Astoria City Council Regular Meeting - February 18, 2026

The Astoria City Council held its regular meeting on February 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the 2nd Floor Council Chambers, 1095 Duane Street, Astoria, Oregon. The agenda and minutes list this meeting as Tuesday, February 17, 2026; this summary uses the date provided for the record. Mayor Sean Fitzpatrick presided, with Councilors Andy Davis, Elisabeth Adams, and Joshua Conklin present. Councilor Andrea Mazzarella was absent. The meeting included a National FFA Week proclamation, reports from councilors, unanimous approval of the consent calendar, and three regular agenda items: adoption of the Astor East Urban Renewal Plan amendment, approval of parks fee updates, and authorization of a downtown parking study RFP. The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.

Proclamation: National FFA Week

• Mayor Fitzpatrick and members of Council shared a reading of a proclamation designating February 21–28, 2026 as National FFA Week in Astoria. The proclamation recognized the Astoria FFA chapter's three-star national rating, its record 13 banners from the Northwest FFA District Convention, and its 428 members, making it the fourth largest FFA chapter in Oregon. Student representatives Jude O'Shawn and Lyndon Reed accepted the proclamation and spoke about FFA's impact on their leadership development.

Reports of Councilors

• Councilor Conklin reported on site visits to Tongue Point, including the WCT facility and a meeting with a boat lift owner, noting both operational challenges and future economic development potential.
• Councilor Adams reported on a regional lobbying trip to Salem for Casa Mariposa funding, encouraging news about a downtown grocery outlet possibly reopening under new ownership, upcoming state housing capacity work under Oregon Goal 10, and the success of the Dark Arts Festival.
• Councilor Davis reported that a COLPAC rate increase—the first in approximately 30 years—was approved, with the City's rate rising from $250 to $1,500 and not tied to inflation; he also attended DLCD training.
• Mayor Fitzpatrick reported visits to WCT Marine and Columbia Steel, noting that a $20 million state-funded boat lift has been used once, and highlighted upcoming events including the Baker Building opening and a household hazardous waste collection day.

Consent Calendar

• The Consent Calendar included approval of draft minutes from September 29, 2025; October 6, 2025; and October 20, 2025; adoption of the 2026 Astoria City Council Work Plan; and a change-of-ownership liquor license application for Xanadu at 1104 Marine Drive. Councilor Davis noted the Work Plan guides council priorities. Motion by Davis, seconded by Adams, approved 4-0 (Fitzpatrick, Adams, Davis, Conklin).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Willis Van Dusen (Friends of the Astoria Column) spoke in favor of the Column parking fee increase, citing approximately $1.5 million in future restoration and maintenance needs and clarifying that the $5 rate in December and January provides a full-year pass.
• Candace Chapman, activities director at Astoria High School, introduced students Ella Hawks, Teslin Winterstein, and Contura Jackson, who requested Council approval to hold the junior/senior prom at the Astoria Column on May 2, 2026, from 8–11 PM, with support from an anonymous donor and the Friends of the Astoria Column. The Council granted approval.
• Travis Rowe, representing the Astoria School District, voiced support for the Aquatic Center discounts, highlighting benefits for staff recruitment, retention, and wellness.
• Lisa Morley (Cedar Street) expressed general support for the fee update and asked about revenue distribution and effective date.
• Robert Clark (145 Second Street) asked whether Aquatic Center discounts would extend to Tongue Point students and faculty; staff clarified the discounts apply to Astoria School District employees, and youth under 18 already qualify for reduced rates.
• Robert Clark also raised concerns about the potential sale of a privately owned parking lot on Marine Drive between Second and Third Streets, previously used for food distribution and a Veterans Administration shuttle, which could reduce parking and affect community services.
• Lisa Morley encouraged the City to begin planning for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on July 4, 2026, noting she had seen no local plans.

Discussion Items

8.a Astor East Urban Renewal Plan Amendment

• City Manager Scott Spence presented the second reading of Ordinance 26-02, which would amend the Astor East Urban Renewal Plan to add the Dairigold property and Copeland Commons as workforce housing opportunities. Spence noted the district has less than one acre of remaining expansion capacity and approximately $3.3 million available for reinvestment. The proposal had been reviewed by the Planning Commission and discussed by Council on February 2, 2026.
• Councilor Davis recused himself from discussion and vote due to his service on the Copeland Commons board. Councilor Adams spoke in support, citing Oregon Goal 10's housing requirements. No public comment was offered.
• Motion by Adams, seconded by Conklin, adopted 3-0 (Fitzpatrick, Adams, Conklin; Davis recused).

8.b Parks Fee Updates – Aquatic Center (F1) and Astoria Column (F5)

• Resolution 26-05 proposed two fee updates. The Aquatic Center would extend youth/senior-equivalent discounts to active-duty military, veterans, and Astoria School District employees, changing the drop-in rate from $8 to $6 and the monthly adult pass from $70 to $55. The Astoria Column annual parking pass would increase from $5 to $10, with a $5 rate offered in December and January for a full-year pass; the City's share per pass would rise from $1 to $2, with the remainder going to the Friends of the Astoria Column. Implementation was targeted for around May 1, 2026, to support about $1.5 million in future capital needs.
• Councilor Davis asked about the financial impact of the discounts; Parks & Recreation Director Jonah Dart-McLean stated the impact would likely be minimal and could increase facility usage. Council also discussed the timing of the December/January discount and the potential for online pass purchases, which is under consideration.
• Motion by Conklin, seconded by Davis, approved 4-0.

8.c Downtown Parking Study RFP

• Staff presented a draft RFP for a technical update to the City's 2019 downtown parking study. The study would assess current parking capacity, the impacts of anticipated developments including Copeland Commons, peer-city comparisons, demand management, seasonal trends, and alternative transportation strategies. Estimated cost is $40,000–$45,000, with RFP responses due April 15, 2026.
• Councilor Davis opposed issuing the RFP, arguing the City has sufficient data and could apply best practices in-house; he suggested funds could be better directed to enforcement tools such as license plate readers. Mayor Fitzpatrick supported the RFP as a low-risk way to gather new information, noting it does not obligate spending. Councilor Adams offered conditional support, preferring to frame the work as a "parking master plan." Councilor Conklin acknowledged enforcement may be more important but supported receiving additional information. Staff noted an outside consultant could model future parking demand from five upcoming projects and analyze seasonality and constrained areas.
• Motion by Adams, seconded by Conklin, authorized staff to publish the RFP by a 3-1 vote (Fitzpatrick, Adams, Conklin in favor; Davis opposed).

New Business & Miscellaneous

• Councilor Adams requested an executive session in the near future to discuss the employment of an officer or employee. Staff and Council agreed to schedule it during the upcoming agenda-setting process on February 23, 2026.
• Lisa Morley encouraged the City to plan for the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence on July 4, 2026.
• The meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved 4-0, including adoption of the 2026 City Council Work Plan.
• Ordinance 26-02 adopted 3-0; Councilor Davis recused.
• Resolution 26-05 approved 4-0, and Council approved holding the Astoria High School prom at the Astoria Column on May 2, 2026.
• Staff authorized to publish the downtown parking study RFP by a 3-1 vote.
• Executive session deferred to the agenda-setting session on February 23, 2026.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM.