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Monthly eNewsletter / September 2026 |
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 Happy September, everyone! This monthly newsletter includes updates from Public Works, City administration, Parks and Rec, the library, emergency services, and more. Please read on! As a reminder for City utility customers, this month's City Central newsletter is available to view or download at wallawallawa.gov/newsletter.
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 Berm Reduction Program applications accepted now
The application period is open now through Oct. 1 for the Berm Reduction Program. The program's goal is to reduce plowed snow berms across driveways of qualified people with disabilities in the City of Walla Walla who have physical challenges that make it difficult for them to clear the berm for access to and from their residence. Visit the Berm Reduction Program page for details and application forms.
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 City presentation leads to emergency declaration
At a wildfire incident command briefing on Aug. 26, Public Works Director Ki Bealey (second from left in this photo, with representatives from other area agencies) presented information about the Mill Creek Watershed and the Paradise Fire's potential long-term effects on the City's water system. Gov. Bob Ferguson attended the briefing, and on Aug. 28, he issued an emergency declaration for the Paradise Fire and Mill Creek Watershed. This allows Walla Walla to seek federal assistance to mitigate the fire's impacts to the watershed and water system.
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On Aug. 4, the City held a groundbreaking ceremony at Walla Walla Public Library, kicking off the renovation project at the Alder Library. Demolition work continued throughout the month. The library's temporary location at 115 W. Main St. is serving patrons with the same hours as before, with much of the programming taking place in alternate locations around the community.
August library programs included Ventriloquist Vikki, Discover Cacti & Succulents, a new season of Dungeons & Dragons, and many more fun, family-friendly events. Visit the library's calendar to see what's coming up in September, including Open Evening Knitting Group, storytimes, Writing Group, and other recurring and special programs for kids, families, teens, and adults — and follow WWPL on Facebook for the latest updates.
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August was a busy month for the Parks and Recreation Department despite the wildfire smoke. Fall Youth Soccer started and the All-Comers Swim Meet (shown here) was held on Aug. 13, but the All Comers Track & Field Meet had to be moved to Sept. 27 due to poor air quality. Visit the Recreation Catalog for information on upcoming recreation programs for residents of all ages, including golf lessons for youths and adults, adult kickball, and more.
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On Aug. 13, the City held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the Mountain View Cemetery office rebuild. The event was an opportunity to thank Michael and Eva Murr and Jim Hayner, representing the Stubblefield Trust, who collectively helped make the upgrade possible. The renovation made the building more inviting, and allows staff to better serve residents by adding a private meeting area, a reception area, staff offices, and improved access to the basement.
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The City is updating its Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), found in Chapter 21.04 of Walla Walla’s municipal code. Key features of the CAO update include creation of a minimum 100-foot buffer; stronger disconnected buffer provisions; removal of shoreline master program regulations; and improved definitions.
Visit the CAO page for additional details and a draft of the 2026 Critical Areas Code Amendments.
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The 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) is complete and is available on the City website. This report provides details on how the City of Walla Walla uses its financial resources each year, and provides a picture of the City's financial condition at the end the fiscal year.
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The Pine Street Reconstruction Project got underway in August, with the first phase being consctruction of a roundabout at the 9th/Pine intersection. The contractor continued sidewalk and roadway demolition last week. Swale excavation and installation began last week and will continue over the next few weeks.
The contractor on the Hobson-Division-Madison IRRP Project continued with concrete work last week, finishing ADA curb ramp and sidewalk installation at the intersections of Hobson and Division streets, and Hobson and Madison streets. The project is nearing completion, with remaining landscaping and concrete work scheduled to be finished in the coming weeks.
Visit GoWallaWalla.us for information on all current, upcoming, and completed projects.
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Walla Walla's new Community Development Programs Coordinator, Dani Dolphin, started with the City on Aug. 10. The CDBG program provides grants for neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and/or to improve community facilities and services. "I'm most excited to work with and support local organizations who care about affordable housing and community resiliency through the Community Development Block Grant," Dani said.
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The contractor began work on a sewer-lining project in August, using the CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) process that allows existing sewer mains to be lined rather than dug up and replaced. This extends their life while saving time and money. The contractor uses UV light instead of steam to cure the liner in place. Before installation, the liner looks a bit like a giant, heavy-duty slip-and-slide.
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The City of Walla Walla Fire Department's newest recruit class successfully completed the 10-week WWFD Probationary Academy in August. The recruits began each day with a workout at 6:30 a.m., designed to build confidence, help them acclimate to their gear and SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus), and foster teamwork. Each week's training focused on different skills and knowledge, and was taught by WWFD personnel from across the department.
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Last month, WWFD received a call from a disabled resident having an anxiety attack, and an engine responded and asked the CARES Team to join. To help the patient, FF/medics Toby Slater and Peter Sinclair assisted in fixing the resident's vacuum, and CARES helped them put out signs for their moving sale. The patient was appreciative of the help, and felt much better after these simple assists.
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Due to poor air quality, the National Night Out event scheduled for Aug. 4 was rescheduled for Aug. 13, indoors at the Garrison Middle School Gym. Walla Walla Police Department Crime Prevention Coordinator Nikki Langley led a giant team effort to plan the original and rescheduled events — pulling together community partner booths, permits, food vendors, logistics, volunteers, and everything else that goes into a successful event of this size. (Photo: Walla Walla Area Crime Watch)
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The Facilities team continues to be busy all around the city. Thanks to their recent work, dogs and humans can now get a drink from this fountain at 1st and Main, which had been inoperable for quite a few years. In addition, they retrofitted the Whitman Street picnic shelter at Pioneer Park to improve visibility into this facility, in an effort to reduce vandalism and other undesirable activities.
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The City is currently hiring for a variety of full-time and part-time positions, including Recreation Assistant - Golf, Peer Support Specialist, Water Distribution Operator, Civil Engineers, Accounting Supervisor, two department directors, and more. For details and to apply, visit the City's employment portal.
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Upcoming Events
City Council Work Sessions
4-6 p.m. • Sept. 8 and 21 • Walla Walla City Hall
View City Council agendas on the Agendas page on the City website.
City Council Regular Meetings
6:30 p.m. • Sept. 9 and 23 • Walla Walla City Hall
View City Council agendas on the Agendas page on the City website.
Labor Day Closures and Schedule Changes
Sept. 7 • Various City facilities
Visit the Holiday Closures page to view facility closures and sanitation changes for the Labor Day holiday.
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