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Nehalem City Council reaches consensus on 2026—27 priorities for water, streets and parks
Summary
At a Feb. 11 work session, City Manager Lori Longfellow reviewed last year's goals and the Nehalem City Council agreed on a prioritized list of projects for FY 2026—27 focused on water-system upgrades, an ODOT grant pursuit for B Street, park improvements and initial work on a public works building.
On Feb. 11, 2026, Mayor Phil Chick opened a Nehalem City work session at 6:00 p.m., and City Manager Lori Longfellow reviewed the city's prior-year goals and their statuses. After discussion, the council reached consensus on a prioritized list of projects and studies to guide the 2026—27 fiscal year.
The council placed water infrastructure at the top of the list. The priorities include finalizing an intergovernmental agreement for Anderson Creek, replacing aging water meters, installing a booster pump on 13th Street and addressing Reservoir Cover #2. Public Works Director Brian Moore was listed among staff present for the review.
Street projects were also elevated: the council identified pursuing an ODOT Small Cities Allotment Grant for "B" Street as a primary funding strategy, along with updating street signage and installing a traffic-calming (101 speed) sign. Parks priorities included updating the playground at Nehalem Upper Park, work at "H" Street Park and pursuing a dock through the Oregon State Marine Board.
For stormwater, the council prioritized a new storm drain pipe on 8th Street. Administrative and planning items the council listed included an update to the Forest Master Plan, an update to the Water Management Conservation Plan, a Water Rights Feasibility Study and contracting a grant writer to pursue two grants in FY 2026—27. Under general projects, the council included preliminary work on a Public Works Building (soil testing, site preparation and building design).
The meeting record notes the session was held in person and by Zoom and that Council Member Dave Cram joined the meeting at approximately 6:01 p.m. The record does not show a formal motion or recorded vote; the transcript states the council "had a consensus" on the prioritized list. The council did not specify funding details for most items during the session; grant pursuit (ODOT Small Cities and the Oregon State Marine Board) was explicitly identified as a funding pathway for specific projects.
Next steps in the record are procedural: staff will use the prioritized projects as the basis for further planning, grant applications and project design during FY 2026—27, including soil tests and site-preparation work for the Public Works Building and pursuing the listed grants.
