Much of the interest in last’s night Goldendale City Council meeting was directed toward the 2024 North Phase Waterline Improvement Project. Engineer Dustin Conroy had this lack-of-progress report:
“They’re down to 20 percent of their days left, and they only have 18 percent of the project done. They don’t have a single line in service yet. People on High Street are here to complain about it. I think I would, too if I was in that position. Our contractor has not performed well at all.”
He said he’s not been able to contact the contractor so he issued a stop work order two weeks ago, and the company has until Thursday to issue a reply. He added that the city has been in discussion with legal counsel on the next steps, which may involve the company that issued a performance bond for the project.
Several residents commented on the condition of the street.
“Comin’ off Columbus at High Street, that’s a pretty steep slope, and it’s like gravel, you know. It’s just a mess / Something’s got to be done, for access, for safety / Two cars cannot physically at the same time, go down this entire road, because it’s already a disaster / As for me, this is a safety issue / This thing has been a fiasco from Day 1.”
Finally, Mayor Dave Jones made this committment:
“We’re gonna work hard to make right.”
The meeting also included an update on third quarter financial results for the city. The 2025 budget will be voted on at the city’s November 18 meeting.
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