Chehalis unveils draft capital improvement plan; city honors staff promotions and certifications

Chehalis city staff presented a draft capital improvement plan (CIP) to the council on March 24 that maps multi‑year capital and maintenance needs across departments and sets priorities for grants and budgeting. Staff also used the meeting to recognize several employees for professional certifications.

Sheena Woods, the city’s capital improvement project manager, walked the council through the CIP structure and priorities. The plan divides projects into departmental spreadsheets (wastewater, water, streets, stormwater, parks and facilities, police, airport and fire) and lists project descriptions, funding sources, fiscal‑year phasing and line‑item estimates. Woods said the document is a “living” planning tool intended to be updated as funding opportunities and project priorities change.

Highlights from the presentation included: - Spending profile: Woods presented a multi‑year spending projection that aggregates proposed projects; staff said the 2025 column contained an earlier typographical error that would be corrected. Much of the heavier spending in the draft CIP occurs in 2027–2028, driven in part by a major Chamber Way bridge replacement and associated engineering costs the staff expects to phase across years. - Prioritization criteria: Projects were ranked by safety implications, asset condition, departmental demand, funding availability, stakeholder input and results of inspections such as biannual bridge inspections. - Funding: The CIP assumes a mix of general fund contributions, grants, bonds for larger projects and special funds (utilities, TBD); staff emphasized the document will be used to target grants and coordinate with finance.

Staff recognitions: The meeting included three personnel recognitions delivered by department managers: wastewater lead operator Adrian Franks was recognized for achieving a Level 4 wastewater operator certification (the highest state license level); Annie Feldman earned the International Code Council permit technician certification after cross‑training from the police department into community development; and Josh (last name not stated) completed the International Code Council certified building official certification. City staff noted the certifications increase in‑house capacity and reduce reliance on external providers.

Next steps: Staff will continue grant searches and adjust the CIP as urgent needs are identified or as funding is secured. Woods said the CIP will accompany the comprehensive plan and be reviewed annually.