Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Astoria public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
City Government Overview
Ordinance 26-09 would let department heads approve purchases up to $10,000 without City Manager sign-off, up from $7,500, and would raise the small procurement threshold to match the state's $25,000 limit. City staff say costs have risen and dozens of purchases fall in this range each year.
Liquor license recommendations moving to staff
Ordinance 26-10 would let the City Manager make liquor license recommendations to the state directly, instead of bringing each new application before the council. It applies only to new applications and name or license-type changes — not renewals or special events.
Parking Master Plan Ad-Hoc Working Group
The city paused its plan to hire a consultant to update the 2019 downtown parking study, deciding instead to talk about a full citywide parking master plan first. It affects downtown businesses, shoppers and anyone who parks downtown.
Astoria Municipal Code modernization, Phase 1
Staff proposed 10 code amendments, from raising the department-head purchase limit to $10,000 to repealing obsolete licenses for pinball machines and drive-in restaurants. Bigger policy items include making liquor licenses administrative and replacing the general occupation tax with a business license program by July 2027.
Riverwalk bicycle safety
Fast-moving e-bikes on the Riverwalk remain a concern, but staff say an outright ban would be hard to enforce and legally shaky. Instead, the city is installing reflective share-the-path signs and working with police on education — with a ban kept on the table if problems continue.
Building code modernization and outdated fees
Ordinance 26-08 modernizes building code administration; councilors also flagged that building fees are over a decade old and may be revised after a future work session.
State housing and Goal 5 mandates due January 1, 2027
New state rules take effect January 1, 2027: Goal 5 tribal notice requirements for ground-disturbing applications and HB 2138 middle housing and single-room-occupancy code changes. CDD must comply regardless of its staffing crunch.
2026 Emergency Operations Plan
The city now has a current playbook for disasters, mostly paid for by a county grant. It's mostly an internal document, though officials will give presentations to community groups.
Three-Year Contract and Raises for Public Works Staff
Public Works employees represented by Teamsters Local 58 get a three-year deal with raises every year, better on-call pay, an extra eight hours of personal leave for three-year employees, and city-provided uniforms. Wage costs flow into the city budget already adopted.
Police Use-of-Force Incident Raises Concerns
Two speakers raised an incident in which a man suffered a skull fracture and lost an eye during an encounter with police. Mary Yang urged crisis-response training and officer wellness supports; Matthew Miller questioned the officer's conduct directly.
Regional Library Sharing Expanded
Astoria cardholders can now borrow directly from Seaside and Warrenton libraries — holds arrive in one to two weeks, or you can just drive over. Non-residents outside the three cities still pay $70 a year, and councilor Davis pushed for pursuing countywide service.
Fire and life safety standards for rentals
Sprinkler requirements kick in for commercial buildings with any sleeping use, which is costly and hard to navigate in Astoria's historic building stock. Staff wants to clarify when codes apply and allow more building-official flexibility.
Chinook Indian Nation federal recognition
The council directed staff to prepare a signed letter of support for the Chinook Indian Nation's ongoing fight for federal recognition, which Councilor Davis noted could also benefit other smaller tribal nations.
Riverwalk lighting extension to Upper Town
The council approved buying 40 solar bollard lights to extend Riverwalk lighting from 35th Street toward the LaPlante Spur — a long-awaited fix for Upper Town at roughly half the cost of wired lights.
Arts & Culture strategic recommendations
Astoria now has a five-member Arts & Culture Advisory Commission to advise the council, review public art proposals, and advance the Arts & Culture Strategic Plan — a first step the arts community has long sought.
Special assessment program for historic commercial properties
Three commercial property owners applied to the revived state special assessment program, which offers property tax benefits for historic preservation work. The commission's comments to SHIPO will shape whether the former Robies buildings and Workers Tavern get in — and whether the tavern's original wood siding gets repaired or replaced.
Cedar Creek Spur 1 Bridge in the Watershed
A failing culvert on Spur 1 Road near a critical water intake will be replaced with a fish-passable bridge, protecting watershed access and drinking water.
17th Street floating dock replacement
The old dock is closed because it's unsafe; repairs were running near $50,000 a year. A new, sturdier dock will cost about $429,000 total.
Crosswalk request at 20th Street between Aquatic Center and OSU Seafood Lab
A resident asked the city to paint a mid-block crosswalk on 20th Street between the Aquatic Center and the OSU Seafood Lab, citing fast-turning cars from Marine Drive and blocked sightlines. The city engineer agreed to review it, along with a second pedestrian connection near Exchange Street.
September 28 joint work session with City Council
The Planning Commission and City Council will sit down together on September 28 to align on priorities for 2027–2028 — housing studies, planning initiatives, and a backlog of code amendments including vacation rental rules. What gets prioritized shapes how fast these changes happen.
Tongue Point Area Plan
Astoria won a top-tier ODOT transportation grant to plan the Tongue Point area, aiming to stitch together transportation, maritime industry, and two residential opportunity sites. The plan will also examine the choked Highway 30 intersection near Emerald Heights.
August 3 agenda concerns — ballot initiative and HLC appeal
Councilor Adams flagged that the August 3 meeting is packed with two legally tricky items — a citizen ballot initiative and a Historic Landmarks Commission appeal — and asked for advance legal education. The mayor says he'll walk the council through the quasi-judicial process.
Parks and Recreation financial performance
The department is finishing the fiscal year well ahead of revenue goals, with combined aquatics and recreation revenue topping $1 million and June aquatic attendance up 19%. Strong numbers mean more capacity to keep programs running without raising fees.
Astoria Column 100th Anniversary Celebration
The Column turns 100 with a free community party at Heritage Square and a rededication ceremony on July 18, plus a York interpretive panel unveiling July 1.
Temporary art display application — Paul Soriano
Local artists, schools, and community groups can now show artwork in designated library spaces under a new policy. Displays are capped at about three months, must be approved by the Library Director, and can't include graphic violence, explicit imagery, or election campaign material.
Emergency bus transportation agreement with Sunset Empire Transportation District
The city locked in a partnership so buses can move residents during a natural or man-made disaster, with the city covering costs and either side able to exit on 30 days' notice.
Enforcement Coordination with Circuit Court
Council has wanted a bigger conversation with the Circuit Court, Sheriff, and District Attorney about enforcing city standards, and the Chamber of Commerce agreed to host a public forum on it.
LiFEBoat Shelter Conditions
A resident reported problems at the LiFEBoat shelter — short showers, disability access issues, and safety concerns — and called for more shelter options for women, couples, and people with disabilities or pets. A state mediation is set for August.
Evergreen Field improvements grant
The board endorsed pursuing a state grant to add a second ball field at upper Evergreen Fields — a big win for softball and T-ball programs — plus picnic shelters, a small play structure for younger siblings, path resurfacing, and restroom renovations. School district leaders wrote letters of support.
Ocean View Cemetery Fee Increase
The Parks Department is proposing a smaller 3% cemetery fee increase instead of the planned 5%, and cutting burial liner prices from $1,700 to about $1,100. Staff noted Astoria's prices were approaching the top of the regional market, and the cut keeps full burials affordable.
FY 2026-27 urban renewal budget
The commission adopted a $9.08 million budget for the Astor East and Astor West urban renewal districts, including a city-initiated roof replacement for the 30-year-old Astoria Aquatic Center. Astor West has hit its maximum debt capacity, so no new borrowing there.
Public engagement under Statewide Planning Goal 1
Lisa Morley urged the city to do real two-way public engagement earlier in decisions, not just three-minute comment periods, to rebuild public trust.
Uniontown storefront revitalization
The Storefront Improvement Program helps fix up aging commercial buildings along West Marine Drive using urban renewal funds. The Triangle Tavern is the ninth project, and staff hope visible improvements encourage more business owners to apply.
Light manufacturing use at 1203 Commercial Street
Liberty Restoration Inc. sought a conditional use permit to allow light manufacturing in the commercial kitchen of an existing downtown building in the C-4 Zone. The decision affects what kind of business activity is allowed on a commercial corridor property.
Film-history mural at former Darigold building
Clatsop County wants to turn a blank gray wall at 9th and Duane into a celebration of Oregon film history, from the 1909 Fisherman's Bride to The Goonies, with photo-op spots and QR codes. It supports the county's $225,000 investment in the Oregon Film Museum and should draw tourists to a corner that's currently just concrete and parking lots.
Vermifiltration Feasibility Study for Brewery Wastewater
Sisu Brewing gets the city's seventh industrial wastewater permit, treating its waste to residential-strength standards. Councilors wanted assurance odors won't bother neighboring downtown businesses.
Wayfinding for finding names on the memorial
Englund Marine wants to buy a full panel (about $7,000) to honor its eight founders and its 80-plus years supporting Astoria's maritime community. The committee likes the idea and a final proposal comes back next meeting.
Marine railway deterioration near the Memorial
Committee members worry the old marine railway northwest of the Memorial is degrading from tides and weather. It sits on Port property, so they're considering asking the Port — and Bergerson Construction for a quote — to help shore it up.
Downtown Parking Reclaimed from Coast Guard
The Coast Guard gave up about 40 gravel-lot spaces near the Astoria Armory as it downsizes to fast response cutters. The city can now use the lot for about 50 incoming DHS employees, weekend and seasonal parking — though annual lease revenue drops $13,000.
Astoria Public Library Renovation Costs Rising
The library renovation contract grew by another $75,800 as the council approved Amendment No. 7, pushing the guaranteed maximum price to nearly $8.45 million on the 2022 bond project.
New library community reception
Board members report strong positive feedback about the new library building, including its artwork, tutoring space, and meeting rooms. The Library of Things is progressing slowly due to staffing shortages but remains a priority.
Astoria Column parking fee increase proposal
The annual Column parking pass doubles to $10, with a $5 rate in December and January. The city's cut rises to $2 per pass, and roughly $1.5 million in future restoration work is anticipated.
Comprehensive Parking Master Plan Direction
Councilor Davis pushed for a demand-based strategic parking plan rather than another study, sharing a draft. The council agreed to pause the RFP, schedule a master plan work session, and have Davis present his proposal at a future meeting.
Downtown parking study update and future of a private parking lot
Council approved publishing an RFP for a $40,000-$45,000 parking study update, though Davis pushed back in favor of better enforcement tools. A resident flagged the pending sale of a Marine Drive parking lot used for food distribution and VA shuttle parking.
Land use system training for council and commissions
Astoria's elected officials and volunteer board members got trained on how Oregon's land use system works, from statewide planning goals to how to handle ex parte contacts and conflicts of interest at quasi-judicial hearings. Better-grounded decision-makers mean land use rulings that hold up if appealed to the state Land Use Board of Appeals.
Downtown food access concerns
Councilor Adams flagged that downtown business closures, including a grocery market, could create food access problems for unhoused and EBT-dependent residents downtown.
2025 Trestle Repair Project
The trolley's trestles at Columbia Avenue and between 1st and 2nd Streets will get critical repairs under a $488,787 contract, with a contingency for hidden structural problems. Work should wrap by June 30.
Bumble Childcare sewage pump emergency
Two failing sewage pumps at the city-owned childcare building need about $40,000 in replacement. The Council transferred the money from parks contingency so the regional childcare provider can stay open safely.
Irving Avenue corridor and 8th & Irving intersection safety
A commissioner questioned why traffic on Irving runs unimpeded at Eighth Street; the city engineer explained it follows the dominant traffic volume and truck route, and said the city is re-reviewing several confusing yield-sign intersections around town.
TSAC Response Policy and Protocol
City staff walked the committee through the new protocol Council adopted December 15 for how traffic safety complaints reach the committee — a form, staff-level review first, and data-driven standards. Fatalities and serious injuries now automatically go on the agenda.