Cascade Locks public meetings in 2025
19 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Tourism Committee
The Tourism Committee is holding a work session to review and discuss the scope of work for a Tourism Support Request for Proposals (RFP). The agenda includes only this single discussion item, with no decisions or votes scheduled. The proposed scope covers stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, marketing, brand management, media relations, and administrative support.
- Review and discuss scope of work for Tourism Support RFP
- Scope includes stakeholder engagement and strategic planning
- Scope includes marketing campaign creation, brand management, and media relations
- Scope includes client relations, administrative support, and reporting
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee is considering a letter from regional tourism groups urging the city to establish a professional staff position or official DMO to manage its Transient Lodging Tax. The committee also reviewed past action items, including a motion to make the Christmas tree display a tourism-sponsored event. The agenda includes reports from committee members and a discussion of contract work for tourism support.
- Letter from Experience Mt. Hood and the Gorge recommends a professional tourism staff position or DMO
- Motion passed to make the Christmas tree display a tourism sponsored event
- RFP for tourism support staff contract up to 20 hours/week at $25/hour (2023-2025)
- RFP for tourism promotion services in The Dalles (2025-2028)
- Committee member reports, including Rock and Gem Show update
December 15 Special City Council
The Cascade Locks City Council approved a supplemental budget for FY 2025-26, amended to use $1,000,000 from ODOT to repay a loan, and approved a garbage rate increase for Hood River Garbage effective January 1, 2026. The council also approved a letter of support for the Hood River-White Salmon bridge replacement project and accepted $60,000 from ODOT for the McCord Creek Project. A motion to approve a Utilities Director candidate failed, and the council entered executive session for employment and legal matters.
- Approved Resolution No. 1525 adjusting garbage rates for Hood River Garbage effective Jan 1, 2026 (unanimous)
- Approved Resolution No. 1526 supplemental budget for FY 2025-26, amended to include $1,000,000 from ODOT to repay loan (unanimous)
- Approved letter of support for Hood River-White Salmon bridge replacement project (unanimous)
- Approved accepting $60,000 from ODOT for McCord Creek Project and authorized CA to sign agreement (unanimous)
- Denied approval of Utilities Director candidate (motion failed, 2-3-1)
- Approved consent agenda including minutes, bills of $159,226.05, and two OLCC licenses (unanimous)
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee is holding a special meeting to receive an update from City Administrator Jordon Bennett on the Council's decision regarding the museum contract renewal. The committee will also discuss the Retro Christmas Trees Display Event scheduled for the weekend of December 6, 2025. The meeting is open to the public via YouTube.
- Update on Council Decision on Museum Contract Renewal
- Retro Christmas Trees Display Event - weekend of December 6, 2025
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee will meet to discuss several items, including a request for proposals for tourism support services, a proposed audio tour of Cascade Locks, and the future structure of tourism. They will also review picnic table placement and maintenance issues. The meeting includes routine approvals of minutes and financials.
- Discussion of Request for Proposal for Tourism Support
- Gorge Audio Tours presentation by Emily Martin
- Discussion of picnic tables (budgeted $8,000 for four tables)
- Discussion of Overlook Park bathroom maintenance
- Discussion of fall/winter advertising opportunities
October 27 City Council
The City Council approved extending the current tourism staff contract for six months and having the Tourism Committee prepare an RFP. It also approved recruiting a Utilities Director, with a 4-3 vote. A motion to adopt Ordinance No. 467 was rescinded, and no vote was taken on hiring a Working Foreman.
- Approved consent agenda including minutes and $118,020.38 in bills (unanimous)
- Approved work plan process for City Administrator Bennett (unanimous)
- Rescinded motion to adopt Ordinance No. 467 (no vote)
- Approved six-month tourism staff contract extension and RFP preparation (unanimous)
- Approved recruitment of Utilities Director (4-3)
- No vote taken on hiring Working Foreman; direction only
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee is deciding whether to extend its administrative support contract with the Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum, issue a new RFP, or bring the position in-house. The committee also received a request from the Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association for sponsorship of its October 18 concert at the Gorge Pavilion. The committee's recommendation will go to the City Council for final approval.
- Contract with Friends of the Cascade Locks Historical Museum expires November 30, 2025; options include one-year extension, new RFP, or in-house hire
- Museum Board recommends city hire a staff position, but if contract is renewed, requests a tourism planning consultant (quote attached)
- Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association requests business sponsorship for 'Saturday Night Swing Fever' concert on October 18 at Gorge Pavilion
- CGOA offers discounted tickets: $15 non-member/$10 member, children free
- RFP for tourism support services includes up to 20 hours/week at $25/hour
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee will meet to approve minutes, financials, and bills, and discuss old and new business. Key items include an update on the PCT monument, a discussion on brochure distribution around town, and a training opportunity for the Hidden Disability Sunflower Project. The agenda also includes reports on upcoming events and committee member updates.
- Approval of bills including PCT days merch invoice
- PCT monument update
- Discussion: Brochure distribution around Cascade Locks
- Hidden Disability Sunflower Project training opportunity
- PCT Days volunteer schedule
July 14 City Council
The Cascade Locks City Council will hold a work session on water rates, then a regular meeting with several action items, including adopting a flood plain ordinance, approving a council appointment process, and passing a prepared food and beverage tax resolution. The agenda also includes routine consent items, such as approving minutes and a special event license, and updates from the sheriff, PUD, and fire chief.
- Discussion on water rates
- Adopt Ordinance No. 471 – Flood Plain
- Approve Resolution No. 1521 – Prepared Food and Beverage Tax
- Ratification of bills in the amount of $754,724.29
- OLCC special event licenses for Thunder Island Brewing
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee will meet on June 2, 2025, to approve the 2025-2026 budget, renegotiate the brochure update contract, and discuss the future of its destination marketing organization (DMO). The agenda also includes public comment, approval of minutes and bills, and updates on upcoming events like PCT Days and the FCLHM quarterly report.
- Approval of 2025-2026 budget with total expenses of $142,475.18
- Brochure update contract renegotiation (designer estimates 5 hours at $325 limit)
- Discussion of DMO structure and potential RFP for marketing services
- PCT Days swag sponsorship ($2,500)
- FCLHM quarterly report and Bootcamp/Gorge Tourism Summit updates
May 21 Budget Committee
The Cascade Locks Budget Committee met to receive a budget orientation presentation from City Administrator Jordon Bennett. No decisions were made; the meeting was procedural and adjourned after the presentation.
- Budget orientation presentation by City Administrator Jordon Bennett
- Attendance included council members and budget committee members; one member absent
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee will review the 2025-2026 draft budget, including three structural options: maintaining the advisory committee with contract support, launching or contracting an external DMO, or hiring a half-time city tourism specialist. They will also consider approving bills for brochure distribution and marketing, and hear a public comment from Main Street Cascade Locks. The meeting includes standard items like minutes approval and committee reports.
- 2025-2026 budget draft review with three options: advisory committee, external DMO, or city hire
- Approval of bills: Skamania Lodge Magazine ($518.40) and brochure distribution renewal ($2,700.07) plus Portland Super Cities add ($5,775.02)
- Public comment by Denise Emmerling-Baker for Main Street Cascade Locks
- Discussion of Overlook Park maintenance and marketing/advertising project ideas
- Review of 2024-2025 year-to-date budget and capital reserve fund balance
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee is reviewing the draft 2025-2026 budget, which includes three options for managing tourism: maintaining the committee with contract support, launching or outsourcing to an external DMO entity, or hiring an internal half-time employee. The committee will also discuss upcoming tourism events and approve minutes and financials.
- 2025-2026 budget draft with three management options: maintain committee, outsource to DMO, or hire internal staff
- Proposed $20,000 maintenance support for Overlook Park
- Proposed $15,000 RARE contribution
- CGTA Gorge Tourism Summit on 5/14/2025 with sponsorships $250-$5000 and $60 attendance fee
- Frontline FAMs: East Infinity Loop 5/22/2025 and West Infinity Loop 6/12/2025
Planning Commission
The Cascade Locks Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider recommending Ordinance No. 463 to the City Council, which would amend the Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map to expand the Downtown District. The change would redesignate 18 properties (100.25 acres) along WaNaPa Street, including Marine Park, to Downtown zoning. The commission will also elect a chair and vice chair and approve prior meeting minutes.
- Public hearing on Ordinance No. 463 to expand Downtown District to 18 properties (100.25 acres) along WaNaPa Street
- Redesignation includes Marine Park (92.72 acres) and properties at 101, 205, 96, 140, 150, 160 SW WaNaPa, and others
- Election of Planning Commission Chair and Vice Chair
- Approval of November 21, 2024 meeting minutes
- City Council hearing scheduled for May 12, 2025
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee will discuss and potentially decide on several funding requests and budget priorities, including a $15,000 RARE funding request from the city, a Skamania County Fair sponsorship, and 2025-2026 budget priorities such as Overlook Park restroom support and PCT Monument maintenance. They will also hear reports on the Oregon Main Street Conference and consider a joint booth with the Port for PCT Days.
- RARE funding request from City ($15,000)
- Skamania County Fair sponsorship options ($750, $500, or $250)
- PCT Days joint booth option with Port of Cascade Locks
- Sponsorship request from Outdoor Viewfinder
- 2025-2026 Budget Priorities discussion (Overlook Park restroom, PCT Monument maintenance)
February 10 City Council
The Cascade Locks City Council will hold its regular meeting on February 10, 2025, with action items including electing a Council President, approving two OLCC event license requests (for Cascade Locks PTO and pFriem Family Brewers), and adopting Resolution No. 1515 to declare vehicles and equipment as surplus. The consent agenda includes approval of the January 27, 2025 minutes and ratification of bills totaling $1,063,443.82. Reports will cover tourism, an ADU meter ordinance, utility deposit resolution, audits, and council procedure updates.
- Motion to elect Council President
- Approve Cascade Locks PTO OLCC Nonprofit and Charitable Organization Exempt Event Request Form
- Approve OLCC Special Events License for pFriem Family Brewers
- Resolution No. 1515 – Vehicle and Equipment Surplus
- Ratification of bills in the amount of $1,063,443.82
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee will hold its regular meeting to elect a chair, approve minutes and financials, and discuss updates on Travel Oregon grants, including a declined Recreation Ready application and a proposed $40,000 grant request for organizational consulting. They will also review old business like EnChroma glasses and map updates, and new business such as committee recruitment and a media kit for Gorge Magazine. The meeting is open to the public via Zoom.
- Officer elections for Committee Chair
- Travel Oregon Competitive Grants update
- Travel Oregon Recreation Ready update (application declined)
- Enchroma glasses purchase discussion
- Cascade Locks Map Updates
January 13 City Council
The Cascade Locks City Council will hold its regular meeting on January 13, 2025, with an oath of office for the mayor and council members. Action items include appointing a council president, making committee appointments, and transferring the museum collection. The consent agenda includes approval of prior meeting minutes and ratification of bills totaling $494,822.96. Reports will cover parking on Warco, bike paths, council procedures, financial policy, city audits, and council tablets and phones.
- Ratification of bills totaling $494,822.96
- Appoint Council President
- Committee Appointments
- Transfer of Museum Collection
- Reports on Parking on Warco and Bike Paths
Tourism Committee
The Cascade Locks Tourism Committee is reviewing its quarterly contract report, which includes updates on marketing, events, and grant applications. The report highlights a Travel Oregon Recreation Ready application for a bike skills course at EasyCLIMB and a Letter of Interest for a project with the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission. The agenda also includes notes from a Main Street conference on topics like youth engagement and cultural heritage, but these are informational rather than action items.
- Travel Oregon Recreation Ready application for bike skills course at EasyCLIMB with Bike the Gorge and Northwest Trail Alliance
- Letter of Interest for collaborative project with Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission
- Arts and Economic Prosperity survey results: $7.7M total industry expenditures, 122 jobs supported
- Taste of the Gorge: ~680 passport users, Thunder Island Brewing Co. had most check-ins
- Magical History Tou-AARRR and Bridge of the Gods Centennial events supported