Letter from the Mayor - June 12, 2023
Hello Neighbor!
Hope this message finds you well! I wanted to check-in and let you know what’s been happening around town and some items we are working on.
Utilities
Utility tax reduction conversations have begun. That conversation is currently internal and will be taken to city council for further discussion once more details have been gathered. A reduction in utility tax would impact general fund services with a reduction of $125K annually. What does that mean? It means my office is looking at what budget items can be reduced or eliminated. Again, this is non-dedicated funding and there needs to be a clear picture for city council. Our level of service to you, the taxpayer, is most important. Finding relief for residents and business owners, along with the understanding of what service will be impacted is paramount before advising city council. I will keep you posted as the discussion progresses.
After the last utility statement was sent, I had the team contact our billing contractor Minol and collect all statements. My job as mayor is to ensure the contract put in place by city council is followed. We are conducting an internal audit to ensure the rate structure and billing is correct on the statements. Once the internal audit is complete that information will be shared with city council and you. We have had a rocky start with the billing contractor but continue to see improvements. We continue to make progress in the right direction through weekly meetings with the contractor.
Speaking of outsourcing! When we switched to the billing contractor Minol, we received several complaints. Some of the complaints were definitely warranted! However, the city billing system has improved. By utilizing a third-party source, we were made aware of many inconsistencies that were occurring within our system. Some of those inconsistences were brought forward when Minol sent out the billing statements, prompting many complaints. Granted, I recognize the first few billing cycles were a challenge and Minol did not get it right on many occasions. But what we need to recognize is the transparency this third party is showing, allowing you to easily read your statements. The breakdown of the statement was critical in identifying the inconsistencies. As time has gone on, they have improved tremendously and other improvements occurred internally as well. As we investigated the complaints that were coming in, we notice problems with the way we billed some customers before outsourcing. There were some accounts not billed correctly for years! Some accounts were not being charged for garbage service, while others were on the low-income program without documentation. Some accounts were being calculated by hand and those with irrigation meters were not being charged consistently, if charged at all, to include the State of Washington who received utility service. I can wholeheartedly say Minol has made us better when it comes to viewing your bill for service received. The billing structure in place is now being implemented as intended. We will continue monitoring this process put in place by city council.
There has been much discussion surrounding Minol and “the loss of jobs” to Woodland. I want to be perfectly clear that no employee was released/fired from employment when utility billing was outsourced. The billing position was no longer needed and the employee was offered multiple positions, and chose a position in Public Works rate of pay with similar clerical duties. Ultimately, the employee resigned, and the vacated position was filled at a low rate of pay.
Public Safety
Many communities are taking a stand and implementing a “burn ban” in their respective areas. This is of course a huge concern as we roll into Planters Days. I have contacted Clark-Cowlitz Fire and Rescue (CCFR) to discuss the burn bans around us. My biggest concern is the Planters Days firework display. When decisions are made there is potential for collateral impact. Being aware of the burn ban around us, CCFR has no issue with the display occurring (they ultimately issue the permit for the show). There are safety measures in-place along with onsite inspections. The city recently installed irrigation lines in the large open field at Horseshoe Lake Park, which helps with eliminating the potential fire danger. THE SHOW WILL GO ON as planned! We will continue to stay in contact with CCFR regarding the fire danger around us.
Community Development
We have been working with Cowlitz County on developing a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) regarding growth. We have finally agreed to a document that spells out how a master plan of the Woodland Bottoms will occur. Before everyone takes that to mean the City of Woodland is annexing the Woodland Bottoms, that is not what the MOA represents. The MOA is a document that states the city and Cowlitz County will work together developing a plan for future development, if it occurs. As mentioned in other newsletters, the city is responsible for managing growth and the impacts that come with growth (example is Exit 21). The MOA is also an opportunity for other organizations to be part of the conversation and how to manage growth effectively. (The Port, School District, Diking District, Planning Commissions, Emergency Services, and the list goes on!) There will also be public outreach and participation. The MOA will be on the next agenda, June 19th, with a Public Hearing attached so you can testify on the document. A copy can be found here: moa_for_woodland_bottoms_joint_planning1192356.9-1.pdf
The City of Woodland employs a half-time code enforcement officer. The code enforcement officer investigates complaints received relating to a number of community concerns. This could include vision obstruction at an intersection due to long grass or trees, ADA issues in public areas, a business operating without a business license in an area they are not zoned for, and even a complaint of a possible rooster inside city limits. The code enforcement officer stays extremely busy and the officer’s work load is reactive instead of proactive. The City of Woodland code enforcement office only responds to complaints/concerns identified by those that submit a form or testify during a city council meeting. To learn more, you can visit Code Enforcement | Woodland Washington
Public Works
Let’s give this group a big round-of-applause! Each year the dedicated Public Works employees spend countless hours beautifying our city and ensuring our water and sewer system are functioning. The weeks leading up to the annual Planters Days celebration is no exception! It’s all hands-on deck to ready our city for what Chief Kelly calls our “Super Bowl”. The City of Woodland hosts thousands over the course of four days and the team at Public Works does an awesome job getting us ready. If you see a city employee out-and-about make sure to say thank you. Or when you drive-by give a honk and a wave. They keep us looking our best throughout the year but especially during Planters Day.
The team that works at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) has once again demonstrated outstanding excellence! They have received a Certificate of Excellence in recognition of the quality of “laboratory in proficiency testing”. This achievement is a demonstration of superior quality of the laboratory in evaluation standards. We are required to do a lot of testing and keep the plant at a standard. This recognition is another example of how our employees go above and beyond to ensure we exceed the recommended standard. For those of you that remember, when my administration came into office in 2016, there were several issues at the WWTP. The laboratory had lost certification and Labor and Industries had an open investigation on the plant. We were able to correct the path, make some adjustments, getting us back to where we needed to be and we have come along way, receiving multiple recognitions. The right people are in place, cost saving measures implemented, and many awards received!
City Hall
Yard of the Month recognition has begun! Submissions are due by the close of business June 23rd. If you want to be recognized, or want to recognize a neighbor, our website home page has the link. Fill out the easy form and attach a photo of the property. Once a month a winner will be selected and highlighted for their outstanding efforts. Yard of the Month | Woodland Washington
On June 13, 2023, at 6:00 PM, I will be hosting a town hall in the city council chambers. The meeting will be streamed on our YouTube channel for those wanting to listen. Members of the executive team will also be in attendance. Mayor's Town Hall Meeting | Woodland Washington
On Saturday, June 17th, between 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, I will be outside of 100 Davidson (the old fire station) throughout the day, in between Planters Days events. I will be available to answer questions, provide insight into city projects, and just be available. Stop by, I would love to visit with you!
Finally, I want to say thank you! This new communication with you has been a longtime coming. We have many forms of communication and I never thought of this as an option. So, THANK YOU for letting me know this newsletter was wanted, but especially for making us better!
My door is always open! Send me an email or call. Always ready to assist or answer questions finnw@ci.woodland.wa.us or 360-608-1615.
Will.
To receive this newsletter electronically, or subscribe to other City of Woodland notices, visit Subscribe to News Letters and Meetings | Woodland Washington.
