City goals and priorities for 2023

Kelso’s 2023 priorities and goals (see the full list of priorities and goals on the next page) were briefly discussed at the February 7 Council meeting. The progress of the priorities and goals will be reviewed at a workshop on March 21. A summary of the priorities and goals is discussed below.

The Community Building and Housing Project is the result of the $250,000 grant the City received from the state. The report, presented to the Council at our January 17 meeting, reviewed three options for a combined community center and affordable housing project. The Council approved an agreement with CAP to further study the project and potentially begin application for funding. The Council also recommended that the most promising project would have 40 single bedroom units on the second floor and community facilities yet to be determined on the ground floor. The community facilities could include conference rooms, kitchen facilities, a library and offices. A team of City leaders and citizens will develop further recommendations.

Beginning construction of the Hazel Street Crossing project is a significant priority for the year. The City is awaiting final resolutions to a couple of relatively minor issues.

The Council approved a Transportation Benefit District, and the City will begin to receive these funds in June. Ultimately the goal is to be able to dedicate $1 million/year to road and street improvements.

The next three projects – Spray Park recycle/improvements, senior center maintenance and train station roof – were funded from federal COVID funds and are scheduled to be started this year.

The Upgrades to Parks are a group of park improvement projects that are also funded by federal COVID funds and total about $250,000.

Assuring the City keeps its facilities repaired and is able to recruit and retain competent employees are the purposes of the City facilities and staffing priorities.

Finally having vibrant, viable business areas is important to the livability and economic health of the City. The group of downtown/West Main area priorities covers a variety of projects to improve our business areas. These projects include making sure the planters are taken care of, downtown codes are appropriate to encourage business development and a project to improve the American Legion building.

Please attend the March 21 workshop at 4:30 p.m. to provide

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• Mobile Roof Vitalization Prop – $50,000 to purchase a portable roof ventilation training prop for training firefighters to be shared with other agencies in our region. These enhancements to our community would be an incredible blessing. The City Council is grateful for the time and energy that our state lobbyists Josh Weiss and Annika Vaughn, from Gordon Thomas Honeywell, and Joel Rubin from CFM Advocates, as well as our 19th District delegation, Sen. Jeff Wilson and Reps. Jim Walsh and Joel McEntire, our state leaders Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray and 3rd District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez, and all of their respective staff, spend on behalf of our community.

Finally, the City of Longview, and the Council bid farewell to our esteemed leader of five years, Kurt Sacha, as he retires from the City of Longview after 46 years of service. Auf Wiedersehen, Lieber Freund. Lebewohl. (Good-bye, dear friend. Be well.)