Talking Kelso

Consideration of City Property Sale on South River Road

As was discussed last time, we have an offer from Tim Sparks to purchase the city’s property on S. River Rd. for $720k plus an exchange of 10 acres that could be used by the city for soccer fields. Another developer, Joel Davis, had expressed interest in the real estate, and was at the council meeting. However, due to a partner’s medical issues, Mr. Davis had not been able to bring us a formal offer for the property.

The council decided not to accept Mr. Sparks’ offer for the property, stating that there may well be additional buyers that had not had a chance to make an offer on the property. All involved discussed their concern for the interests of the soccer club, so that they would be able to create additional recreational opportunities for local youth.

Consideration of Sale of 103 and 105 Allen Street

The council voted to sell the 103 Allen Street property to Terry Nation for $90,000 for use as a warehouse for an antique store. Also, the council accepted an offer from Olivia Lovely for 105 Allen Street in the amount of $129,000, for use in her counseling practice. It appears that Ms. Lovely is working to lease parking spaces from 103 Allen St. in order to relieve any parking deficits that 105 Allen St. has.

Approval of Animal Services Contract with Cowlitz Humane Society

Scott Chandler, executive director of the Cowlitz Humane Society, came to answer concerns the council had about the large increase in the fees due from the city for 2007. The increase arises solely from an increase in the number of animals (mostly cats) brought to the shelter from within Kelso’s borders. The whole county has a disproportionate problem with strays, caused, according to Mr. Chandler, by citizens’ failure to adequately spay and neuter pets. The Humane Society is going to try to open a reduced-cost spay and neuter clinic to help with the problem. Mr. Chandler offered to allocate half of the increase in our costs ($6,000) to the construction of the clinic. Ultimately, the council voted unanimously to accept the proposal.

Utility Rate Increases

We had discussed utility rates at our budget meeting, as I mentioned in my summary. We had two options presented to us tonight – either a 12.5% or 15.5% increase in sewer rates. Nobody really wanted a large increase, and the council voted (either 4-3 or 5-2, I can’t recall) for the smaller of the two. I felt the higher increase was really more responsible, since the 12.5% bump means we’ll have to eat into sewer fund reserves. Even with the higher increase, we wouldn’t have been able to fund the improvements we would like to make to the sewer system, and with the smaller bump, we’ll only be making emergency upgrades. (One will be on Catlin St in west Kelso.) The 3% saved this year will just have to be added next year, meaning another double-digit increase can be expected.