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Council rescinds Ordinance 15-43 and adopts updated floodplain ordinance 15-44
Summary
The Goldendale City Council rescinded its November ordinance 15-43 and adopted ordinance 15-44, updating Goldendale Municipal Code chapter 15.48 (Flood Damage Prevention) to align with FEMA floodplain map updates; language edits were made at the city attorney's request.
The Goldendale City Council voted to rescind ordinance 15-43 and adopt ordinance 15-44, updating Goldendale Municipal Code chapter 15.48, Flood Damage Prevention, to reflect changes required by FEMA's updated floodplain maps.
Councilmember Lauren (presenting) said FEMA reviewed chapter 15.48 as part of updated maps for Klickitat County and requested language changes; the council replaced ordinance 15-43 with 15-44 without changing substantive content. “The contents of the ordinance didn't change, just the ordinance language,” Lauren said.
The change began when the council’s attorney, Quinn Platt, flagged wording that needed correction. A motion to rescind the earlier November action and replace it with ordinance 15-44 was moved and seconded; after brief discussion the council voted to rescind the prior adoption and then to adopt ordinance 15-44. A council member asked for a marked-up redline in future cases so members can more quickly see specific edits.
Councilmember Steve Johnston criticized the broader regulatory trend, calling the package an example of “government overreach, over regulation, and bureaucratic BS,” and raised concerns about insurance-driven requirements; the transcript records that exchange but the ordinance change proceeded.
Councilmembers also clarified an administrative detail: Goldendale does not have a separate city planner on staff. The building official will administer and implement the chapter, and staff noted they have worked with Dustin Conroy at Pioneer as a point of contact on this matter.
Why it matters: The ordinance update implements language changes required for consistency with FEMA’s floodplain map updates for the county, a prerequisite for the city to keep its floodplain regulations current with federal review. The city’s attorney reviewed and required wording changes before final adoption.
The ordinance adoption was procedural: councilmembers said the substantive requirements remain the same, and the changes were intended to ensure the city’s code aligns with the FEMA review.
No implementation timetable or effective date was specified in the council discussion recorded in the transcript.
