Goldendale wins RCO grant to map sidewalks; one hearing-examiner application received

City Administrator Sandy Wells reported that the city received a Washington Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant to map existing sidewalks; staff said the grant requires no local matching funds. The mapping will use an app to record sidewalk location, dimensions, elevation changes and photographs, and the city will retain access to the recorded database for future grant applications that require sidewalk condition data.

Wells said the sidewalk mapping product is intended to streamline future grant applications (for example, street or sidewalk grants) by providing engineers and grant reviewers ready access to measurements and photographs; public works staff will help upload the information and the grant team estimated the mapping takes a few weeks to complete.

On personnel matters, Wells told council the city received one application for a hearing examiner position the city had advertised. She said the packet showed resumes for two attorneys associated with the applicant firm and that the candidates had experience serving as hearing examiners for other municipalities. Wells reported typical hearing-examiner rates she has observed range from about $200 to $400 per hour and summarized the applicant’s proposed rate as $275 per hour as listed in the application materials.

Ending: The hearing-examiner application will be returned to council for consideration at a future meeting with the application packet and a recommendation; staff will continue work on the sidewalk mapping project and advise when the dataset is available to departments and the public.