Camas City Workshop - April 21, 2025
Observer - Janet Hedgepath
Present in Person - John Nohr, Tim Hein , Jennifer Senescu, John Svilarich, Marilyn Boerke, Leslie Lewallen, Martin Elzingre, Mayor Steve Hogan
Agendas and presentations at: https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/camaswa-pubu/MEET-Minutes-05f371b56dfe48b3af64f6d8df68f39b.pdf
Public Comments - Randall Freeman - economic aspects of the Mill cleanup not in the economic plan and needs to be considered
WORKSHOP TOPICS
Extension of Interim Accessory Dwelling Unit Code Amendments Presenter: Alan Peters, Community Development Director - The interim ordinance was adopted to limit the height and size of ADUs. The ordinance was only an interim because state regulations would need to be addressed when adopting for the Growth Management Act (GMA). The interim is expiring but the GMA regulations will not be addressed until fall. Staff recommends extending the interim ordinance by 6 months. A public hearing for this item will be placed on the May 5, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting agenda.
Our Camas 2045 - Housing and Economic Development Element Updates Presenter: Alan Peters - Camas 2045 Vision Statement calls for responsible management of growth while embracing the small town character of the City. There has to be enough land to a) accommodate existing and projected housing needs, b) promote economic opportunity for all. 70% of housing stock is single family. Camas has the 3rd highest median home sales price in the Portland Metro area ($811,000). C. Senescu asks why the tax base median is only $650,000, Ans: there is a difference between sales price and assessed value. The Recalibrated Housing Element will need a) a range of housing options, b) to expand housing diversity, c) more options for both for sale and for rent housing, d) streamline permitting process, e) support for low-income homeowners and f) promotion of education around housing needs. Economic plans call for citywide mixed use and commercial projects and employment in both commercial and industrial sectors. The City will actively participate in the unrestricted cleanup of the Mill. Staff is currently working on draft documents which should be available for public review by July. The goal is adoption in December.This item was for Council’s information only.
City of Camas 2024 Financial Performance - Presenter: Cathy Huber Nickerson - Utility billing went live. It was 4 years in the planning. Everything is accessible through the system. The financial outlook has changed radically in the past quarter. The Fed had been predicting lowering of interest rates but not now. Slides of revenue sources and General Fund expenditures can be viewed https://mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/camaswa-meet-05f371b56dfe48b3af64f6d8df68f39b/ITEM-Attachment-001-c19e2837134b4468837383792e9e9c52.pdf There was lots of activity in the Building Department (getting permits) but may not see actual building with the current uncertainty. Staff is paying close attention to the bond market. This item was for Council’s information only.
PACE (Tyler Technologies ERP) Enterprise Asset Management Module Go-Live Presenter: Cathy Huber Nickerson - This is a system that connects everything and puts it on line. People can make online service requests (ex. Fix streetlight) and follow the progress online. The system includes all of the City’s assets, capital assets and workforce. It tracks all work orders, and provides cost accountability. This item was for Council’s information only.
Professional Services Agreements for Downtown Stormwater Infiltration Vaults - Presenter Rob Charles - The Stormwater Action plan identified places with inadequate stormwater treatment - Crown Park and Downtown. Dept. of Ecology has awarded a grant that will pay for 85% of this retrofit project which will restore water quality to the Washougal River and eventually the Columbia River. Staff is recommending Council okay project. This item will be placed on the May 5, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Consent Agenda for Council’s consideration.
Construction Award for Lacamas Meadows Force Main Replacement Presenter: Rob Charles - The main at Lacamas Meadows has had breaks. The Council had approved replacing .3 miles of the pipe. Staff recommends accepting bid. This item will be placed on the May 5, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Consent Agenda for Council’s consideration.
Citywide Horizontal Curve Safety Project Professional Services Agreement Supplement 2 Presenter: James Carothers - This is a project to asses the safety of curbsides. It is ready to go to bid. This item will be placed on the May 5, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Consent Agenda for Council’s consideration.
Camas Transportation Plan and Traffic Impact Fee Update Professional Services Agreement Amendment Presenter: James Carothers - This study looks at the 20 year needs for transportation . It will need to correspond with the Comprehensive Plan update. C. Senescu hopes there is an opportunity to lower fees for developers This item will be placed on the May 5, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Consent Agenda for Council’s consideration
Staff Updates - The strategic plan is coming soon. Police Chief Tina Jones passed out the annual report which is online. Camas has a low crime rate. She has integrated tech solutions to help with the deficit in police force. She reminds everyone that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. The residential treatment facility continues to meet requirements and had no calls from police last year.
Council Comments - C. Lewallen has heard concern from citizens re: the homeless. She suggests reconvening the homelessness subcommittee. C. Hein gave an update on C-Tran. C. Nohr thanked all the directors who go above and beyond their scheduled duties. Mayor Hogan reminded people to vote.
Public Comment - Darcy Smith - there should be a wheelchair ramp on the corner of 16th and Division
Camas City Council- April 21, 2025
Observer - Janet Hedgepath
Present in Person - John Nohr, Tim Hein, Jennifer Senescu, John Svilarich, Marilyn Boerke, Leslie Lewallen, Martin Elzingre, Mayor Steve Hogan
Agendas and presentations https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/camaswa-pubu/MEET-Packet-716a015d53eb450c863b5a5dea1f9887.pdf
Oath of Office administered to new council member, Martin Elzingre
C. Boerke wanted to move council comments to the end of the meeting after the public comments. C. Lewallen opposed the idea which she said would open up the council to interact with the public which was not what public comment was about. A discussion followed in which it was clarified that the change was to be able to direct staff to respond to citizens when appropriate. Some councillors felt the change would sidetrack the meeting. Others believed that people often came seeking information which should be provided. A motion to move counselor comment to the end of the meeting was made and approved with C. Lewallen and C. Senescu opposing
Public Comment -
Glen Welker - kids hang out at the boat launch - need crosswalk or signage at the corner
Tyler Sanders - “Let’s be the generation that builds for the future”
MEETING
Consent agenda approved
Staff Reports - No additional staff comments
Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation Mayor Hogan said council committee assignments had been made. Motion to accept the Mayor’s assignments was made and approved
Meeting Items
Public Hearing – Parklands at Camas Meadows Development Agreement Amendment - Presenter: Alan Peters This is not a re-zone but an addition to Master Plan. It is a combination of residential and business park. It was approved 9 years ago and 42 single family homes and 1 commercial building have been built.The new plan would convert the remaining available space (which had been set aside for commercial building) to residential, adding 11 more single family homes, 2 duplexes, and 1 pocket park that will be public but privately maintained. The staff recommends Council hold a public hearing, take testimony, and move to direct the City Attorney to draft a resolution approving the development agreement for consideration.
Public Testimony - Jamie Housley gave a powerpoint presentation explaining the advantages of moving from commercial to residential - a) Less opposition to residential, b) changing market conditions - increased e-commerce and hybrid remote work has decreased demand for commercial, c) this is an improved design that was developed with the input and support of the Camas Meadows community, d) tax revenue is greater with residential. Public Hearing – The following people gave testimony in support of the project. Several were residents of Camas Meadows who had been opposed to the change but had worked with the developers to get the changes they wanted. People testifying in favor: Alison Livett, Betty Peng, Joe Holloway, Ed Fisher, Darcy Smith, John Colgate, Ryan Walker. Tyler Sanders believed there should be an analysis with an idea of adding affordable housing which this proposal does not provide
C. Senescu asked if the pocket park will have a playground - Ans - 3,000 sq ft for play area. C. Nohr checked that a rezone was not necessary - Ans - it is not. C. Hein asked about the size of the duplexes. Ans - the standards are no higher than 25 feet and privacy landscaping. Other design standards are set by the HOA. C. Boerke expressed concern about the lack of affordable housing but felt better knowing there were townhouses nearby. It was moved, seconded and unanimously approved to draft a Resolution approving the development agreement for consideration at a future City Council meeting
PUBLIC COMMENTS - No one from the public wished to speak.
Council Comments - C. Nohr commented that he liked Council comments after public comments
C. Boerke -said she hadn’t really understood the the committee assignments and wished to change her vote
C. Elzingre expressed pleasure to be on the Council.