What Happened At The Meeting September Edition

Written By Anne Beasley

September was a quiet month in Westport. The Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) kicked things off by talking paint, and the month closed with City Council thanking Don Ross for 14 years of service to Westport. Ross served under three mayors, and Mayor Welter thanked him for his "institutional knowledge, calm demeanor, and dry humor." Ross recently accepted a job as Executive Administrator for the Ocosta School District.

LTAC: Murals and Marketing

LTAC discussed adding more murals around Westport, where they should go, and what they should show. That included the mural on the side of the Pacific Seafoods building and whether it should be restored or painted over. Any change would need Pacific Seafoods' approval. Coyote, who has been a big part of bringing new murals to Westport, was there to share ideas. He showed concept designs for various spots in the Marina. (One of my favs was a giant kraken design suggested for the public bathrooms.)

Speaking of murals, Coyote and the "Only For Art” crew have remained busy around South Beach; most recent murals include Hair FX, Beachin Beauty, and Tokeland Tuna. 

New mural in Grayland at Beachin Beauty/Hair FX painted by the Only For Art Crew

Tokeland Tuna Company mural painted by All For One. Image courtesy Coyote

Also from LTAC: the grant application for LTAC-funded events has been updated and is available for 2027. Also, an RFP for the city's marketing services (currently Fish Marketing) will go out for 2027.

City Council

  • Digitization: The City Clerk reported that all ordinances and resolutions from 2004 to the present are scanned and on the City website.

  • FLOCK cameras: Council MemberTroy Meyers has been reviewing the FLOCK master agreement, so expect to see that on a meeting agenda soon. 

  • Fishermen's Memorial: The Port kicked in $17,000 toward the renovation efforts and will provide $150 annually for flowers.

  • City Hall remodel: Happy Life Construction was awarded the contract to remodel the 3rd floor of City Hall, at no more than $200,000.

  • Wastewater treatment plant: Council approved an emergency expenditure request for a digester blower used in compost operations, not to exceed $15,000.

Fishermen’s Memorial is getting a makeover. Image courtesy Jodee Orton.

Police Department

The department will purchase a McGruff the Crime Dog costume for events and hopes to debut it at Trick or Treat at the Docks on Halloween. The department will also bring on a temporary, full-time, non-union position to tackle a backlog of records that need to be retained or destroyed.

Chief Phillips also mentioned at the Civil Service meeting that Westport Police now have three laser speed-measuring devices and a special meter that measures window tint. The department is hiring another officer.

Planning Commission: Short-Term Rental Software

The city will use Deckard Technologies to implement new software to monitor and manage short-term rentals, including a 24/7 complaint line residents can call to report STR issues. The software can also:

  • Identify unregistered and non-compliant STR properties

  • Handle tax collection

  • Manage complaints

  • Simplify the permitting process

  • Help forecast tourism

State Parks Commission: Westport Golf Links

On September 9, the Washington State Parks Commission held a virtual special workshop with Westport Golf Links (WGL), the group proposing a privately financed golf resort at Westport Light State Park. The Commission took no action and accepted no public comment. Commissioners questioned the developers on permitting, wetland mitigation, coastal erosion, and finances.

WGL said the FEIS should be finalized around early October. It presented a refined wetland restoration approach, expanded public trails and parking, and claimed no state capital funding would be needed. A WGL consultant and former Army Corps commander also argued the project could make federal reuse of dredged material to protect the shoreline more likely, though he acknowledged nothing is guaranteed.

Commissioners were engaged but noncommittal, and skeptical of several points. They questioned the federal dredge-reuse argument, citing the unpredictability of federal policy. They also raised concerns about unresolved offsite wetland mitigation commitments, appeal-related delays, and the lack of any review against Parks' own policies in the project schedule. They challenged the Bandon Dunes comparison, an apparently low marketing budget, and the proposed concession terms. Commissioner Danenberg asked staff to develop a "Plan B" for the park.

What's next: A special commission meeting on October 19 at Aberdeen High School, 5:30 to 9 pm, will focus mainly on public comment. Commissioners are asking the community for input on the proposal.

Upcoming Dates

  • Oct. 3: Vertical Evacuation Structure Groundbreaking Ceremony

  • Oct. 10-11: Cranberry Festival, Cook-off, Tours, Firefly Parade, and Jog the Bog

  • Oct. 15: Great ShakeOut

  • Oct. 17: South Beach Mushroom Festival

  • Oct. 19: Community Input Meeting with State Parks Commissioners for the Westport Golf Links proposal

  • Oct. 23-24: Mermaid Festival at Westport Winery

  • Oct. 31: Trick-or-Treat at the Docks

Anne Beasley
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Golf Course Meeting