concession stand
Renovation and operation options for Neshotah Beach concession stand
Whether the city gets the WEDC Vibrant Spaces grant and how the city sets the on-the-ground rules for beer sales and paid beach parking.
Typically discussed at City Council. Check back when the next agenda is published.
Council has now picked both the price tag and the day-to-day direction for the Neshotah Beach concession stand: a renovation capped at $520,000 and a city-run operation that adds beer sales and paid beach parking. The renovation vote was 8-1, but the operations plan was tighter at 6-3, with residents raising liability and “beach character” concerns.
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passed 8-1 City Council · Dec 1, 2025 25-241 Neshotah Beach Concession Stand - Renovation Project Funding Option
A motion to direct City Staff to proceed with a Neshotah Beach concession stand major renovation project for 2026, in the total project amount not-to-exceed $520,000, with the total City borrowing to support the project not-to-exceed $256,000 and the actual City tax investment not-to-exceed $131,000 after Room Tax contributions
Mark Bittner YesDoug Brandt YesShannon Derby YesBill LeClair YesDarla LeClair YesTim Petri YesScott Stechmesser YesAdam Wachowski YesBonnie Shimulunas No -
passed 6-3 City Council · Dec 1, 2025 25-242 Neshotah Beach Concession Stand - Operations Business Plan Options
A motion to direct City Staff to proceed with option 3 to retain City-run operations at the concession stand with an expanded menu and beer sales, splitting revenue between the Special Events Fund and the General Fund
Mark Bittner YesDoug Brandt YesShannon Derby YesBill LeClair YesDarla LeClair YesScott Stechmesser YesTim Petri NoBonnie Shimulunas NoAdam Wachowski No
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City Council work session included an agenda item associated with the concession stand topic.
City Council Work Session -
Council directed staff to proceed with a major renovation plan capped at $520,000, including up to $256,000 in city borrowing and an estimated city tax investment capped at $131,000 after room tax contributions; the vote was 8-1.
City Council -
The Room Tax Commission approved $75,000 over three years toward the project and committed an additional two years of $25,000 per year if the city does not receive a WEDC Vibrant Spaces grant.
City Council -
Residents raised concerns about the renovation’s cost and timing and questioned whether the public had a meaningful opportunity to influence the project before it moved onto a budget track.
City Council -
Council chose an operating plan that keeps the concession stand city-run, expands the menu, adds beer sales, and uses paid beach parking, with revenue split between the Special Events Fund and the General Fund; the vote was 6-3.
City Council -
Staff’s summary stated the current city-run model generates about $10,000 annually for special events such as Bands on the Beach and July 4th fireworks, but does not support beach maintenance.
City Council -
Residents expressed concerns about liability and about what beer sales and related operational changes would mean for the character of the beach experience.
City Council