact Public Works Director Kelly Rasmussen at 360-673-4554 or at:
krasmussen@cityofkalama.com
The City Council continued discussion regarding the community building operations and how to get the message out to the public through an advisory vote. The Council is very clear about wanting to be transparent with the voters. The continued operations of the building plus building improvements will cost the citizens additional tax dollars. The ballot measure has a limited number of words it may contain. Staff presented two draft samples. The Council wants the explanation of financial impact to be included. Staff will work on the draft and consult with the city attorney this week to bring the requested revisions back to the council. The resolution must be passed in July to make the November ballot. A special meeting might be required.
Envision Kalama member Eric Yakovich presented information on the mural they have commissioned to be placed on the I-5 wall at the end of Fir Street.
The library’s summer reading program has had a strong kick off. Two of the public works projects – China Garden Road improvements and Old Pacific Highway Sidewalk - have been completed. The Sewer Line Replacement project continues on the north side of town.
During the week of July 14th, 2025, First Street (downtown) will be closed to parking and traffic to complete the chipseal and sealcoating from Elm to Kingwood streets. While a temporary inconvenience to the community, these street improvements are necessary and will give our downtown a refresh. The contractor is planning on working the project in two sections to minimize disturbance. We appreciate the cooperation of the citizens and encourage people to support our local businesses when possible. Sidewalk access will be available.
Upcoming events:
July 10th- 12th, Kalama Community Fair @ Haydu Park by the Kalama Fair Board
July 12th, Annual Kalama Parade downtown (11am) by the Kalama Chamber of Commerce
July 19th, Dance-A-Palooza, Westin Amphitheater, 3-8pm by Rising Heights Dance
August 5th, National Night Out @ Haydu Park, 6-8pm by the Kalama Police Department
