Council approves court refurbishment

Clatskanie City Council held its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 1. The agenda focused on a multi-sport court refurbishment initiative led by Karen Marx. The council unanimously approved the resolution, a required qualification by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department in pursuit of $225,000 in grant funding. The proposed project will convert two existing tennis courts and the “Kiwanis ‘kids’ slab into one tennis court, a basketball court, and two pickleball courts. The City also approved a motion to allocate $25,000 from the Scout Lake Fund to support the project

City Manager Greg Hinkleman noted Clatskanie’s wastewater sewer treatment plant project is one of two congressional projects in the next legislative session for U.S. Representative Susan Bonamici for Oregon’s 1st congressional district. Hinkleman expressed optimism that the congressional project will be funded based on the prior track record for Representative Bonamici, who is seeking $5 million for the city. The funds are to be applied toward a $20 million loan, which is forecasted to reduce the amount of charges levied to rate payers.

During his report, Public Works Director Mitch Warren announced the department has resumed work on the new sewer plant. Parks and Recreation District Manager Cyndi Warren announced the department is looking to hire a grounds and maintenance worker, as well as lifeguards for the city pool. The search for the new city manager is expected to commence soon, with four finalists having been interviewed Wednesday, April 8, by two committees that consist of city council members, Mayor Bob Brajcich, department heads, employees, and community members. The new city manager is expected to start in July, following Hinkleman’s retirement in June.

Public comments included questions around updating city ordinance to maintain hens on private property and a request about speed cameras or other solutions to slow down traffic on US Hwy 30 in and out of Clatskanie at the bridge crossing.