City Council 9.5.2024
Mayor Reuter signed a proclamation to recognize September 17th-23rd, 2024 as Constitution Week.
The council held 2 public hearings. The first was to amend the 6-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for 2025-2030. Additions to the previously adopted plan include (1) a grant funded Transit Feasibility Study and (2) Old Pacific Highway Sidewalk projects. The TIP was adopted by Resolution 742. The 2nd public hearing was held to adopt a Complete Streets Program, which adopts a comprehensive approach to street development, incorporates all forms of transportation, and addresses issues of accessibility and ADA concerns. There was discussion of whether the program should be amended to include the word “horses” in the same manner as bicycles. There is nothing in the program that currently prohibits horses or animals. The program was adopted by Ordinance No. 1518.
The Council was briefed on the recent Supreme Court ruling regarding camping on public property and recommended the Police Chief work with city staff to update the existing Kalama Municipal Code.
Chief Herrera presented an executive summary of the Police Strategic Plan which was started in 2020. He highlighted the department’s progress and goal setting. He thanked all community stakeholders involved for their input and will present a finished report to the Council with projections for 2025-2030.
The City received $60K in state grant funding for an architectural survey and ADA access feasibility study for the Kalama Community Building and is working with the engineers, Gray & Osborne. Engineers will be scheduled for a site visit in October 2024, and a final report is expected to be complete in February 2025.
The Council adopted Resolution 743 to set a hearing on October 2, 2024 @ 10am for a Street Vacation petition for a portion of Birch and 8th Street right-of-way.
Reports:
- Library- The “Library of Things” has items available for check out such as pickle ball paddles, disc golf set, dryer vent cleaning kits and more.
- Tourism – Applications are now being accepted until September 30th for 2025 funding.
- Public Works – Paving has been completed by Lakeside on Birch Street using TBD funds.
- Finance – The auditor has begun the City’s two-year audit, and Councilmembers Geiger and Stanfill plan to attend audit meetings. The Council requested a budget workshop be held on September 19, 2024, @ 6pm to discuss priorities for 2025.
Summer Sewer averaging will end on September 20, 2024.
City Hall: Renovation is currently on schedule with interior painting starting and exterior prep work for painting in process. The windows have a long lead time so there are some concerns. On the schedule is the HVAC work, lighting, casework, and furniture installation. So far, the City has expended about $30K of the $68K budgeted contingency funds on change orders.
The Kalama Planning Commission will meet on Thursday, September 12th, 2024 at 6:00pm at 320 N. 1st Street, Kalama. Agenda and Zoom information will be available here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
The Kalama Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024 at 5:30pm in the City Council Chambers located at 320 N. 1st Street, Kalama. The agenda and virtual attendance information can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
The Kalama Tourism Advisory Committee is accepting tourism applications for 2025 funding requests, now through September 30, 2024 @ 5pm. Find the application and details here: https://www.cityofkalama.com/community/tourism
If you have questions, please contact communityrelations@cityofkalama.com or 360-673-4908.
The Kalama City offices & Library will be closed on Monday, September 2nd, 2024 in observance of Labor Day. We acknowledge our hard working, dedicated City employees--including our police department, public works crew, city hall admin team, and public library staff. Each member plays an important role! Thank you for all you do!
Notice: Grinding and Paving of Birch Street between S. 3rd Pl and Military Rd
Lakeside Industries will be grinding the old, uneven asphalt off Birch Street between S. 3rd Pl and Military Rd starting at 2:30pm on Tuesday, September 3rd. Grinding will take approximately 3 hours. Paving of Birch St will happen on Thursday, September 5th. Expect traffic delays during both the grinding and paving.
For questions contact Kelly Rasmussen at Kalama Public Works. 360-673-3706 krasmussen@cityofkalama.com
The September Drum 4 Fun schedule is available here!
Location: Community Building, 216 Elm Street, Kalama, WA 98625
~Drum 4 Fun- classes are $5 per class, and paid 1 time monthly*.
* Classes are held on Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:00am-11:00am
September 2024 Session:
* Tuesdays only = $20
* Thursdays only = $20
* Tuesdays & Thursdays = $40
Class Dates: September 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26
Bring hand weights if you have them & water bottle. Other equipment will be provided.
Drumming has been shown to improve the physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of our lives! Come have some fun with us. Sign up and pay online (see link "online payment" below), in City Hall, or before class starts. Registration Fees can be paid at City Hall or online at: https://www.invoicecloud.com/portal/(S(mhcmfgpcackfwblhul5eg1oj))/2/Site.aspx?G=e4ffe48f-b182-4a9c-ade5-efb498ab5aaa
Kalama Public Works will be performing work on a city water main in the intersection of Ivy and N. 4th Street on Tuesday, August 27th. The water main will be turned off while the work is being done. The work is scheduled to start at 9AM and water will be restored no later than 1PM on the same day. All work will take place on Tuesday, August 27th.
For questions, contact Kelly Rasmussen at Kalama Public Works: 360-673-3706, krasmussen@cityofkalama.com
The Kalama City Offices will be closed for the morning on Monday, August 26th, 2024 from 9am-1pm for an all-staff training session. Offices will re-open at 1pm to serve the public.
The Kalama City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 7:00pm to review the proposed adoption of the Complete Streets Plan for Kalama. This meeting will be held in the City Council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama, and via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public and they are encouraged to attend. Questions can be directed to 360-673-4561. Agenda and Zoom information will be available here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
The Kalama City Council will hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at 7:00pm to review the amended 6-year transportation improvement plan that was adopted on June 6, 2024. This meeting will be held in the City Council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama, and via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public and they are encouraged to attend. Questions can be directed to 360-673-4561. Agenda and Zoom information will be available here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
The City of Kalama has a few surplus items that will be available for purchase (in "as is" condition) on Friday, August 16th, 2024 at 10am. The sale will be held at the Kalama Public Works shop located at 6315 Old Pacific Hwy S. First come, first served- best offer, buyer hauls.
The upcoming City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, August 15th, 2024 @ 7:00pm in the City Council Chambers at 320 N 1st Street.
Agenda items include: a budget amendment ordinance, and setting of public hearings for the 6-year Transportation Improvement Plan (2025-2030) as well as a complete streets program.
The full agenda can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa/agendas/652
The City of Kalama is accepting applications for the Salary Commission now through September 2, 2024 at 5:00pm. Applicants must live in Kalama city limits. Submit applications to cityclerk@cityofkalama.com. For more info and the application, visit: https://www.cityofkalama.com/Home/Components/News/News/3977/1276
The upcoming Planning Commission Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 8th, 2024 at 6:00pm in the City Council Chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama, and via Zoom. The agenda and virtual attendance information will be available here next week: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
The August edition of Kalama's City newsletter is available here: https://tinyurl.com/bdh8txvv (Lots of pictures means it might take a few seconds to load- thank you for your patience!)
The agenda for the upcoming August 1, 2024 City Council meeting is available here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
The meeting will be held at the City Council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama at 7:00pm. Virtual attendance information can be found on the corresponding agenda.
- Correspondence regarding approval of Shoreline Master Program comprehensive update and periodic review
- Mayor, Council, and department reports
The Kalama Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee is accepting applications to fill an open position. The application period is open now until August 26th, 2024 @ 5pm. The position is open for applicants that live in Kalama, but reside outside city limits. The committee meets once per month on the 2nd Tuesday @ 5:30pm at the City Council Chambers (with a virtual attendance option through Zoom as well). Questions? Contact communityrelations@cityofkalama.com or 360-673-4908. Follow the link to find the application: https://www.cityofkalama.com/Home/Components/News/News/3975/18
The Kalama Civil Service has been cancelled for the month of July due to lack of agenda items. The next tentative meeting date is Thursday, August 22, 2024 at 5pm in the Kalama City Council Chambers located at 320 N 1st Street.
