The Astoria City Council met on September 3, 2025 (the agenda and minutes list the meeting date as September 2, 2025; this summary follows the provided meeting date of September 3, 2025). The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM and adjourned at 8:17 PM. Council approved the consent calendar, several budget amendments, equipment purchases, and a collective bargaining agreement. A proposed update to library fees was suspended for further review. Public comments addressed library meeting room fees and enforcement of short-term rental regulations.
Note on date discrepancy: The agenda and minutes both list the meeting date as Tuesday, September 2, 2025, but the provided meeting timestamp is 2025-09-03 14:00:00+00:00. This summary follows the given timestamp.
Projects and a program like that is no small task to manage, and Wade is the coordinator for that program. So we currently have thirteen hazmat uh technicians that make up the team. Uh, we have monthly training, which Wade plays a big role in ensuring that that training is set up for us so we can keep our skills uh where they should be. Um, there's a ton of equipment in our hazardous materials vehicles. A lot of that uh needs to be calibrated. Some things Wade has to work on, some things get sent off, but it all has to be checked to ensure that it's working, and he also attends some meetings that are around the state with other people that are in his position talking with the state and uh finding ways to improve the program. So a big project uh and I thank Wade for all the work that he does with our Hazmat team, and I thank you uh for your continued service and hitting a big milestone of twenty-five years of service. Thank you, and we're gonna be able to do that. Um as well as the mayor's coin. Oh, thank you. Appreciate it. Clearly, the council and the city appreciates it, appreciates a quarter of a century that you have given to the city of Astoria. Thank you. Would you like to speak? Uh, yeah, I just has been one of the best jobs we've ever had. You ask any firefighter, they love it. I was lucky enough that I was born and raised in this community. I raised my children in this area. Um, my family all still live here, and to get a job that I love and can support my family on and still be in the same area, has just been probably one of the best things it's ever been for me. So I absolutely thank the city of Astoria for that opportunity to do that and serve the citizens. Next up, we have two proclamations, and the first of those is for Pier 39 Day. And what I will ask is I will read the first whereas, and then if Councilor Lump has the proclamation in front of him, he can read the second whereas, then we would go to Councilor Adams and Councillor Davis and notice that we are going in reverse alphabetical order this evening. So of first names. So Councilor Lump, do you have the proclamation with you? Great. Okay, so whereas Pier 39, home to the historic Hampthorn Canery, was established in 1875 along Astoria's working waterfront and has stood for 150 years as a vital part of the city's maritime and economic history, and whereas the Hanthorn Cannery became a founding member of the Columbia River Packers Association, which helped to launch the iconic Bumblebee brand connecting Astoria's name to tables around the world and whereas generations of cannery workers, fishermen, families, and entrepreneurs gave their labor, heart, and heritage to this pier, making it not only a hub of industry, but also a symbol of resilience, community, innovation, and whereas Floyd and Cheryl Holcomb, the current stewards of Pier 39, along with the Hanthorn Cannery Foundation and the Astoria Upper Town Business Association continue to preserve and share its legacy through the Hanthorn Canary Museum and historic preservation efforts. And whereas the people of Astoria will gather on September 6th, 2025 for a day of celebration, remembrance, storytelling, music, and community in honor of Pier 39's 150 150th birthday. Now, therefore, the Australia City Council does hereby proclaim September 6th, 2025 as Pier 39 Day in the City of Astoria and encourage all residents and visitors to reflect on the rich maritime heritage of our waterfront and celebrate the people and stories that continue to define this remarkable place. So I don't see Floyd and Cheryl here, but if Stacy Stahl could join me. Thank you, Stacey. Thank you. Now you've been very involved in your nine for a while. Would you like to address the council and the audience? Sure. Thanks for having us here. It's exciting to celebrate such a large, momentous birthday. It's not every every day that something celebrates 150 years. It's pretty exciting. So we'd love all of you to join us on Saturday from eight in the morning till eight at night events all day to celebrate spree. Lots of things happening. But I want to um, on behalf of Cheryl and Floyd Holcomb, who are owners of the pier to accept this proclamation. And thank you very much. Thank you for joining us. Okay, okay. Thank you. Thank you, Stacey. All right, next up, we have a member of our community who's going to be celebrating a milestone birthday here at the end of the month. And he has been very active in our community. He's a native son and has given his entire life to building community in Astoria. So we have a proclamation for him today, which I am going to read.