Regular Aberdeen City Council Meeting 10-14-2026

The Aberdeen City Council’s regular meeting on October 14, 2026, focused on authorization and funding for the North Aberdeen Bridge construction project. Staff reported that the structurally deficient bridge project faces an estimated $3.75 million gap between construction costs and available funding, despite increased grant support; the discussion cited a state award increase to $25 million and approximately $21.8 million then available for construction. The council approved a request authorizing the mayor to execute a supplemental local agency agreement with Washington State for construction funding. Staff also outlined other potential funding sources and the schedule pressures involved. Separately, the council considered the first reading of Bill 26-23, a proposed franchise agreement with Coast Communications; a company representative said low-level design for a citywide fiber-optic network was beginning. No vendor selection or contract award was identified in the transcript.

Public comment focused largely on the condition and management of the Lady Washington and the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport, including concerns about restoration funding, transparency, and the ship’s future. The council approved a motion directing staff to request records from the Seaport, including meeting and financial materials, information about donations and work on the ship, event costs and proceeds, and Coast Guard correspondence dating from 2022. Other actions included approval of an electronic records-retention measure and appointments; no additional procurement awards were identified.