Goldendale council approves police chief employment agreement, conservation partnership and $1,000 tourism grant

Goldendale’s council approved several administrative and programmatic measures at its July 1 meeting, including a formal employment agreement for the city’s police chief, direction to pursue a formal partnership with the conservation district, and a $1,000 grant to the Chamber of Commerce for Community Days.

The council approved the chief of police employment agreement intended to establish clear terms for the position Mike Smith has held since June 1, 2023. Mayor (speaker 2) moved the measure and a council member seconded; the motion passed and a single abstention was recorded. The council did not provide additional detail about the specific contract terms during the public discussion.

Councilors also voted to give staff direction to develop an interlocal agreement with the conservation district to coordinate fuel-reduction and watershed work, and to strengthen joint grant applications. Councilmember (speaker 8) moved the direction-to-draft motion and a colleague seconded it. The motion passed with a 5–0 voice vote for approval and two abstentions recorded.

On the budget side, the council unanimously approved Resolution 7-36, authorizing $1,000 in additional tourism funds to the Chamber of Commerce to support Community Days, including the car show.

What this means: the employment agreement formalizes the police chief’s working arrangement, the conservation-district direction signals closer intergovernmental collaboration on forest‑health and parks projects, and the tourism allocation provides modest additional support for the coming weekend’s events. The council scheduled related committee work and workshops to follow up on ordinance language, staffing and implementation details.

Votes at a glance - Chief of Police employment agreement — outcome: approved; vote: passed with one abstention (motion moved by Mayor (speaker 2), seconded by Council member (speaker 3)). - Direction to formalize partnership with the Conservation District — outcome: approved to draft an agreement; vote: 5 ayes, 2 abstentions (moved by Council member (speaker 8), seconded by Council member (speaker 6)). - Resolution 7-36 (tourism funds — $1,000 to Chamber of Commerce) — outcome: approved unanimously (moved by Council member (speaker 3), seconded by Council member (speaker 6)).

Next steps: staff will draft the conservation-district interlocal agreement for council review and a workshop on organizational goals and the public-works position was scheduled for July 13 at 2 p.m.