Council adopts ATV ordinance, approves Mount Solo final plat and multiple resolutions; utility-assistance cap raised

The Longview City Council took several formal actions during its Jan. 9 meeting. Key outcomes included adoption of a new ordinance allowing wheeled all-terrain/side-by-side vehicles on specified city streets, approval of a housing subdivision final plat, and adoption of multiple resolutions including property-exchange and public-safety service agreements.

Votes and key actions at a glance:

- Ordinance 3550 — WATV street use (ordinance adoption): Council adopted Ordinance 3550 to add a section to the Longview Municipal Code allowing certain wheeled all-terrain/utility-terrain vehicles or side-by-sides on city roads posted under 35 mph. Requirements in the ordinance and staff explanation included DOT-approved on-road tires, an on-road kit (lighting and signals), vehicle registration and insurance. The motion passed; one council member recorded a dissenting vote.

- Mount Solo Place Phase 6 — final plat approval (administrative/plat approval): Council approved the Phase 6 final plat for Mount Solo Place, finalizing a multi-phase subdivision that creates 29 building lots, public road extensions (Henderson Way and Sadie Lane) and required infrastructure. The planning commission had voted unanimously to recommend approval.

- Resolution 2533 — property exchange with the archbishop/city (resolution adoption): Council approved a property-boundary exchange with the Corporation of the Catholic Archbishop of Seattle and St. Rose Parish to correct encroachments and clean up lines for Colonial Park redevelopment. Staff noted the work ties to an estimated $1.4 million culvert/stormwater project for that park area.

- Resolutions 2535–2538 (fire/rescue service contracts) and related items: Council approved a package of fire and rescue service contracts (several numbered resolutions), consolidating multiple interlocal/contract actions to support industrial-area fire and rescue responses; staff and council acknowledged Chief Hanning's role in negotiating and finalizing those agreements.

- Resolution 2539 — increase utility rate reduction program cap (resolution adoption): Council adopted Resolution 2539 to raise the city's annual aggregate cap for the Utility Rate Reduction Program from about $220,000 to approximately $320,000 so more low-income seniors and disabled customers can receive the program benefits (sewer and garbage reductions and stormwater credit). Staff said about 400 customers currently participate and the change would expand eligibility to roughly 550 participants.

- Consent calendar: Council approved a consent calendar containing multiple items, including minutes, project completions, an amended indigent-defense contract, service agreements and resolutions (for example, Resolution 2541 authorizing a convenience fee for payments made with debit and credit cards). Several items had been reviewed orally in the meeting; one item (the convenience-fee resolution) was discussed before consent and then approved as part of the calendar.

Context and next steps: Several items carry implementation steps: the property-exchange work at Colonial Park ties to a stormwater/civil project estimated at $1.4 million; staff said state or other funding sources are being pursued and the city will end its emergency declaration once funding is secured. For the WATV ordinance, staff said it mirrors neighboring jurisdictions but includes a DOT-approved tire requirement; council directed staff to prepare public education materials and noted enforcement and licensing requirements. For the utility-rate program change, staff said they will propose a future automatic indexing mechanism tied to rate changes so the cap is not repeatedly adjusted.

Ending: Council moved several items expeditiously to enable implementation and grant applications; some projects (Colonial Park culvert work, transportation and parks funding proposals) will return to council with additional details or funding requests.