FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The City of Kelso is accepting applications for fireworks stand permits.

Due to the size of population, the City of Kelso is limited to allow for three fireworks stands each year.  Permits may be granted, or denied, based on the City Manager's assessment of the applicant's experience and demonstrated record together with such other factors as are determined to be in the best interest of and benefit the community.  All applications to operate fireworks stands shall be made no later than May 2nd of the calendar 2017.

For additional information please contact Traci Howard at 360-423-0900 or thoward@kelso.gov

Fireworks Stand Application

Ordinance 16-3871

PRESS RELEASE

THE CITY OF KELSO'S FINANCE DEPARTMENT IS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING

January 5, 2017

The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada has awarded the City of Kelso the Certificate of Achievement in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.  The certificate represents an impressive achievement by the City and its staff for attaining the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.  The City's Finance Director, Brian Butterfield, has also been recognized with an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement for his role as the primary individual responsible for preparing the award-winning report.  This is the twelfth consecutive year the City has received this award and a presentation recognizing this achievement will be conducted at the Kelso City Council meeting on February 7, 2017.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,500 government financial professionals with offices in Chicago, IL and Washington, D.C.

###

GFOA Award Letter

The City of Kelso is pleased to announce a public hearing with the Planning Commission to take testimony on updates to the following public documents.

1. Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Map: allows for a new mixed residential use, rezone requests, and an adjustment to the Adult Oriented Business Overlay to allow for consideration of recreational marijuana sales.

2. Zoning Map. Zoning Map needs to be consistent with the Future Land Use Map.

3. Creation of the Uniform Development Code (UDC) and Zoning Code modifications. The UDC will allow all development regulations to be held under one title in the Municipal Code, making it more user friendly. Individual sections of the code will be updated for the purposes of clarity and streamlining.

Date, Time and Place:    

January 10, 2017 at 6 PM

Kelso City Hall, Council Chambers

203 S. Pacific

Kelso, WA

Anyone interested may appear and be heard. The decision of the City Council will be mailed to all those who submit comments, testify at the hearing or request the decision in writing.  Any aggrieved party of record can file an appeal with Cowlitz County Superior Court.

***Written public comment can be accepted until 4:30 PM on January 9, 2017***

LINKS TO PROPOSED UPDATES:

PROPOSED TITLE 17 UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE

PROPOSED ZONING MAP

PROPOSED LAND USE MAP

11/28/16 The Nutter Corporation of Vancouver, Washington, under contract to the City of Kelso, is constructing a project to improve Yew Street from S. Pacific Avenue to S. 7th Avenue. Beginning Monday, December 5, 2016, Nutter will begin installing underground utilities for stormwater drainage in Yew Street, between S. Pacific Avenue and 7th Avenue. This utility work will take about 3 weeks to complete and is scheduled to be done by December 23, 2016. Once this utility work has been completed the project will then be shut down for the winter with remaining work to be completed in Spring 2017 as weather allows. This work will create disruptions to the flow of traffic. At times, detours will be used to redirect traffic around or through the work area. City of Kelso Engineering Department (360) 423-6590.