Castle Rock public meetings in 2024
18 substantive meetings from 2024, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Planning Commission
The Castle Rock Planning Commission will continue its public hearing on the Draft Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and the Draft CAO Manual. Commissioners will discuss the draft documents and accept public comment. The meeting also includes routine items such as approving previous minutes and introducing new staff.
- Reopen public hearing on the Draft Critical Areas Ordinance and Draft CAO Manual
- Discuss the Draft CAO and Draft CAO Manual
- Approve minutes from the October 15, 2024 and November 19, 2024 meetings
- Introduce incoming Planning Commissioner Robert Frazier
- Introduce Planner Kirsten Peterson
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission is reopening a public hearing to discuss the draft Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) and the accompanying Draft CAO Manual. The body will also introduce a new commissioner and a planner.
- Continued public hearing on the Draft Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)
- Discussion of the Draft CAO Manual
- Introduction of Planning Commissioner Robert Frazier
- Introduction of Planner Kirsten Peterson
City Council
The City Council will review several infrastructure project awards and a service contract for animal shelter services. The body is also considering a request to provide assistance to stray cats and kittens in downtown Castle Rock.
- Contract for Animal Shelter Services with Humane Society of Cowlitz County for $12,230
- Award for Hibbard Street SW Water Main Project to H.D. Fowler for $36,695.04
- Award for Powell Rd HDD Waterline Installation to Rognlin's, Inc. for $167,245.00
- Recommendation to negotiate a contract with Gibbs & Olson, Inc. for Six Rivers Regional Trail System Phase 2 and Citywide Pedestrian Improvements
- Approval of November 2024 invoices totaling $471,611.09
General
The Transportation Benefit District is meeting to approve the 2025 proposed budget and capital projects. The board will also review invoices totaling $164,280.31 and discuss the status of 2024 chip seal and sidewalk projects.
- Approval of invoices totaling $164,280.31
- Proposed 2025 Street Maintenance Plan (Chip Seal) budget of $30,000
- Proposed $50,000 for Guardrail Repairs
- Proposed $10,000 for Speed Radar Signs on Westside Hwy
- Review of incomplete 2024 projects including the Jackson St NW Sidewalk Project
City Council
The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2025 budget and capital facilities plan, which includes a 3% increase for water and sewer rates and a 4% increase for stormwater rates. Several budget-related ordinances will be taken up on second reading, including amendments to FY2024 appropriations, stormwater service charges, retail water sales, and the adoption of the FY2025 city budget and the transportation benefit district budget. The meeting also includes approval of a special event permit for the Festival of Lights with specified street closures.
- Public hearing on FY2025 budget and capital facilities plan; proposed 3% water rate, 3% sewer rate, and 4% stormwater rate hikes
- Ordinance No. 2024-09: amendment of FY2024 budgetary appropriations for various city programs, second reading
- Ordinance No. 2024-10: amendment of stormwater management service charges, second reading
- Ordinance No. 2024-12: adoption of the City of Castle Rock budget for FY2025, second reading
- Special Event Permit #2024-0011 for Festival of Lights; street closures on Cowlitz St, Front Ave, and 100 Block of 1st Ave SW
Planning Commission
The Castle Rock Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the Critical Areas Ordinance, with staff reporting and public comment, but no action will be taken at this meeting. The commission will also discuss the draft Critical Areas Ordinance and the accompanying draft Critical Areas Manual. The meeting includes introductions of incoming Planning Commissioner Robert Frazier and Planner Kirsten Peterson.
- Public hearing on Critical Areas Ordinance – no action to be taken
- Discussion of Draft Critical Areas Ordinance
- Discussion of Draft Critical Areas Manual
- Introduction of incoming Planning Commissioner Robert Frazier
- Introduction of Planner Kirsten Peterson
City Council
The Castle Rock City Council will hold a public hearing on proposed water, sewer, and stormwater rate increases for fiscal year 2025. The meeting agenda includes approving invoices, reviewing a capital facility plan, and setting a special meeting for November 25.
- Public hearing on proposed 3% water and sewer rate increases and 4% stormwater rate increase
- Approval of October 2024 invoices totaling $558,857.33
- Review and approval of the 2025-2030 Capital Facility Plan
- Review and approval of the 2025 Salary Schedule
- Resolution setting water and sewer rates and minimum charges
City Council
The council will hold a workshop to discuss the proposed budget for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The agenda lists revenue projections, expenditures, capital projects, utility rates, and wages as topics for consideration.
- Proposed budget for fiscal year ending Dec 31 2025 (revenue, expenditures, capital projects, utility rates, wages)
City Council
The Castle Rock City Council will consider fixing the amount to be raised by property taxes for the 2025 budget and review the completion of the Exit 48 waterline and sewer projects. The meeting also includes a request to cancel a $708,000 recreation grant and an interlocal agreement with Cowlitz County for building inspections.
- Ordinance No. 2024-08: fixing 2025 Ad Valorem tax amount
- Cancel $708,000 Al Helenberg Boat Launch grant
- Accept Exit 48 Waterline and Sewer Force Main projects as complete
- Interlocal Agreement with Cowlitz County for building inspections
- Request to approve a bell installation location
General
The Regional Utility Board will review and potentially approve the Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the Regional Water Utility Service. The board is also considering increases to water connection fees and reserve contributions.
- Proposed increase of water connection fees from $500 to $750 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)
- Proposed increase of Raw Water Main Easement reserve contribution from $10,000 to $20,000 per year
- Review and approval of the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025
- Approval of minutes from November 8, 2023
Planning Commission
The Castle Rock Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting to consider old business items, including a progress update on regulating food trucks, food carts, and other temporary food vendors, and a review of the draft Critical Areas Ordinance. The meeting will also cover standard agenda items such as call to order, approval of September 17, 2024 minutes, public comment, reports, and any new business that may arise. No specific new business items are listed on the agenda.
- Progress update on regulating food trucks, food carts, and other temporary food vendors
- Review of the draft Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)
City Council
The City Council will review estimated revenue sources for the 2025 General Fund budget and consider property tax increases. The body is also reviewing a stormwater grant and a special event permit for a community festival.
- Public hearing on 2025 current expense budget and property tax revenues
- Ordinance No. 2024-08 to fix the amount raised by Ad Valorem taxes for the 2025 budget
- Grant Agreement with Department of Ecology for Stormwater Mapping/Pipe Inspection Project totaling $260,000 ($247,000 grant; $13,000 city match)
- Approval of September 2024 invoices in the amount of $623,928.66
- Special Event Permit #2024-0010 for Halloween Jamboree on October 27, 2024, including closures of Cowlitz St W, Front Ave, and 1st Ave SW
City Council
The City Council will hold a public hearing and consider an ordinance to vacate an unnamed right-of-way near Cowlitz Street East and Allen Avenue Southeast. The body will also review a funding request for paving improvements and discuss water use efficiency goals.
- Public hearing and Ordinance No. 2024-07 to vacate an Unnamed Right-of-Way across Cowlitz Street East from Allen Avenue Southeast
- Request for $15,000 from lodging tax funds for North County Recreation Association paving improvements
- Discussion of Water Use Efficiency Goals 2024-2030
- Bid results and award for Chemical Procurement
- Coliform Monitoring Plan Update
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will review progress on regulating food trucks and temporary food vendors. The body will also receive reports on the upcoming Critical Areas Ordinance and municipal review exemptions for master planned communities.
- Update on regulating food trucks, food carts, and temporary food vendors
- Report on the upcoming Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO)
- Introduction to Municipal Review Exemptions for Master Planned Communities
City Council
The Castle Rock City Council will vote to approve the August 2024 invoices totaling $726,878.43. The council will consider a request for out‑of‑state travel for Public Works Director Dave Vorse, Senior Operator Tyler Stone, and Maintenance Paul McCarty to attend the America in Bloom Symposium in Columbus, Ohio, September 25‑29, 2024. The council will also review a request for $30,000 from the Transportation Benefit District to fund electrical conduits and junction boxes for lighting on the SR 411 Bridge. Additional routine reports and proclamations are on the agenda.
- Approve August 2024 invoices for $726,878.43 (Consent Agenda)
- Request travel for Public Works staff to America in Bloom Symposium, Columbus, Ohio, Sep 25‑29 2024 (budgeted travel)
- Request $30,000 Transportation Benefit District funding to WSDOT for electrical conduits and junction boxes on SR 411 Bridge
City Council
The City Council will discuss a proposal to rename a boat launch access road and approve a sign design. The body is also considering a waterline easement agreement and a resolution to set a public hearing for a right-of-way vacation.
- Waterline Easement Agreement with Steven Swanson & Serena Swanson
- Resolution No. 2024-07 to set a public hearing for vacating an unnamed right-of-way across Cowlitz St East from Allen Avenue Southeast
- Proposal to rename Al Helenberg Memorial Boat Launch access road to 'North County Drive'
- Approval of 'City of Smiles' sign design
Planning Commission
The Castle Rock Planning Commission will convene to approve minutes from the July 16 meeting and discuss a draft ordinance regarding mobile food vendors. The meeting will be held at the Castle Rock Senior Center.
- Approval of July 16, 2024 minutes
- Discussion of draft Mobile Food Vendor ordinance (17.48.160)
City Council
The City Council will consider a special event permit for the Mountain Mania Car Show on August 17, 2024. The body will also review July 2024 invoices and meeting minutes.
- Approval of July 2024 invoices totaling $598,001.80
- Special Event Permit #2024-0008 for Mountain Mania Car Show
- Proposed street closures: Front Ave (A St to Jackson St), Cowlitz St W (Huntington Ave to end of one-way), and 1st Ave (Cowlitz St to A St)