Kelso public meetings in 2025
11 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council Meeting Minutes
The council approved several contracts, including a $169,396 consulting agreement with Parametrix and a $1,073,000 supplement for RH2 Engineering's Kelso Drive Transmission Main Phase 2. It also adopted two collective bargaining agreements—one with Teamsters Local 58 (2026‑2028) and another with the Kelso Police Records (2026‑2029)—and passed an ordinance repealing Chapter 5.60 taxicab regulations. All motions on the consent agenda, interlocal agreement with Cowlitz County, and other items were approved.
- Approve $169,396 Parametrix consulting contract
- Approve $1,073,000 RH2 Engineering contract supplement for Kelso Drive Transmission Main Phase 2
- Approve interlocal agreement with Cowlitz County for District Court services
- Approve 2026‑2028 collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Local 58
- Adopt ordinance repealing Chapter 5.60 taxicab regulations
Planning Commission Agendas & Minutes
The regular meeting scheduled for December 9, 2025, was cancelled. No items were decided or discussed.
City Council Meeting Minutes
The Kelso City Council approved several contract closeouts, appointed a new park board member, and adopted the Allen Street Corridor Study. Council members voted to adopt Ordinance No. 25-4035 updating the stormwater code to comply with the 2024‑2029 NPDES permit, and also approved a franchise agreement granting PUD No. 1 of Cowlitz County rights to install and operate electric facilities. Additional resolutions authorized an interlocal water‑chemical agreement with Longview and updated employee handbook provisions. All motions except the staff‑focus directive passed.
- Contract closeout 592006 – Donation Pump Station approved
- Contract closeout 592404 – Tam O’ Shanter Groundwater Supply approved
- Adopted the Allen Street Corridor Study
- Ordinance No. 25-4035 – Stormwater code amendment to meet NPDES permit
- Ordinance No. 25-4035 – Franchise agreement granting PUD electric facility rights
City Council Meeting Minutes
The City Council approved the 2026 property tax levy and budget revisions for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years. The council also authorized a contract for well work on Mill Street and updated the city's stormwater code.
- Ordinance 25-4030: Set 2026 property tax levy amount at $1,833,015
- Contract awarded to Elite Contracting Co. Inc. for Mill Street Wells
- Resolution 25-1313: Authorized Longview Housing Authority to manage housing project at 203 W Catlin Street
- Ordinance (1st Reading): Modified Stormwater Code for 2024-2029 NPDES Permit compliance
- Ordinance (1st Reading): Granted franchise agreement to Public Utility District No. 1 of Cowlitz County
City Council Meeting Minutes
The City Council approved several lodging tax funding requests and two budget revisions for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years. The body also granted a franchise agreement to Forged Fiber 37, LLC for telecommunication facilities in city rights of way.
- Lodging Tax grants: $100,000 for Tam O'Shanter Park, $100,000 for Visitor Information Center, $25,000 for Kelso Highlander Festival, $11,500 for Kelso Wrestling Booster Club, and $2,500 for Lights in the Park
- Budget Revision #1 for the 2025 Fiscal Year (1st Reading)
- Budget Revision #1 Mid-Biennial Review for the 2026 Fiscal Year (1st Reading)
- Ordinance No. 25-4027 granting a franchise agreement to Forged Fiber 37, LLC
- Approval of amendments to the City Manager's contract
City Council Meeting Minutes
The Kelso City Council approved a contract for airport engineering work and set the maximum 2026 property tax levy. The body also approved zoning changes for two parcels and an ordinance adding new sections to the municipal code.
- Contract award: Century West Engineering (not to exceed $2,000,000)
- Ordinance: Sets 2026 property tax levy at $1,833,015
- Ordinance: Amends Kelso Municipal Code Chapter 9.04 regarding anticipatory offenses
- Ordinance: Amends zoning for parcels 239230100 and 21493 to Residential Single-Family
- Public hearing: Revenue sources for the upcoming year
Planning Commission Agendas & Minutes
The Kelso Planning Commission regular meeting was scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at City Hall Council Chambers, 203 S. Pacific Ave. The agenda file and the agenda text both indicate the meeting was cancelled. No minutes, citizen business, or other items were listed for discussion or decision.
City Council Meeting Minutes
The council approved an ordinance changing the zoning and comprehensive plan for parcels 239230100 and 21493, converting them from commercial to low‑density residential with a 5,000‑square‑foot minimum. It also adopted a franchise agreement allowing Forged Fiber 37, LLC to build and operate telecommunications infrastructure in city rights‑of‑way. Additional actions included amendments to municipal code chapters 9.04 and 5.02 and approval of several lodging‑tax funding requests.
- Ordinance amending zoning map for parcels 239230100 and 21493 to low‑density residential, 5,000 sf minimum (passed 6‑1)
- Franchise agreement granting Forged Fiber 37, LLC rights to construct and operate telecom system in city rights‑of‑way (passed unanimously)
- Amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 9.04 adding a section on anticipatory offenses (passed 6‑1)
- Amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 5.02 aligning business and occupation tax provisions with state model ordinance (passed unanimously)
- Lodging tax funding approvals: Tam O’Shanter Park $100,000; Kelso Highlander Festival $25,000; Visitor Information Center $100,000; S’quatchfest $10,000; Lights in the Park $2,500; Wrestling tournament $11,500
City Council Meeting Minutes
The council approved the agenda, minutes, and a proclamation declaring September 17‑23, 2025 as Constitution Week, and adopted an ordinance updating the business and occupation tax provisions to match the state model. A motion to extend public comment time by 30 minutes failed, and the consent agenda authorizing $5,916,269.48 for auditing accounts was approved.
- Adopted Ordinance No. 1° amending Chapter 5.02 to bring business and occupation tax provisions into conformance with statewide model ordinance (RCW 35.102).
- Proclamation declaring September 17‑23, 2025 as "Constitution Week" in Kelso.
- Motion to suspend council rules for an additional 30 minutes of public comment – failed 3‑4.
- Consent agenda approval for auditing of accounts totaling $5,916,269.48.
- Agenda amendment: removal of Library Presentation (item 4.1) and addition of Constitution Week proclamation.
Planning Commission Agendas & Minutes
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding a request to change the Comprehensive Plan map and rezone two vacant parcels. The proposal seeks to change the designation from Commercial to Low-Density Residential to allow for future housing development.
- Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezone of ±1.2-acre site on north side of Allen Street (parcels 239230100 & 21493)
- Proposed rezone from RC (Regional Commercial) to RSF-5 (Residential Single-Family, 5,000 sf minimum)
- Proposal to allow for a future short plat of roughly five lots and up to eight dwelling units
- Public hearing for comments on the proposal
The commission approved the minutes from the August 13, 2024 meeting with unanimous support. It then voted to recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezone two vacant parcels on the north side of Allen Street from Commercial to Low‑Density Residential and from Regional Commercial to Residential Single‑Family. Both motions passed with all votes in favor.
- Approved minutes of Aug 13, 2024 meeting (all yes)
- Recommended adoption of Comprehensive Plan amendment and rezoning of parcels (all yes)
City Council Meeting Minutes
The Kelso City Council approved the Southwest Washington Regional Airport's 2026 budget and a contract for emergency sewer repair work along N. Minor Road without formal bidding. No citizens business was presented.
- Adopted Southwest Washington Regional Airport 2026 Budget
- Approved emergency sewer repair contract for N. Minor Road
- Approved minutes from the August 19, 2025 Regular Meeting