Granite Falls staff reports: passport office, public works projects and new planning director

City staff provided a series of operational updates at the Oct. 15 Granite Falls City Council meeting.

City Manager Jeff Balentine reported on passport office operations. City Clerk Darla Wilkins said she is training Joey Harmon on building permits and provided scheduling updates.

Public Works Director Charles White reported multiple maintenance and capital items: correction of an illicit connection, street sweeping and storm‑drain work, a blockage at the Smoots lift station, servicing of standby generators, stop sign replacement (with thanks to Police Chief Thomas Dalton), deployment or evaluation of asset-management software, progress on the Welwest (Cascade & Grand) project, pothole repair on Portage, completion of the Frank Mason dock and walkway, asbestos abatement at the Legion, and arrival of a second Ford Lightning city truck.

Deputy City Manager Brent Kirk delivered planning updates including a University of Washington student visit, a Taco Bell project update, a Planning Commission briefing on the Miller Project, changes tied to state House Bill mandates and the Critical Areas Ordinance, and said Amy Hess will start as Planning Director the following day. Kirk also noted ongoing work to pursue SS4A (Safe Streets) grant opportunities with support from a lobbyist.

Police Chief Thomas Dalton noted recent training, the Railroad Days event, traffic‑stop activity, the use of Flock cameras to locate a missing patient, an upcoming 'Coffee with the Chief' event on Oct. 18, and a reported suspicious vehicle.

These items were delivered as informational staff reports; no formal council actions on these items were recorded in the meeting minutes.