City Of Kalama

📢 Public Service Announcement: Understanding Nuisance Abatement Ordinances Hello Kalama! We’d like to take a moment to clear up a common misconception in our community: What exactly is a Nuisance Abatement Ordinance? Let’s break it down: ________________________________________ ❓ What Is a Nuisance Abatement Ordinance? A Nuisance Abatement Ordinance is a local city law (ordinance) designed to protect public health, safety, and quality of life. These ordinances help cities respond to properties or activities that create ongoing problems for a neighborhood, such as: • Unsafe buildings or structures • Chronic loud noise • Illegal dumping or accumulation of trash • Overgrown yards that harbor pests • Persistent criminal activity on or around a property These laws are enforced by the city, and they exist to make sure everyone can live in a clean, safe, and peaceful environment. ________________________________________ 🚓 What Happens if a Property Violates a Nuisance Ordinance? If a property repeatedly violates a nuisance ordinance, the city may: • Issue warnings or citations • Require property owners to fix the issue • In serious or ongoing cases, take legal action to abate the problem The goal isn’t to punish—it’s to resolve chronic issues that affect the whole community. ________________________________________ 🤝 Why It Matters When nuisance issues go unaddressed, they can lead to: • Declining property values • Unsafe conditions • Increased crime • Lower quality of life Nuisance abatement ordinances help keep our neighborhoods safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone. ________________________________________ ❔What's next? If you have concerns about a nuisance property in your area, or want to learn more about the current discussion regarding the updating of Kalama’s ordinance, read the proposed draft ordinance here: https://5il.co/3dtcd Direct specific concerns or inquiries regarding the ordinance to cityclerk@cityofkalama.com. Written or emailed correspondence can be included for the Mayor and Councilmembers to review before making any decisions. 🏢The next City Council meeting will be on Thursday, May 1st @ 7:00pm at the City Council chambers. Over the next several weeks, we will share more information and examples of how the proposed updates affect residents, home and business owners, and the entire community.

Recap City Council Meeting 4-17-2025 The following items were discussed: Speed limit reduction downtown on North 1st Street—Council decided not to do a traffic study for 1st Street to avoid costs to the taxpayers. The police and fire departments, as well as the school district will work together to do a comprehensive evaluation of the community streets (internal survey, not outsourced) to assess other areas in Kalama where speed limits may also need changes before deciding. There was lengthy discussion of the Planning Commission’s recommendations for updates to the nuisance abatement code, and the city's responsibility in addressing property issues. There were some concerns about how to address issues of economic hardship and whether some of the code sections addressed were encroaching on private property owner’s rights. The item was moved to the next meeting. Council members will send their itemized concerns to staff for review before the next meeting. The Council awarded the bid for the Old Pacific Highway sidewalk project to Halme Construction contingent on TIB approval. The comprehensive plan update and getting public involvement during the process before the Planning Commission which will be during 2025 and 2026. Staff voiced appreciation to Cowlitz County for the award of a $500,000 grant for the water treatment plant expansion project. Public Works crew is replacing a water line on N. 5th Street and there is progress on the China Garden Road Project which will involve China Garden Road being closed from April 28 to May 1, 2025, for paving.

The Kalama Tourism Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, April 24th @ 4pm in the city council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street to review tourism applications for the 2nd round of 2025 tourism event funding. Agenda and Zoom information can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa

🚧Roadwork update for China Garden Road: 🚧 China Garden Rd will be CLOSED (From S. 10th Street to Gwynne Road) Monday, April 28th through Thursday, May 1st for grinding and paving. ⚠ Please watch for signage with details about closure. Detours will be in place for local traffic. ⚠

Get ready for May dance classes through Kalama Parks & Rec! Beginning Bachata & Salsa II dance classes with Nichole Eden! Dates: May 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th (4 classes in the session) Bachata classes are 6:15pm-7pm, and Salsa II classes are 7pm-7:45pm Each session is $80 per participant, (covers 1 session of 4 classes). There are 2 class options! Choose your session, or do both! A partner is recommended but not required. Class bundle deal: $150 per person (for both classes). Kalama Community Building at 216 Elm Street, Kalama, WA 98625. Register online. Visit https://tinyurl.com/ynv9tnvw For questions, call 360-673-4908 or email communityrelations@cityofkalama.com

The April Civil Service meeting has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 22nd, 2025 @ 5:00pm at the city council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama.

The upcoming City Council meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17th, 2025 at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama. The agenda can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa

The Kalama Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will meet tonight, April 8th, 2025 at 5:30pm at the city council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street. The agenda can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa/agendas/785

📚✨ It’s National Library Workers Day, and we’re here to give a BIG shoutout to the real superheroes behind the shelves! 🦸‍♀️🦸‍♂️ From organizing books faster than a speeding bullet to helping you find the perfect read (even when you forgot the title), our library staff is always on the job! You keep things running smoothly, and you do it with a smile. Thank you for being the heart of our library! 💙 #NationalLibraryWorkersDay #LibrarySuperheroes #ThankYouLibraryStaff

4.3.2025 City Council Meeting Mayor Reuter read proclamations announcing April as both Fair Housing month and Sexual Assault Awareness month and declaring the week of April 6 – 12 as Crime Victims Awareness week. The Council declared the Public Works John Deere Tractor mower surplus (Resolution 750) and adopted the 2021 International Building Code under Ordinance 1530. The Council was updated on the infrastructure projects including the China Garden Road improvements, the Downtown Sewer Line Rehabilitation project and the Old Pacific Highway Sidewalk, along with other items being addressed in all departments. The issue of speed limit reductions for downtown First Street and Cloverdale will be added to the April 17th agenda. The Kalama Community Building Architectural Survey and ADA Access Feasibility Study is available on the city website (https://www.cityofkalama.com/article/2102196) and over the next few months will be an item for discussion. It was noted that the City Hall open house and the Chamber’s annual gala were held and well attended. Congratulations to Harlyn Jenkins, for the 2024 Citizen of the Year award! Upcoming Events: - Saturday, April 5th, Reece Luxury Photography Art ribbon cutting @ 222 N 1st Street, 9am-11am - Monday, April 14th, Holocaust survivor speaker at Kalama High School auditorium @ 6pm - Saturday, May 3rd, Community Spring Cleanup Day. Meet @ the Kalama Post Office parking lot @ 9am

The April Drum 4 Fun schedule is available now! Join us Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10am-11am at the community building located at 216 Elm Street. Tuesdays & Thursdays = $30. Tuesdays only = $20, and Thursdays only = $10. Class dates are April: 1st, 3rd, 8th, 22nd, 24th, & 29th. Pay online here: https://www.invoicecloud.com/portal/(S(k52hoem03k1qedak5czzhhlr))/2/cloudstore.aspx?cs=2480045B-E0E1-4EB0-8E3C-E26F89E37CA3&bg=43c55938-88f9-48e3-9e23-70693d8a79be&return=1

The agenda for the upcoming Council meeting on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7:00pm is now available here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa

During last night's Council meeting, the Mayor and Council recognized Matt Hartley for spearheading the Little League Baseball Field Restoration project. Thank You, Matt, for your positive impact on the Kalama community!

City Council recap 3/20/2025: Highlights from last night’s council meeting include a presentation of an award to Matt Hartley for his leadership in the Little League Baseball Field Restoration project, and the approval of the Emergency Evacuation Protocol Plan. Various updates and reports were discussed from different departments and committees, including the library board meeting, recent activities, and ongoing construction projects. It was noted the Tourism funding application period is open until the end of March. Upcoming events: - Thursday, March 27th @ 5:30pm-7pm, City Hall open house event @ 195 N 1st Street - Saturday, March 29th @ 6pm-9pm, Chamber of Commerce Gala @ Haydu Park Expo Building (Tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-chamber-fundraising-gala) - Monday, April 14th @ 6pm, Holocaust Talk will be held @ Kalama High School auditorium

🎉City Hall Grand Opening!🎉 We are excited to announce the grand opening of Kalama City Hall! Come visit this newly renovated space during our open house on Thursday, March 27th, from 5:30pm-7pm. City Hall is located at 195 N 1st Street, Kalama, WA 98625.

🌶️💃 Last Wednesday’s Salsa class was a blast! A big thank you to everyone who joined us for a fun and energetic time. 🕺🔥We're ready to keep the rhythm going at tonight’s 2nd Salsa class @ 6:30pm at the Kalama Community Building! 🎶✨ Last minute sign ups: https://tinyurl.com/44x2we33

The Kalama Library Board will meet on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025 at 5:15pm in the council chambers located at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama. The agenda is available here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa/agendas/749

The Kalama Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 11th at 5:30pm at 320 N 1st Street, Kalama. The meeting agenda can be found here: https://www.towncloud.io/go/kalama-wa/agendas/744

City Council Meeting March 6, 2025 The Kalama City Council heard from Kalama drama teacher Michael Ready regarding the student Leadership Board of Kalama High School partnering with the Kalama Library to present an exhibit of historic holocaust artifacts form the Seattle Holocaust Center for Humanity. The exhibit will have an opening ceremony on April 14, 2025, at 6pm and run through April 25, 2025. The students have cataloged, labeled, and planned the exhibit, which will be the first partnership of its kind with the Seattle Center and hopefully a model for future exhibits in other cities. The Council approved the construction management contract with Gray and Osborne Inc for the China Garden Road Improvement Project; a new meal/refreshment policy as recommended by the State Auditor; and awarded the bid to AES, Inc for the Downtown Sewer Rehabilitation Project. City Council adopted a budget amendment for $49,690.155 providing funds to Envision Kalama and moving investment interest to the general fund; the code revision for water/sewer connections fees for high density residential; declared a Public Works truck, a police car, and police tasers as surplus; and amended the 2025 fee resolution to include the revised water/sewer connection fees. Former Mayor, Pete Poulsen, requested the Council consider reducing the speed limits on 1st Street downtown and on the section of Cloverdale Road between Old Pacific Highway and Military Road. There has been new construction along Cloverdale in recent years, plus the housing authority and Lions ball fields so reducing this section from 35 to 25 mph would be for pedestrian safety. Downtown, with the angle parking, has become a high-risk area at 25mph to allow for safe ingress, egress, and parking. He would like to see it go as low as 15 mph, but was informed that the Council can lower it to a minimum of 20 mph without a traffic study. This led to a discussion regarding what the City has the authority to do under state laws, and if money should be expended on traffic studies to address such issues in these or other areas within the City. The Council asked the attorney to research the City’s ability to reduce the speed limit downtown to 15 mph. In reports the Dr Suess event at the library was successful, Public Works is working on repairing a major leak in a waterline between Meeker Drive and North Hendrickson that connects under the freeway along the riverbank to the industrial area. Several street and utility projects are gearing up to start or go out to bid. Officer Moore will complete field training in March. Reimbursement funds from the State have been received for the costs of the Community Building study. An energy rebate has been applied for covering the new furnace and windows and insulation at City Hall, and Tourism applications are being received through the end of March. The staff are settling back in at City Hall and finding the new space to be welcoming and efficient. Get your tickets to the upcoming Chamber Gala on 3/29/25: https://tinyurl.com/s58zcheh.