Elgin City Council considering fee increase for Hu-Na-Ha RV Park during May 14 regular session meeting

ISABELLA CROWLEY, The Observer, La Grande, Ore.
·3 min read

ELGIN — The Elgin City Council plans to discuss a handful of new agenda items on Tuesday, May 14, beginning at 7 p.m. at Elgin City Hall, 790 S. Eighth Ave.

Before addressing new business, the council will receive updates from the sheriff, Elgin Public Works, city administrator and mayor, and on the ordinance efforts and public safety.

Councilors will also wrap up a discussion about the Joseph Branch Trail car charging station.

Under new business, the council will discuss updating the prices at the Hu-Na-Ha RV Park.

Under the proposal the cost of daily tent camping would increase to $25 from $22 and weekly tent camping fees would increase to $120 from $102.

The fees for RV parking would also see an increase. Daily parking at a pull through site would go up to $45 from $37. The fee would increase to $210 — up from $177 — for a week and $625 — up from $527 — for a month.

Parking fees for back-in sites would also see an increase. Daily fees would increase to $40 from $32, weekly costs to $185 from $152 and monthly costs to $600 from $502.

The fees for additional people or vehicles, sewer dump and public showers will remain the same.

If approved, the new fees would go into effect July 1.

Elgin will continue to assess the Oregon State Lodging Tax and the Union County Lodging Tax on all reservations under 30 days.

Both active and retired military members will continue to receive a 20% discount on prices. Good Sam’s and Recreation USA members will still receive a 10% discount.

If the RV park does not receive payment on the fifth day after a space is rented then the camper will be charged a $25 late fee. There will be an additionally $10 fee each day afterward until the full amount is paid.

If no payment is collected from the camper after 10 days, they will be asked to leave.

Campers will be charged a $100 cleaning fee if the sites are left messy. Those guests will not be welcomed back.

The council will get an update from the Elgin School District and hear a presentation from the executive director of the Small Municipalities Advocacy Coalition.

The council will get an update from the Elgin School District and hear a presentation from the executive director of the Small Municipalities Advocacy Coalition.

Councilors will vote on whether or not to opt into extending recreation immunity under Senate Bill 1576.

During the 2024 short session the Legislature passed SB 1576 to address issues around recreation immunity raised by a recent lawsuit against the city of Newport. Gov. Tina Kotek signed the bill into law on March 27.

While the new legislation automatically applies to cities with a population of 500,000 or more, cities under that population count can opt in.

Councilors will also vote on declaring May as brain tumor awareness month.

The meeting will be streamed live. The link is available on the meeting agenda on the city’s website.