Summary

Longview City Council approves driving school use, adopts electrical-code amendment, and directs fentanyl-related ordinance draft

LongviewApr 9, 20263 min read

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At the April 9, 2026 regular meeting the City Council approved a special property use to establish a driving school at 1338 Commerce Avenue; adopted Ordinance No. 3577 rescinding Chapter 16.24 (electrical code); unanimously directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance creating the crime “Endangerment of a Minor with a Controlled Substance” with a target June workshop; approved the consent calendar (including a library services extension and acceptance of the Cloney Park storm pipe replacement); and set May 14 public hearings for FY2026 CDBG and HOME allocations.

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Approved the March 26, 2026 regular meeting minutes (unanimous).
Moved Uncommon Bridges update on Fire/EMS levies to Presentations & Awards.
Presented proclamations for Arbor Day, National Library Week, and Fair Housing Month.
Accepted the Legislative Post Session Report from Gordon Thomas Honeywell.
Approved Special Property Use to establish a driving school at 1338 Commerce Avenue (motion by Bryant, seconded by Nichols; unanimous).
Adopted Ordinance No. 3577 rescinding Chapter 16.24 (electrical code) (motion by Young, seconded by Bryant; unanimous).
Directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance establishing the crime “Endangerment of a Minor with a Controlled Substance” to address fentanyl and other synthetic opioids; Council agreed to a June workshop timeline (motion by Mayor Halvorson, seconded by Bryant; unanimous).
Approved the Consent Calendar, including: approval of claims; authorization for the City Manager to sign the 2026 extension/renewal agreement for Cowlitz County Mini-Rural Partial Library District services; acceptance of the Cloney Park storm pipe replacement as complete; and setting public hearings on May 14 for FY2026 CDBG and HOME allocations.
City reported it has met statutory requirements for the CJTC grant.
Adjourned the meeting at 7:51 p.m.

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Meeting information

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City Council Regular Meeting - Thursday

Apr 9, 2026, 6:00 PM1525 Broadway Street, Longview, Washington 98632completed

Agenda

1. CALL TO ORDER
2. INVOCATION*/FLAG SALUTE
3. ROLL CALL
4. WORKSHOP
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
26-00297 MARCH 26, 2026 REGULAR MEETING
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Decision: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
6. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
7. PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
26-00278 PROCLAMATION - APRIL 22, 2026 AS ARBOR DAY; RECIPIENTS AMY NORQUIST, LONGVIEW ROTARY PRESIDENT & ERIN CRANSTON, PARKS & RECREATION MANAGER
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Decision: PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
26-00279 PROCLAMATION - APRIL 19-25, 2026 AS NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK; RECIPIENT JACOB COLE, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
attachments=1
Decision: PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
26-00299 PROCLAMATION - APRIL - FAIR HOUSING MONTH; RECIPIENT SHAY HOWSMON
attachments=1
Decision: PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
26-00300 LEGISLATIVE POST SESSION REPORT BY GORDON THOMAS HONEYWELL
attachments=5
Decision: PRESENTATIONS & AWARDS
8. CONSTITUENTS' COMMENTS - NON-AGENDA ITEMS (Thirty Minutes)
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
26-00307 SPECIAL PROPERTY USE TO ESTABLISH A DRIVING SCHOOL AT 1338 COMMERCE AVENUE RECOMMENDED ACTION: HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOTION TO APPROVE SPECIAL PROPERTY USE TO ESTABLISH A DRIVING SCHOOL AT 1338 COMMERCE AVE
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED: Strengthen economic conditions and create new opportunities SUMMARY STATEMENT: Per LMC 19.44.020 Driving schools are allowed in the downtown district as special proper use (SPU) and are approved via a public hearing by city council with recommendation from planning commission. The applicant at 1338 Commence Ave applied for business license to operate a driving school at the above address, which is allowed under special property use. At their April 1 st meeting planning commission recommended approval of the special property use. STAFF CONTACT: Irene Rutikanga, Planner | attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
26-00308 ORDINANCE NO. 3577 – RESCINDING CHAPTER 16.24 ELECTRICAL CODE RECOMMENDED ACTION: HOLD THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOTION TO ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 3577
COUNCIL INITIATIVE ADDRESSED: Strengthen economic conditions and create new opportunities Continue effective financial management SUMMARY STATEMENT: The proposal would remove the Electrical Code, Chapter 16.24, from the Longview Municipal Code. Authority for the review, issuance, and inspection of electrical permits was transferred to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries in early 2024. As such, the City of Longview no longer reviews, issues, or inspects electrical permits. Development is still required to comply with all provisions of the state adopted electrical code. The proposed code rescission would bring LMC up to date with current practice and procedures and reduce confusion regarding permitting needs and responsibilities. STAFF CONTACT: Nick Little, Community Development Director Nick.little@ci.longview.wa.us | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
10. CONSTITUENTS' COMMENTS - AGENDA ITEMS (Thirty Minutes)
11. BOARD & COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS
12. ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS
13. MAYOR'S REPORT
26-00312 PROTECTING INFANTS FROM FENTANYL - PROPOSED ORDINANCE RECOMMENDED ACTION : DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT AN ORDINANCE FOR COUNCIL ADOPTION, ESTABLISHING THE CRIME OF "ENDANGERMENT OF A MINOR WITH A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE" TO ADDRESS THE LETHAL THREAT OF FENTANYL AND OTHER SYNTHETIC OPIOIDS
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Decision: MAYOR'S REPORT
14. COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS
15. CONSENT CALENDAR
26-00182 APPROVAL OF CLAIMS
Based upon the authentication and certification of claims and demands against the city, prepared and signed by the City’s auditing officer, and in full reliance thereon, it is moved and seconded as shown in the minutes of this meeting that the following vouchers/warrants are approved for payment: SECOND HALF MARCH 2026 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: $1,815,230.92 SECOND HALF MARCH 2026 PAYROLL: $474,858.22, checks $1,093,968.78, direct deposits $979,217.39, wire transfers $2,548,044.39 Total STAFF CONTACT: Lindy Kennedy, Accountant Sara Rios, Payroll Specialist | reports=1
Decision: CONSENT CALENDAR
26-00301 2026 EXTENSION AND RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT FOR COWLITZ COUNTY MINI-RURAL PARTIAL LIBRARY DISTRICT SERVICES RECOMMENDED ACTION : MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO SIGN THE 2026 EXTENSION AND RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT FOR LIBRARY SERVICES
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED: Address Quality of Place Issues Continue Effective Financial Management CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: REQUIRED SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Cowlitz County Mini-Rural Library District Board wishes to extend the agreement with the City of Longview for the continuation of library services from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027. (The original contract began on May 1, 1998). The 2026-2027 agreement is in the amount of $447,193. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to authorize the City Manager to sign and approve the extension/renewal of Cowlitz County Mini-Rural Partial Library District Services Contract. STAFF CONTACT: Jacob Cole, Library Director | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: CONSENT CALENDAR
26-00304 PROJECT COMPLETION – CLONEY PARK STORM PIPE REPLACEMENT RECOMMENDED ACTION: MOTION TO ACCEPT AS COMPLETE THE CLONEY PARK STORM PIPE REPLACEMENT
COUNCIL INITIATIVE ADDRESSED: Preserve and enhance neighborhoods CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Cloney Park Storm Pipe replacement project has been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications under Contract No. 25-1576-D entered into between the City of Longview and Swofford Excavating. The City Council must accept the project as complete before final contract closeout can be accomplished. STAFF CONTACT: Ivona Kininmonth, PE, Project Engineer | reports=1
Decision: CONSENT CALENDAR
26-00305 SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON MAY 14 TH FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ALLOCATIONS RECOMMENDED ACTION: SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THURSDAY MAY 14 TH FOR CDBG FUNDING ALLOCATIONS.
COUNCIL INITIATIVE ADDRESSED: Preserve and enhance neighborhoods CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A SUMMARY STATEMENT: The City of Longview is allocated Community Development Block Grant funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Funding is allocated to projects by City Council. A public hearing must be held at the time of allocation to allow for public comment. STAFF CONTACT: Kenny Robinson, Program Coordination Specialist | reports=1
Decision: CONSENT CALENDAR
26-00306 SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON MAY 14 TH FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM ALLOCATIONS RECOMMENDED ACTION: SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THURSDAY, MAY 14 TH FOR HOME FUNDING ALLOCATIONS.
COUNCIL INITIATIVE ADDRESSED: Preserve and enhance neighborhoods CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A SUMMARY STATEMENT: The City of Longview is allocated HOME Investment Partnership Program funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Funding is allocated to projects by City Council. A public hearing must be held at the time of allocation to allow for public comment. STAFF CONTACT: Kenny Robinson, Program Coordination Specialist | reports=1
Decision: CONSENT CALENDAR
16. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
26-00298 UPDATE FROM UNCOMMON BRIDGES ON FIRE/EMS LEVIES
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Decision: CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
17. MISCELLANEOUS
18. EXECUTIVE SESSION
19. ADJOURNMENT