College Place expands utility-discount eligibility and details water, park and downtown projects

College Place City Administrator Mike Riztello delivered a late-January 2025 project update that described recent City Council actions and a slate of infrastructure, park and downtown redevelopment projects planned for 2025–26.

Riztello said the council, at its Jan. 14 meeting, adopted changes to the city’s utility code that expand utility-discount eligibility from households at 125% of the federal poverty level to 150% and extend eligibility to people with disabilities. He also said the council adopted a 2025–2035 strategic plan at its last meeting and that staff are moving forward on multiple grant-funded studies and construction contracts.

The utility-discount change takes effect for customers who complete screening through Blue Mountain Action Council, Riztello said. "They do all the screening. They also do the screening for a lot of our utility partners such as Pacific Power [and] Cascade Natural Gas," he said, calling the agency "a one-stop shop for everyone." Residents seeking the discount can contact Blue Mountain Action Council online or by phone; Riztello noted the group’s office is on Second Avenue near the Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Riztello described several near-term and ongoing capital projects. The city accepted a grant from the Washington State Department of Health to fund a consolidation feasibility study for small, private or homeowner-association water systems, including older phases of the Villages Creek Homeowners Association where multiple homes sit behind a single meter. Riztello said those older sections were built about 30 years ago and now face maintenance challenges; a third-party engineering firm will work with the city and affected agencies to evaluate options and costs.

On parks, the city awarded a contract to Design West Architects to design a replacement Lions Park Community Center in partnership with the YMCA and the rural library district. Riztello said the plan calls for demolishing the existing building and constructing a two-story facility within the current footprint that will include a community room, a commercial kitchen and library space. He said the Nelson Group is managing construction with a goal of completing work by early May so new grass is established in time for the 2025 farmers market season.

Traffic- and pedestrian-safety improvements described in the update include sidewalk work on Southeast Eighth Street between College and Larch and a rapid-flashing beacon at Larch and Eighth. Riztello said two other rapid-flashing beacon installations — at the post office crosswalk and at Rose and Lambert — are expected soon, pending signage delivery and final installation. He also said a Transportation Improvement Board grant will pay for pedestrian street lamps on Northeast Rose Street between Ash and Cary Court; conduit and some electrical work are already in place.

The city reported progress on utility works: the wastewater treatment plant is being upgraded with funding from the Washington State Department of Ecology and a federal earmark; contractor Apollo is finishing work on wastewater lift station No. 5, including constructing a permanent lift station building on Southwest First and planning a final asphalt lift and sidewalk once local asphalt plants reopen.

Downtown redevelopment and parking were also discussed. Using tax-increment financing dollars, the city is finalizing property acquisitions to build a public park and shared parking lots near College Avenue. Riztello said the shared lots are intended to reduce redevelopment barriers posed by narrow parcels that make individual off-street parking difficult, and to facilitate private investment and building renovations along the corridor.

Economic development work includes a federally funded Economic Development Administration planning grant to prepare a comprehensive economic-development strategy and a State Community Economic Revitalization Board planning grant for infrastructure analysis in the annexed Martin Earefield area (Riztello referenced owners Tarragon and Martin Earefield LLC). On-call engineer JUB will carry out the state-funded infrastructure study.

Riztello also reminded residents of administrative items: dog licenses are available at the police department; the Park and Recreation Board is finishing a parks-and-recreation plan needed to remain eligible for Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office grants; and upcoming public meetings include Planning Commission and City Council dates in late January and February.

The administrator directed staff to continue working with partner agencies (Blue Mountain Action Council, the county, neighboring cities and multiple grant programs) and outside consultants to complete studies and move design and construction forward. He said additional information and the city’s fiscal year 2025 budget brief and strategic plan are posted at cpwa.us.