[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6078634,"mediaKeyId","2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1","parentId",2959307,"title","Council votes at a glance: consent agenda, appointments and turf fund pass unanimously","audioSeconds",1119,"startMs",6123000,"endMs",7242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1&start=6123&end=7242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1/thumbnail_6123000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078634/Centralia/Lewis-County/Washington/Council-votes-at-a-glance-consent-agenda-appointments-and-turf-fund-pass-unanimously","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078634-6e9622462092256b7e05e8ea98ee5246/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067041&Signature=NWTonKTbVLydbw26n0AIgG2aYvK4CgDPMAUsKrJH~Rr60Ckow-UzffDykQQZ8Vg-jRPyh9IKBqum4qbEF7qPwVug4PFXdVyIe90gvIL3zHpHK03WVmSqWGj4CTqc~Qjc7jcS9T0RHp6wP3svy5pgSKZySMM9Z92oQ1dfnMfw6uvwHn9CRk3p8AThsBt0~1VK8xKgIOFBXgXKDIW62u5Wh0Ez5mp0GtU~J1oLcyT6QZ3mJ8rmzPV0qUTVc3GNV8iiAiK4k8o2UTmzW6-tFpdtlKIwHWeSwzrRRKQeLOMPS3Spthy~DZgqrZQKAZzVd-r8WhjTYURFY5KFwg-A73U6Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Centralia City, WA","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Centralia City Council approved several routine and ordinance items during the March 25 meeting. Key outcomes:

- Consent agenda approved (7‑0). The consent agenda included routine items and a contract amendment to remove nine high‑risk trees at Borst Park (Parks presentation). City staff said the average removal cost for a large tree is roughly $3,000.

- Mayor's appointments to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board confirmed (7‑0). The council confirmed Hallie Rawls, Owen Sharp (youth representative) and Raymond Sills to four‑year terms; their first meeting is scheduled for April 14.

- Ordinance 2562 (turf field maintenance and replacement fund) adopted on second reading (7‑0). Staff reported no changes since first reading; council approved final adoption on a voice vote.

Other items: the council approved the first reading of Ordinance 2563 (net‑metering) earlier in the meeting; that item will return for a second reading with implementation details. No votes were recorded on the TBD renewal; staff proposed bringing a May resolution to place a renewal on the November ballot and the council did not vote on that proposal at this meeting.

Votes were recorded by voice and roll call where required; mover names were not read into the record for each motion shown in the transcript. All recorded votes noted in the meeting passed unanimously (7‑0).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting\t03/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 25 meeting Centralia's council approved the consent agenda (including a tree‑removal contract amendment), confirmed three parks board appointments and adopted an ordinance creating a turf maintenance fund on second reading; the votes were unanimous.","taxTitle","Centralia, Lewis County, Washington","taxId",54764,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078638,"Council approves first reading of ordinance to expand large‑rooftop solar net‑metering rules",1026,6174000,7200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1&start=6174&end=7200","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1/thumbnail_6174000.jpg","/articles/6078638/Centralia/Lewis-County/Washington/Council-approves-first-reading-of-ordinance-to-expand-largerooftop-solar-netmetering-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078638-1340947b2e8a08c01818b27a856d77b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067041&Signature=DwVoTTeVkIvL1UGMGbIwU3Sdd5o7N~llJ~YIVFzHRptb2uQmei~N~VmNldLHzYB6jWugGmtxAiS-SUtjyFri4uo8u17m0hSwQ4AoYQbo2vj3De3BIfcV055ygH7cbsDpD1HHBq8JpBtyG2XuXa6lX2Scgube8dNdRABF9rHIjDnRYKjbRX-sT5diGCFa5jW4g94mCGY4i9VC~70Dxe1Zkmq-D-w7uIwiRL0G4AJ1fLQwGub~oNTPlKW9wcadodGEmjHV4iY1dsaA7tYtL-HOWBaDCFH3Jfct6WVj9nyfmLpBfp~gnaEZgXLdfQsQ7X~XdKWQK1XnPW1CU6QEgGfetA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council approved on first reading an ordinance that amends Centralia’s net‑metering rules to allow larger rooftop solar systems to interconnect with City Light and to provide reimbursement for exported energy under a new tiered approach.

City Light staff explained the change was prompted by updates to the state energy code that require newly constructed large buildings (the code example cited a 10,000 square‑foot threshold and a developer inquiry for a 600,000‑square‑foot building) to include renewable energy. Centralia’s existing net‑metering cap (100 kilowatts) could prevent compliance for very large roofs, staff said, so the draft ordinance removes the strict 100‑kW cap and establishes a framework to allow larger systems subject to distribution‑system limits and interconnection review.

The presentation noted technical limits and power‑quality considerations tied to inverters and the distribution circuit. City staff said they anticipate reimbursing exported energy at roughly the city’s avoided‑cost rate (staff cited about 4¢ per kilowatt‑hour as a working example), while retaining technical reviews and circuit limits to prevent adverse effects on nearby customers with sensitive equipment. Staff said the city will define tiers and interconnection screens and retain the ability to require filtering or other mitigation for larger installations.

Councilors asked about roof‑coverage examples and whether existing buildings are grandfathered; staff confirmed the state code requirement applies to new construction (existing buildings generally are not required to retrofit). City staff said they will return with administrative rules and implementation details before final adoption. The ordinance passed first reading; a second reading and final adoption were scheduled for a subsequent council meeting.

Technical note included in staff remarks: city staff cautioned that very large inverter installations can introduce waveform distortion if not properly filtered; staff said they will require engineering review and mitigation where circuits are sensitive.

Vote: council approved first reading of Ordinance 2563 on a voice vote recorded as 7‑0.","On first reading the council approved an ordinance to expand Centralia City Light's net‑metering rules so larger rooftop solar arrays (above the city's prior 100 kW cap) can meet state energy‑code requirements for large buildings; staff said the city will monitor interconnection and limit projects by distribution‑circuit capability.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078643,"Parks director outlines tree removals, arboretum signage and 90‑tree planting tied to Arbor Day grant",1943,4260000,6203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1&start=4260&end=6203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1/thumbnail_4260000.jpg","/articles/6078643/Centralia/Lewis-County/Washington/Parks-director-outlines-tree-removals-arboretum-signage-and-90tree-planting-tied-to-Arbor-Day-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078643-ec19e89727ff5035e7a9928448b4727c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067041&Signature=G-CzNPQlp6Ni6lCoJS7sCS5FIwe0mHbJBkcrma8qKHCJPV~~KXvgXXUSrLXcAAhI2jCrx6AlpOkTJj~GnS75ouzHBI4L9nVke9Ew0uOlnPw557jsjPM7Lo-S-3oXoaDgQPwlF-cnlX0VHggdYZtGIynCKuAorwuRPsfz-NoRDbDt2QqI9ZrL8Yp9j0w~CMJM4Ek8IGcvgVwwZR7Kc9vgIqIsg7OI4pG72n5FNVuB17EW2A-OF6GKO8zJPE6Py7nm~7nVoRWI4lsVsq-IBd4j2DXhXMEDItUy5Qqnc14ZaW9I7emPzcmcJJKLRal5OwjfOYsmzC-ZymiRWw6moVjJsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Amy Buckler, deputy city manager and parks director, briefed council on tree work funded by a Department of Natural Resources grant and on Arbor Day activities planned for April.

Buckler said a professional tree assessment at Borst Park identified roughly 30 dead or dying trees; four large trees were removed in December and the city sought council approval on the consent agenda to amend an existing tree‑removal contract to remove nine additional high‑risk trees. The consent agenda — which included that contract amendment among other routine items — passed the council 7‑0. Buckler told council the average cost to remove and haul away a large tree is about $3,000.

The DNR grant also funds updates to the Borst Arboretum: Buckler said staff had documented roughly 250 trees of 150 species in the 5.5‑acre arboretum, ordered identification signs and will publish a tree map and brochures by June. Volunteers from the Borst Arboretum Botanical Society will help install signage and guide visitor outreach.

Buckler announced a major planting event on April 19: volunteers will plant 30 trees at Riverside Park and 60 at Bridge Street Park as part of the grant, with a separate volunteer planting at Seminary Hill on April 26 organized by local partners. She also said Parks plans 15–20 additional plantings in the arboretum this spring and will replant in areas where large maples were removed once the city resolves species selection.

Buckler told council crews will cordon off some parking areas along the South Loop Road this summer to protect root zones from compaction; she said parked vehicles were harming roots and contributing to tree decline in that part of the park.

Council members and staff asked for signage to inform park users why areas are closed and to explain the root‑zone protection work. Buckler said staff will post explanatory signs at cordoned areas and work with volunteers for planting events.

What passed: the consent agenda (including the amendment to the tree removal contract to take out nine high‑risk trees) was approved by council 7‑0 during the meeting’s consent vote.","Parks Director Amy Buckler reviewed a Department of Natural Resources grant that will fund hazard‑tree removal at Borst Park, signage and species mapping for the arboretum, and large public plantings April 19 and April 26; council approved the consent agenda (including a contract amendment to remove nine high‑risk trees).",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078648,"Centralia leaders press state agencies after report links game‑farm operations to rising nitrates in local aquifer",520,4880000,5400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1&start=4880&end=5400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1/thumbnail_4880000.jpg","/articles/6078648/Centralia/Lewis-County/Washington/Centralia-leaders-press-state-agencies-after-report-links-gamefarm-operations-to-rising-nitrates-in-local-aquifer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078648-17e7b5328f519886409f11bc9cb8f7a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067041&Signature=oPbypcMumQzMey5095Ml~c9bqZnwOo-xp78wsVmE7BPYR1C287RfRz-e8916-B6npHmu4xbFg3c1YeOJznSQbpV4y-RB~9zA3gBYanDD6grPtqFAB~TyiGiul4u~bu67BN3~lDI05R60XAFEiI4v6aBElnSokxlc1rkRpQlYYOWo9p1vXX0~pPKsy7wn0~YRsUT06j89tBxwEQ1ra~ZwvfP28o3kea8jOe17I73KT4kneu5OMA361zJOZ97fFtBZH0CdH~sQjJ3AZZnJwBw7CE-58XUTkG-f39h6CpdvXFZyYPw~h9~~9nFraR3kjy8VAnPl1rVsQ09enPQmlh-UhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials, county public‑health staff and state lawmakers met with residents to review results of recent sampling that city staff said identify a nearby game‑farm operation as a primary contributor to nitrate contamination in the Centralia aquifer.

City Manager Mike Thomas briefed council on the March public meeting, where county health and WDFW representatives presented findings and answered questions. Several council members and local lawmakers attended, and many speakers urged more immediate action by the state agency that operates the game farm.

Councilor Wesley and Councilor Chapman said they left the public meeting frustrated with state agency responses and called for quicker, stronger measures. \"We need more testing,\" Chapman said at the meeting while urging state action; Mayor Kelly Smith Johnson and other members pressed the state for accountability. Representative Ed Orcutt and Senator John Braun were present and discussed legislative options with the city and county, staff said.

Public‑health officials and councilors described residents who are buying bottled water and taking other precautions because of elevated nitrate levels in domestic wells that tap the aquifer. County health staffer Misha Henland was cited by city leaders as an active collaborator; city staff said they will continue to meet with WDFW and the county on mitigation and sampling plans.

Multiple councilors said the science presented at the public meeting showed the game farm was the leading contributor to elevated nitrates in the sampling area. Several council members urged residents to contact their state representatives and the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to press for an expedited plan. City staff told council they would continue working with WDFW but that elected officials have the option to directly contact the WDFW director and state legislators to press for action.

No formal council motion or regulatory action was taken at the meeting. Councilors discussed possible next steps, including continued sampling, engaging hunters and other stakeholders who use the game farm, and exploring county public‑health options such as a public‑health declaration if conditions warrant. City staff identified communication and legislative outreach as the immediate priorities.

What residents said: At least one public speaker noted an immediate public‑safety implication separate from nitrates — restricted bridge load ratings that limit emergency response vehicle access for a small number of homes — and asked for continued interagency work on that problem.","City and county officials, residents and state lawmakers discussed recent water‑quality testing that officials said points to a nearby Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) game‑farm operation as a principal contributor to nitrate contamination in Centralia's aquifer; city officials urged faster state action and discussed next steps.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6078653,"Centralia staff outlines $8 million in street work as city readies Transportation Benefit District renewal",2160,0,2160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1&start=0&end=2160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959307-692253bb1ab118156450a3f6be0d8bf1/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6078653/Centralia/Lewis-County/Washington/Centralia-staff-outlines-8-million-in-street-work-as-city-readies-Transportation-Benefit-District-renewal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078653-aa1fd6db8f3547b7b4deb8694ee8a697/orig.mp4?Expires=1771067041&Signature=FB1CRTlSCflZ0TxhZwydxl-~-yTSl7kqQ~iN8sX~zziAaZ39DO~0sE14SwJet9QAtK5-hcSwtzwbt1jSw76FjNCKoHwstGNxSGuS-LMUt6leYvX9GhE-E6KBkw9h3pgF71cy9c3-KmbhTnFBiAFJcw3DOtpWUAK-qrrlVLJ6-9HecPMt5bUavzDxZC0TQp3-5G3jgCV9osZzNF9p~A7MrCWhkjeBvpdWQJaSZdDvlRTjdhqzS7YI8ABjnMPkCXMe4zyXO5NR3lUKz0HJ6p1Z19rpjVByNYzZc9pumdf5WzJgKDqWRN7p~k58qiQ-B1QCwjR3NKIFfOUcEBIrcxRYlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a nine‑year progress report on Centralia’s Transportation Benefit District (TBD) and asked the council to begin the process to place a 10‑year renewal on the November ballot.

The presentation, led by Andy Oian of city staff with detailed remarks from Patty Page and Brett Brodersen, laid out how the 0.02 percentage point local sales tax collected since April 2016 has been used for maintenance (60 percent) and grant‑matching/leverage (40 percent). \"Without TBD, we don't fund a lot of these projects,\" Oian told the council, summarizing the reasoning behind the TBD when voters first approved it.

City staff said the TBD raised almost $8 million between 2016 and 2024. The money paid for routine maintenance—blade patching, chip sealing, crack sealing—while a dedicated matching fund allowed the city to leverage larger grants for reconstruction and corridor projects. Patty Page showed completed projects and said the TBD match made it possible to attract Transportation Improvement Board, federal and other grant funds that paid much of the cost of projects such as Harrison Avenue resurfacing and South Gold Street reconstruction.

Staff described how the TBD was originally split to reserve 60 percent for ongoing operations and maintenance (chip seals, crack sealing, pothole repairs, sidewalk ADA work) and 40 percent for match/leverage. Brodersen summarized the fiscal performance and said the city used TBD dollars to leverage about $6.8 million in outside grants against roughly $1.3 million in TBD match since implementation — roughly $5.25 in grant money for every TBD dollar used, staff said.

Staff gave counts of work completed since 2016: 14 lane miles of blade patching, 36 lane miles of chip sealing, 11 lane miles of crack sealing and 4 lane miles of wheel path grinding and paving. Oian highlighted a drop in citizen pothole reports and related repairs — from an average of about 6,300 pothole repairs per year (2016–2019) to about 3,100 per year (2020–2024) — which he attributed to the targeted maintenance program.

Staff reviewed a slate of projects planned or underway for 2025, including the Westside Connector (Schubert to Galvin) with sidewalks, street lighting and a multiuse path; Shubert Road (Galvin to Mount Vista); Safe Routes to Schools work at Washington and Oakview elementaries; and First Street repaving. The Westside Connector is a joint city‑county project that staff said will use $1.5 million in ARPA funds plus TBD funds to finish the project. Staff also described operational details such as using Lewis County crews for annual chip seal work and a two‑year process (blade patch then chip seal) to restore failing streets.

On renewal mechanics, staff said a renewal requires a vote of the people. City staff proposed bringing a resolution to council in May to authorize placement of a TBD renewal on the November ballot; the formal deadline to place the measure on that ballot was identified as August 5.

Councilors asked about the tax structure and limits; staff clarified the TBD is a 0.02 percentage‑point sales tax added to the city's sales tax rate (the overall local sales tax rate shown to voters may increase for other reasons such as county 9‑1‑1 levies). Several council members and staff encouraged public outreach if the council authorizes the ballot measure. Oian and Page asked for council support in promoting passage, pointing to visible neighborhood improvements the funds produced.

The workshop concluded with staff offering to hold community briefings and public tours of recent project areas to help residents see how TBD money was spent and what additional projects could be completed with another 10‑year renewal.

What’s next: staff will return with a proposed resolution in May to authorize placing a TBD renewal before voters in November; there was no council vote on the renewal at this meeting.","City staff reviewed nine years of Transportation Benefit District (TBD) spending, projects and the process to place a 10-year renewal before voters in November; staff said TBD funds — a 0.02 percent local sales tax — paid for maintenance and matching funds that leveraged state and federal grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes at a glance: consent agenda, appointments and turf fund pass unanimously

Council approves first reading of ordinance to expand large‑rooftop solar net‑metering rules

Parks director outlines tree removals, arboretum signage and 90‑tree planting tied to Arbor Day grant

Centralia leaders press state agencies after report links game‑farm operations to rising nitrates in local aquifer

Centralia staff outlines $8 million in street work as city readies Transportation Benefit District renewal