Hood River City Councilors told municipal staff to proceed with development of a proposed program that would allow hotels that expand their room capacity to be able to recoup certain qualified costs utilizing transient lodging taxes generated by the hotel development three years after completion. Municipal staff are proposing the program as a way bring in more TLT monies as the City deals with tax revenues that are not keeping pace with the cost of providing services. City Finance Director Chris Longetti says the program would not be a front-end subsidy, upfront costs are not covered, there would have to be some kind of public benefit, and once the project is finished only certain costs like systems development charges can be recovered. The Council told staff to bring back a full proposal for potential adoption.
Hood River Mural Ordinance Nears Completion
The Hood River City Council decided to have staff develop an ordinance governing murals that would allow them in the Downtown Historic District with some limitations. Under this option, murals on Oak Street with a 75 foot buffer and on designated historic structures will be prohibited. Councilors had earlier asked for draft language governing murals to limit height, ensuring building owners cannot be compensated for displaying a mural, make sure they are not reflective, and have no moving parts or lighting.
CGCC To Start Athletic Program With Cross Country
Columbia Gorge Community College is making its first foray into athletic competition. CGCC will be launching men’s and women’s cross country teams to compete in the Northwest Athletics Conference this fall. Vice President of Student Services Mike Espinoza is directing the athletic launch, noting the school’s location in the Gorge with miles of picturesque roads, world-class trail-running, and a hearty community of outdoor enthusiasts. The NWAC is the largest community college conference in the country, with 36 member schools in the Pacific Northwest. New CGCC President Kenneth Lawson said athletic programs support student engagement and success, provide an avenue for student athletes to continue to compete at a high level, and foster strong community connections.
HR Schools To Hold Meeting On Science Materials April 15
The Hood River County School District will hold a public meeting on proposed science instructional materials for grades K-12 in mid-April. A committee has been working since October 2023 to find instructional materials that align with equitable Science teaching practices, with teacher teams across the school district investigating new and innovative science materials. The goal is to find engaging materials that support the district’s science standards while also offering hands-on experiences and experiments for students to explore concepts. The public meeting will be on April 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Nathaniel Coe Administrative Center on 1011 Eugene Street in Hood River. Materials can be viewed online at the district’s website.
Federal Funds For Chenowith Housing Project Boost Hopes For State Money
A proposed Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation project to develop 75-units of affordable housing on Chenowith Loop in The Dalles received a boost with the recent appropriation of $3 million in federal funds. CCHC Executive Director Joel Madsen says the appropriation is a fraction on what is needed to make the project happen, but it does provide some leverage for more substantial funding from the state of Oregon. The development would target low-income residents, but also provide housing and services to veterans, families, and households experiencing severe and persistent mental health challenges.
Truck Driver Injured In Highway 14 Accident
A Yakima truck driver was taken to a hospital after an accident Tuesday morning near the Highway 14 junction with Highway 97 in Klickitat County. According to the Washington State Patrol the commercial truck and trailer driven by 50-year-old Matthew Mitchell was traveling on eastbound Highway 14 to southbound Highway 97 when he lost control, and the truck and trailer rolled before coming to rest in the roadway. Mitchell was transported to Klickitat Valley Hospital in Goldendale with undisclosed injuries. The accident happened shortly after 8:10 Tuesday morning. The WSP indicated that speed was the cause of the accident.
HR County Discusses Annexation Position
Hood River County Commissioners talked about annexation options for housing development during a Monday worksession, but ended with a question of whether the City of Hood River is open to initiating annexations and if a planned joint meeting in June would be productive. Commissioner Arthur Babitz has been a proponent of analyzing whether City-initiated annexations would provide more opportunities to achieve affordable housing. County Planning Director Eric Walker did say it could make sense for the City to annex already developed properties. But some City officials have indicated preferring to continue with a strategy of property owner-initiated annexation applications, believing those provide leverage to negotiate provisions for affordable housing. A joint City-County meeting has been planned for early June, but Babitz noted if the City has already determined its direction, it might not be worth having. Commission Chair Jennifer Euwer and County Administrator Allison Williams said they would talk with municipal officials about how to proceed.
Waters Fish Barrier Bill Signed By Governor
A bipartisan bill from Washington 17th District Rep. Kevin Waters that will boost the state’s efforts to remove fish barriers in Washington is set to become law later this year after the governor signed it on Monday. House Bill 2045 will facilitate the removal of fish barriers on lands owned by local governments by creating the “Adopt a Fish Barrier” program, through which local governments may receive private donations. The legislation will allow coordination with current fish barrier programs to pair donations with grant applications already in progress. The Recreation and Conservation Office will keep a list of projects suited to receiving private donations so a person can choose which project they want to donate to. Donations of $10,000 or more would be recognized with a sign at the corrected barrier. Donations of $100,000 or more would also receive a plaque signed by the governor with their name, the location of the project, the amount and year of the donation, and the fish species benefitting from their donation.
March 25 Prep Sports Roundup
Baseball
Hood River Valley 12, Crismon (AZ) 12: HRV’s bats came alive with 16 hits, led by three apiece from Jordan Webber, Bodie Stuben, and Addison Postlewait, but Crismon scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to get the tie.
The Dalles 13, Amity 2: Back-to-back six-run innings in the third and fourth propelled the Riverhawks to the win. Nolan Donivan, Will Booth, Evan Ortega, and Luciano Alvarado drove in two runs apiece.
HR Council To Address Downtown Murals Monday Night
The Hood River City Council will be addressing the topic of murals in the downtown area at their meeting this evening. The major question to be addressed is whether to allow murals within the downtown Historic District. City Manager Abigail Elder says they have received inquiries over the last year about murals, but they currently don’t have any rules in place. One option before the Council is to allow murals in the Historic District with limitations, but prohibit them on Oak Street or contributing historic structures. A second option would prohibit all murals in the Historic District. This evening’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. in Hood River City Hall.