A busy agenda awaits the Hermiston City Council
By Terry Murry on Monday, July 27th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
HERMISTON – The Hermiston City Council holds a work session at 6 p.m., a regular meeting at 7 p.m., and a meeting as the Hermiston Urban Renewal Agency (HURA) when the regular meeting ends today (Monday).
During the work session, City Manager Byron Smith will provide the council with an update on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs). Three years ago PFAs, also referred to as forever chemicals, were detected in the city’s water.
The council will hold a public hearing on establishing a local improvement district (LID) on East Jennie Avenue between Northeast Eighth and Northeast 10th streets. The area was rezoned in 2017 into five properties south of East Jennie from low-quality industrial to a mix of residential and commercial. Housing has developed in the area of the unimproved street and more development is planned.
City staff felt it was time to form an LID to construct East Jennie as one cohesive street project. The public will be able to testify about that possibility. Depending on the testimony the council can take one of four options. Members may either choose to continue the hearing, table the issue, stop the formation of an LID, or approve moving forward.
The city council will also consider a resolution authorizing the purchase of six police vehicles and making updates to the city’s employee handbook.
After the council meeting, members will convene as HURA. They will consider a façade grant request filed by Christian Realty Group at 398 E. Ridgeway Ave. A $20,000 grant is requested for a project that’s expected to cost $50,000. Among the many changes planned are replacing vinyl siding with commercial-grade HardiPlank siding, painting the building with a “modern” color scheme, and making improvements to the parking lot and landscaping.
File photo of the Hermiston City Council
