City's 2023 goals and priorities update

At the March 21 special meeting, the Council reviewed the status of the 2023 goals and priorities. The updates are discussed below:

• The Community Building and Housing Project continues to move forward. Purchase of the Sons of Norway building is no longer part of the project area. The City will be hiring a consultant to continue to develop more detailed plans. The City has obtained an additional $2 million for the Hazel Street crossing and intends to begin the project this summer.

• The Public Works Department provided the Council with a draft list of streets it intends to repair with the Transportation Benefit Funds the City will begin receiving in April.

• A plan for updating the spray park that included restrooms was presented to the Council.

• The City has asked for a request for proposal to detail the work to be done on the senior center.

• Upgrades to park and recreation facilities are continuing. Two proposals for ADA accessibility were presented to the Council. Disc golf improvements required an agreement with the Kelso School District to use some of its property. This has been completed. The City and Lower Columbia College are completing an effort to obtain funds for improvement to the softball fields. Pickleball court design should begin this summer.

• The City is completing an agreement with the Port of Longview to partially fund the kayak launch. An additional project was added to the list – repair of the covered picnic area at Highlander Park.

• The Downtown/West Main area work continues. A meeting has been scheduled with the health department to review requirements for food trucks. Negotiations are continuing with the Environmental Protection Agency for mitigation of the American Legion Building. Two new activities were added: potential for City funding of lodging facilities and downtown building improvements.

Dennis Weber County Commissioner, District 2