[0:15] All right, good evening everyone. It's now 7 o' to our city council meeting for

[0:19] Monday, August 17th, 2026. For all of you that are able to please rise for the

[0:24] pledge of allegiance

[0:28] to the flag of the United States of America

[0:33] for it stands nation

[0:39] for all. >> All right, city council members, if

[0:44] we'll all turn our mics on and up so the audience can hear. Um, Miss Hogan, roll

[0:51] call, please. >> Council member Dowy

[0:54] » here. >> Council member Houston

[0:56] » here. >> Council member Friend

[0:57] » here. >> Council member Michaelelsson

[0:59] » here. >> Council member Brown

[1:00] » here. >> Council member Ray

[1:02] » here. >> Council member Burke has called out this

[1:04] evening. >> Motion to excuse. Council member Burke.

[1:08] » I have a first for Miss Dowy and a second for Mr. Brown. Miss Hogan.

[1:14] » Council member Dowy. >> Yes.

[1:17] » Council member Houston. Yes. >> Council member friend.

[1:20] » Hi. >> Council member Michaelelsson.

[1:22] » Hi. >> Council member Brown.

[1:24] » Hi. >> Council member Ray.

[1:25] » Hi. >> All right. JJ is excused tonight.

[1:39] » All right. Just a reminder for everyone to please silence their cell phones. And

[1:44] now we'll move into citizen communications for items not on the

[1:47] agenda.

[1:54] That's really throwing my game off there. Who's is that?

[2:00] » It's not. Is it me? All right. Um, hi. My name's Molly Malinowski. I haven't

[2:06] met most of Well, think about half of you. Um, I've lived in Woodland since

[2:11] 2014. I am the listing agent for the Donald's 150 acres down there on Wayland

[2:17] Road. So part of the discussion that you know everybody's having about the

[2:20] development down there. I'm the listing agent for that. Um Donald's are close

[2:25] personal family friends of mine. Um so I make no

[2:30] um excuses about wanting the best thing for them. Um also as a realtor, like

[2:35] that's part my job. Um I'm not going to sit here and and say otherwise, but I I

[2:41] just wanted to kind of introduce myself to you guys. I was had the opportunity

[2:45] to speak with Melissa, Jason. I was hoping to get you on the phone. I know

[2:50] Gabe, we've had a couple conversations about this situation and I just wanted

[2:53] to like show face. This is who I am. I'm happy to have all the conversations

[2:59] about it. Um, ask all the questions. I've been working on it for over a year

[3:03] and a half. I've learned a lot. I've gained a I feel like a very good

[3:07] education between Kalitz County. Travis has been extremely helpful and

[3:13] educational. Um, had a few chats with Riley, so

[3:18] um, I don't want to sound arrogant, but I do feel like I've learned a lot, so

[3:22] I'm happy to answer any questions that I can. Whatever I can answer, I will find

[3:26] out. I wanted to read a little bit from your guys's comprehensive plan update

[3:32] from less than a year ago. You guys wrote in emissions and goals sections

[3:36] that Woodland will experience continued population growth, greater diversity,

[3:41] higher citizen expectations, and increased demand for essential public

[3:46] services. These challenges will be met through the innovative use of

[3:50] technology, internal process improvement, creative programs, and

[3:54] careful planning. So obviously you guys know what your jobs are as as the city

[4:00] council is to plan for growth. Um, and so that's all I think the conversation

[4:06] really needs to be centered around is there's no two ways about the fact that

[4:11] we have a major interstate splitting our town and so growth is inevitable. And I

[4:17] think that it's just the conversations need to be had about how to do that

[4:23] smart. And I think that both my sellers, the developers, at least the ones I'm

[4:29] working with, are all about how can we make this work for everybody? Um, that's

[4:37] really all I wanted to say to you guys today. Plan to be back as much as

[4:41] possible. So, I will stick around and if anybody doesn't have my number and wants

[4:45] my number um for this purpose, I am married so easy.

[4:51] I would be happy to share that with you. Nice.

[4:56] » Appreciate that, Molly. Questions or comments from council?

[5:05] Anyone else? I don't have anyone else on the agenda here for items not on the

[5:11] agenda. So, if there's anyone, Miss Butler,

[5:21] » Donna Butler. So, um, as we just heard about the comp plan and needing to plan

[5:26] for growth, the city did that. We've had developments on the west side. It's

[5:32] true. I mean the east side. And there are a lot of homes that have not sold

[5:37] and properties. And so we've covered that for now. And um and I'm glad that

[5:43] Molly wants to make it work for everyone. Um everyone I've talked to is

[5:48] not interested in big developments in the bottoms. And I I just would like a

[5:52] clarification if I understood this correctly that

[5:57] the developer wanting to develop in the bottoms is the same developer that has

[6:04] developed the right there on Lewis River that we're

[6:08] going to start with apartments and then >> the sandbox.

[6:14] » Is that what you're referring to? >> I I I'm just wondering if this it's the

[6:18] same developer. And I don't know anybody that I've talked in this town that's

[6:22] happy about that development. And so I would just say that and I think like it

[6:26] was covered pretty well last time that now is not the time with our traffic. Um

[6:31] this could be put on hold and just see what comes down. So thanks.

[6:36] » So to touch on that development if you remember um back I want to say it was

[6:43] 2023 because I think I was running back then

[6:48] that it was going through it was housing development then it was if they didn't

[6:54] get the lot sizes and the help me if I'm wrong here Travis um variances it was

[7:02] going to then be the apartments and that's why for the time there was a sign

[7:05] that said 268 apartments were there. Um and then council at a later meeting gave

[7:11] them a variance um slight variances and then that's where they were able to

[7:16] develop call it roughly 75 homes in there now. But yes, that is the

[7:22] developer.

[7:25] » I just wanted to make one quick correction. um that developer only owns

[7:31] one of the multiple pieces of property and I want to say they own like in the

[7:35] neighborhood of 15 acres >> you're talking about now down on the

[7:40] » on the bottoms >> correct yes absolutely

[7:42] » so they are one of the multiple developers

[7:47] good point >> okay any questions or comments on that

[7:51] piece miss shop

[7:56] » I am still totally against houses down in the bottoms. With the infrastructure

[8:02] the way it is, we can't get in or out of town. When there's an accident, you're

[8:08] backed up on the freeway. During the flood, we couldn't get out of town. We

[8:13] had to go up the river and cross over at Jacks and go down Vancouver Clark County

[8:18] side. I am totally against it until they do something about their infrastructure.

[8:25] » Thank you, Michelle.

[8:35] Hold on here. Hold on.

[8:55] increase your rates by 7%.

[9:13] Any other comments from council?

[9:18] I just I wanted to make clear that um we are all in agreement that not right now.

[9:25] That was something that Melissa kept saying. Um these houses are not going to

[9:29] come up out of the ground. And um so yes, 100% not right now. I live on Park

[9:36] Street, so I I I am going to be just as impacted if not more so than some of you

[9:41] guys. And so I completely agree. I also want to like nobody's excited about

[9:47] this. The things that we love about Woodland um I would hope wouldn't change

[9:52] because I think the things that we love about Woodland is the fact that it's the

[9:55] people and the people that we know and the people that we love and we get to

[9:59] control our circles and keep our circles small if we want to. Um

[10:04] I don't disagree that traffic is an issue. Neither do the developers and and

[10:08] yes, this is a sad thing. I grew up on 160 acre wild rice farm farming pigs 72

[10:15] miles from the closest freeway. I know what a small town is. My graduating

[10:18] class was 58 people. It still holds the record to this day as the largest class

[10:22] since 1920. So I know small town. I understand small town. This has never

[10:28] been a small town in my opinion. The second that the freeway came through

[10:32] that that wrote the fate. PDX is 25 minutes from us. So, closest hospital

[10:38] where I grew up, hour and a half drive. You have an emergency, good luck. Um,

[10:44] it's not like that here. And so, I think the sentiment that I also wanted to

[10:49] convey from my sellers is, yeah, we're all in agreement, guys. We're all going

[10:53] to be crying some tears and mourning the loss of

[10:57] what once was. However, I do have four children that I would love to be able to

[11:03] afford to live in the town that they grew up in. And right now, the way that

[11:07] things are going, that's not a possibility. Basic economics tells us

[11:10] supply and demand is what drives the market. The demand is high, the supply

[11:15] is low. If we increase the supply, it's it's going to give us a shot at maybe

[11:20] bringing back what was a starter home, which doesn't really exist right now.

[11:25] » Um, >> can I challenge you on that? So, there's

[11:28] 300 new homes going in. >> What has that done to supply and demand

[11:32] and the price? >> Great question.

[11:34] » So, you're saying is. >> Yeah. So, I here I'll give you I'll give

[11:38] you a real life example of what I think is like a tangible effect of that. So,

[11:42] Dr. Horton has a home right now, three-bedroom, two-b small backyard for

[11:47] 3.90. I had a listing there on Meadowwood, no backyard. I was trying to

[11:51] sell for$425. I had to cancel the listing. the things that are driving

[11:55] down. If I if I'm looking at a house and I've got a house from 1953 that they're

[11:59] asking for 50 or I can go get a brand new house with a 10-year roof warranty,

[12:03] a 10-year foundation warranty for 390. What do you think I'm going to choose?

[12:07] They also have the best rates. So, although we're all we are calling it the

[12:10] sandbox, I'm I'm assuming that's what we're talking about.

[12:13] » I I don't there's a place for it. There's a need for it. It is driving the

[12:19] those prices down. Like any of us that have sat on a listing for six months

[12:23] know that this new construction is and so I hear what you're saying like six

[12:29] these homes we're talking if they're selling for $600,000 how is that going

[12:32] to bring back a starter home? Well, I'm going to tell you my house was built in

[12:35] 1943. And so if I have there's a $500,000 brand new home, guess what? My

[12:40] house is going to have to be pretty cheap to be able to bring in an an

[12:45] asking price. Yeah. >> Well, and ask ask the people that are

[12:48] living in there. Most of them, I believe, young couples that couldn't

[12:52] afford. I know my kids can't

[12:57] » to be able to get into something under 400,000.

[13:01] » Yeah. So, it's it's I think it's like I don't want to misconrue or misrepresent

[13:06] my sellers or even myself. This is a sad thing and I think it's okay to be sad

[13:12] about it. Um, and I and I I just think it's Gabe I feel like has had the

[13:19] approach of like, yeah, this kind of this kind of sucked.

[13:22] » Um, but I do think that it's it's something that needs to happen and needs

[13:26] to be done, right? Sorry. >> I think what's alarming is the amount of

[13:30] homes. 1,153 homes is substantial and that is where I

[13:35] think everyone kind of goes, >> whoa. Yeah,

[13:36] » it's a lot. It's alarming. I think that being so again I think pressing the

[13:42] narrative of like they're not going to come up out of the ground. We're talking

[13:46] about a 10-year process and the fact of like at the end of this year in December

[13:50] of this year, again, I might be mistaken, but from what I understand,

[13:54] Kitz County is putting out their comprehensive plan. They are going to

[13:58] allocate 10,000 homes countywide. Of those 10,000, Woodland's going to be

[14:02] expected to provide 2,000. As are you are you? Unless I'm totally off. Am I

[14:08] off? >> So that's the expectation. We can't meet

[14:13] it. We can't meet it. And I'm not saying it needs to be met tomorrow.

[14:17] » Um but it's this look at a map. We know our limitations. We are not going to go

[14:22] any farther up Lewis River. We are not going to come up Green Mountain Road.

[14:26] Looking at a map that train track provides the perfect dividing line. And

[14:30] as you it has been unzoneed. That area has been unzoneed. It has not been

[14:34] agriculture. Yes, it's been used as agriculture, but it's not been zoned for

[14:39] agriculture for a long time. And so that that train track provides that perfect

[14:44] » dead stop. And I can tell you right now, those farmers on that ground are going

[14:48] to fight tooth and nail to keep that in a

[14:51] » um so >> so I want to challenge her something.

[14:54] Again, I'm not trying >> No, I this is what I wanted. I wanted to

[14:57] have a conversation >> because again, an investor

[15:01] » pumping $15 million into land I can go invest in the stock market

[15:07] today >> very conservatively and make four or

[15:10] five%. >> Sure.

[15:11] » Are you going to put $15 million and you're telling me we're going to sit on

[15:14] it for 10 years and we won't see homes for that long?

[15:17] » No, I think the first wasn't the first projection for 300. That was the first

[15:21] » It is. It's 300. >> Um 200.

[15:23] » So that's why when we I mean >> this is where my conversation is. I'm

[15:28] happy to have dialogue but let's >> you know be realistic about what we're

[15:32] seeing here and not thinking that, oh, there won't be houses here.

[15:37] » We only have three months of inventory for home. If we were to stop listing any

[15:41] houses right now, three months from now, there would be no more houses to sell.

[15:45] » Lord willing, the market will go down. >> Yeah.

[15:50] » Yeah. >> Agreed. So,

[15:52] » so yeah, call me.

[15:58] » Excellent. Thank you, Molly. Any other comments or questions from council?

[16:02] » I think we need to to hear the the developers out because people are

[16:08] coming. The population is growing above us and below us. It's going to happen.

[16:14] So, do we want to be in charge or do we want the county in charge?

[16:18] And it takes a while to generate the kind of growth that investments

[16:23] generate. You know, like the S&P 500 averages

[16:27] between 8 and 10%, but that's when you look back after a period of time. The

[16:32] S&P 500 8% per year or 10% per year. It's up and

[16:36] down as a lot of you know. So to close our minds as a city at this point is way

[16:43] too early because the growth is going to happen. So from my perspective,

[16:49] I want to hear them out because we're going to grow and if we want businesses

[16:54] and our I'll put it gently, our downtown doesn't

[16:59] exist. In fact, the highest amount of commerce

[17:05] that's anywhere near downtown comes from Ace Hardware.

[17:11] Uh, you know, so we need to keep looking at this. In my

[17:16] opinion, it might be too soon to be like, yes, let's charge forward because

[17:20] we don't know enough. But to say we don't want to know more, we don't want

[17:23] to belly up for a conversation. I think that that's too close-minded. And I

[17:28] think that puts us in a bad position from the perspective of inevitable

[17:31] growth. >> I would like to throw out appreciate the

[17:36] comments. Um, when you talk about Callis County and City of Woodland, just as a

[17:41] reminder, the legal issues that happened here in 2002, 20 or 2022, 2023 over this

[17:50] same area of property, um, where the county sued the city of, you know, where

[17:58] steps were being made to, um, expand the urban growth boundary. So, just want to

[18:04] be careful there. something you want to say, Travis? Got it. So, okay. Just a

[18:10] reminder for our community. Okay. Anything else?

[18:17] » Come on.

[18:20] » You're fine.

[18:25] » It's a small change of topic, but it is a big deal in our world. School starts

[18:29] next Wednesday, and we're really excited. Um, so we've created a new

[18:33] landing page for new families. if you're new to Woodland, where everything's kind

[18:36] of all in one place as far as getting set up for um transportation,

[18:41] um finding information out about your schools, um school supply lists, all

[18:45] that good stuff. We've kind of created a new landing page. You'll see back to

[18:49] school um signs throughout the community with a little QR code that'll take you

[18:52] there. So, if you're a new family in Woodland, um hopefully that'll help you

[18:55] get registered and set up for next week. Um we talked about our school budget

[19:00] last Thursday. That was our workshop. it's going to be approved uh or go

[19:03] before the board for approval next Thursday. So, if you're engaged in those

[19:07] topics, we welcome you to that. And uh I did get the uh the legal uh memorandum

[19:12] of understanding today from the city lawyer regarding the SRO. So, we're

[19:16] moving forward with that partnership and appreciate your continued support and

[19:19] partnership on that. Um just haven't had time to read it through because I just

[19:23] got it, but um we're moving forward full steam ahead. Excited about the school

[19:27] year. Last year our focus um we spoke a lot about excellence in education. Um

[19:33] we're building on that this year and we're going to be talking a lot about

[19:36] parent partnerships. So as you see Riley reports and updates from the school

[19:40] district those two topics will be the things that you'll be hearing about. So

[19:44] that's it. >> Appreciate you coming up. Just so clear

[19:49] understanding here with the ILA. So it hasn't come to council. We send it over

[19:54] here. They review it approve it back.

[20:05] Okay. >> Questions on that? Anyone?

[20:10] » Thank you. >> Anyone online or in the room for items

[20:14] not on the agenda?

[20:25] Just one quick to address um councelor Brown's comment about hearing out and

[20:31] learning more. They were here at the last council meeting and they presented

[20:35] they gave us all the information and all their plans. I feel like we've heard

[20:38] them out well and there were 10 citizens that spoke against it for now. The

[20:45] overwhelming feeling was it's premature. Let's wait and see what happens with the

[20:50] interchange. Is our traffic going to improve? Are they going to get it right

[20:54] with the roundabouts? Are we still going to have a big problem? And so to spend

[21:00] time with further discussion on this right now, I think it's not a wise use

[21:05] of time. There's other issues to address, but everyone know like, hey,

[21:08] this may be something we're going to be revisiting. It may be something. And as

[21:12] far as those numbers for housing, that was just the number that Khaled

[21:17] County state mandated that Kitz County come up and they just ran picked this

[21:21] number said hey Woodland let's put it all in Woodland but that could be

[21:25] challenged and um so anyway just know that it's not like hey let's just wait

[21:32] and see. >> I hear you. May I may I address that

[21:35] comment? Um, in my opinion, they didn't show us

[21:40] every single bit in and out of their plan. They showed us,

[21:44] » I guess, a significant amount of the early phases of the plan.

[21:49] » And when it comes to roundabouts, when it comes to exit 21,

[21:53] » it takes money, it takes resources, >> right?

[21:55] » Infrastructure, it takes resources. So we definitely definitely heard last week

[22:00] that we received over 30 million in traffic impact fees from this project

[22:05] which is money that goes toward infrastructure. We also heard from them

[22:10] they'd be willing to pay for part of the infrastructure in the project. So I

[22:14] don't disagree about the premature part. >> Yeah.

[22:17] » But I do disagree about brick walling it and making it stop.

[22:21] » Right. And I didn't hear economic growth.

[22:24] » Right. And there were just a few that were need to

[22:28] And there were just a couple >> sorry I just want to say there was just

[22:33] a couple that were brick walling it. Most people said let's let's look at

[22:36] this in the future. So let's just put this on the back burner and see.

[22:41] » Okay. Thank you. >> I just want to ask a question Travis.

[22:46] If they give us numbers and then approve people to develop down in the bottoms

[22:52] without it being annexed into our city limits,

[22:57] it will not count. It will not count for our numbers. It would count for city or

[23:01] for county numbers. Correct. And then we see no benefit as far as our parks, our

[23:06] schools, anything if they do that. And so when they these come down in

[23:12] December, they'll have county numbers, not individual city numbers as well,

[23:18] right? So if they have an astronomical number, they could go and approve this

[23:24] to come develop in the bottoms without us even saying yes. Logistically,

[23:29] correct? >> Right. Okay. So, I just wanted to

[23:33] clarify that that I think my biggest concern is I don't want them to get

[23:38] county approval and us miss out on all of the opportunities for schools and

[23:42] everything else that we are still going to take the impact of. And if then we're

[23:47] going to be hit as citizens within our city and they're not going to have to

[23:51] pay for it. We are. And I don't want my taxes going up for something we're not

[23:56] bringing in because we're we're afraid. I don't want our city's size to double.

[24:00] That many homes were almost doubling our city size. I absolutely agree with that.

[24:04] But with mandates coming down from the state, we also are not going to be

[24:09] eligible if we're not trying to work towards it for some of the grants we

[24:12] apply for as well, I believe. Is that correct, Riley? Travis,

[24:18] that will affect our point system. >> Yes, we do get deducted points for not

[24:23] being GMA compliant. >> Okay. So, I mean, I'm not in agreement

[24:29] of it, but I am playing a little bit of devil's advocate that our city needs to

[24:32] realize the whole picture and not just the we don't want this many people.

[24:35] Like, there will be repercussions to us as a city if we don't look at the

[24:40] opportunities and really open our eyes up to it and we just shut the door on it

[24:45] or push it too far down that this county says, "Yeah, you can go build there."

[24:49] And then we've lost out because we've pushed it too far down the road. So, we

[24:52] just need to think of that also before we say a hard no because that's where I

[24:58] stand is that you can't push it too far. >> So, I would recommend have conversations

[25:04] with the three county commissioners, understand where their position on this

[25:07] all is. Um, >> and I do know where their position is

[25:10] » and they've all been very vocal, right? So, again, I won't speak for them, but I

[25:14] recommend that you reach out to them with my

[25:17] » that um if we did GB wouldn't that put us back in control

[25:23] if we did what she was talking about. So put the ball in our court we did do

[25:30] go ahead like just say okay we are going to go for this expansion and then

[25:36] doesn't mean we have to necessarily move on it right away but it puts the ball in

[25:39] our court. I just want to make sure I'm understanding that correctly.

[25:43] » That is correct. So, um, at the presentation last time I pointed out

[25:47] that theoretically there's going to be four steps that you could engage in. One

[25:51] is, um, county updating their comprehensive plan, city updating its

[25:58] comprehensive plan, then potentially doing a developers agreement or some

[26:03] kind of coordination agreement with the property owners, whether that's the

[26:09] developers or current owners. And then the fourth would be an annexation

[26:15] um piece by piece as it comes out of that agreement that you've negotiated.

[26:20] » So it might be in our best interest to look at expansion just so we can

[26:24] maintain control

[26:41] here. I'm just getting I'm just asking these

[26:43] questions. I'm not saying yes or no either way. I just want to have this

[26:47] express for the community to hear and so that we're all clear on what that means.

[26:51] So that's

[27:02] any other questions or comments?

[27:09] Come on.

[27:17] When it comes to the mic, my friend >> when it comes to impact fees that we

[27:21] would receive from this kind of a project,

[27:25] the city gets those impact fees. I was under the understanding that this whole

[27:30] traffic situation, exit 21, is a state thing that we're waiting on state

[27:36] dollars and stuff. So, correct. Is there is that an app? Is that really a state

[27:40] project, we will need state funding. We will get impact fees after the houses

[27:47] are built. We don't get them beforehand. And so as those dollars come in, I mean,

[27:53] the next administration, city council can say, "Hey, we'll contribute to the

[27:57] roundabouts and exit 21 if they want. I don't know why

[28:02] we would want to use our city dollars to pay for that." But again, that's a whole

[28:06] another conversation. But you're correct.

[28:08] » Okay.

[28:16] It's a matter of shortterm versus longterm. So if we know that that money

[28:20] is coming into the city, then we can make plans based on what we expect in

[28:24] the future. So, it isn't so much direct in terms of the traffic impact fees

[28:29] right now, but the fact that we do know we receive those funds and that we've

[28:33] got a developer that's got quite a bit of muscle in terms of their ability to

[28:38] develop. If they don't develop these homes, they're going to develop

[28:40] industrial soiven

[28:49] they've done several projects in the area. Again, I'm not saying I'm for this

[28:53] necessarily, but the fact that we've got future $30

[28:56] million coming in, the fact that we've got a well established developer that

[29:00] might in fact have a lot of experience working,

[29:05] we could potentially use that from a relationship management perspective to

[29:09] our benefit for the city. And so I feel like we just need to keep our eyes open

[29:14] here and really what is being presented until it's an absolute

[29:21] You know, supply and demand says why would you say no?

[29:27] are going to grow too. So maybe we won't have to leave town as much to go get

[29:31] resources

[29:35] except for Domino's Pizza.

[29:56] put another workshop down for that. Anything else on this?

[30:03] » All right, moving into

[30:07] agenda approval. >> Motion to approve agenda.

[30:10] » Second. >> I have a first from Miss Dowy, a second

[30:13] from Miss Michaelelsson. Questions or comments about tonight's agenda?

[30:19] » Council member Ray. >> Hi,

[30:21] » Council Member Brown. >> Hi,

[30:22] » Council Member Michaelelsson. Hi, >> Council Member Friend.

[30:25] » Hi, >> Council Member Houston.

[30:27] » Hi, >> Council Member Dowy.

[30:28] » I >> All right, moving into reports of

[30:31] standing committee's public safety. >> Um, yes, we met tonight at 5:40. Um, in

[30:37] attendance was chief council member Brown, Council Member Houston, and

[30:41] myself. Um, the first topic was National Night Out, but although a lot of

[30:47] surrounding areas canceled theirs due to the smoke, we kept going and it was a

[30:52] success. And were donated by Walmart and were raffled

[30:55] off. So, that was another big hit. Um, let's see. Also, we did not meet last

[31:02] month. So, I have an update on numbers um between 6:15 to date. Um, they have

[31:10] responded to 1,864 calls to service. Um, during that period, they have made 82

[31:16] arrests, averaging just over two and a half arrests a day. Um, we currently

[31:22] have two open positions and we'll be hosting oral boards on September 10th um

[31:28] for those two positions and school starts next week and officer

[31:32] Ketta has transitioned to his SRO schedule for the coming school year so

[31:36] that's exciting and we adjourned at 550 >> questions or comments about public

[31:43] safety

[31:56] I'm Richard. Uh, you talk about the arrests that have been made over the

[32:02] last time or whatever. Are these actual arrests that are being taken up to Kelso

[32:07] or these just pullovers? And how you doing?

[32:17] Yeah, we try to be nice when we arrest people. So, we always ask them how

[32:20] they're doing. >> Um, no, it's a combination of like

[32:23] suspended drivers, DUIs, um, you know, domestic violence, all all the normal

[32:28] stuff. But not every one of them gets booked in jail to be honest. Suspended

[32:32] driving a lot of times their jail won't even take. So, they're issued a

[32:34] citation, goes to the courts, they still have to appear, it still counts as an

[32:38] arrest. But, yeah, it's just a combination of all those things.

[32:42] And we always ask how we do >> because that sounds like quite a few

[32:45] arrests here in Woodland. >> It is I've been hearing this over and

[32:49] over and over. >> So I was kind of interested is these

[32:52] actually arrests or these you know pull over and you know

[32:57] » Yeah. It like I said it's a combination on the right or something.

[33:01] » Yeah. I mean if it's a traffic violation you happen to have a warrant for your

[33:03] arrest or you're suspended yet usually ends in an arrest. But it it's also

[33:06] busier during the summer months. Um it typically slows down because Criminals

[33:11] like to stay warm and not be out when it's raining and snowing.

[33:16] » Okay. I just was want to make sure we're not checking a box for something. No,

[33:21] » they are actually arresting people. >> Yes.

[33:23] » Okay, perfect. >> Thank you, sir.

[33:30] » Any other comments or questions on public

[33:35] human resources? >> Uh, tonight human resources committee

[33:39] met with Mayor Council member and myself 6:05 p.m. Um there is one position open

[33:46] with the city and that is for payroll position um that is currently open. They

[33:52] will be looking at the first batch of resumes on August 31st.

[33:56] And um there's also the two police positions that council member Daddy has

[34:02] already mentioned. Um right now it looks like they're just entry level

[34:06] applicants. So that's a very very short meeting.

[34:12] It ended at 607. >> Any questions on those positions?

[34:20] » All right. Finance >> uh finance committee met tonight. In

[34:24] attendance were Council Member Houston, Terry Smith, and myself. Also, a very

[34:31] short meeting. A few updates. The uh annual Washington State Auditor's Office

[34:36] audit will start at the end of this month. We are beginning budget

[34:40] preparation and we'll have more to come on that next month in September.

[34:44] And we have three active payroll audits through various agencies happening.

[34:49] We're complying with all the requests on those. Also noted from ours was the open

[34:53] payroll clerk position. If you are interested in applying it posted on the

[34:56] website and you're welcome to do so at 65

[35:03] questions on finance.

[35:07] All right. reports of advisory committees

[35:11] chamber report

[35:14] in

[35:18] » oh reports of city council my apologies >> um yes I would like to announce that

[35:23] council member Ray is celebrating a big 50th birthday today so happy birthday to

[35:29] him um also I just um have heard nothing but

[35:34] great things about um warm summer nights and all the different and the movie

[35:40] selection just how wonderful it was. So, good job to DWR on that. Um, also

[35:47] something new, um, the seniors are having the opportunity to paint parking

[35:51] spots at the high school this year. So, if you go to the football games or

[35:54] you're over at the high school, it is incredible. We already have 40 spots

[35:58] that have been started um with some more um starting maybe tomorrow night. Um, so

[36:05] we're super excited about this opportunity. The kids are thrilled. Um,

[36:09] very creative. So, if you're ever in the area of the high school, drive through.

[36:12] It's the parking spots closest to the football field. So, um, it's really

[36:17] great opportunity for the kids and it's a new tradition we hope to be starting.

[36:21] So, to say that and everybody, good luck getting back to school.

[36:32] » Congratulations. Any other

[36:58] meeting?

[37:02] Any

[37:13] other items from

[37:17] all

[37:20] chamber will the Chamber of Commerce lunchons continue once monthly on the

[37:24] second Tuesday of each month at noon. So the next scheduled lunchon will be

[37:29] September 8th, Tuesday. Sign up for the email blast on the chamber website at

[37:34] woodland woodlandwamber.com or send keith woodlandwamber.com

[37:40] email. Um the golf tournament is this Thursday. If people would like to golf

[37:46] chamber holiday bingo is planned for December 10th. Please reach out for

[37:50] sponsorship opportunities and please contact the Woodland Chamber if you have

[37:54] any grand opening ribbon cutting or other promotions. They're always looking

[37:58] for new members and ideas to work together to encourage, promote, and

[38:01] preserve economic wellbeing and quality of life in our community.

[38:15] If you are interested in golfing, reach out to the chberica.

[38:26] Come on up.

[38:40] » Good evening. Adonica Simpson with DWR. Um, we have really great things to

[38:46] report. Uh the Woodland Welcome Center has continued to do uh really well. Uh

[38:53] we had a few slow days because of the smoke that blew in. We noticed a little

[38:56] bit of a lull there, but um we're continuing to really have a lot of

[39:02] interest from our local people. We had 165 locals for the month of July and

[39:08] then 72 tourists. Um the local folks are coming in and

[39:14] enjoying getting all kinds of different information that we have on hand

[39:18] including uh events that are coming up which we continue to share. Uh we're

[39:24] promoting all of the local nonprofits. So if anybody is um doing anything

[39:28] special, we make sure that we're aware of that. Uh make sure we can direct them

[39:32] when they come in. Um it's just gone really really well and everyone's very

[39:38] pleased. Uh we I had several come in today and they were getting information

[39:43] for Mount St. Helens and as they're going out the door, you know, they're

[39:47] always saying, "Boy, this was a really good stop." And it's just nice to hear

[39:51] that, you know, um hopefully I can get them to start leaving the Google reviews

[39:55] and all the things to help with the numbers. But um we're seeing it

[40:00] firsthand and it's really positive. So we have seen folks from u Michigan,

[40:05] California, Las Vegas, the Ukraine, Arkansas, Arizona, Minnesota, New

[40:12] Zealand, Argentina, and Pennsylvania for just a few that I pulled off of our

[40:17] sheets for just the month of July. And then we have a um United States map on

[40:23] the wall and we have pins and they go and they put their pins in where they're

[40:27] from. So, it's kind of fun. They interact with us that way. Um, but the

[40:32] center continues to get new products in from our vendors. they're uh doing

[40:37] really well. They're very surprised when they come in and they need to restock

[40:41] their goods and um so it's it's really it's really just a great feeling to see

[40:47] people um appreciating the help with just all kinds of different information.

[40:53] Um today I helped sell a a discovery pass because all of that's online now,

[40:58] but I just pulled out the laptop and took care of it for her. And so there's

[41:02] always a way to help people one way or the other. And that's really what we're

[41:06] doing. Um, hot summer nights. Uh, really thank you

[41:13] for the compliments. Our volunteers just have worked so hard. Everything really

[41:19] lined up beautifully. Uh, we're kind of blown away. It really just it just went

[41:26] so much bigger than we even anticipated. Um, we doubled our numbers from last

[41:32] year. So, in a total of the five weeks, we had 2,10 people come. And it's just

[41:40] incredible to see that. Um, it was mindblowing to sit there and see all

[41:47] these folks enjoying um the lake, uh, the vendors, the music, uh, just

[41:55] everything. And then we were able to watch people come down from downtown

[42:01] bringing the food that they had purchased from up there. So, you know,

[42:05] there's choices there, but we have to remember that these numbers are people

[42:09] that are coming and perhaps getting gas on their way to the movie. Um, you know,

[42:14] they're buying things locally before they get there. And, uh, and then just

[42:19] to see the enjoyment in all the famil family's faces. Uh, the last movie was

[42:25] the Goonies. And it was really cool to see just all the people remembering and

[42:32] sharing stories and uh the children of course have no idea what the Goonies is,

[42:37] but it doesn't matter. They're running around playing in the bubbles and all

[42:40] the other, you know, things that we have going on. So, we've really built up a

[42:44] lot of activities before the movie so that there's really no lull in the whole

[42:49] afternoon. And I think that really has helped. the advertising's gone well and

[42:55] um it was just amazing to see we had just under 500 people on that last

[43:01] Friday and that was the opening day of the fair. So to have something like that

[43:06] compete with the fair and have those folks local um is pretty pretty awesome

[43:12] and affordable for people. So it was really cool. I just want to say, Donica,

[43:16] as a vendor there and my kids being there that we're so sad it's over. Like

[43:21] we've been looking [laughter] forward to every Friday just like the our entire

[43:25] household is bumped and it's over. It [laughter] was so cool. It was so fun.

[43:29] So, thank you for everyone's hard work, your team.

[43:32] » Yeah, it is. It is. It's It's uh definitely a lot of work. And if

[43:38] anyone's interested in volunteering, we're um a lot more organized about our

[43:43] volunteers now. we have a location, you know, we work out of the welcome center,

[43:47] so it's just a lot easier to organize and take care of the planning um and the

[43:53] staging for these events. So um if anyone has any interest in that's just

[43:59] one example of what we do. So, we're already gearing up for um Halloween and

[44:04] then Winterfest and uh and then of course continuing to work with the

[44:10] welcome center to make sure it's meeting as many needs as possible. So, we do

[44:15] have a lot going on and but we have a lot of fun and we just really

[44:20] um appreciate the opportunity. So, it's a good deal.

[44:24] » Excellent. Questions, comments for

[44:30] Excuse

[44:39] the mayor. Um, really quickly, upcoming events. There's a planning commission

[44:43] meeting at 700 p.m. This is Thursday. Labor Day will be closed off on

[44:48] September 7th, city council being moved to Tuesday night, September 8th, 7 p.m.

[44:54] right here. And then there will be a public hearing on the 15th regarding

[44:58] Island Air Drive at 10 a.m. on September 15th and then the 21st will be

[45:03] our second city council meeting um reports tonight really quickly. There

[45:09] was a public records request that came in to the city um here after our last

[45:14] council meeting and I just want to touch on it really briefly um because it was

[45:18] kind of directed kind of towards me. I had said that I had met with the

[45:22] developers for dinner and I look at it this way and say, "Hey, I'm an open

[45:27] book. I'll be happy to have a conversation here." So, it was who paid

[45:31] for the dinner, what conversations, and the whole nine yards. And the irony here

[45:36] is we previously have had expense or public records requests come in and they

[45:41] were, you know, extenduating, you know, continuous and there was conversation

[45:46] around and now it's all of a sudden, hey, let's go. So, I thought I would at

[45:50] least share with the community what my involvement has been. So, on June 23rd,

[45:57] I had a missed call from Mr. Luke Sassy for 30 seconds. He was wanting to

[46:01] introduce himself and see if he could get together for a dinner or breakfast.

[46:05] On the 26th, he left me another 32 second voicemail message asking if he

[46:11] could get together with me. I returned his call on the 26th of June at 6:28

[46:18] p.m. that four minutes introducing myself and said, "Hey, let's meet for

[46:22] breakfast." That same night, he sent me a text

[46:26] message back that said, "We couldn't swing to get together the next morning,

[46:30] but maybe we could do it another day." On the 28th, two days later, I sent a

[46:37] note to him, a text, and said, "How about working tomorrow, uh, Monday at 5

[46:43] or 5:30?" He sent me a call. didn't leave a voicemail that same night, but

[46:48] then that night at 9:53, he said, "Good evening, 5:00 p.m. tomorrow night. Would

[46:53] work great." I sent a text back at 4:51 a.m. and said, "Perfect. I'll see you at

[46:59] the Oak Tree tonight, the 29th for dinner at 6:20 or at 11:31 a.m. that

[47:07] same day." He said, "Sounds good. I will see you there." When it comes down to

[47:11] the dinner, here is my City Bank credit card.

[47:17] I paid $5269

[47:21] for that dinner where there was myself, Sam, Houston, Aaho, Luke, and Ty, and

[47:26] Riley. The $5259 paid out of my own pocket was for Riley

[47:32] and myself. I'm not And Molly sitting there kind of laughing because people

[47:36] who know me know I will not let people pay for me and I will not pay for anyone

[47:41] else. And I will not use a city credit card or city funds for anything. Nothing

[47:47] against this here because she could laugh. This is how I roll.

[47:54] » And I said no. So I just would like to have that out there. We will put this

[48:00] public records request there. But I want people in the room, people online to

[48:05] know that is how Mr. Dinhardt rules and my

[48:13] me

[48:26] and I guess I should have said what happened at that dinner. I sat down. I

[48:29] came 15 minutes late and Riley's laughing and Molly is probably laughing

[48:32] because she heard. I sat down and said just so you know this short meeting

[48:36] because I'm not in favor of this and I don't know what's in this for me and the

[48:39] city of as a resident. So I apologize m I mean you and I I appreciate you. I

[48:46] appreciate our dialogue you know on various things throughout the community.

[48:50] So >> I'm thankful for your transparency as

[48:53] well. When I was running cannabis to be up here um he

[48:59] offered to buy for me and was like this is my personal not use city funds unlike

[49:04] well I don't need to say it don't know so I appreciate that

[49:08] » so that is my mayor's message tonight I appreciate you going through my journey

[49:14] with me for five minutes [laughter] but with that we will move to our unless

[49:18] there's somebody who has a question about it

[49:23] [laughter] I had a salad with dressing and he had a

[49:28] chili cheeseburg >> [laughter]

[49:30] » I have

[49:34] » that night. >> Great question.

[49:37] » I'd like you to go through a poly on that one because I'm I guarantee I did

[49:40] not have that. [laughter]

[49:43] » So, all right, >> moving into consent items.

[49:48] » Motion to approve consent items. >> Uh, any questions or comments from our

[49:53] meeting minutes from the last meeting? I have a first from Miss Dow, a second

[49:58] from Mr. Houston.

[50:02] » Council member Friend. >> I.

[50:04] » Council member Houston. >> Hi.

[50:05] » Council member Michaelelsson. >> Hi.

[50:06] » Council member Dowy. >> I.

[50:08] » Council member Ray. >> Hi.

[50:09] » Council member Brown. >> Hi.

[50:11] » All right. Moving to the action items. Approve vouchers August 1st, 2020.

[50:17] » Second. >> I have a first from Mr. Houston and a

[50:20] second from Mr. Friend. Just a comment on uh Couple of the items in there,

[50:26] checks this month. There is a check to the city or to the Woodland schools for

[50:31] $153,000 for impact fees. We are a pass through.

[50:36] We don't collect We collect those, but then passing through $88,000 of that is

[50:41] related to the apartments on street. So, I just wanted people to

[50:45] have visibility to that. Any questions or comments on any of the

[50:50] payments or the vouchers?

[50:55] Council member Brown. >> Hi.

[50:58] » Council member Ray. >> Hi.

[51:00] » Council member Michaelelsson. >> Hi.

[51:01] » Council member Dowy. >> Hi.

[51:03] » Council member Houston. >> Hi.

[51:04] » Council member friends. >> I.

[51:06] » All right. The time is now 7:50. We'll move into workshop retooling our code

[51:11] enforce code enforcement updates. >> Travis.

[51:22] Thank you very much. As you mentioned, the planning commission will be meeting

[51:26] this Thursday and we've been working um for I don't know about the last year on

[51:31] various code amendments and this one is right. So, they will be making a um

[51:36] they'll be having a workshop make a recommendation for you at the next

[51:40] available meeting and essentially the highlights of this were dealing with

[51:45] code enforcement. We wanted some clarification for our code enforcement

[51:49] and some of the items that are clarified are um hours of construction activity

[51:56] making sure that it's perfectly clear the hours of operation for hours of

[52:02] construction and noise during the week and that there can be no construction

[52:07] activity that creates noise on Thursdays and Saturdays with permission only. So

[52:12] it's Monday through Friday, Saturday with restrictions, Sunday prohibited. Um

[52:18] we also discussed a significant amount of um setting penalties, the rates of

[52:26] penalties and that the current rate is generally $25 for each violation each

[52:33] day and that how slowly that adds up in the case of egregious violations. And so

[52:39] they are um they like the idea of doing a graduated scale of The first 30 days

[52:46] is one rate, then it increases for day 31 through 60, and then day 61 through

[52:53] 90 is a higher higher amount. And that the code specifically says we can start

[52:59] leaning on day 91. So that way, if somebody is just ignoring our notices

[53:05] and it's getting more and more expensive, the more they refuse to uh

[53:10] take action. Um and this none of the changes proposed um will affect how we

[53:18] are handling code enforcement. So the code enforcement officer makes every

[53:24] effort they can to negotiate and create a solution without going to a notice and

[53:30] order. That's kind of our last step in the process and that's when the penalty

[53:34] starts. So it won't affect how that occurs.

[53:38] Generally those are the big ticket items that are going to um change.

[53:46] » Do you want to touch on code enforcement versus

[53:50] doing this? I mean because I think this is a win you want to touch on.

[53:56] » Sure. So um one of the things that we did do um that is policy want for guys

[54:02] like me and that is clarifying exactly what is the development code for the

[54:08] purposes of code enforcement because we do not do vehicular stops. We do not do

[54:15] parking in the street or any kind of enforcement. Those are police duties.

[54:21] But if it's storage of vehicles in yards, in front yards, backyards, how

[54:26] long they can store material and what when it becomes a nuisance for the

[54:32] property is where we deal with. So um we've clarified exactly what codes. So

[54:39] building codes, subdivision code, zoning code, um and the various land use codes

[54:45] have been clarified as a result of this. It doesn't get into any kind of

[54:51] misdemean.

[55:19] This is for commercial.

[55:31] » I I assume that whatever's decided by planning commission is going to come

[55:34] forth with an action item for us to review.

[55:41] » I just want to say I appreciate um and how quickly she takes action.

[55:48] there's enforcement that and then she gives you a response um of what she

[55:53] found. So, I just appreciate that because I know that's not always been

[55:57] the case around here. And so, if any of you find anything in your community that

[56:01] you want to take forth that to know that it's actually getting resolved or you'll

[56:05] have some kind of resolve from it. I appreciate that.

[56:13] » Any other comments or questions from the community members coming out of the

[56:24] All right, with that we will now 7:56 we will leave workshop and go into our

[56:30] meeting >> motion to end meeting

[56:31] » time is now 7:56. Have a great evening everyone.

[56:35] » Anyone wants cupcakes or cookies feel free to come up and grab some.

City Council Regular Meeting - 3rd Monday - 17 Aug 2026

Transcript