[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6078504,"mediaKeyId","2959309-fd9d0e72f98fe87698bca3ec4ccb741a","parentId",2959309,"title","Centralia council authorizes manager to negotiate phased annexations covering multiple UGA neighborhoods","audioSeconds",4000,"startMs",6105000,"endMs",10105000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959309-fd9d0e72f98fe87698bca3ec4ccb741a&start=6105&end=10105","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959309-fd9d0e72f98fe87698bca3ec4ccb741a/thumbnail_6105000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6078504/Centralia/Lewis-County/Washington/Centralia-council-authorizes-manager-to-negotiate-phased-annexations-covering-multiple-UGA-neighborhoods","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078504-8b0d26caddf6ac328f7c25ce71881801/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983882&Signature=GjfHlL27wwEkJ6BNVqaazjd-tg3LPK49sNSXL3iv9lmgs1VwcZt-r~hwdeAMm93b2nin5VCqAbnEovt0XYSTyW~zmRPHTTNWn2~drNi9g1tSklmf3EyoZAH824vrxk1GQhNpCcB7FUMAYN~HVVVmPzzuDokQsFKCRBWZ~bR3hNs4Ku~QcOTS57NH5LQI53l-D3iep9jtgR-U98ESYiaoy3jbNgWxg6KEybAM01V6C-YH5Ne49ENrBnKepEdh3d7l7nECJjnffNoQZvkctY5ITxS1brTjHeMBplwJxngSTH8bvHWLbg7zs4LgerheB96ikTKtL2UeFVtxtrX2z7MNwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Centralia City, WA","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Centralia City Council on Tuesday authorized the city manager to begin negotiations with Lewis County to pursue phased annexations of multiple neighborhoods inside the city’s urban growth area.

Councilors voted, by separate motions, to include a series of subareas in an initial negotiation package and then gave a single authorization for staff to open talks with the county. Councilors approved the package and the final authorization 7–0.

What the council approved: During a lengthy review of a staff-prepared table, councilors approved the manager’s recommendation to initiate negotiations on multiple subareas including (summary):
- Fords Prairie (Russell Road / Salishan area) — included in the motion for phase‑1 consideration.
- Nick Road area.
- South Street subareas.
- South Sumner area.
- North Skookumchuck / Roanoke corridor (trail-connected parcels).
- North Davis Hill subarea A.
- An option to include additional Fords Prairie parcels was also adopted as staff suggested.

A later, separate motion reconsidered and added a primarily industrial/port‑area parcel along North Harrison (described in staff materials as Area 11 option b). After discussion the council voted to include that specific North Harrison parcel in the negotiation package. The council then passed a motion authorizing the city manager to enter interlocal negotiations on all approved areas; the final authorization passed 7–0.

Why it matters: Annexation brings areas of the urban growth area into city jurisdiction and can change utility responsibilities, development review and property-tax receipts. City staff said annexations are meant both to implement the Growth Management Act’s expectation that urban services support urban development and to protect the city’s critical aquifer by improving sewer connections for areas that remain on septic.

Key discussion points and constraints raised by council and staff:
- Sewer connection rules and timing: City code requires property owners to connect to sewer within 60 days after administrative notification when the sewer is within 200 feet; county rules cited in staff discussion appeared to allow a longer timeline. Councilors worried that a short timeline could impose significant immediate costs on homeowners and asked staff to examine options such as payment plans, local improvement districts or extended timelines to ease the transition.
- Enforcement and equity: Staff and council noted that Lewis County codes already include requirements in aquifer protection areas, but enforcement has been limited; councilors asked staff to explore funding or program options to support low-income property owners who may face high hookup costs.
- Service levels and roads: Councilors noted annexation can create new responsibilities for police, fire and road maintenance; staff said some parcels are already on city utilities and would see utility bill reductions, while other properties (especially in later phases) may remain on septic until sewer extension occurs.
- Timeline: Staff estimated the phase‑1 negotiation and approval process could conclude by October if the interlocal and public‑hearing sequence proceeds without delay, but added that sewer construction and property‑level hook ups would be subject to project timing and funding.

Public input included a virtual comment from a county commissioner who asked how many properties in phase‑1 already have sewer and whether the high school area would be included (staff answered that most properties in certain subareas already are connected; the high school area would likely be in a later phase because of geography and floodplain constraints).

Next steps: Staff will open interlocal negotiations with Lewis County and, if talks proceed, schedule joint public hearings with county commissioners before any annexations are finalized. Council asked staff to return with implementation options that address connection timelines, potential financial assistance and code adjustments to reduce disproportionate burdens on low-income residents.

Actions recorded (motions and votes): Council took a sequence of votes authorizing staff to pursue annexation negotiations for specific subareas and approved the city manager’s authority to negotiate the final package with Lewis County; each motion recorded during the meeting carried with council voice votes and the final authorization passed 7–0.

Who spoke for staff and council on this item: Emil (City staff) presented the staff analysis and recommendations; Veil and John (city staff) displayed maps and tables; Public Works and finance staff answered technical questions on hook-up costs and connections; Mayor Smith Johnston and all seven councilors participated in deliberations and votes.

Why the item was contentious in discussion: Councilors repeatedly returned to two practical tradeoffs: protecting the aquifer and public health by encouraging sewer connections, and limiting near-term financial impacts on homeowners in annexed areas. The council directed staff to bring back clarifications on notification timelines, available payment mechanisms or grant options and to consider whether the city’s 60‑day connection rule should be revisited to allow staged implementation or consistency with county practices.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting\t03/12/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Centralia City Council on Tuesday authorized the city manager to open interlocal negotiations with Lewis County for phased annexations covering multiple urban growth area neighborhoods.","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},6078510,"Centralia holds joint workshop on climate resiliency element; consultants outline flood, heat and drought risks",2904,38000,2942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959309-fd9d0e72f98fe87698bca3ec4ccb741a&start=38&end=2942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959309-fd9d0e72f98fe87698bca3ec4ccb741a/thumbnail_38000.jpg","/articles/6078510/Centralia/Lewis-County/Washington/Centralia-holds-joint-workshop-on-climate-resiliency-element-consultants-outline-flood-heat-and-drought-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078510-449d34c2b95a5a6a5f5529df93d5c96e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983882&Signature=b~968neVdwnwsx-Suqslatx3JYlUba1A3WJclQKljLfPy1naAsLETlkUDZA~Dyc4rxWPk-sgFyXCzEWLKLyKuXGgf-gQKkrD2X7zI~T4dAqiTCo3hpHwnisjzjqy5VN8UgF2DKVAySlIMcYNZws12EMzcmN52q0GgTZSqSvci9FcsAztn1HwVFs5ksoqEG6hmAjjRAs4S-wy5yqvB7xbJrzEb4jQyK3u9k7b~5eHlh6A5LC50yU~8W~n8k2UodpyOFD8PLx8c4q30edCz7PCPV1bwPDGe5POjqMO0ET7zMQxsdi3~c8sFjsvkeay6k0BEBhIXjIqGh~vFIsYN8uRFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Centralia city staff and planning commissioners held a joint workshop Tuesday where consultants presented a draft climate resiliency element to be incorporated into the city’s comprehensive plan.

The presentation, funded by a state grant under the Climate Commitment Act, described a risk-based planning process consultants said follows Washington Commerce guidance and national standards. “Tonight, we’re going to be talking a little bit about our climate resilient element,” Emil said in opening remarks, turning the program over to consultants.

Consultant Christina Wollman of Pertit said the plan focuses on climate-exacerbated hazards through mid-century. “I am Christina Wollman with Pertit, and I am a planner, a floodplain manager,” she told the council and planning commissioners, outlining work the firm has done on hazard mitigation and flood modeling in the region. Mandy Maxwell of EK Consulting summarized projected impacts for Lewis County and Centralia, saying the analysis uses the University of Washington downscaled climate dataset and other federal sources.

The consultants told the joint body that mid-century projections include a decrease in summer precipitation and streamflow, more extreme heat (an average summer rise of roughly 3–3.5°F and an estimated 20 additional 90°F-plus days), an 11% rise in average storm precipitation per storm, and a projected doubling of the frequency of major floods. The presenters said Chehalis River–specific studies show larger peak-flow increases: “about a 15% increase in your peak stream flow by 2049 and then a 40% increase by 2080,” Wollman said, referencing basin modeling by the Office of the Chehalis Basin and the flood authority.

Consultants emphasized risks do not act alone: they flagged compound hazards such as heat exacerbating drought and drought increasing wildfire risk, and noted that wildfire smoke — while the city itself has a relatively low wildfire ignition risk — will likely increase as fires in the region grow. They also recommended increased tree canopy, low-impact stormwater practices, and considering a 2080 flood‑plain when siting capital facilities.

Council members and the public asked about update schedules, data sources and outreach. A council member asked how often climate data will be refreshed; staff said the climate element is part of the comprehensive plan and the comp plan is updated on a 10‑year cycle, but the plan can be refreshed more frequently as new data arrives. The consultants said the dataset used can be extended to mid‑ and end‑century horizons and they had also consulted FEMA and commercial packages such as FirstStreet.org to cross-check results. On equity and communication concerns, several members urged multilingual outreach; staff said goals and policies could be translated if the council chose to prioritize funding for broader translations.

The consultants said next steps include publishing an accessible climate resilience plan document and inserting climate-informed edits into other comprehensive-plan elements; they also noted the same consultants prepared Lewis County’s multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. Staff said the draft climate material will be included in the consolidated comprehensive plan update and will be followed by public outreach and formal adoption steps.

Why it matters: The council must adopt a climate element as required under state law; the policies being recommended would inform future land-use decisions, capital investments and utility planning. Consultants and staff repeatedly framed the work as preventive planning — identifying where development should be prioritized and where avoided, and proposing specific policies to protect natural resources and vulnerable neighborhoods.

The workshop ended with staff committing to publish the presentation materials online and continue public engagement. Consultants and staff urged broader community promotion so residents understand hazard projections and the policy choices the city will make when updating zoning, utilities and public facilities to reflect climate risks.","Consultants hired under a state grant presented a climate resiliency element for Centralia's comprehensive plan, identifying increased flooding, more extreme heat, and longer droughts as primary risks and recommending policies to guide land use, utilities, and capital facilities.",{"_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},6078500,"Votes at a glance: Centralia council (March 11, 2025) — appointments, donations, vehicle purchases, turf fund and annexation authorizations",2827,3016000,5843000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2959309-fd9d0e72f98fe87698bca3ec4ccb741a&start=3016&end=5843","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2959309-fd9d0e72f98fe87698bca3ec4ccb741a/thumbnail_3016000.jpg","/articles/6078500/Centralia/Lewis-County/Washington/Votes-at-a-glance-Centralia-council-March-11-2025-appointments-donations-vehicle-purchases-turf-fund-and-annexation-authorizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6078500-8ea7e0f80219bda4f7d25fc7578d7e6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770983882&Signature=NgrZFqURNaS8E5xLiqCuq6HK8MLU31h1S77xeYmmIfvKjlQu1cFhdgL8dpHcfU4SBc8qsE6CwjRFomqr1-hPIE6x6Bqjyl9iGA9AkwOcuv08ee~6c9ADJ4fJCpZryt2pdr-vW~BttO3~uaaIEji6q5bFd-8RLh8ln7JHFI91sX~wE0rmdTb0Bk4Gxnp5LZ5MpiLMwRShWFHipsRUAA5qNZPSUb5P1sNgXfhRaU-zC6gUjbqbQgOn1UwYdpO-IOh8BL-j-g-0kp9zTzrkW-qu1CQMu7RKRFGts87jvJIJ4GCoZw20QrMTbFG0sPjZwpJFc40EYITRrplHlsaAX2AFeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Centralia City Council took a series of formal votes during its March 11 meeting. Below is a concise summary of the actions recorded on the public record.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of the meeting agenda: Passed (voice vote recorded as “passes 7–0”).

- Consent agenda (including routine minutes and claims): Passed (7–0).

- Appointment: Muriel Wheatley to the Historic Preservation Commission — Approved (voice vote recorded as “passes 7–0”).

- Donation acceptance: Winterwood Estates stormwater detention pond and booster station donation with a one-time maintenance donation of $30,000 to be held in a restricted fund for that pond — Motion to accept passed (7–0). Staff noted the donation will be reserved in a dedicated fund for maintenance and a single major sediment removal is anticipated every 7–10 years.

- Resolution 28-18 (special market conditions; purchase of two used patrol vehicles): Council approved waiving standard bidding rules for the purchase and accepted the quoted purchase of two 2017 police vehicles made available by another agency; formal vote recorded during meeting (motion approved; council voice vote in support).

- Annexation authorizations (Resolution 28-19 item consideration and related motions): Council authorized the city manager to begin negotiations with Lewis County on a package of urban growth area subareas and approved inclusion of an industrial/port parcel on North Harrison by reconsideration. The final authorization to negotiate passed 7–0. (See the separate, detailed article on annexation for parcel-by-parcel discussion and staff follow-up tasks.)

- Ordinance 2562 (creation of a turf field maintenance and replacement fund): Council approved the ordinance on first reading to create a dedicated fund for turf maintenance and replacement; motion passed (voice vote recorded in meeting; council support noted).

How the city will follow up

Staff described implementation steps for each approved item: the stormwater donation will establish a restricted maintenance account; the police vehicles will be prepared for deployment after detailing and radio installation; the turf fund will receive a portion of field rental fees; and annexation actions will trigger interlocal negotiations with Lewis County and future public hearings. For annexation, staff committed to return with options addressing sewer connection timelines, potential financial assistance and estimates of affected property counts and revenues.

Notes on voting and documentation: Most council motions were taken by voice vote. Where the meeting record includes numeric tallies the minutes note 7–0; where a numeric tally was not given in the transcript staff minutes should be consulted for the official roll call.","A roll-up of formal council actions from the March 11 meeting: council approved agenda and consent items; confirmed an appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission; accepted a stormwater-pond donation; authorized purchase of used patrol vehicles; created a turf replacement fund; and authorized staff to negotiate annexations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Centralia council authorizes manager to negotiate phased annexations covering multiple UGA neighborhoods

Centralia holds joint workshop on climate resiliency element; consultants outline flood, heat and drought risks

Votes at a glance: Centralia council (March 11, 2025) — appointments, donations, vehicle purchases, turf fund and annexation authorizations