[{"_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",6184055,"mediaKeyId","5093122-10fe054d4a5db93d9bfd39be96179c96","parentId",5093122,"title","Council tables decision on using North Shore reserve funds for acquired parcels pending more analysis","audioSeconds",694,"startMs",3896000,"endMs",4590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093122-10fe054d4a5db93d9bfd39be96179c96&start=3896&end=4590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093122-10fe054d4a5db93d9bfd39be96179c96/thumbnail_3896000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6184055/Aberdeen/Grays-Harbor-County/Washington/Council-tables-decision-on-using-North-Shore-reserve-funds-for-acquired-parcels-pending-more-analysis","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184055-a22dc62b4690b5f188b47fe275d2a32b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175128&Signature=YRTWkPqITLCvfEFfPyj11LUm0ckoXY-~C6q2uXWDUMlNgNsET~QMDHMmUhDcDQ67iJ1UNlxd8t4tXQdASf~JZK~zucQTzpQZTchbivypodIkOnPGE~s1H46JxPjTIkYEdsZiejfnqDZIWIh4c85XGpUPQapnDmzYqkyMc6dgK83FGXnxg-d6RKmfF1Fwygs0zXKcQPlCc6JaEZHTDaF9iOVtu9a2zdnpysHFuT4xSY5oO6lJ-ld7u40ZvJW2CHVFEf~wwi8W171JZCP0TeKrFVqS31hj95l9M32SL6dVr0zk0UXx946YSQ4IMEhqfb86mnTQENsCRZhgoOyXPU-6zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aberdeen, WA","date","2025-06-26T15:21:53Z","article","The Aberdeen City Council on June 25, 2025 tabled a motion to authorize the release of up to $1,000,000 from previously dedicated North Shore reserve funds to reimburse the city for past purchases of parcels intended for future project use. Council members said they want more time to review budget implications and to confirm whether using general-fund dollars to rent or hold acquired homes is financially sustainable.

City staff explained the request is largely bookkeeping: two properties have already been acquired, and the question before the council was whether to classify those acquisitions as grant-match expenditures (which carry restrictions on use) or as general-fund expenditures (which could allow rental or later sale). Staff warned that if the city treats these purchases as general-fund expenditures and rents the properties, ongoing maintenance and management costs could extend over multiple years and add pressure to the general fund.

Why it matters: The decision affects whether the city may rent the acquired homes while awaiting construction or must keep them off the rental market because of prior grant-match restrictions. Several council members raised concerns about ongoing maintenance costs, insurance, repairs and how rental revenue would cover those expenses.

Discussion and timeline

Councilmembers discussed alternatives, noted there are state-funded acquisition limitations and asked staff for additional financial modeling. One councilmember identified a preference to delay a final decision until later in the year to see whether federal funding options materialize for the broader project.

A motion to table the item until the last meeting in July carried after a motion and second; no final authorization to release funds was made that night.

Clarifying details

Staff said two properties have already been acquired and that $7,000,000 had been set aside previously for the larger project; staff did not provide a complete budget showing ongoing rental management costs and said that a definitive decision could be delayed until October for reimbursement paperwork and budget planning.

Next steps

Council instructed staff to return with additional analysis before a final decision. The item will return to the council agenda at the end of July for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Aberdeen City Council Meeting 06-25-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Aberdeen City Council on June 25, 2025 tabled a request to authorize release of up to $1,000,000 from previously dedicated North Shore reserve funds to reimburse prior purchases of parcels, citing budget questions and a request for more information; council will revisit the matter at the end of July.","taxTitle","Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, Washington","taxId",71677,"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},6184060,"Aberdeen council approves new Wishkah River Bridge sign 5-4 after months of Arts Commission work and public backlash",3521,1969000,5490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093122-10fe054d4a5db93d9bfd39be96179c96&start=1969&end=5490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093122-10fe054d4a5db93d9bfd39be96179c96/thumbnail_1969000.jpg","/articles/6184060/Aberdeen/Grays-Harbor-County/Washington/Aberdeen-council-approves-new-Wishkah-River-Bridge-sign-5-4-after-months-of-Arts-Commission-work-and-public-backlash","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184060-5163820d5ce70d2b4efb81a04c4db69f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175128&Signature=lbcwaFIijvluousooX4oLHPHyswi4mesewDF5pYvIEzUWtkUjGUZ8mBEAO-XXlmCKeE7yB3DbIQKaBAIwkFa8euO6kUagQBcyeeYHs8rpJan1skb9Hy29KeQc8wjBfFgz8eYFa0Wxa~c~PjRcDqr0-Ke-mRNjU~HvnUgoBjYYFR5VEXPQ4QLwTDUMvVdQl3rC5tEqo4kpTqOZCG0dyEB4L5qzpR-geDNz8sBx84e-wY0eGWXqZm7Qbv7Aik8mLw75KwkwCHlFImN4dkf9ULCuj-GwTHovfQjJi8fHU42qA2S6sp0hzWpc~e9G9fmrrQuSV3j1pMV1WxDd7BbGSKTRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Aberdeen City Council voted 5-4 on June 25, 2025 to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with artist Tim Girvin for a new \"Welcome to Aberdeen\" sign to be placed on the Wishkah River Bridge, closing a contentious item that drew public comment, debate over process and calls to reopen the procurement.

The council motion authorized the mayor to execute the contract for the two concept designs recommended by the Aberdeen Arts Commission. The motion passed 5-4 after multiple residents urged the council to delay selection and reopen the request-for-proposals process.

Why it matters: Council members and city staff said the project is funded through a lodging-tax grant and not the city general fund, but council members who opposed the artist said the selected designs do not reflect community preferences and that public engagement around the submission process was insufficient.

Arts Commission process and defense

Lee Bacon, chair of the Aberdeen Arts Commission, outlined the commission's process and defended its recommendation. \"This wasn't like we looked at pretty pictures and said, we like this one, we don't like that one. It was a very methodical and diligent process,\" Bacon told the council, describing an open RFP, a lodging-tax grant to fund the design and installation, and multiple rounds of review with the artist.

City staff described selection criteria that weighted cultural sensitivity, historical legacy, visual wayfinding and the ability to communicate without text. Stacy (city staff) said the commission shortlisted submissions to three, worked with the chosen artist on icon and font tweaks and narrowed the selection to a final design. \"We modified the icons and the font,\" Stacy said, describing the steps used to adapt the artist's package to the city's criteria.

Public comments and council debate

Multiple public commenters told the council they disliked the recommended designs and asked that the RFP be reopened or that the city hold a broader community vote. Marcus Nathaniel, who identified himself as local, said, \"It seems as though what the community has to say doesn't matter,\" and urged the council to give residents a stronger voice.

Council members debated options including accepting the recommendation, reopening the RFP (a process staff estimated would take two to three months), putting all submissions on public display or rejecting all submissions. Council members who favored reopening the process cited a last-minute online survey that drew hundreds of responses and said the commission should solicit broader public input; council members who supported the commission said the RFP and grant process had been publicly advertised and that the commission had worked for many months on the selection.

Funding, timeline and next steps

City staff said the lodging-tax grant awarded to the project requires that grant funds be spent by Dec. 31, 2025, unless the council authorizes an extension or reapplies. Staff told the council that reopening the RFP would likely delay selection into September and would require additional time for installation quotes and scheduling.

Council vote

The council voted by individual roll call. Recorded votes on the motion to authorize the mayor to execute the contract with Tim Girvin were: Ellis \u0011 yes, Nancy \u0011 yes, Jacob \u0011 no, Albert \u0011 no, Lawrence \u0011 no, Morrison \u0011 no, Cheney \u0011 yes, Fredo \u0011 yes. The motion passed 5 to 4.

What was not decided

Council members discussed temporarily removing or taking down the existing sign to avoid a traffic distraction while the process is revisited; staff said removal would require coordination but did not record any final action. Several council members also asked the Arts Commission to increase public engagement and to present all original submissions publicly if the commission reopens the RFP.

The council's decision closes the Arts Commission's recommendation for the time being; council members who opposed the approval said they would press for expanded community engagement if the city moves forward with installation.","The Aberdeen City Council voted 5-4 on June 25, 2025 to authorize the mayor to execute a contract with artist Tim Girvin for a new \"Welcome to Aberdeen\" sign on the Wishkah River Bridge, rejecting calls to reopen the RFP despite extensive public comment and a city survey showing divided opinion.",{"_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},6184066,"Port of Grays Harbor outlines multiyear expansion, cites $175 million private investment and major rail work",996,738000,1734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093122-10fe054d4a5db93d9bfd39be96179c96&start=738&end=1734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093122-10fe054d4a5db93d9bfd39be96179c96/thumbnail_738000.jpg","/articles/6184066/Aberdeen/Grays-Harbor-County/Washington/Port-of-Grays-Harbor-outlines-multiyear-expansion-cites-175-million-private-investment-and-major-rail-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6184066-af9de0c5c16f20883c6db0b90620b228/orig.mp4?Expires=1771175128&Signature=JRJi7D3i9PjIPpv1CvqCMz6Q-u5bv4xgu4J-hDqsKT7waweTkzWS7hXLlqfiRRV22xgOvZMT5CxVOD8kSo4qBDd35fA4iesxn46qYCUqYc2XBYsm52~nhPrzOpRAxRw8E-xmtqYBO7-1Ymzw8Ku1xEHMN4seTTd4fJKK0Rq9lIz-6HVw1bhWFOB0JruEpb9jm6nrZOTzS4PXUsBW0xK3LDCvYaQ9iViiFTSDs-HNfS-nb6CsTMrS0BN887~m2pgApbqX~lRNWKNDcdqnxNGrBPhQJ2mZJmkBfmrxr~MktkQNSQkNzypTqKM54i75HKPLbmi10jAsC4jfqth058aTZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Port of Grays Harbor officials told the Aberdeen City Council on June 25, 2025, that a multiyear expansion centered on a new crush facility and Terminal 4 upgrades will involve a large private investment and significant port-funded rail and dock work.

Kayla Dunlap, director of government and public affairs at the Port of Grays Harbor, said the private partner AGP plans about $175,000,000 in investment and the port will invest roughly $60,000,000 in related infrastructure, including new rail and dock upgrades. \"AGP's piece ... is about $175,000,000 investment,\" Dunlap said during a presentation to the council.

The expansion centers on Terminal 4 (T4), where port staff plan to resurface the dock, add a new fender system and install stormwater collection and treatment systems that the port said the terminal previously lacked. Dunlap said the port is also filling a nearby laydown area that is about 70% complete and expected to be finished by July; that area will support operations at T4 when the new trackage is in place.

Why it matters: port officials said the work will double export capacity when fully operational and create longshore, rail and waterside jobs tied to increased commodity handling. Officials also described the project as multimodal, emphasizing truck, rail and vessel connections, and said the port's three terminals and pilot services account for more than 80% of operating revenues.

Key details presented

- Investment: Dunlap described the project as a partnership: AGP roughly $175,000,000; the port roughly $60,000,000 in infrastructure spending, chiefly rail improvements. \"The majority of it is rail,\" Dunlap said, and the port described adding roughly 47,000 meters of rail, which the presentation said equals about nine miles.

- Terminal upgrades: T4 work includes dock resurfacing, a modern fender system and new stormwater treatment. Port staff said Terminal 4B will include modern unloading gear and two simultaneous discharge spouts.

- Marina and other assets: Dunlap also reviewed port-owned assets including an airport runway, industrial properties with about 120 tenants, Westport marina and park assets such as Ferns Landing and Sterling Landing. The port described the marina infrastructure as 40–60 years old and in need of phased modernization.

- Cargo mix and jobs: The port highlighted recent diversification—liquid bulk, soy meal and oil, methanol and wood chips—and said new facilities will serve renewable-fuels feedstock markets. Dunlap said a proposed pulp facility (described in the presentation as a $230,000,000 project) that would bring about 55–60 jobs is currently held up in litigation.

Questions from council and staff responses

Council members asked whether the rail work and other infrastructure would keep pace with the terminal projects and whether Terminal 3 site hazards must be remediated before permits issue. Dunlap told the council she could only speak to port property rail work and said the port expects key trackage to be in place by the end of the year; she also said the port expects the full facility that would use the trackage to be ready in roughly the second quarter of 2026.

On Terminal 3, Dunlap said, \"They wouldn't be getting permits if that wasn't being addressed,\" indicating remediation would be part of the permitting process.

Port staffing and operations

Dunlap said the port directly employs three full-time pilots and is training a fourth to replace a pilot who must retire next November under licensing rules. The port said training and pilot licensing are part of preparing for increased vessel traffic when the expansion is operational.

Funding and next steps

Dunlap said the port is pursuing federal funding, including an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant for an initial phase, and will pursue other federal sources during the year. She described the overall expansion as a decade-long effort that will proceed in phases and that the port and private partners are already working on site preparation and contract work.

Public and council reaction

Council members and the public asked about construction timelines, contractor hiring and local hiring. Port staff noted several local contractors are working on the project and estimated heavy local employment on the rail and fill work. Dunlap and other port staff emphasized that environmental review, grant approvals and pending litigation on some private projects were dependencies that could affect schedules.

The port presentation concluded with a commitment to continue permitting, environmental work and grant applications while advancing on-site infrastructure work that staff said is already under way.

","Port officials presented details of a multiyear modernization and terminal expansion that the port says will combine roughly $175 million in private investment with about $60 million in port infrastructure upgrades, add new rail and increase handling capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council tables decision on using North Shore reserve funds for acquired parcels pending more analysis

Aberdeen council approves new Wishkah River Bridge sign 5-4 after months of Arts Commission work and public backlash

Port of Grays Harbor outlines multiyear expansion, cites $175 million private investment and major rail work