The League has an Observer Corps where members attend public meetings and report back. We will post very brief notes from those meetings here. They are not comprehensive but contain items of public policy actions that may be of interest to residents. These notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.
May 2023
Clark County Council
The big news this month was County Council’s decision on the population forecast to be used for the upcoming Comprehensive plan. With many citizens, and every city, asking, if not pleading, that the county use the ‘medium’ forecast provided by the Office of Financial Management, the county went with the recommendation of the Building Industry Association. Not quite the high number, but close.
The Council chose to ignore both the City of Battle Ground, and the Brush Prairie Neighborhood Association, in their appointments to the Railroad Advisory Board (RRAB). There are still 3 open positions. With the Freight Rail Dependent Uses (FRDU) back in progress, this is very important to the community. To that end, there was a work session on FRDU this month. Some Councilors are chomping at the bit to develop along the entire rail. Big question is whether or not sewer is allowed.
The Council approved updated Councilor Vacancy Appointment process and Rules of Procedure. Issues with both were brought up in public comment, they will both have to be fixed. The Vacancy process actually conflicts with RCWs in the timing (based on information provided by Auditor Kimsey).
The council will be going to 3 or 4 meetings a month. They have too much to do to get done in 2 meetings. They have had as many as 4 public hearings on one day.
Planning Commission will be recommending not to reverse the Chelatchie Surface Mining Overlay to comply with a court ruling and the GMA.
April 2023
Clark County Council
The Washington Legislative session wrapped up and Clark County finally got confirmation that the state money for the 179th st/I-5 interchange is in the budget. This is a very big deal for the residents and developers in the area of the Urban Holding lift. We also came away with money for Lackamas and Vancouver lakes, and for the Ridgefield Pit clean up. As well, Clark will be the home of one of the new Police training centers.
The work on Comp Planning continued, with hearings and work sessions on the Population Projection. That process will continue into May.
At the Board of Health meeting staff did a great presentation on Harm Reduction, which includes Needle Exchange. Councilor Medvigy had lamented the county being involved in this in an earlier Council meeting, but he missed this meeting. The Vancouver Police Chief and others spoke in support, there was some public comment against it. This program is fully state funded.
Vancouver City Council
Vancouver City Council held a workshop on Short Term Rentals (STR) April 3rd. STR’s are defined as a rental use of less than 30 days. There are currently no ordinances regulating STR’s. STR’s constitute a small percentage of rentals in the city, yet there was concern about the STR’s lessening the inventory of long term rentals needed to house city’s permanent residents. Staff will continue to work on STR regulations and come back to council for further discussion.
Council received updates at their April 10 Workshop on the “4th Plain for All” Project. The second portion of the workshop was an update on the Heights District Redevelopment Plan. Plan refinements were presented to Council.
A couple apartment developments were presented to Council on April 17 and 24 to approve for the Multi Family Tax Exemption (MFTE); both were approved. One project, “Modera Apartments” was seeking a “public benefit contribution” option in lieu of reduced rental rates. The second, the “Daniels Apartments” were seeking an MFTE for 10 years, offering to have 20% of units allow for rent to be 80% of Median Family Income (MFI)
Community Development Director, Chad Eiken, spoke to Council on SEPA Exemption Thresholds. The purpose of the easing of thresholds is to help remove barriers to housing production and help mitigate the housing shortage. The current threshold requiring SEPA review is at 20 or more residential lots, and 20 or more multifamily units. The State has changed the threshold to 200 multifamily units and 100 -200 lots depending on size. Council was told they can keep threshold at current level, or take it as high as the State’s level. Council appeared to be in agreement with the State’s new threshold.
SW Washington Regional Transportation Council (RTC):
Executive Director Matt Ransom is encouraging the WA legislature to make a timely commitment for funding of the 179th Street Interchange Project and the White Salmon/Hood River Bridge replacement as these are both regional priorities.
Bridge tolling: the authority for rate setting is a joint agreement between OR and WA.
WSDOT has a $400 billion deficit for this biennium.
Investment needed to keep the system in good repair: there is a $830 million short fall per year.
Invitations to participate in the Clark County Travel Study have started to go out to the community.
Ending Community Homelessness Organization (ECHO):
Rainier Springs is a 72 bed psychiatric hospital/facility that has been open for 5 years. They provide inpatient mental health treatment, detox and inpatient rehab. They work with other agencies on discharge planning.
Lifeline Connections provides behavioral health inpatient beds in Clark County and two other locations in WA (108 beds total). Treat substance use disorders, offer recovery support, mental health inpatient and outpatient services. Anyone who completes the program will have a place to live and get help looking for a job to pay for housing.
Shelter space: Avg usage rates: 544 beds in winter, 487 beds year round. Referral process through HMIS to access beds. Prioritize for vulnerability. Some people turn down beds in shelters. 1,151 individuals on waiting list. 98% filled this spring, 94% last summer. The biggest challenge is the cost of moving into stable housing. Shelters are expensive.
March 2023
Clark County Council
A lot of activity at the County. They are getting a lot of state and other funding for rail repairs, which are proceeding apace. There are several mining activities of concern: Chelatchie, which is being challenged in court for environmental concerns (eg Cedar Creek); Washougal pit – which is in the Gorge scenic area and threatens the recently restored Steigerwald refuge, Cardai Hill near Woodland, which was rejected by the County Planning Commission but still to go before the County Council. The county Public Participation Plan for the Comprehensive Planning Process has been drafted and is heading for a Public Hearing. The County’s Housing Options Study has been undergoing review for code changes to support it, and that is also heading for a public hearing. The County is also updating its Rules of Procedure, in part to accommodate Charter changes voted in last year. The discussions have sometimes been disturbing. That also will be heading for a public hearing.
Vancouver City Council
At Vancouver City Council’s March 6 meeting a number of citizens spoke out against the proposed Kevanna Park Meadows Development which will be a 33 lot subdivision. Discussion brought out issues of air quality since it is close to freeway. The development was given primary plat approval March 6 and then final approval for the concept development plan, with conditions, at the March 20 meeting. There was a joint work session on March 20 with the Planning Commission. This workshop served as a first step in discussing ways to integrate Equity into the long range Comprehensive Plan.
March 27 Mayor McEnerny-Ogle gave her State of the City address held at the Firstenburg Center. The mayor mentioned the achievements of the past year, including the 2022 Climate Action Plan Framework, and the passing of the affordable housing levy. The public was invited to the forum on a first come first serve basis. Members of the community, seated at tables around the room, were joined by city council members, staff, and the mayor so that community members could ask questions and they could share their ideas about Vancouver’s Comprehensive Plan.
Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council
A survey of the Commissioners showed that their top three priorities for the updated Regional Transportation Plan were accessibility and mobility, safety and security, economic vibrancy.
2,000 households will participate in a travel study with the goal of updating regional travel behavior models and forecasting. This will be completed by June 2024.
The year 2045 growth projection is 700,000 residents for Clark County. Growth shares show 50% for Vancouver, 3-13% each for other cities in CC.
Clark County ECHO (Ending Community Homelessness Organization)
HOST program run by Carelon Behavioral Health and Lifeline Connections provides outreach-based treatment services to individuals with serious behavioral health challenges who are experiencing homelessness. Goal is to provide case management and stabilization services and transition individuals to long term behavioral health.
HART Program: consists of community policing and various service providers on the outreach team. Focus is Outreach, Engagement, Camp Clean-ups, referrals.
CC ECHO now has a website with information and links to meetings.
February 2023
Clark County Council
Work Session on 3 topics that feed the upcoming Comprehensive Planning process – 1) Critical Areas Ordinance and Habitat Ordinance – consolidation and updates; 2) Flood Hazard Area Ordinance – changes will help keep Flood Insurance rates in the county down; and 3) Shoreline Master Program update. Public hearing on March 7. Reference docs here: https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/clark-county-council-meetings
Request was made for a work session on Freight Rail Dependent Uses (FRDU). This is legislation allowing commercial development outside of urban boundaries along the rail. The county had been mapping where this would impact when all work stopped for the lawsuit (since resolved) with PVJR (company that leases the rail from the county). Likely date is March 1st.
Clark County Board of Health
There was a presentation given on "Public Health in Action" which covered Clark County's Infection Prevention Program. The Harm Reduction program which includes safe injection sites and needle exchange was discussed and the source of funding will be addressed at future CC Council meeting.
Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council
The City of Vancouver, C-Tran and WADOT will be the WA State representatives on the Metro Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation. The Transportation Improvement Plan is to include Regional Signaling Timing Plan to reduce idling time as well as safety and mobility projects.
Ending Community Homelessness Organization
Community Court will be starting up soon and will take place weekly in the Recovery Cafe on Fourth Plain. "Quality of Life" offenders will be referred there by law enforcement or the court to participate in a 4 to 6 week program which will include social services for the offenders. Funding for Homelessness services may have a shortfall this year due to a drop in Document Recording Fees tied to the housing market.
January 2023
Evergreen School Board
School board debated upholding the decision about a book that had been banned from 7th grade classrooms. Thoughtful probing discussion led to school board members stating they were reluctant to remove the book but recommended the Instructional Materials Committee develop a process for how more controversial books can be used in the classroom.
Clark County Railroad Advisory Board
2022 was the 3rd busiest year in car count. They had 8000 passengers on the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad and will start up again on Father's Day weekend. Repairs to crossings, bridges and railbed rehab is ongoing.
Clark County Council
There are 30,000 horses in Clark County and the needs of those in rural Clark County must not be overlooked. During the Wednesday Council Time, general public comment will not be allowed but public comment on agenda items is still allowed. Bi-annual code amendments were considered and approved with one exception. That has to do with the requirements for recreation and landscape spaces in a development. The Council considers this to be a policy action and does need more research and review.
Clark County Board of Health
Dr. Melnick and staff are tracking case numbers of respiratory illness this winter and any new Covid variants of concern. Vaccination numbers for Covid and flu could be better. Major concern about lower numbers of children being vaccinated for childhood diseases. The Board staff has incorporated the "Racism as a Public Health Crisis" resolution into the Public Health Strategic Plan.
Clark Public Utility District Commission
River Road Generating Plant upgrades will make the plant more efficient and lower carbon output over time. Public Comment frequently includes citizens calling for more solar and wind investment, as well as Small Modular Nuclear reactors. No rate increases anticipated. Apparently WA and Maine are the lowest solar producers in the US. CPUD working with the Vancouver City Council on their Climate Action Framework.
Southwest Washington Regional Transportation Council
Project applications being taken for federal funds for community projects, safe routes, mostly bike and pedestrian; schools, trails. Looking at a Congestion Monitoring Program to lower carbon output from idling vehicles. The Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation (JPACT) includes representatives from WA including work on the Interstate Bridge Replacement project. Councilor Medvigy would like exploration of a third "corridor" (bridge), bills have been introduced in the legislature.
Fort Vancouver Regional Library Board
After the article in the Colunbian, the public has expressed a great deal of support for our library system, patrons and staff. There continue to be complaints about the Drag Queen Story Hour that was held in 2019 (none since and none planned for future). The board is going to try recording their meetings (and make them available to the public) beginning at their February meeting. There are still decisions to be made as to the right format for the library.