At the first City Council meeting of 2023 on January 9th, Hood River's newly elected mayor and city councilors took their oaths of office. The oaths by Mayor Paul Blackburn, and councilors Grant Polson, Doug Stepina, and Tim Counihan, were administered by Judge Ruben Cleaveland as they begin their
Vanderpuye is Hood River’s new Community Engagement Coordinator
The City of Hood River recently welcomed Jackie Vanderpuye as its new community engagement coordinator, a relatively new position for the City. Jackie will plan and implement outreach and communication activities for many of the City’s most pressing projects and operations, with a focus on
City thanks Work Plan survey respondents
The City of Hood River thanks all community members who participated in City's Council Work Plan survey. Many thoughtful ideas were received on projects to help move City Council’s goals for the community forward. The City received 83 community input responses with wide ranging comments and
Leaf Drop-off Resumes at Public Works
The City is providing leaf drop-off to city residents at its Public Works facility from November 1st to December 5th as a free fall season service. City residents may drop leaves between 8:00 a.m and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents will be required to empty any bagged leaves. This
Council seeks input on 2023 goals & work plan
In preparation for the City of Hood River’s annual work plan session in early December, City Council seeks input and ideas on projects to help achieve City Council’s goals for the community. Community members are invited to contribute ideas via a print questionnaire or online survey. The survey
Fall Leaves – Public Right-of-Way Reminders
Fall Leaf Reminders – Leaves are beginning to fall and the City reminds the community that it's the property owner's responsibility to keep sidewalks adjoining private property in safe condition. If there are leaves sidewalks, please remove them. Leaves should not be raked or blown onto the
Rich Rice is City’s new Public Works Director
Following an extensive search process, the City of Hood River has selected Richard Rice as the City of Hood River’s new public works director. Since March 2020, Rice has served as public works project manager for the City, which involved managing all aspects of public works projects
Notices from the City on Current Projects
Water and sewer line replacement – 2021-22 Read this story for more information about the City's 10-year Water / Sewer Line Replacement Project. The first phase of City of Hood River’s Water/Sewer Pipe Reconstruction plan to replace aged, deteriorated clay sewer pipes and lead-jointed drinking
Heights Streetscape Plan moves to Phase 3
The Urban Renewal Agency has given direction to move the Heights Streetscape Plan to Phase 3 by selecting Design 3 as the preferred alternative. Broad community input was received on three alternatives for 12th and 13th streets in the Heights regarding traffic, transit, bicycle and pedestrian
Friday City Office Closures this Summer
The City of Hood River announces temporary reduced hours this summer season for City Hall, Public Works, and the Fire Station. These offices will be closed to the public on Fridays effective from June 10th until at least September 2nd due to staffing shortages. Open hours for the Police Station will
City Approves Affordable Housing Strategy
Hood River’s Affordable Housing Strategy, the result of a year-long project, was unanimously adopted by City Council. Guided by a team of experts, the project was also assisted by a community task force and stakeholders. The Affordable Housing Strategy includes numerous policy tools and actions
City reduces energy use and emissions
April is Earth Month and it's a good time to share news on progress on the City's environmental sustainability goals. In 2018, the City adopted the Hood River County Energy Plan, a blueprint to improve the community’s resilience and increase energy independence and economic benefits related to
City seeks Budget Committee applicants
Go to https://cityofhoodriver.gov/city-budget-committee/ for up to date information on the City Budget Committee.
Planning Commission Vacancy
The City has vacancies for two Planning Commission members, serving through October 2023 and October 2024. The Planning Commission acts as a hearing body on zoning actions, makes advisory recommendations to City Council on land use issues, and assists with Comprehensive Plan updates, meeting about
Make comments on SRTS draft plan by Jan. 30
Hood River’s drafted Safe Routes to School Project Identification Plan is now in the public comment phase. The draft plan identifies safety projects around May Street Elementary and Hood River Middle schools. Public comment, open through Sunday, January 30th, can be made directly on the drafts
City Manager Selection Announced
After an extensive search process, the Hood River City Council announced that Abigail Elder will be Hood River’s next city manager. She takes her new post November 1. Elder was most recently Director of Community Services and Engagement for the City of Beaverton. She has more than 15 years of
Ways to produce affordable housing is next City effort
Leer en español. Over the past decade, the percentage of housing affordable to average-income families has decreased from 40% to 15% in Hood River. In response, the City of Hood River continues to tackle projects to create more attainable, equitable and diverse housing. The City’s newest effort is
City Manager Finalists Selected
The Hood River City Council has designated three finalists for the position of City Manager: Jeffrey Durbin, Abigail Elder and Cory Misley. Community members will have an opportunity to meet the finalists at a community reception the evening of Tuesday, September 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the
Learn more about SRTS in these Story Maps
As the school year begins, the City invites school families to learn more about its Safe Routes To School (SRTS) projects. SRTS projects help make our community safer for children and families who walk or roll to school. Learn more about the program through these recently developed Story Maps in
Car-sharing is available in Hood River
Car-sharing is here! Five Honda Clarity electric car-sharing vehicles are located in Hood River, available to rent by the minute. City vehicle bases are located at the Hood River Fire Station and the Columbia Street parking lot at 5th Street. A third vehicle is located at the Port waterfront on
Sanitary Sewer System undergoes Smoke Testing
The City of Hood River Utilities Department will conduct sanitary sewer system smoke testing on August 12th and 13th to gain information for future sewer improvements. Community members may notice a distinct odor that results from this testing. The smoke testing will involve opening and
Council meetings now live-streamed
Attendance at City Council meetings can now be in-person or remote. Testimony may be given remotely or in-person, and all official City meetings are now live-streamed and archived on the City website. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, the City had been working on plans to equip the Council Chambers
City seeks Housing Task Force Members
HOUSING TASK FORCE The City of Hood River seeks applicants to participate on a diverse advisory community task force for its Affordable Housing Production Strategy (AHPS). The task force will review initial proposed housing strategies and provide input based on personal or professional experience
City of Hood River Bans Fireworks Use
Concerns for fire danger are heightened during upcoming July 4th holiday celebrations due to unprecedented weather and drought conditions. As a result, the City of Hood River has declared a State of Emergency that includes a ban on the use of personal legal and illegal fireworks effective
City seeks Planning Commission applicants
The City of Hood River is accepting applications for Planning Commission to fill positions serving through October 2025. Applicants can reside within the Hood River City limits or the Urban Growth Boundary. The Planning Commission acts as a hearing body on zoning actions; makes advisory