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
The City seeks Budget Committee members to discuss and deliberate on the City budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 (which begins on July 1). We appreciate and value the community member participation in the budget process which consists of three evening meetings scheduled for April 27th, May 4th and May
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
Trim trees in City Right-of-Way
The City reminds property owners and tenants, it’s the time of year to trim your trees along the public right-of-way. You may you pile branches by the tree (not in gutter) to be picked up by Public Works crew when in your area (see map below for work area). For public safety, trees planted within or
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
Partnerships with CAT promote transportation access
The City of Hood River has THREE new partnerships with Columbia Area Transit (CAT). They promote transit with free GOrge Passes for downtown employees and low-income residents as well as support for summer weekend trolley service. Downtown Employee Bus Pass Program Downtown employees
City of Hood River unaffected by chlorine shortage
A power disruption at a major northwest manufacturing plant has created a chlorine shortage that may affect Oregon’s water supply. The City of Hood River is in no danger of running out of chlorine for disinfection of drinking water or wastewater. The City of Hood River produces its own supply of
Give Input on Heights Urban Renewal
The City continues to take community input for improvements to the Heights streetscape and urban design plan with emphasis on addressing traffic and pedestrian safety, walkability, and the area’s local businesses. Results from the March survey and stakeholder meetings summary (to date) are now
City seeks input for City Manager recruitment
The City of Hood River seeks community input for its City Manager recruitment. Community members can provide input by attending a community meeting on May 20th and/or responding to a community survey by May 21st. The survey and community meeting are facilitated by Jensen Strategies, the
SRTS completes Walk Audits at City Schools
The City of Hood River is working with partners to create a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan to identify street improvements near May Street Elementary School and Hood River Middle School to support students and families in walking and rolling to school safely. Another phase of the Safe Routes
City Seeks Input on 780 Rand Rd. Development Alternatives
In 2020 the City purchased seven acres of land with the intent to have a developer build affordable housing on the site. A consultant then was hired to prepare a development strategy for the site. The consultant prepared four development alternatives. Please review the development alternatives
Low Impact Development Improves Stormwater Management
Low Impact Development (LID), also known as Green Infrastructure, is an on-site approach to stormwater management using various techniques to manage stormwater as close to the source as possible. Examples include vegetated areas, natural or manmade swales, rain barrels, green roofs and permeable
April is Arbor Month
April is Oregon Arbor Month, and the City of Hood River is proud to share it’s been named a Tree City U.S.A. for the 9th consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation. We appreciate the work of all on the City’s Tree Committee. Additionally, City Mayor Kate McBride has proclaimed April 30th,
Honoring our Planet
“I feel more confident than ever that the power to save the planet rests with the individual consumer.” - Denis Hayes, Organizer of the 1st Earth Day, 1970 – Honoring Our Planet – The world continues to see impacts from climate change in rising seas and the increased intensity of wildfires,
Council approves 2021 Work Plan
The Hood River City Council’s 2021 Work Plan is in place after the plan developed from its early February work session was approved. At its virtual workshop, Council affirmed long-term goals and the most important projects for the organization to undertake in 2021. A new goal to work towards an