Public Works and Natural Resources Committee
The Public Works and Natural Resources Committee approved three significant infrastructure items that will advance sustainable forest management, reduce development costs, and improve downtown accessibility. The committee unanimously recommended approval of a timber sale agreement for the North Beaver Preserve that will thin an overstocked Douglas fir plantation while generating revenue for the city. They also approved updated multimodal transportation impact fees that represent a significant 36% reduction for single-family housing development, dropping from $3,857 to approximately $2,475 per unit. The new fee structure emphasizes multimodal transportation infrastructure over car-centric projects and adds new credits for early learning facilities. Finally, the committee authorized acceptance of a $1.68 million WSDOT grant covering nearly half the cost of modernizing six downtown intersections with improved ADA accessibility features, particularly audio-visual signals for the visually impaired.
**Surplus Timber Sale Agreement (AB 24890):** Approved unanimously. Authorizes the mayor to enter into a contract with Janicki Logging Construction for thinning 80 acres of overstocked Douglas fir on the North Beaver Preserve. The city will receive 20% of gross proceeds, with harvesting restricted to June 1-September 30 during summers 2026 and 2027. **Multimodal Transportation Impact Fees Ordinance (AB 24891):** Approved unanimously. Updates transportation impact fees based on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan's 20-ye…
**Timber Sale:** Final approval expected at full Council meeting April 13, 2026. Harvesting would occur summers 2026-2027, with potential follow-up thinning in 3-10 years. **Transportation Impact Fees:** Final ordinance adoption expected at full Council meeting April 13, 2026. Annual inflation adj…