Message from the Mayor - June 5, 2023
Hello Neighbor!
Hope this message finds you well! Wanted to check-in and let you know what’s been happening around town and some items we are working on.
Transportation
Public Works is sending out the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Exit 21 redesign Wednesday! This has been a longtime in the making. This will provide engineering services to have a “shovel ready” project for Exit 21. Cowlitz County Commissioners and Federal Funds from the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments (CWCOG) have provided a total of $3.2 million in funding for this improvement project. Again, we are waiting to hear if Woodland’s Exit 21 will be selected for the RAISE Grant funds (Federal). Keep you posted! Hope to have an answer by July. City of Woodland - Exit 21 | Woodland Washington
We are working with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for improvements along State Route 503. WSDOT will be doing a massive paving project on the eastside of Woodland along State Route 503. The project will begin at the roundabout and continue to the city limits just passed North Fork Elementary School. The work is being scheduled to be conducted in 2025. When completed, the roadway will be freshly paved and sidewalks installed along the northside of State Route 503! Many of you may already be aware, I have been pushing for pedestrian safety improvements along State Route 503 since 2018. We have been denied three times through the funding process (2018, 2020, 2022). This is a huge win for our community!
For those that travel south along Interstate 5, you will see new guardrail installed between the interstate and Lakeshore Drive! This too has been a longtime coming. We have been putting pressure on WSDOT to get a guardrail installed to prevent vehicles from leaving the interstate and landing on Lakeshore Drive. We have had a number of vehicles tumble onto Lakeshore Drive in the past, to include a vehicle that landed upside down in the lake killing the driver. The new guardrail is in conjunction with our pedestrian safety project completed recently along Lakeshore Drive (10-foot walking and biking path). We as a city have been asking for this
incessantly. We have been persistent and it paid off! (Side note: I have been made aware Representative Ed Orcutt also made a request for this project! Rep. Orcutt is a champion for our legislative district and Woodland! If you have a moment, please send him a thank you message for assisting in getting this much needed project completed!!! ed.orcutt@leg.wa.gov)
Public Safety
We are continuing the discussion with the police labor group about body cameras. This has turned into a collective bargaining item. I was hopeful to have this essential piece of equipment deployed last year, but have been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement with the group. Body cameras are not required by the state at this time; however, we have been proactive in the needs of community policing and expectations from the public regarding public safety. Too many times officers across the country are placed into harms way with no footage of an incident. Those with body cameras are better protected against the accusations of wrongdoing because of a memorialized interaction with video and audio. I am hopeful an agreement can be reached soon to not only protect our citizens, but officers too.
The Woodland Police Department has set the bar for the State with the new Therapy Animal program. This program began with a generous donation from a City of Woodland resident. “Bolo” is a Yellow Labrador Retriever that is funded through a grant from the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC). Because of our local program, other law enforcement agencies across the state are turning their attention towards this valuable tool and calling Woodland for guidance. Bolo is not only used in trauma impacting events, but is also utilized to bridge the gap between police and the community. Bolo takes time when not training to visit our schools. During these visits, children in our community can begin feeling a sense of trust with law enforcement. Many children are placed in situations where an officer is the “perpetrator” when a family member has a negative experience with law enforcement. This negative experience puts the child on defense when a law enforcement officer is present, creating barriers. Bolo helps in deescalating the situation and creating a safe, educational experience for the child that is a positive law enforcement experience. Our goal with Bolo is to provide comfort to victims in traumatic situations and a bridge between the community and law enforcement. If your community group would like to meet Bolo or would like a Woodland Police office to give a safety briefing, please send a request to police@woodlandpd.org. Again, Bolo is funded through a reimbursement grant through CJTC.
In 2021, the City of Woodland took a vote to become part to the Clark-Cowlitz Fire and Rescue (CCFR) district. Because of this, a transfer of public assets/property must be completed. The City of Woodland took out bonds in 2005, 2012, 2013, and 2017 to acquire property and create a public safety facility. That facility is currently on E Scott and consists of a police station and partial fire services facility. The transfer of assets/property also includes a portion of debt that the city currently has. A property survey is being completed of the area around the fire station and police station. CCFR has included the City of Woodland in their capital improvement plans. This fall, the small house that was the Public Works office next to the fire station will be removed, making way for expansion of the facility. Knowing this office would be removed, Public Works was relocated to downtown Woodland next to City Hall.
Community Development
There has not been much development in the past three years. Many of you would say that cannot be possible based on the traffic seen around the city. Well, we have 6 single-family residences built along with 6 commercial and 6 industrial projects built. That is not much development, so, we should recognize that the vast majority of the increase in traffic has been created by Clark and Cowlitz County development. This does not change the fact that the city is tasked with finding and funding the solution. Cowlitz County is helping with a portion financially with development created in their jurisdiction.
The Community Development Department is beginning to see an increase in foot traffic seeking information regarding development, especially in the area of residential. I encourage each of you to participate in community meetings. These meetings are an opportunity to provide direction to the Planning Commission on a number of items. Planning Commission meetings are the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. If you are unable to attend these meetings, please send and email or place a phone call to City Hall. We will make sure your comments are a part of the process. The Planning Commission is an advisory board to the city council who ultimately decides policy and direction of the city. Planning Division | Woodland Washington
Recreational Facilities
On May 15, 2023, city council approved the 2023 Park Plan (Res. 764 - RESOLUTION NO.764 (woodland.wa.us)). Now that the plan has been updated, it is now time to update our Park Impact Fees. PIF’s are generated during any new residential construction inside the city limits. Like other impact fees, this is dedicated funding for the impact associated. New residential impact fees include parks, transportation, fire, and schools. This assessment is on all new single family and multi-family units. Impact fees cannot be used for maintenance on current facilities, but rather, used to upgrade existing facilities or create new ones.
The park shelter at Horseshoe Lake Park is in need of a new roof. The bids came back, and to be honest I about fell over! I am continually surprised at the cost of items, especially when it comes to your tax dollars. We have been able to update the gazebo ($15K), and electricity ($10K) to the large field, and a few years ago added new playground equipment ($100K). Those were all big-ticket items and provided through private donations and grants. As we approach the 2024 budget cycle, this will be a topic of discussion and city council will need to decide if replacement cost is worth the reward.
City Hall
In my last message, I shared with you we have saved over $3.1 million in our reserve accounts (combined balance in the general fund, park fund, street fund, and capital project reserve fund) meeting city council’s financial goal in the event of a financial downturn. Because we have hit this financial milestone, my administration is looking at the reduction of utility tax. Utility tax is assessed on water, sewer, garbage, recycling, and storm water through our utility bills. The current rate is: water=10.87%, sewer=12.5%, garbage=12.5%, recycling=12.5%, and storm water=12.5%. These rates are set by city council and the money collected goes into the general fund to pay for general fund items. We have begun the conversation on rate reduction and will be advising city council in the coming months.
Something fun we will be starting in June is the Yard of the Month recognition. A fun program small communities like ours do to recognize homeowners for the hard work they do in their yards. We are working out the details and will be creating an online form. If you want to be recognized, or want to recognize a neighbor, you will simply fill out the form and submit a photo of the property. Once a month a winner will be selected and highlighted for their outstanding efforts. Stay tuned for more on this fun community highlight program!
My door is always open! Send me an email or call. Always ready to assist or answer questions!
