[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6176576,"mediaKeyId","5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a","parentId",5345783,"title","Council weighs watershed tour and stronger roadside vegetation enforcement amid wildfire concerns","audioSeconds",1968,"startMs",1442000,"endMs",3410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a&start=1442&end=3410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a/thumbnail_1442000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6176576/Goldendale/Klickitat-County/Washington/Council-weighs-watershed-tour-and-stronger-roadside-vegetation-enforcement-amid-wildfire-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176576-19929db91dfe8f6085e711ab07fc9593/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136338&Signature=dPzLa-alL0w3uNBMjyOo496svXOLEDNMiQ3-J8RSe7WXYikz24cok822SK83wGlaqv0dUyrBShX8ZHlp32fjAg1JAs3tS5NcMPbQO4zgvKwb9DBLvpfdk2ksD4rLX710EXoNyAhdcsfH2N3tdlh4R-vJFs3dN6JO9ELGV7P17wEP2y3FtPZlrq~byTRHVg93ijveD4h1z9HYAUUZjJHxWQLvyJd486bVJid1ySXGmeFppjfOY7A~3DqLn-c9sKywIhfk3C4aDi-s37BaVob65i2fqLtLP230BVf1cO-PAYa9ICwnF6Hs9yT2POLcLZFIJhQ6YhrQPW7u-998izQEbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Goldendale City, WA","date","2025-07-10T04:48:39.723Z","article","Council members discussed arranging an on-site tour of the city's watershed and urged the ordinance and public-works committees to review local codes for vegetation, weed abatement and fire mitigation after multiple councilors raised safety and insurance concerns.

Why it matters: Councilors said the watershed and the pipeline and storage-tank corridor are critical pieces of city infrastructure, and they argued that seeing conditions on-site would improve understanding and help target grant applications for wildfire mitigation and possible hydropower studies. Several councilors and staff noted that unchecked roadside fuels near critical corridors could impede emergency access and have already contributed to residents losing fire insurance.

Tour and hydropower discussion: Councilors described prior conversations with the local public utility district about potential small hydroelectric generation on the pipeline and said better day-to-day flow data would be needed to assess feasibility. Participants suggested including public-works staff, the PUD contact, and emergency-management drone footage to document sites for future grant applications.

Vegetation and ordinance concerns: Multiple council members pressed staff to gather and deliver existing ordinances related to weeds and fire hazards (one councilor noted a current code that defines allowable lawn height as six inches). The council agreed that the ordinance committee should start by reviewing the city's written code and that public works and code enforcement should help identify high-priority corridors (examples cited included Mill Street and a curve near Northwest Second/Washington). Councilors said staff should flag critical transportation corridors where fuels pose immediate emergency-access risks and recommend whether the city should assume maintenance responsibility in specific areas.

Fire-safety context: Fire Chief Noah Hall reported limited July 4th incidents and briefed the council on a recent dumpster fire and on in-service equipment replacement: the fire district received a surplus 2002 M109 Humvee through DNR and planned to convert it to a brush apparatus to replace a 1967 Jeep. Chief Hall and councilors noted wildfire season variability and emphasized timing for any vegetation work; one councilor warned that cutting or clearing must be scheduled during an appropriate season to avoid increased risk.

Next steps and staff direction: Council asked staff to compile the relevant ordinances and provide hyperlinked references to make review efficient. They asked the ordinance committee to vet code language and consider options — including stepped enforcement, targeted city maintenance for critical corridors, or cost-sharing with property owners — and to return recommendations to the full council. The council also supported organizing a watershed tour with appropriate land-access permission and public-works support.

Ending: Councilors emphasized the need to move from conversation to documented options: gather the ordinances, identify priority corridors, and develop a clear enforcement or maintenance plan to reduce wildfire risk and protect emergency access.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","07072025 Council Meeting Video","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors and staff discussed organizing a site tour of the municipal watershed and pressed the ordinance and public-works committees to review existing vegetation and weed ordinances after repeated concerns about roadside fuels, insurance loss and emergency-access risks.","taxTitle","Goldendale, Klickitat County, Washington","taxId",73808,"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},6176581,"Goldendale council forms three-member committee to recommend uses for ARPA funds",149,1767000,1916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a&start=1767&end=1916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a/thumbnail_1767000.jpg","/articles/6176581/Goldendale/Klickitat-County/Washington/Goldendale-council-forms-three-member-committee-to-recommend-uses-for-ARPA-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176581-30ce14e679d7bc49551ac15ce7c04aab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136338&Signature=indPMFdb5pa1DpIS6fR4fYGekiXQtYloTCqNNqn8wMC7KkhidaLq2lKNvcBqLAOigk9X6229sbNdhNpOPLa0Y9HoQAmVqsXgfSeHKzzCyqu398iKShC~DZ2TFKEzlgOpSC0M8seR0iSeVGIxqWgYY5poukuYx3Fjk0UAKayCACujBXs2HLvLF5pph0M5hpkyPGjyiRIh1X5jVEqhS0WrKdaRBMqRKdPR-s8Px1Utejul-AKQiQ1~naYf57srRxpgY4ctXYJwevP10PSooARds5iwttBkAhxg8sr7QkLhEP0VMVtyvDvLm8vWCQ-v583TZsgrmnZcDC1QBPlIG3~m4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Goldendale City Council voted to form a three-member committee to develop recommendations for the city’s remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Council member Lauren moved for formation of a committee of herself plus Council members Steve and Milan (Myland/Milan Wallens was referenced in roll call), and the motion passed on a voice vote.

Why it matters: Councilors said ARPA funds have remained unresolved after staff and leadership turnover, and they want a small working group to review the original intent for the monies and present final proposals to the full council. Committee work could determine whether funds bolster cash reserves, finance community projects, or follow other priorities.

Meeting details: At the meeting Lauren said the committee would review original intentions for the funds and bring recommendations to the council. A budget committee member suggested including budget-committee continuity; other councilors emphasized keeping some funds in reserve while also pursuing community projects.

Procedure and vote: The motion to create the committee passed on a voice vote with council members answering \"Aye.\" The council directed staff to coordinate scheduling with the committee members.

Ending: The committee will meet, review documents and return to the full council with proposed uses for ARPA funds; the city clerk or staff will circulate meeting times to committee members.","The Goldendale City Council voted to form a committee of council members to review and recommend a final allocation for the city's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, tasking the group with returning proposals to the full council.",{"_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},6176586,"Goldendale council approves hiring replacement for retiring police officer",103,1526000,1629000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a&start=1526&end=1629","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a/thumbnail_1526000.jpg","/articles/6176586/Goldendale/Klickitat-County/Washington/Goldendale-council-approves-hiring-replacement-for-retiring-police-officer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176586-e23881c1c99db1243ac90d1bd5678c88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136338&Signature=hQ-GsbeDZ3aNO1XY2nkAAl0AQ0Hqg4txE6-rFGptFRBxDGka4TxRqSQfXqsY~QnH-kMt5gIuMPC1MRYleGCew1cjelIyq4l984Xpju5uQQxjgLCdc06azIhBZIjrHO9PAPNoEE7r245yO~7J0KXgHCiN5M8SUoi6CHinLikWW1Qzyw4S-y~ZfnPPftU67ZLuFZuAUnM~-aYjYe~m5rPtpH4-N-mJu~tf8KyqVPHWi3BWPjLZzcmqlf3TrFLJU8IS-IT2NS4Uv15jBcUL3Q0JBfbhljsvt46y8G~kJOQXfJHGKa04NcpVkE~cRXoHbgr1LyaeoujdM~lC10glDmJxsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Goldendale City Council approved a motion to hire a replacement police officer for Officer Stan Berkshire, who is scheduled to retire at the end of 2025. The council voted in favor of the hiring motion; the meeting record shows the motion was moved and seconded and that council members approved the action by voice vote.

Why it matters: Council members said the position was not included in the 2025 budget and the budget committee recommended making the hire now so a replacement can begin training ahead of Berkshire’s retirement. Council staff said a budget amendment will follow later in the year after police union contract negotiations are concluded.

Details from the meeting: City staff and the budget committee proposed initiating recruitment immediately. The council discussed timing for background checks and offered a conditional job offer to accelerate onboarding; one council member noted a lateral candidate from Oregon was available and could reduce training time. Council members said the cost will be covered in a later budget amendment and that hiring now may be less costly because the hire would not be on the payroll for a full year.

Procedure and vote: A motion to hire the officer was made and seconded during the council business portion of the meeting; the motion passed on a voice vote with all members present answering “Aye.” The meeting record did not show a roll-call tally or recorded dissent.

Ending: Staff will proceed with recruitment and background checks and will return to council with a budget amendment to fund the position later in the year.","The Goldendale City Council voted to authorize hiring a new police officer to replace Officer Stan Berkshire, who is retiring at the end of the year; the hire will require a later budget amendment because the position was not included in the 2025 budget.",{"_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},6176589,"Quicotat Valley Health scales back FEMA-funded microgrid, pivots to carport solar and ground-source heat pump",830,144000,974000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a&start=144&end=974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5345783-521191b37eb86388ec84dfe5cab0db2a/thumbnail_144000.jpg","/articles/6176589/Goldendale/Klickitat-County/Washington/Quicotat-Valley-Health-scales-back-FEMA-funded-microgrid-pivots-to-carport-solar-and-ground-source-heat-pump","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176589-11865863ec1c0059d90b03c09102240d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136338&Signature=frAezc6Sod9ejWqIWYMU40SpUW3r1bz9KCWrDMBf79YHzeJqSzgKlz61TZ~BkBZo1BPZ5PikyZOS2yBES0wU~f7zH4wBIHR4WMdOkZ5s6C7646eO89ISJGYG8g2FRn4iSfh2iSuiXWctjkQLZBgNmXU0sn2lXruQMRIE20RO2528IlVM-37FpI~Yr190O-g~v2p1xIShkQfG6WN93HaI7ek6gOorg0WI-8~hNmqYzKobWZss2X5oDih2aLCQY8doVyZ9IPmSCBX2NCO33QT65Ni0W48Dvlvfdg4702wFIGYKkAP3aRTaVKZOSxXWOtwU0tlsHk2xK-nC1qN97ZUOnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jonathan Lewis, a representative of Quicotat Valley Health, told the Goldendale City Council that a planned FEMA-funded microgrid tying school district buildings and the hospital together will not proceed to construction after a nationwide cut to FEMA building-resilience funding. \"They would pay out the design work that we already had done, but they would not move it forward to the construction test,\" Lewis said.

Quicotat Valley Health said it will pursue a scaled, solar-only effort using a Department of Commerce grant previously planned as a match to FEMA funds. Lewis said FEMA had been set to provide about $9,800,000 and the Commerce grant about $1,540,000 for the original project; with the FEMA funds removed, the group is converting the Commerce award into a standalone solar grant so the hospital can move forward on the solar portion.

Why it matters: The hospital’s capital investments are credited in meeting remarks with improving the institution’s financial position and with preventing longer-term failures in aging heating and cooling systems. Lewis said the broader capital program included roughly $10 million in energy-upgrade projects and that the new systems will reduce operational costs and improve resilience.

Most important details: The hospital will now install approximately 375 kilowatts of solar capacity at parking-lot carport arrays north of the hospital campus rather than the previously proposed 500 kW at the hospital and 500 kW at the school. Lewis said the design keeps the same number of parking spaces and replaces a gravel lot with pavement as part of the grant-funded work. \"It's exactly the same number of parking spots,\" Lewis said when asked about capacity.

Lewis also described a planned ground-source heat-pump system identified in an earlier feasibility study. That system would use roughly 30 boreholes about 350 feet deep and is expected to reduce the hospital’s natural-gas need by an estimated 93 percent; the city presentation noted the hospital expects about $27,000 a year in electrical savings from related projects.

Questions and concerns raised by council members focused on scaling and long-term operations and safety. Council members asked whether the smaller solar campus still made financial sense and whether changing rural-health funding could affect the hospital’s ability to maintain projects. Lewis replied that the hospital’s board and auditors have repeatedly cited the financial benefits of prior capital investments and that 100% grant-funded elements materially improve cash flow through depreciation reimbursements from Medicare.

On safety, council members asked about fire risk. Lewis said the solar work will be \"solar only with no batteries,\" and that battery systems are the larger fire risk; he added that standard wiring and inverter risks exist but are mitigated by circuit breakers and design best practices.

Logistics and next steps: Lewis said final designs for both the carport solar and the ground-source heat-pump systems will be submitted to the city for permitting. He noted the hospital will need an easement across East Allen Street to bring power and hydronic lines across the road and that staff have indicated, based on the medical-center zoning, the projects likely will not require a conditional-use hearing, though that still must be verified.

Council members suggested coordinating street work (East Allen Street paving and trenching) with the hospital construction to capture scale economies and reduce repeated disruptions; Lewis said staff would explore coordination with public works. Lewis also noted construction will be phased so only one lot will be under construction at a time, which will displace roughly 50 cars during those periods.

The presentation was informational; no formal council vote was taken on the solar or heat-pump work during the meeting.

Ending: Lewis said Quicotat Valley Health will finalize designs and file permit applications with the city and will continue coordinating with city staff on easement, permitting and any necessary right-of-way work.

","Quicotat Valley Health updated the Goldendale City Council on a reduced solar project and related energy upgrades after nationwide FEMA funding cuts; the hospital will proceed with a smaller carport-mounted solar array and a planned ground-source heat-pump system while pursuing Department of Commerce grant funds to cover the solar portion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council weighs watershed tour and stronger roadside vegetation enforcement amid wildfire concerns

Goldendale council forms three-member committee to recommend uses for ARPA funds

Goldendale council approves hiring replacement for retiring police officer

Quicotat Valley Health scales back FEMA-funded microgrid, pivots to carport solar and ground-source heat pump