Council approves strategic plan process

Members of the Cathlamet Town Council addressed a variety of issues when they met Tuesday.

--The council voted 4-0 to contract with John Morgan and his Morgan CPS consulting firm to develop a long-term strategic plan.

Councilor Jean Burnham commented that the $20,000 price seemed expensive. Colleagues Sue Cameron and Laurel Waller countered that the planning would give the council and staff a basis for making decisions.

"I think it will be much more integral to getting us to the future we want," Waller said.

--Councilors and members of the audience discussed aspects of the town's planning process. With the planning commission unmanned, the council acts as the planning commission in hearing certain permit issues.

People with land use concerns should contact the county public works office, which acts as the permitting office for the town; appeals of decisions would then go before the council.

--Mayor Dale Jacobson sought and received council approval to negotiate with the family of the late Wally Wright for a lease of a vacant lot at the corner of River and Broadway streets.

--The council spent over an hour discussing two requests for adjustments in water bills.

--Councilor Tanya Waller submitted her resignation effective the end of February.