Observing Government

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Clark County Work Session

Attendees: Sue Marshall, Will Fuentes, Matt Little. No Michelle Belkot or Glen Yung,

Work Session: Workforce SW Washington Presentation: Microsoft PowerPoint - WSW Presentation to Clark County 2026_FINAL

Grant funded – mostly federal, some state.
EcSA – Economic Security for All. State wide program (slide 11). Move people out of poverty.
Asking County to consider investing in work force development (Wil serves on board, Sue has in the past, for the County).
Discussion:
Sue I-5 bridge jobs, how can we prepare people for those jobs? They are actively engaged, looking at training/apprentice programs. Laying the foundation now.
Wil – How are you preparing for impacts of AI on jobs market? Working with employers and tech partners on what certifications and education are they looking for (since ‘AI certifications’ are a dime a dozen now). Training their own staff to be able to work with people in this space.
Will – More on what training specifically they are working on for the bridge. Construction, manufacturing, etc. Working with Unions…
Sue talks about the County’s fiscal situation and funding they may have that can be used. Interest in partnering.

Clark County Council Time

Attendees – All, Michelle in person!

Public Comment – A lot of people Sue proposes 2 minute limit, Michelle against, Wil and Glen for, Matt against. 2 minutes passes. Sue asks people be civil and unintimidating, No applause, etc.

By my count –

16 support the resolution on Immigration and/or want it stronger, many of these also opposed FBI use of Camp Bonneville.
1 Anti-Bridge project
11 against the resolution, some of these also against the I-5 bridge project. 2 are our regulars.

Draft resolution: Clarifying Clark County’s Jurisdictional Authority and Council Statement on Immigration Enforcement Activity in Clark County: draft-resolution-ice-activity-2.5.26.pdf

Michelle Belkot’s name is not on the doc to sign.
Council discussion
Matt – reminds folks of Council jurisdiction (They are not executive or law enforcement). Suggests edit – add whereas – whereas cc council supports our law enforcement agencies….
Wil – strengthening words (I can’t type that fast)
Michelle – talks about Vancouver and other police agencies having problems being mistaken for ICE. Talks about federal overriding jurisdiction. In gratitude of people coming to speak “most of the time we’ve got nobody”. (I watch more meetings than she does, that is patently untrue. They NEVER have no speakers). Michelle didn’t want to limit to 2 minutes and implies the other councilors didn’t want to hear from folks. Sue takes her to task for that.
I stopped trying to capture details of the conversation. Discussion of changes. Glen wants to not let feds use county resources (code for FBI at Bonneville), Matt objects as there might be unintended consequences so both want to delay and consult Sheriff. Sue doesn’t want to wait to get the resolution out. Michelle talks about jail housing federal detainees, Jordan notes that discussion had to do with a Cleveland bill (in State Legislature). Michelle notes that federal funding for law enforcement (Grants) could be jeopardized if the county perceived as a sanctuary county. So not added to the doc but deal with as they go along.
Additional Whereas from Melnik relating to previous statement on racism as a public health crisis, so profiling as a part of immigration enforcement is opposed. Wil says racial profiling is happening, Michelle states he is calling law enforcement racist. He objects to her putting words in his mouth.
Sue, Glen, Wil approve moving forward, Michelle and Matt against. Revision will come back at a public hearing.

(Glen leaves for an appointment)

Resolution supporting 2026 as international Year of the Woman Farmer – Introduced by Sue. Approved to move forward

Work Session request: DEAB (Development and Engineering Advisory Board) Annual update and 2026 work plan. Sue wants to better understand their bylaws and scope of work – mentions comments she’s received re: their Planning Commission testimony. Will include at the beginning. Also asks for advice on expanding inventory on Affordable Housing. (At a planning commission hearing on the Comp plan preferred alternatives, a representative of DEAB talked about how now Clark County attracts the best from Portland, if we add affordable housing well end up with riff-raff (not his exact words). Many people complained that this is racist and elitist).

Policy Updates:

ECHO – working on a Law enforcement Panel – Engagement with homeless across jurisdictions, court programs. 4/14/ 9:30 am.
Legislative updates:
HB 2720 – Funding for crisis services – In committee in Senate. Add a ‘covered lives’ assessment to health plans, to pay for services. HB 2720 Washington State Legislature
Sue concerned that this shifts costs to people who have insurance. Discuss Tuesday if taking a position
SB 5820 – FRDU (Freight Rail Dependent Uses) – repeal for Clark County.
Adrian Cortes sponsored at the urging of the city of Battle Ground – Rail bisects the city.
Map of county with railroad and current FRDU overlay. Overlay includes ag land that otherwise could not be developed as industrial.
Does council want to take a position?
Michelle concerned due to current lawsuit with the operator.
Sue – the original bill was poorly written. Farmers in the area have no intention to develop industrial. Supports taking a position for the bill.
Matt asks for legal opinion on support and lawsuit.
Chris can’t give legal opinion now, will consult with the attorney working on the litigation (Kevin McDowell, I believe).
Matt asks about impacts to existing businesses – None because it hasn’t been implemented – There is no code.
Request to support bills from Community Action Advisory Board - CAAB
HB 2338 – Expand weatherization program to Community scale projects (looking at this, the bill is already dead in both houses.) Approved
HB 2515 Large Data center energy demands. Add fee on these per KWH. (this bill and its companion also already died). Sue, Wil support. Matt, Michelle “want to know more”.
Broader topic, no specific bill, support home energy assistance programs, expand using state funds. (Note that requests for money this year are likely DOA). Support.
Ridgefield letter of support for BUILD grant for I-5 crossing. Approved.

Executive sessions with after action for 1 of 2. (scheduled for 80 minutes, went long)

On return, Wil Fuentes moved, Sue Marshall seconded, to approve an agreement between Friends of Clark County and the County - stipulation and compliance schedule order. Doesn’t pass. Matt, Glen, and Michelle voted no. So comp plan will be further delayed to attempt to satisfy La Center and Ridgefield’s desires to annex farmland.

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