The Centralia City Council passed a resolution to accept a new collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Firefighters Local Union #618 representing Centralia firefighters. City Manager Galen Mahle said that with the new agreement in place, the city will look to increase the number of full-time firefighters over the next few years.
“We’ve built into this agreement the ability to add a sixteenth full-time firefighter,” Mahle said. “Then each year over the next three years, we would have some metrics that, if met with reduction in overtime and some of the other staffing costs, we would be able to add on a seventeenth and potentially eighteenth firefighter to the crew, which would allow eventually three units of six. That way there would just be more on for each time that there was a call.”
The new agreement also adds a two-shift paid maternity and paternity leave, offers a second insurance plan aimed at families, expands the residency requirement from 18 miles to 20 miles.
In bids, the council accepted bids for three zero-turn lawnmowers from Ace Auto for $36,271. The council also approved bids for materials for 2026 MFT oil and chip and public works maintenance.
Economic development director Rob Jackson shared the results of a hotel feasibility study that began in October of last year. The study found that demand for hotels in Centralia rises during local events beyond the capacity of existing hotels, and that a new hotel development would be favorable for the city.
Mitch Hardiek of Milano and Grunloh Engineers Centralia reported that Centralia was not awarded an OSLAD grant this year. The grant, if received, would have supported new improvements at Fairview Park.
In public comment, Mayor Bryan Kuder issued a proclamation for Equal Pay Day, recognizing Centralia Business and Professional Women and efforts to address the gender wage gap. Carrie Perkins-Schnicker of Centralia BPW said the organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
