Notice of Sanitary Sewer Smoke Testing

The City of Rainier will be testing sewer lines in your area over the next 1-2 weeks.

Smoke tests are performed by pumping a special non-toxic, non-staining vapor or "smoke" into the city sewer lines to detect leaks and cross connections in our pipes. The smoke is odorless and creates no fire hazard. If there is a crack or break anywhere in the pipeline, the smoke will rise to the surface and the crew can visually see the location where repairs are needed.

Smoke may also be seen coming from roof vents, building foundations, catch basins, clean-outs, down spouts, sewer laterals or manhole covers. The smoke should not enter your building if it is properly plumbed, vented, and the water traps contain water.

Important! If you have seldom used plumbing fixtures, please pour 3 to 4 cups of water into the drains or run tap water into your plumbing drains for 30 seconds ahead of the smoke testing. This will limit the potential for smoke vapor entering your home or business

View full notice letter for additional information (pdf)

View map of testing area (pdf)

Applications Sought for Rainier City Council Vacancy

City Council

Applications are currently being sought to fill a vacancy on the Rainier City Council for a term that expires in January 2023. Applicants for the volunteer position must currently reside, and have been a resident for at least one year, within the city limits.

Councilors are expected to attend one regular meeting per month, which typically takes place on the first Monday at 6 p.m. Other meetings may also be scheduled, as needed.

Those interested in applying may pick up an application Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. at City Hall, 106 West "B" Street or call 503-556-7301. The application deadline is September 27. Council will appoint the new member at its October 4 meeting.

Public Survey for Improving City of Rainier Parks

Parks
Survey

Rainier Parks Survey Submit Online

Rainier Parks Survey Print Version (pdf)

THANK YOU FOR TAKING OUR SURVEY! Please return by October 15 to City Hall. The Parks Committee will discuss the results at its October meeting.

City of Rainier to Receive Funding for Fox Creek Feasibility Study

Rainier, OR--Prior to adjourning on Saturday, June 26, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 5006. That bill distributes $1.4 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds among the state's 90 legislative districts.

Rep. Brad Witt (D-Clatskanie) reached out to officials from the City of Rainier to see if the city had any projects that could be eligible for the funding. Witt has served as the House District 31 representative since 2005. That district includes all of Columbia County and portions of Washington and Multnomah counties.

City Administrator W. Scott Jorgensen informed Witt that the city has been actively seeking funding for a feasibility study to resolve the ongoing issues involving Fox Creek.

"A portion of Fox Creek currently runs underneath a combination of public and private property, between Highway 30 and C Street here in Rainier," Jorgensen wrote in a letter of support that he submitted for the funding request. "The culverts on either side of this portion are of differing sizes, and this has caused a series of issues pertaining to flooding. Additionally, it has complicated the ability of fish to pass from the Columbia River upstream to the portion of Fox Creek beyond C Street."

Witt agreed on the importance of funding the feasibility study and advocated for the funding.

HB 5006 passed out of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means June 24 on a unanimous, bipartisan 22-0 vote. It then passed out of the Oregon House of Representatives June 26 on a 55-0 vote and the Senate the same day on a 24-3 vote. Governor Kate Brown signed it into law on Friday, August 6.

Witt said he was pleased that he was able to help the city with the funding request.

"This is a longstanding need that we were able to fulfill with assistance from the federal government," Witt said.

Also partnering with Witt and the city on these efforts was Sen. Betsy Johnson (D-Scappoose). Johnson is in her third term representing Senate District 16, which includes House District 31, Tillamook and Clatsop counties.

"I'm glad that Representative Witt and I were able to work collaboratively to make sure we covered all corners of the district with ARPA money," Johnson said.

Rainier Mayor Jerry Cole said he appreciates the efforts of the city's legislative delegation to address this issue.

"Thanks to Representative Witt and Senator Johnson, the city will be able to start working on resolving some of these issues," Cole said. "It's long been a priority for the Oregon Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and we look forward to getting started on this."

City RV Park Closed

At its Monday, May 3 meeting, the city council voted unanimously to indefinitely close the city's RV Park property at 696 West A Street. This closure came at the recommendation of city staff.

Local Matters on KLTV

Mayor Jerry Cole and City Administrator W. Scott Jorgensen appeared on the March 31 edition of Local Matters on KLTV.

Click the link below to watch the video:

KLTV Local Matters!!

RAINIER MAYOR'S TASKFORCE FOR COVID VACCINATIONS Mar 17, 2021

Have you tried finding a Covid Vaccination but are having a hard time figuring it out?

Please call City Hall between the hours of 09:00 AM and 5:00 PM Monday through Friday and leave your contact information with staff. A local dedicated volunteer on the Taskforce will help you schedule a vaccination.

Please note we do not give the vaccination.
We will do our best to help you find one.

Road Closure

The portion of 1st Street between the 500 and 600 blocks
has been temporarily closed to through traffic.