Dayton City Council plans for drought conditions

DAYTON – The Dayton City Council met at 6 p.m. on April 14, 2026. Michael Smith presided as mayor pro tem in the absence of Mayor Roger Trump. Council members Shannon McMillen, James Su’euga, Glenn Hagfeldt, Kyle Anderson, Joann Patras, and Dave Harvey attended.

The council approved the consent agenda and approved claims, vouchers, and warrants.

There were no action items for the council to consider.

Ryan Paulson, Public Works Director, told the council that the state has declared a statewide drought. This is the fourth year in a row that part or all of Washington will be under a drought declaration, and the fourth statewide drought emergency since 2015. Seven of the past 10 years have seen drought in part or all of the state.

Paulson clarified that the fishing pond is emptied each year at the direction of the water master. The decision to shut down the pump feeding the pond is not within the purview of any member of the city government.

Paulson suggested a meeting among the Port of Columbia Commissioners, the Columbia County Commissioners, and the Dayton City Council. Topics could include code enforcement, annexation of the Blue Mountain Station, land-use planning, and other matters of overlapping jurisdiction. 

Regarding the Main Street project, the director said WSDOT had changed the traffic lights at Main and Second streets to be triggered by cameras rather than underground sensors. under the street. The re-striping of Main Street is expected to happen in June. Paulson said that, after nearly a year of repairs, the city’s Well #2 is now operational, providing fresh water to Dayton residents.

Paulson expressed gratitude to Kyle Anderson and Dan Culley for their assistance and the equipment used to clear debris at the base of the Main Street bridge during the flooding.

The City Clerk’s office said the city has been notified by Basin Disposal of proposed rate increases. Starting in July, rates per residential bin will increase by about two dollars. Also, the transfer station rates will increase from $59/ton to $80/ton.

The City’s new website went live on April 15, 2026.

Clark Posey said he had completed 26 flood damage assessments. At the time of the meeting, he said only one had significant damage; the survey was still ongoing.

At the end of the meeting, Paulson asked if the council had any objections to a resident placing a memorial bench on their cemetery plot. Paulson said the requirements for installing the bench include a concrete base to prevent grass from growing where it cannot be mowed. There was no objection. The meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.