Current News

The City of Kelso is now accepting applications from Kelso residents that reside within the city limits of Kelso to fill a vacancy on the city council.

The timeline for filling the vacancy is as follows:

December 8, 2020:  Applications are due to city staff not later than 5:00 p.m.
January 5, 2021:  Special meeting at 4:30 p.m. to conduct candidate interviews followed by executive session, council vote, and swearing in of new councilmember.

A councilmember application and an application to be considered for any board, committee, commission must be filled out and submitted to City Manager Andrew Hamilton prior to Dec. 8th @ 5:00 p.m.

For more details please click here

City Refinances Bonds for Interest Savings

The City of Kelso (the “City”) is in the process of refinancing the 2010 Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds for interest cost savings.  At the same time, they decided to finance water and sewer improvements.  As part of the bond financing process, the City’s staff presented information to the national rating agency of S&P Global Ratings.

According to City Manager Andy Hamilton, “the City’s Water & Sewer Revenue Bond rating was re-affirmed at A+.  This is a great accomplishment for the City and its citizens!  This rating of A+ reflects that the City is well-managed and has good financial practices in place for the benefit of our ratepayers.  The higher the rating, then the lower the interest cost.”

According to Finance Director Brian Butterfield, “the A+ rating is based on the following key factors:  1. Demonstrated track record of strong financial reserves; 2. Strength of the local economy; 3. Strong parity debt service coverage ratios of the Water & Sewer System; 4. Financial management and practices; and 5. Experienced management in operating the Water & Sewer System in an efficient manner.”

The presentation team was comprised of: City Manager Andy Hamilton, Finance Director Brian Butterfield, Public Works Superintendent Randy Johnson, Utility Operations Manager Devin Mackin, Community Development Director/City Engineer Mike Kardas, Councilmember David Futcher, and Bond Underwriter Jim Nelson of D.A. Davidson & Co.   The team presented information and answered questions that dealt with the topics of management, finances, economic growth and long-term planning. 

The Water & Sewer Improvement and Refunding Revenue Bonds were priced on November 5th in Seattle at the offices of D.A. Davidson & Co., serving as Bond Underwriter.  The Bonds achieved a True Interest Cost of 1.73%.

Brian Butterfield further explained “the City was fortunate to time the pricing of the Bonds near an interest rate low.  The 20-year Water & Sewer Improvement Revenue Bonds will finance $3,000,000 in system improvements, including the Paxton Reservoir transmission line replacement and the Donation Pump Station rehabilitation.  The 11-year Water & Sewer Refunding Revenue Bonds achieved total net savings of $970,426.  The average annual savings are $88,221.   

 

A 2021-2022 Preliminary Budget Hearing for the City of Kelso will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd, 6:00 P.M., at Kelso City Hall, 203 South Pacific, Kelso, Washington.

Included in this hearing will be the discussion of proposed utility rate increases.

Washington State Governor issued Proclamation 20-28, et seq. temporarily prohibits in-person public attendance at meetings subject to the Open Public Meetings Act.  The meeting can be viewed by following the link at https://kelso-longview.vod.castus.tv/vod 

Citizens have a right to provide public comment.  The two ways for citizens to provide comment are as follows:  1) Attend the Zoom meeting by contacting Executive/Legal Assistant Jessica Bronstein no later than noon the day of the meeting, at 360-577-3379.  2) Public comments can be submitted, remotely, via City of Kelso website: https://www.kelso.gov/city-council-remote-public-comment-sign.  Written public comments must be received by 5:30 PM, November 3, 2020.

Dated at Kelso, Washington, this 19th day of October, 2020 Brian Butterfield City Clerk City of Kelso

Publish:  October 24, 2020 and October 31, 2020

 

PRELIMINARY BUDGET NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City Manager of the City of Kelso has filed with this office a copy of the preliminary budget for the ensuing biennium 2021-2022.  A copy will be furnished to any taxpayer who call during normal business hours at the Office of the City Clerk at 203 South Pacific , Suite 102, Kelso, Washington after October 31, 2020.  

Dated at Kelso, Washington, this 25th day of September, 2020. Brian Butterfield City Clerk City of Kelso 

Publish: October 17, 2020 and October 24, 2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Kelso City Council will hold a Public Hearing at 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, regarding Revenue Sources for the City's 2021 Current Expense Budget.  This hearing will include consideration of the possible increase in property tax revenues.  Washington State Govenor issued Proclamation 20-28, et seq. temporarily prohibits in-person public attendance at meetings subject to the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA).  The meeting can be viewed by following the link at: https://kelso-longview.vod.castus.tv/vod   

Citizens have the right to provide comment.  Public comments can be submitted, remotely, via City of Kelso website:  https://www.kelso.gov/city-council-remote-public-comment-sign.  Public comments must be received by 5:30 PM, October 20, 2020.

Dated at Kelso, Washington, this September 25, 2020  Brian Butterfield City Clerk City of Kelso

Publish October 10, 2020, and October 17, 2020

Important Construction Notice

Cascade Natural Gas is in the process of installing new facilities across Interstate 5.  To do so, equipment to perform this project will be staging in the area of the Kelso Skate Park.    Cascade Natural Gas has contracted with Infrasource Services, LLC to complete this project.  The project is expected to take about 2 weeks starting 10-7-2020.  During this time, for safety purposes, the parking lot off of Minor Rd will be closed, every attempt to keep the Skate Park itself open during this time period but there will be intermittent closers of the Skate Park while crews perform certain activities.

Cascade Natural Gas is committed to completing the work with as little inconvenience to the public as possible. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Questions or concerns should be directed to them via 1-888-522-1130 or www.cngc.com

 

 

PUBLIC NOTICE
W. MAIN REALIGNMENT PH II OPEN HOUSE

The public is invited to attend an online open house for the West Main Street Realignment Ph II project during September 14 – 25, 2020.  The open house can be accessed at https://www.kelso.gov/west-main-realignment-phase-2

The open house will provide an opportunity for the public to view the most current project information and, using the provided web form, to ask questions and provide additional input.

Engineering Department
City of Kelso
engineering@kelso.gov

 

The City of Kelso hereby announces its fiscal year 2021, 2022, and 2023 goal of 2.3% for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) airport construction Contracts. A public telecom will be held on September 9, 2020 at 10am. If you would like to participate please reach out to Rick Nichols at rnichols@centurywest.com for meeting details. The proposed goals and rationale are available for inspection here, and in person between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at the address below. Due to safety practices related to COVID, please contact the airport office in advance to make an appointment at 360-261-8268.

Southwest Washington Regional Airport
2222 South Pacific Ave.
Kelso, WA 98626

Comments on the DBE goal will be accepted for 30 days from the date of this publication and can be sent to the following:

Christopher Paolini
Airport Manager
2222 South Pacific Ave.
Kelso, WA 98626
(360) 261-8268

AND

Federal Aviation Administration Northwest Mountain Regional Office
Office of Civil Rights Staff
Sonia Cruz
2200 S 216th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

 

Contract Goals

The City of Kelso will use contract goals to meet any portion of the overall goal that the recipient does not project being able to meet using RN means. Contract goals are established so that, over the period to which the overall goal applies, they will cumulatively result in meeting any portion of the recipient’s overall goal that is not projected to be met through the use of RN means.

The City of Kelso will establish contract goals only on those DOT-assisted contracts that have subcontracting possibilities. It need not establish a contract goal on every such contract, and the size of the contract goals will be adapted to the circumstances of each such contract (e.g., type and location of work and availability of DBE’s to perform the particular type of work).

We will express our contract goals as a percentage of the Federal share of a DOT-assisted contract.

Governor Inslee has issued Proclamation 20-23.11 pertaining to Utility Ratepayer Assistance and Preservation of Essential Services.  The City of Kelso is committed to keeping our customers connected to essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.  If you are experiencing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be eligible for support, including long-term payment arrangements or bill assistance.  This Proclamation does not relieve customers from the obligation to pay for utility services.

Contact Lindsey Cope
Telephone 360.423.9921
Cell 360.560.3286
Email: cope@cowlitzedc.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2020

CITY OF KELSO COMMERCIAL RENT RELIEF APPLICATION
Kelso, WA, June 10, 2020, – The City of Kelso has partnered with the Cowlitz Economic Development Council (CEDC) to provide up to $66,000 for Kelso Business Commercial Rent Relief Grants for those affected by COVID-19.
This grant has specific qualifications that must be met to qualify for assistance. Please refer to our website for qualifying information and a link to the application at:
http://cowlitzedc.com/events/city-kelso-commercial-rent-relief-application

If your business does not qualify for this opportunity, we are diligently working on new programs and partnerships to help as many businesses in Cowlitz County as possible. Please follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kelso.wa and www.facebook.com/cowlitzedc for updates on this and future opportunities.

One does not have to be a member of our organization to apply for or receive information on these and other news and programs. Please email Lindsey Cope at if you would like to learn more.

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