The City of Goldendale is now conducting in person meetings. The number of participants is limited ot 50% capacity, not including staff. Public participation is still invited by telephone and teleconferencing until restrictions required by the pandemic have been lifted by CDC ar the State or when larger public accommodations have been obtained.

Council Meeting Information

Date: 1st and 3rd Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a Holiday)

Time: 7 pm

Teleconferencing Number: (415) 762-9988

Meeting ID: 373 290 5204

For the best connection to meetings, we recommend that participants download the Zoom desktop or mobile applications, both of which can be accessed at : www.zoom.us/download.  Participants may also use their telephone by dialing the meeting's teleconferencing number. For questions on how to use Zoom, visit: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-meeting 

Goldendale is near the geographic center of Klickitat County and has the Little Klickitat River running through it. The city obtained its start as a watering stop on the Yakima – Okanogan wagon trail. The first plat was recorded in 1872 and the city was incorporated in 1879. Goldendale is now the largest city in Klickitat County as well as the county seat. It serves as the regional service center.

Goldendale, Washington is located on a fertile plateau some 100 east of Portland, Oregon, 70 miles south of Yakima, Washington, and 100 miles west of the Tri-Cities. The majestic Columbia River is only 13 miles south of the city. The terrain is generally rolling with an elevation of 1620’ at the airport. The Simcoe mountains, visible from the City, rise in the north to an elevation of 5500’. Four mountain tops, Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens are visible from certain places in the city.

Current News

03-30-21 - City of Goldendale Receives WellCity Recognition
The City of Goldendale was among one of 105 recipients that earned the 2021 WellCity recognition from the AWC Employee Benefit Trust’s WellCity program by making an outstanding commitment to employee health. Each 2021 WellCity recipient receives a 2% premium discount on their AWC Employee Benefit Trust active medical premiums in 2022.
While a 2% discount on medical premiums is significant, the rewards of a healthy workplace can be felt across the organization and have a positive impact on the community as well. Examples include:

• WellCities are great places to work, with quality, sustainable benefits, and a workplace that supports employee wellbeing.
• A healthy workplace culture leads to happy, healthy, and productive employees, that are fully engaged in serving their communities.
• Reduced costs with decreased sick days, disability, health care claim costs, and workers' comp claims.

Click here to read more.

Pump Storage Project

Much positive interest has been expressed by Goldendale residents regarding the pumped storage project being pursued by National Grid and Rye Development. Long-term economic impacts in the form of new jobs, tax base increases, and expanded retail sales would be very beneficial for our community. This project will create 144 permanent, local jobs (Operations and Maintenance) when fully built out. Numerous short-term jobs – many for area workers -- would be generated over the 3-5 year construction cycle. The following is the presentation given during the Goldendale Energy Center Meeting on May 15th at the Klickitat County Public Utility District meeting.

Voluntary Compliance Requested

As a result of a community survey, the citizen’s rated “Clean up the City” as the number 1 priority of the City. The Chamber-sponsored Economic Development Committee feels the city should pursue individuals, commercial and industrial property owners to eliminate nuisances in our community. In a recent City Council it was again reminded by the citizen to “enforce the current codes”. We need everyone’s help.As a result of a community survey, the citizen’s rated “Clean up the City” as the number 1 priority of the City. The Chamber-sponsored Economic Development Committee feels the city should pursue individuals, commercial and industrial property owners to eliminate nuisances in our community. In a recent City Council it was again reminded by the citizen to “enforce the current codes”. We need everyone’s help.

In response to this overwhelming mandate, the City is promoting Voluntary Compliance. Without voluntary compliance we will notify property owners and residents of conditions that are creating a nuisance:

Nuisance types, including but not limited to the following:

1. Attractive Nuisance – In or on or around a building or an occupied lot which might be expected to attract children and constitute a danger to them.
2. Filthiness – Or that which is dangerous to human life or detrimental to health.
3. Accumulation of materials
   1. Accumulations of litter, glass, scrap materials, household waste, junk, combustible materials. (Wood, Metal, Paper, Plastics.)Accumulations of litter, glass, scrap materials, household waste, junk, combustible materials. (Wood, Metal, Paper, Plastics.)
   2. Accumulation of dead bushes, tree stumps and dead, dying or dangerous trees.
   3. Accumulation of dead organic matter and yard debris, leaves, with the exception of small accumulations in a maintained compost area on the property and only if such material does not result in a nuisance or harbor rodents.
   4. Accumulation of clothing or other household items not designed for outdoor storage.
4. Storage of non-trash items
   1. Accumulation of wood pallets.
   2. Any woody debris and all firewood that is not stacked and usable.
   3. All construction materials, except those that are neatly stacked and stored in a manner to prevent their utility and prevent deterioration.
   4. Accumulation of vehicle parts and tires.
   5. All appliances or appliance parts except for storage of appliances that are reasonably expected to be used at the site and are stored in a manner to protect their utility and prevents deterioration.
   6. All indoor furniture except that which is stored to protect its utility and to prevent deterioration and is reasonably expected to be used at the property.
5. All recycling material except for reasonable accumulations consistent with regular removal and stored in a well maintained manner. Any wrecked, inoperable, abandoned or disassembled equipment or vehicles.
6. Any vehicle(s) or recreational vehicle(s) parking outside the designated driveway.
7. Vegetation control, tall grasses and wees in excess of 6”, unsound structures, fences and other fixtures.
8. Inadequate maintenance or dilapidation of structures or abandonment.Inadequate maintenance or dilapidation of structures or abandonment.Parking nuisances, including but not limited to the following:
   1. Parking the wrong way.
   2. Inoperable vehicles.
   3. Expired license plates.
   4. railers in the city street right-of-way.
   5. Recreational vehicles in the city street right-of-way.
   6. 72 hour parking limit.