Utility Work on Washington Way

The City will be doing some utility work on Washington way this week.

We will need to have one lane traffic with flagging and may have periodic closures. The project will start Tuesday, February 23rd and should be completed end of day on Wednesday February 24th. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Parks Committee Announcement

Parks
Committee

At its February 1 meeting, the Rainier City Council unanimously passed a resolution establishing a Parks Committee. The City is now accepting applications for positions on that body.

The Committee will have a minimum of seven members and a maximum of ten. Two positions will be made available to persons living outside of city limits.

Applications are available online at Board and Commission Application (pdf) and at City Hall and will be accepted until March 1.

The City Council will consider the applications and make appointments to the committee at its April 5 meeting.

The Parks Committee will hold its first meeting in May, on a date to be determined. That body will solicit public opinion on utilizing existing city properties and enhancing current recreational opportunities and provide recommendations to the council.

Traffic Change Notice

For safety reasons, stops signs have been installed at the intersections of Maple and "C" Street and "C" Street and 11th Streets. Please be aware of the changes and drive carefully!

Sand Bags Available

Sand bags and sand are available free to the public and located at the city's waste water treatment plant at 690 West A Street and across from the Fire Department at the intersection of West 2nd and C streets. Residents are asked to bring their own shovels.

The City has Partnered with Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA)

The City has partnered with Service Line Warranties of America (SLWA), a provider of home emergency repair solutions to homeowners nationwide, to offer Exterior Water Service Line Coverage and Exterior Sewer/Septic Line Coverage to Rainier homeowners.

Many homeowners are not aware that they are responsible for certain repairs. For example, many Americans don't know that they are responsible for repairs to water service and sewer/septic lines on their private property. Many homeowners are not prepared to handle the high costs of unexpected water service or sewer/septic line breakdowns.

Optional plans from SLWA can help protect you from the potentially expensive repair costs of water and sewer/septic lines inside and outside your home.

You can visit www.slwofa.com or call 1-844-257-8795 for more information or to sign up for coverage.

Project Planned for West 4th to West 3rd Between E and F Streets

The City is planning on conducting a project from West 4th to West 3rd between E and F Streets. This project includes the lining and repair of the main sewer line, the replacement of the water line with a six inch line, fire hydrants and service lines to the water meters, storm drainage and resurfacing of the road with payment approximately 28 inches in width.

Planning for the project is currently underway, and the inspection of the sewer line and requests for quotes have been submitted.

The water line replacement is estimated to take place in the fall of 2020. Repair of the sewer line would then follow in November or December of that year. Storm drainage work would occur around January 2021, with road preparation and paving anticipated two months afterward, with the streets ready to be paved by June 2021.

For more information, call Public Works Director Sue Lawrence at 503-396-1736 or City Hall at 503-556-7301.

Rainier, Oregon Mayor Jerry Cole has declared a state of emergency Mar 16, 2020

Rainier, Oregon Mayor Jerry Cole has declared a state of emergency for the city of 2,000 residents that sits along the Columbia River in Columbia County.

The declaration will not only streamline assistance to residents and businesses to weather the unprecedented viral outbreak, but allow the city government to expedite actions needed to protect individuals and businesses in the city as well as use special procedures to expedite the purchase of goods and services needed by city departments to maintain safety, health, and wellbeing in Rainier.

"I want to assure everyone that Rainier is as safe, secure and protected as possible during this challenging time of COVID-19. This infection is being more fully understood every day, and more specific preventative measures are being formulated daily. Until we understand the full picture of the disease and the best responses to it, we must follow the broad preventative measures as directed by the President, Congress, our Governor, Columbia County, and State health officials."

"While these declarations are often used by cities when there is major disruption from a highly visible natural disaster such as a flood or earthquake, we are now threatened by in invisible and sometimes lethal threat," said Mayor Cole. "We have little experience with a contagion and what damages it may bring to our community and how long the measures needed to attempt to stem its rapid growth may take. This declaration, along with those of the President and the Governor, are part of a coordinated effort that will aid in our ability to tap into outside resources and ease the process to receive any possible Federal reimbursement for costs incurred."

"I ask that you all help us by following the guidelines, rules and recommendations that the City, County, State and Federal governments issue - these are the best directives to keep you safe and to limit the impacts of COVID-19," said Cole. "There is information and links to the Small Business Administration and the CDC on the city website, cityofrainier.com that are strong resources available 24 hours a day."

The declaration took effect at midnight on March 16, 2020 and will stay in effect through April 30, 2020.