City Council Meeting March 6, 2025
The Kalama City Council heard from Kalama drama teacher Michael Ready regarding the student Leadership Board of Kalama High School partnering with the Kalama Library to present an exhibit of historic holocaust artifacts form the Seattle Holocaust Center for Humanity. The exhibit will have an opening ceremony on April 14, 2025, at 6pm and run through April 25, 2025. The students have cataloged, labeled, and planned the exhibit, which will be the first partnership of its kind with the Seattle Center and hopefully a model for future exhibits in other cities.
The Council approved the construction management contract with Gray and Osborne Inc for the China Garden Road Improvement Project; a new meal/refreshment policy as recommended by the State Auditor; and awarded the bid to AES, Inc for the Downtown Sewer Rehabilitation Project. City Council adopted a budget amendment for $49,690.155 providing funds to Envision Kalama and moving investment interest to the general fund; the code revision for water/sewer connections fees for high density residential; declared a Public Works truck, a police car, and police tasers as surplus; and amended the 2025 fee resolution to include the revised water/sewer connection fees.
Former Mayor, Pete Poulsen, requested the Council consider reducing the speed limits on 1st Street downtown and on the section of Cloverdale Road between Old Pacific Highway and Military Road. There has been new construction along Cloverdale in recent years, plus the housing authority and Lions ball fields so reducing this section from 35 to 25 mph would be for pedestrian safety. Downtown, with the angle parking, has become a high-risk area at 25mph to allow for safe ingress, egress, and parking. He would like to see it go as low as 15 mph, but was informed that the Council can lower it to a minimum of 20 mph without a traffic study. This led to a discussion regarding what the City has the authority to do under state laws, and if money should be expended on traffic studies to address such issues in these or other areas within the City. The Council asked the attorney to research the City’s ability to reduce the speed limit downtown to 15 mph.
In reports the Dr Suess event at the library was successful, Public Works is working on repairing a major leak in a waterline between Meeker Drive and North Hendrickson that connects under the freeway along the riverbank to the industrial area. Several street and utility projects are gearing up to start or go out to bid. Officer Moore will complete field training in March. Reimbursement funds from the State have been received for the costs of the Community Building study. An energy rebate has been applied for covering the new furnace and windows and insulation at City Hall, and Tourism applications are being received through the end of March. The staff are settling back in at City Hall and finding the new space to be welcoming and efficient.
Get your tickets to the upcoming Chamber Gala on 3/29/25: https://tinyurl.com/s58zcheh.
The Planning Commission will hold a meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 6:00pm at the Council Chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama and online. The meeting agenda and attachments can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
The Kalama Tourism Advisory Committee is now accepting applications for 2025. The amount allotted for this second round of applications is up to $10K. Applications are due by March 31st, 2025 at 5:00PM. Please submit to communityrelations@cityofkalama.com or to city hall at 195 N 1st Street (or mail to PO BOX 1007, Kalama, WA). Applications and tourism information can be found here: https://www.cityofkalama.com/page/tourism
The March Drum 4 Fun schedule is available now! Join us Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am-11am at the community building located at 216 Elm Street. Tuesdays & Thursdays = $40. Tuesdays only = $20, and Thursdays only = $20. Class dates are March: 4th, 6th, 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, 25th, 27th. Pay online here: https://www.invoicecloud.com/portal/(S(itgurzeewplh1pzwrslvu3pp))/2/Site.aspx?G=e4ffe48f-b182-4a9c-ade5-efb498ab5aaa
The Civil Service Commission will hold it's regular meeting this Thursday, February 27th at 5pm in the Kalama City Council Chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama, WA.
The City Council meeting covered various topics, including a proposal from the Lions Club to restore the Toteff park gazebo, and a request from Envision Kalama to partner in developing a community action plan to include a community branding effort. The council authorized the Mayor to write a letter of support for the USDA grant application Envision is preparing and to cover $5K as a match funding on the project. The Council tabled the gazebo proposal until the weather improves while they look at its current conditions and code requirements. Additionally, the meeting touched on the upcoming Chamber Gala Dinner, City Hall renovations, and the successful response to the recent winter weather.
Put some Salsa in your step with Salsa classes for absolute beginners! Learn the basics and build on that knowledge with this 4 session Salsa class with Nichole Eden. Classes will be on Wednesdays in March (5th, 12th, 19th, 26th) from 6:30pm-7:15pm at the Kalama Community Building.
Session cost: $80 per participant (covers all 4 sessions)
Location: 216 Elm Street
Pay online here: https://tinyurl.com/y2pxfpey
Kalama City Offices and the Kalama Public Library will be closed on Monday, February 17th in observance of President's Day. Garbage service should be running on regular schedule (weather permitting).
Garbage service update: Due to road and curbside conditions on Friday 2/14 all routes have been cancelled. Weather permitting, Waste Control plans to service customers that were not serviced on Thursday 2/13 due to weather and Friday 2/14 customers tomorrow Saturday 2/15. They are asking that customers please leave their carts/containers out and available.
Due to technical difficulties the Kalama Planning Commission meeting and public hearing is being canceled tonight. Meeting and agenda items will be addressed at the meeting on March 13, 2025. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Kalama City Council Meeting 2.06.2025:
The Council authorized staff to prepare an ordinance to update the current R-3 High Density Residential system development charges (SDC’s, also known as hookup fees) allowing for apartment complexes to be treated the same as other high density uses such as hotel/motel and manufactured home parks. The Council reviewed the draft of code changes presented by City Administrator Smee setting the sewer at the base fee for the first unit, plus 70% of the base fee times the number of additional units. Water would be at the base fee for the first unit, plus 50% of the base fee times the number of additional units.
The Council approved two addendums for engineering services with Gray & Osborne, Inc.
• The first is to develop a plan for replacing the current telemetry systems controlling water generation and the network of reservoirs and pumpstations. which are becoming outdated as the infrastructure is being updated to fiber optic cable—an update from the current copper wiring. This will bundle into the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade project which has current funding from Cowlitz County rural development funds.
• The second is for construction management services for the Downtown Sewer Rehabilitation project which replaces sewer lines in the older areas of town north of Elm Street. This is a complex project that requires public work on private property.
The Council adopted Ordinance No. 1527 amending the 2025 budget to address cash flow concerns related to the Community Building study and the General Fund operations. This ordinance authorized interim interfund loans from the General Fund reserves to the Community Building reserve and the General Fund, both of which would be repaid upon receipt of anticipated 2025 revenues. There was discussion of the community building survey and grant funding timeline, and the state of the general fund at the beginning of 2025. This discussion included details of items contributing to cash flow issues and some future planning details for budgeting for 2026 and beyond.
The appointed representative for COG and SWRTPO will remain the same as in prior years with Administrator Smee providing the city representation, as meetings are during working hours for most of the Council members.
Administrator Smee gave a City Hall project update. The project is nearing completion and staff plan to begin the move next week. The office will be closed from February 10-14 while settling into the new space. With the raised ceilings, large windows for natural light, and the original beam structure of the building, the space is now a more professional office where staff can interact with the public and work more efficiently. Administrator Smee, Clerk/Treasurer McMaster, and Council Secretary Moore expressed their gratitude to the Council for authorizing and supporting the project.
Director of Public Works Rasmussen noted the City will open bids for the Downtown Sewer Rehabilitation project on Wednesday, February 12th. He also noted other projects that are in progress including the Water System Plan update, the China Garden Road Project, downtown street resurfacing, the Old Pacific Highway sidewalk project, Water Treatment Plant Upgrade, and working with the County on their Cloverdale Road reconstruction.
Chief Herrera noted the upcoming Coffee with Cop event on February 14th at 9am at the Community Building. He noted the department has been busy with community outreach opportunities, and working with the school on the upcoming strategic planning process.
Clerk/Treasurer McMaster provided the 2024 year-end financial report. She informed the Council the City is looking for an experienced Accountant, preferably with municipal experience, since one of the finance staff is leaving. She is planning to retire in 2025 and needs to fill the position with an experienced person that can take on the financial functions of the City. Staff will be planning an open house for the renovated City Hall once they are settled in, likely at the end of March.
It’s moving time! Kalama City Hall will be closed Monday- Friday, February 10th-14th so that staff can relocate back to the official city hall building at 195 N 1st Street. There will be no disruptions to city utility services related to the move during this time. If you need to get in touch with city hall staff, please leave a voicemail, or send an email. We will check messages throughout the week (360) 673-4562. If you see us in the building during this time, we are in the process of moving and setting up the office, and don’t have access to the network yet. If you prefer to pay in person, you are welcome to drop a utility payment in the green "drop box" on the corner of First St. and Fir St.
Thank you for your patience as we transition. We look forward to better serving the Kalama community.
The Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee meeting of February 11th has been canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for March 11, 2025 at 5:30pm.
For agenda and minutes information, visit: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
Attention Kalama residents: All garbage routes have been cancelled today 2/4/25, due to road and curbside conditions. Please set out double your standard service level on your next scheduled service day. If you have extra bags, please place them near, but not touching the garbage cart (see image for example). Thank you for understanding.
The upcoming Planning Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, February 13th, 2025 at the city council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street at 6:00pm. Once posted, the agenda will be available here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa
The February Drum 4 Fun schedule is now available! Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am-11am at the community building located at 216 Elm Street. Classes are $20 for all Tuesday classes, $20 for all Thursday classes, or $40 for all February classes. Classes will be held February 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, & 27. You can pay at city hall, or online here: https://tinyurl.com/3ezcxba3
This week's city council meeting will be held on Thursday, February 6th at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama at 7:00pm. The agenda is now available: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa/agendas/742
Agenda items include:
- System Development Charges Proposed Code Language
- Council of Governments Liaison from City Council to be Designated
- Telemetry System Improvement Alternatives Analysis - Project Addendum #4
-NE Downtown Sewer Rehab, Construction Management - Project Addendum #11
- General Fund Financial Condition
The City of Kalama is seeking a skilled accounting professional to join our finance team. The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field and possess a minimum of 5 years of credible accounting experience, preferably within a municipal government setting. This pivotal role involves a range of responsibilities, including the meticulous preparation and maintenance of financial records, auditing financial data for accuracy, and drafting annual financial statements and associated schedules. Moreover, this person will collaborate closely with the city administrator and department heads to formulate an annual budget that meets the city’s needs while adhering to regulatory standards. Preparation for state audits is also a critical component of the job.
We are open to considering candidates who may not have the exact educational background but can demonstrate equivalent experience that equips them to perform effectively in this role. The salary for this position ranges from $5,313.41 to $6,429.22 per month, commensurate with experience. This is a union position that offers comprehensive benefits, including full-family medical coverage (shared between employer and employee), contributions to State PERS retirement, and a VEBA-HRA benefit. In addition, we provide employer-paid life insurance and a deferred compensation plan available to all full-time employees. For application and full job description visit: https://www.cityofkalama.com/article/1998578
