Town Council Report

At the Cathlamet Town Council Monday night the Council members debated several issues. However the Resolution of Adopting Rules of Decorum for Council meetings was postponed until all Town Council members were in attendance.

The Council approved the bid for a new ambulance manufactured by Braun Northwest. Wahkiakum County will pay for the ambulance, but the Town of Cathlamet was required to conduct the bidding process.

The mayor reported that the Swimming Pool Advisory Committee met Monday morning and discussed the future of the kiddie pool, the new ADA lift, and the new cover for the pool. The pool committee said that the lifeguards are ready and have been trained by the Longview YMCA. The Mayor also let the council know that Saturdays are free to everyone during the open swim from 12:00-4:00 p.m.. He also let the council know that he attended the Cathlamet Woman’s Club Citizen of the Year event honoring Jan Silvestri.

There was lots of time spent discussing the 2025 Comprehensive Plan. Suggestions circled around: Emergency Plans, a secondary water source, and a Wildfire Action Plan. One suggestion was to create a Town Safety Committee to create cohesion between Wahkiakum County, the Town of Cathlamet and surrounding communities on both sides of the Columbia River. The council discussed the Town of Garfield, WA as one example of a comprehensive plan that included examples of public input for capital improvements.

Several minutes were spent discussing the situation at the town library. The council acknowleged that now that Library cards are free there are more families taking advantage of all that the Library has to offer, especially internet access. The council also debated increasing the number of hours the Town Librarian could work which would allow more time for the librarian create children’s programs. They council also discussed the pros and cons of the Timberland Regional Library program in Naselle.

The mayor let the council know that the Pioneer Cemetery Tribal Memorial sign has been delivered and work has begun on planning a Rededication Ceremony. The council was also informed that June 25th the concrete will be delivered for sidewalks at Queen Sally’s Well and Strong Park. “No Parking” signs will be posted in the interim.