From the Desk of the Mayor - December 2021
Hello Longview,
There are many reasons to celebrate this season in the City of Longview. This year, the City received an incredible allocation of funds from the Federal Government, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), ARPA funds, totaling $8.2 Million ($4.1 M in 2021 and $4.1 M in 2022), which is intended to provide direct flexible funding to communities across the country. To encourage recovery. This substantial investment is incredible, and because of it, the City of Longview will be blessed for years to come.
A City Council Sub-Committee of Council Members Ruth Kendall, Hillary Strobel and Mike Wallin worked with Longview City Administration to propose a draft plan for Council Adoption that consisted of one-time investments in our community’s water and sewer infrastructure, investments in housing development and more. Of more than 50 projects reviewed, 15 projects were deemed priority and will move forward immediately, focusing on areas of Water and Sewer Infrastructure, Development Assistance and Revenue Replacement.
The following are a sneak peek at some of the investments that we could see in Longview’s future:
- A dedicated water main fill line from the Mint Farm Water Treatment Plan to our primary water reservoir. Among other benefits, this will improve overall water quality, reduce chlorine consumption, and reduce pumping costs.
- A long-range plan to be created for the Clark Creek Master Pump Station. This will eliminate five pump stations and simplify water distribution, reducing maintenance and operation costs.
- Storm Water enhancements at Indian Creek for storm water and flood mitigation; Exchanging potable water irrigation for utilizing storm water irrigation at Mint Valley Golf Course, saving thousands in potable water costs; and a design for an attractive open channel flow at the failing Beech Street Box Culvert. But for the ARPA funding, funding these projects would not be possible.
- Assistance through developer agreements for 43 acres immediately and 28 acres for future residential development.
- A contactless materials checkout system at the Longview Public Library using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and tablet stations to promote learning and literacy while social distancing, as well as cybersecurity enhancements at Mint Farm Water Filter Plant.
- Facility maintenance projects at the Library, Women’s Club, Longview Police Department Building and the Mint Valley Golf Pro Shop.
This is just a partial list of the many enhancements to come from the ARPA funds. And we are grateful for this. Since Longview has been on the receiving end of so many wonderful gifts, I was thinking, what are some of the ways we can individually give back?
Recently, while waiting at a stop light, I noticed a bumper sticker that read: “Be bold, be kind, be awesome”. This message is full of hope and is a call to action for all of us to intentionally be our best selves, and to be kind to others. Being bold in the context of kindness brings an automatic “awesome”! Always reaching higher, helping others, and being our best selves is a great way to give back to all of those in our community, particularly during this holiday season. When we choose kindness, spirits are lifted and light descends on the receiver, and the giver.
This holiday season and throughout the year - Be bold, be kind, be awesome!
A Merry Christmas to all,
Mayor MaryAlice Wallis