Video courtesy of Nancy Kusky of Goldendale TV. Don’t forget to Subscribe to her Youtube channel.
The Goldendale City Council met last night, and for the first time since the start of the pandemic, citizens were allowed to attend in person as well as on Zoom. Only two citizens took advantage of the opportunity alongside stalwart videographer Nancy Kusky. Those who did attend took proper precautions – wearing masks and staying socially distant. One was Shannon Middleton, who has retired from the city council. Mayor Mike Canon praised his work:
“Shannon has worked over five years as a city councilor and a really good one. And we miss him already – very knowledgeable on streets and public works and a lot of [mumble]. You can always come in and advise if you want.”
That creates a vacancy on the council, and Mayor Canon said there would be an announcement soon with a short deadline for interested applicants to apply.
In other business, council members rejected all bids submitted for replacing the sewer in the alley behind the new county building, as the lowest bid came in nearly one and a half times the engineer’s estimate. Mayor Canon said they would look to Klickitat County to perhaps help with costs.
Councilors also approved the purchase of new hoses and nozzles for the city fire department, after chief Noah Halm explained that the majority of the city’s stock was more than 37 years old and if they are not replaced, the residents of the city would be paying more for fire insurance:
04 06 21 Halm :10 “Probably 75 percent of our hose is built before 1984. What it means to NFPA, is if they are manufactured before that date, they are no good.”
And the City of Goldendale will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding next year. One suggestion for honoring the celebration was the issuance of a special coin to mark the event, as had been done a half century ago as part of the 100th anniversary celebration.