The Port of Hood River Commission took its first steps toward revising its strategic plan for the next six years during a lengthy planning session.  Port Commissioners discussed a number of different topics, but also decided to engage in what they termed a “robust” public outreach to get community input.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the aim is to have a survey ready by January, adding they are trying to get as much feedback as possible but they still need to determine exactly what they want to ask.  The Commission approved a contract with Enviroissues to coordinate the public outreach effort.  Enviroissues has been involved in the planning effort for replacement of the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge.

The Low Income Energy Assistance Program in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties is getting underway for the winter.  Applications are being taken from seniors and those with disabilities, and Mid-Columbia Community Action’s Jim Slusher says they will begin making appointments for the general public on December 2.  Slusher says they have a similar amount of money for the program as a year ago, but adds they have not yet received all of the funds.  He said last year they received 100 percent of the money from federal and state sources one year ago, but this year they are at 90 percent, but expect to receive the rest sometime in January.  Those who want to apply for energy assistance funds should call Community Action after 8 a.m. on December 2 at 541-298-5131 in The Dalles and 541-386-4027 in Hood River.

The Hood River County School District is in the process of preparing its proposal to the state for how it would use around $3,000,000 in additional funding through the Student Success Act approved by the Oregon Legislature last year.  Superintendent Sara Hahn-Huston says they have just wrapped up an online survey, and they did a community meeting to learn where people feel the money can have the most impact.  Hahn-Huston says she gets a wide range of feedback, but equity was the overarching theme.  Supporting students with behavioral issues is another common thread.  Hahn-Huston says she will have a report on the feedback for the district board at their December meeting, and in January stakeholders will be brought together to develop actionable steps to prepare their documentation to the state.

The passage of Washington Initiative 976 to limit the cost of car tabs may postpone construction of the Highway 14 underpass at Bingen Point, but it will still happen.  Bingen Mayor Betty Barnes says that’s the word she has received from state transportation officials.  She notes the majority of the property acquisition for the project has already happened, and agencies involved in the project will continue regular meetings.  Barnes adds given some of the issues the project still faces, including working with Burlington Northern Railroad, the potential delay may not have much of an impact.

PacifiCorp has reached a deal with the Yakama Nation to give the tribe a Right of First Offer for as much as 289 acres of land along the White Salmon River should the utility ever decide to sell.  The property is not currently for sale.  The land included in the agreement begins at the former dam site down river to where the White Salmon flows into the Columbia.  The still standing Condit Powerhouse is part of the property covered by the agreement.  The agreement does not include company-owned property further upriver where leased cabin sites and Northwestern Park are located.  PacifiCorp has owned the land since the early 1900s as part of the operation of the Condit Hydroelectric Project.  The company recently satisfied all federal requirements concerning the White Salmon River’s rehabilitation following the removal of the Condit Dam in 2012.    

The Port of Hood River will hold its fall planning session on Tuesday, and the focus will be on strategic planning for the next six years.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says this session will start the update of their current business plan to take it to 2026, the year which is targeted to begin construction of a new Interstate Bridge if everything on that front goes right. McElwee notes during that time, the Port will be looking to start becoming more efficient and looking at ways to increase revenue and decrease expenses.  To find revenue opportunities, the first step is to look at the Port’s real estate portfolio and continuing a process to recoup fixed costs in their current buildings while also looking at other development possibilities, ways to become more efficient as an agency, and look at partnerships with other agencies.  The strategic planning session will run from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday in the Port’s Marina Center conference room.

Mid-Columbia Housing Authority has been approved by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive $255,826 for Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties under the Mainstream Voucher Program for fiscal year 2019.  MCHA executive director Joel Madsen says the agency expects to be able to serve an additional 40 households in those three counties.  The vouchers will fund local initiatives to help non-elderly people with disabilities who are at risk of institutionalization or homelessness access affordable housing and other support services.  Last week it was announced that the voucher program will provide $188,345 for similar efforts in Skamania and Klickitat counties.

There is a bit more than a week left for those wishing to enter the Starlight Parade in The Dalles on November 29 to do so.  The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says they will be taking applications until next Wednesday, November 27.  The theme is “Ruby Red Christmas.”  To register for the Starlight Parade, go to thedalleschamber.com.  The parade leaves from 6th and Webber on the 29th at 6 p.m., and ends at The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce for the annual tree lighting ceremony.

After two months construction work to revamp the connection between Washington Highway 14 and Wind River Road is in its final phase.  A new roundabout at the intersection of the two roads is now open to traffic.  It’s designed to provide improved connectivity between Highway 14 and Carson.  Final work is scheduled for January.  Currently, there are only two access routes between the community of Carson and the highway: Hot Springs Avenue and Wind River Road.  The Wind River flows right beside Hot Springs Avenue and could cause enough erosion to close that roadway.  If it occurred, Wind River Road would be the primary route for all traffic in and out of Carson.

Community members in Klickitat are invited to an open house on Tuesday to share suggestions for State Route 142, including improvements for people who walk, bike or drive in the area.   The open house is the first step of a larger study the Washington State Department of Transportation is conducting to gather feedback from community members to identify future safety improvements on SR 142.  The open house will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Klickitat Community Center.