Philbrook Farms HOA and residents in opposition to plans for a development next door. Petition with signatures presented. This is not the first time they have shown up. Concerns include access/traffic circulation and the fact that it is the same developer who did Philbrook Farms, leaving the and the county with a stormwater problem that has their playground fenced off and hasn’t been resolved in 5 years. One speaker did a point by point review of the application pointing out inaccuracies and out-right fallacies. Materials left with council who committed to follow up. Sue requests a contact to work with, while noting that there is a limit to what the council can do.
Several speakers in favor of the sales tax for affordable housing. (separate business #4).
Several speakers on Consent item 11 (moved to separate business) Indigent defense contracts. Noting that they haven’t had a raise in over 5 years, people are dropping out, the rate is insufficient and doesn’t help meet the new state requirements for workload.

Consent Agenda: #11 moved to separate business 8. All others approved.

Separate Business:

1. Boundary adjust between Clark PUD D1 and City of Vancouver. Lots of clarifying discussion, approved. Glen votes no because he doesn’t

understand.

2. CREDC contract.

a. Michelle not in favor, not a fan of CREDC.

b. Approved, Wil recuses (is on CREDC E-board), Michelle votes No,

3. Resolution that allows Council to get a local law enforcement grant (CJTC Grant) and apply a ‘councilmatic’ .01% sales and use tax for law

and justice. ‘Councilmatic’ means no public vote is required. Staff had to do some work to show that the council is eligible. (this is allowed per

2025 state law).

a. County Manager explains (had been previously discussed in a work session).

b. Sue – wants to clarify process to identify critical needs and how it will be determined what to fund. Initially will fund additional deputies.

c. Approved

4. Resolution to impose Councilmatic Sales and Use tax of .01% for housing and related services. This was discussed in depth at a prior word

session.

a. Michelle wants to know how the money will be tracked and allocated. Council to determine, can set up a separate fund. Wants (another)

work session.

b. Glen – they have already agreed to a process involving a consultant.

c. Matt – also work session

d. County Manager – we had a work session, if not approved, then tax won’t start in 2nd quarter, impacting what county collects as well as

any matching grant money.

e. Sue speaks well to this, and how it will allow county to leverage state money. Develop policy for spending in their 2026 strategic planning

process (as previously discussed in a work session).

f. Glen quotes state legislators position “why should we help you when you don’t help yourself” (in reference to asking the State for money

when the county doesn’t even take the 1% in past years – I’ve heard this before too). No impact to Vancouver residents because they

already have that tax (I believe that other cities have moved to approve this tax so they collect it within their boundaries instead of the

county).

g. Approved 4 to 1.

5. $2900 for email licenses for Charter review commission.

a. Matt wants to know why they can’t have free Gmail accounts. Because of public disclosure requirements.

b. Sue asks if there is a chance they finish in 1 year, not 2. Up to them. (but, that would be a good thing IMHO)

c. Approved.

6. $20,000 to support Charter review commission – to use for surveys, facilitation… Glen wants to have a discussion with them about cost of

ballot measures (which this doesn’t address). Questions about interacting – Councilors can attend meetings and speak like anyone else.

Have to ‘notice’ it if a quorum. Approved.

7. Interagency agreement w WA Dept of Enterprise Services. Training for Solid Waste and Recycling Division. Approved. Approved

8. (from consent 11) 2026 Public Defense contracts.

a. Many people spoke in public comment that this is insufficient.

b. Negotiation is annual, but there have been no increases in at least 5 years.

c. County Manager believed there had been a review. Some audience members disagree with how this contract came about. County

Manager will follow up.

d. The new state standards for workload have an impact.

e. There is an immediate need to get contracts in place for current work, but there will be follow up and future discussion.

f. Approved