Astoria council elects president, approves dredge‑disposal map change, contracts and waterline budget moves

The Astoria City Council on Jan. 6 elected Councilor Adams as council president and approved a package of land‑use updates, a public‑works contract and budget amendments that move funds into capital outlay for the Sixteenth Street waterline replacement project.

Council leadership and procedural votes Councilor Adams was nominated by Councilor Davis and seconded by Councilor Andrea Mazzarella; the voice vote carried and the council made Adams council president for the term. Councilors approved the consent calendar by motion of Councilor Davis, second by Councilor Vance Lump, by roll call votes recorded as “aye.”

Land‑use amendment and ordinance first readings The council approved amendment request A24‑05 to amend the comprehensive plan and development code to allow an exception to Statewide Planning Goal 16 and adopt an expanded flow-lane dredge disposal map for the Columbia River within the city’s urban growth boundary. City Planner Amanda Perrin presented the staff report and explained the change aligns the city’s local definition with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Thalweg definition and Clatsop County’s recently approved plan revision.

After the Astoria Planning Commission recommended adoption, the council voted to adopt the planning commission’s findings and to hold first readings of three ordinances: (1) amending the Astoria Comprehensive Plan pertaining to flow‑lane…