Board of County Council - Regular Meeting

And summarized.

Good morning and welcome. Calling to order Clark County Council meeting Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026. We're going to start with a couple of proclamations. First one, it's Pride Month, will be read by Councillor Fuentes and Jessica Cole, president of Evoke Cascadia will accept. So you could come forward. You could both come forward.

Thank you.

Now it's working.

All right, let's start all over. Good morning, everyone. Happy Pride Month. I am honored to be able to read this proclamation this morning. And it goes like this. Whereas this month of June is generally recognized nationally as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer questioning LGBTQ Pride Month celebration. Pride Month. Celebration of Pride Month arose from the pride marches that occurred in the years following the June 1969 uprising at Stonewall Inn, eventually encompassing the month of June. Now, this month is celebrated to highlight the rights of LGBTQ individuals, commemorate the contributions of LGBTQ members of our community, and to actively discourage discrimination against LGBTQ individuals. and whereas Clark County supports dignity, equity, and fundamental civil and human rights for all in our community, and whereas we can demonstrate our community's values of caring, inclusion, and fairness by treating the LGBTQ community with respect and kindness through family and community and inclusion. whereas Clark County encourages vital conversations and the cultivation of a climate of belonging and acceptance of our LGBTQ friends, neighbors, and family members. Now therefore, the Clark County Council hereby recognizes this month of June 2026 in Clark County as Pride Month, signed the second day of June 2026 by all Clark County Councilors. Yeah, absolutely.

Carmen, I would just ask you to keep your comments to yourself.

Hello, Council. Thank you for recognizing Pride Month and for your continuing this tradition. I appreciate the consistency and leadership it represents. It means more than you might think to see Clark County Council recognized and celebrate its LGBTQ residents. Visibility matters, recognition matters. For LGBTQ youth, families, and adults alike, it sends a message that they are seen, valued, and that they belong in their community. It also helps create safer communities by making it clear that LGBTQ people are welcome here and that the local government recognizes them as part of the community. I also want to acknowledge that this year the City of Battleground declined to issue a Pride Proclamation, despite having done that in the past. That makes this Council's action today especially meaningful. At a time when some communities are stepping back from recognition, you are continuing to show up for your residents. I appreciate the Council's example that local government can recognize and celebrate all residents, even when people may hold different personal beliefs or perspectives. Pride Month is both a celebration and a reminder that everyone deserves to feel welcome, valued, safe, and that they belong in their communities. Pride Month celebrations are happening across Clark County this year from La Center's Rainbow Walk on June 7th to Vancouver's Pride Block Party on June 13th, Camas Pride from June 18th to 21st, Vancouver Saturday in the Park on July 11th, and Battleground Pride on August 1st. It's wonderful to see LGBTQ people and allies gathering in communities throughout the county to celebrate, connect, and build community together. Thank you, Clark County Council, for recognizing that LGBTQ residents are part of the fabric of this community. I appreciate your continued support and your recognition that Pride Month extends across all of Clark County, including in Battleground. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Okay, our next proclamation is Foster Care Month. Will be read by Councilor Young and Sarah Desarlay with Executive Director of FosterFill will be accepting, so.

It is my pleasure to be able to stand up here today and, well, Sarah can introduce herself, but she and her organization fill a major gap in our community regarding foster care and foster children in our community. It was my pleasure in my home with my wife and i to be licensed foster care parents for a number of years and our first placement is also our oldest child who is no longer a child anymore he's 21 years old but i appreciate the work that you do and i'm i'm super happy to read this proclamation this morning Whereas each May, National Foster Care Awareness Month is recognized across the country to bring attention to the experiences of children and youth in foster care, while honoring the families, caregivers, professionals, and community members who support them on their path to stability and belonging. And whereas more than 700 children and youth here in Clark County are currently in foster care through no fault of their own, many of whom navigate challenges related to trauma, separation, and uncertainty. And whereas all children deserve to be raised in safe, nurturing environments where they are supported, valued, and given opportunities to succeed, And whereas foster parents, kinship caregivers, social workers, advocates and volunteers play a vital role in providing care, guidance and encouragement, often making extraordinary commitments to help children and youth thrive. And whereas communities, including those in Clark County, share a collective responsibility to promote the well-being of children by strengthening families, preventing abuse and neglect, and ensuring youth have the support and resources needed to successfully transition into adulthood. And whereas National Foster Care Awareness Month calls upon all Clark County residents to uplift youth in foster care, Recognize the generosity of families who open their homes and renew our commitment to ensuring every child has a safe, permanent, and loving place to call home. Now, therefore, we, the Clark County Council, hereby recognizes the month of May 2026 as National Foster Care Awareness Month. We do this in Clark County, Washington, and we encourage all residents to join in supporting children and families impacted by foster care. Signed this second day of June 2026 by all of the Clark County Council.

Thank you, Counselor Young, and thank you, all of you, for recognizing foster care as such an important topic to all of us. There is a phrase in this proclamation that I really love. It is collective responsibility. It is our collective responsibility to be a good neighbor, to look out for those who have less than us or who have different than us. It is our collective responsibility to ask questions and be curious. And it is our collective responsibility to act in all ways with empathy. Most people that I talk to have a foster care story, and I bet most of you in this room do too. Whether it's you experienced it yourself, whether it's my parents were foster parents and so I grew up with foster siblings, or whether it's I've always wanted to do that, I just don't know if I could. And that just goes to show that foster care affects all of us. It may be in your past, but it certainly will be in your future. Because the youth being brought into care today are the future of this community. So we need to pay attention to this topic. We need to act in empathy. We need to stay curious and soft towards each other. I believe that it takes a village to raise children and Clark County is that village. So thank you so much. you're not quite done no please take just a minute to say what fosterful does i think that's important thank you um so fosterful is a we're a non-profit organization started right here in vancouver just a couple blocks away at the old dcyf office with a handful of volunteers and our mission was to come sit with children on the day they entered foster care We sat with them and we played and we took their mind off of that terrible thing that just happened and the grief and the loss that they were experiencing. We made sure that they had clean clothes and a nurturing environment in which to wait. We filled their bellies, we gave them stuffed animals and toys and sent them to their foster home. COVID changed all of that, and we expanded our reach. We rebranded to become Fosterful, and now we went from five employees to 47 employees in two years because we are able to go into every single foster home in Clark County, in Cowlitz County, Skamania, and Wekiakum, so all southwest Washington is able to receive services from Fosterful. We work one-to-one with children. We help them build skills. We help them create a sense of belonging in their community so that they can disrupt the cycle of foster care. Eventually, we hope to see that our numbers are also disrupting the homeless population, the incarceration incarceration rates for kids in foster care, aging out. And our services don't end when they turn 18 either. If they choose to enter into extended foster care, we go with them. And so we're really pioneering the field of nonprofit work in foster care. And it's exciting and it's thrilling to have the backing of our community. So thank you for this.

Thank you, Sarah, for your service. My dad was in foster care as a kid. He has fond memories of it, so thanks. Okay, moving on. If you'll join me in standing for the Pledge of Allegiance and then remain standing for the invocation, which will be provided by Matt Trevino of Brush Prairie Baptist Church. And then I'm going to ask for a moment of silence for the victims of the Longview mill accident. Okay.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands,

I thank you, dear Lord, for this wonderful day that we've all been given to come together. Lord, I thank you for the ability to memorialize the loss that have come before us, those that we've served with. Lord, I pray for their families, Lord. I lift up the families in Longview right now as they suffer loss and confusion, Lord. I thank you, Lord, that you're here to comfort all of us. I thank you for the people who are willing to stand up for the least of these and to provide care that they don't have, Lord. I know that you're here for all of us, and I pray that you just help everybody feel your grace and mercy, forgiveness. I pray for communication here today and understanding. In Jesus' name, amen.

Okay, and if you don't mind standing just a little bit longer. On behalf of Clark County, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the 11 employees who died in the tragic implosion accident at the packing mill in Longview last week. This is an overwhelming disaster that affects this tight-knit community, and I hope that folks will be able to find, as they're able, some way to support them going forward. We wish for a full and quick recovery for those who were injured, and we're incredibly thankful for the rescue workers who were called to respond to this very hazardous situation, putting themselves in harm's way to help others. We're grateful for their service. And if you would just join me in a moment of silence. Thank you. Okay, moving on with our agenda. Let's have the roll call.

Council Young.

Here.

Councillor Fuentes?

Here.

Councillor Little?

Here.

And Chair Marshall?

Here.

And Councillor Belcott is absent today.

Thank you. Are there any amendments to the agenda? None today. Okay, thank you. We'll move into a public hearing, road vacation portion of Northeast 139th Street. We'll get a briefing by Brett and then we'll move into the public comments. Thank you for being here, both of you.

Good morning. Jeremy Provenzola, county engineer. I'm here with Brett Gallup. This is for the next step for council's consideration of a road vacation for a portion of Northeast 139th. Brett's done a lot of great work here, and I believe he has a couple of slides prepared to share with you.

GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MARSHALL AND COUNCIL. FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS BRETT GALLUP AND I AM A PUBLIC WORKS REAL PROPERTY AGENT. THE MATTER BEFORE YOU TODAY IS THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR A ROAD VACATION REQUEST FOR A PORTION OF NORTHEAST 139th STREET. ROAD VACATION APPROVALS ARE A THREE-STEP COUNCIL PROCESS. STEP ONE WAS COUNCIL APPROVING RESOLUTION NUMBER 2026-03-02 ON MARCH 3, 2026, DIRECTING THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO CREATE AN ENGINEER'S REPORT. The county engineer has provided the engineer report reviewing the portion of road in question and approves the road vacation. Today's public hearing is step two of the process, which allows any neighboring owner to voice their concerns or approval of the road vacation. Clark County followed all required notification laws, including posting the public hearing for two consecutive weeks in the Columbia newspaper. Posting a physical sign at the road location with available pamphlets and mailing all utility companies and private owners within a 500 foot radius. To date, I've received no responses from the public and all responding utility companies have been in favor of the vacation. After the public hearing, if you choose to approve today's resolution and preliminary order vacating a county road, you will be approving the road vacation and directing the county to request funds from the petitioner, Thomas Meyer, for reimbursement on staff time spent on the road vacation. Once funds are received, we will come back to council for step three to have the final order vacation approved and subsequently recorded, and the matter will be complete. Today's hearing begins with the history of Northeast 139th Street. On April 6, 1942, the Hathaways conveyed 30 feet of right-of-way to Clark County per right-of-way deed to create what was then called Dubois Road. 1947 county road maps show that the road was opened and part of the county road log. Somewhere between 1947 and 1955, this portion of road was officially changed from Dubois Road to Northeast 139th Street. County records and aerial photographs show that since 1955, the portion of Northeast 139th Street requested for vacation has no longer been open or being maintained due to the installation of Interstate 5. Next slide, please. Thomas Meyer petitioned the county to vacate a portion of Northeast 139th Street on September 28, 2025. The area proposed to be vacated is 0.28 acres, more or less, in his own general commercial. This portion of road is not included in the six-year tip, and the county engineer has concluded that it will not be needed in any future county road plans. Clark County will be retaining easement rights along this road if vacated for existing utilities. Next slide. This is a 1947 overview of the county road log showing that Dubois Road was officially opened by the county and connected to Highway 99. Once the road is officially opened, RCW state the road vacation process must be completed to remove county interest regardless of how long it's been abandoned.

Next slide.

And these two slides show that once the installation occurred that the road was no longer needed and accessible and we removed it from the county road logs. Next slide, please. And these two slides just show that it continued throughout the years to no longer be used as a road within the county. Next slide, please. And this is a 1994 slide to show the continuation of the road not being used. And then the 2015 slide shows the completion of the Washington State Department of Transportation project that added an overpass and additional entrances to Interstate 5, further lessening the use of this road. The overpass is currently named Northeast 139th Street.

Next slide, please.

And this is a recent photo of the road as it sits today. The portion of road being requested for vacation is in the grass about 10 feet north of the gravel road. The gravel road will remain in place to access the overpass for maintenance purposes.

Next slide.

And this is the proposed Salmon Creek RV park that will be installed by Thomas Meyer if the road vacation is approved. The section in red indicates the proposed road vacation area. Next slide. And that concludes staff's presentation at this time. We recommend that council accept the county engineer's report recommendation and that you approve the resolution and preliminary order to vacate this portion of Northeast 139th Street.

And we're happy to answer any questions you may have.

Okay, thank you very much. Are there any questions from council? Go ahead.

Yes, chair. Thank you. Just could you elaborate a little bit on, you know, anytime we are vacating property, there are multiple methods, multiple, you know, lots of different conditions and such. And this is, is the road is both sides. Is that the same parcel on both sides of the road?

No, it is not. So the gravel road is actually to the south parcel. There was no way to actually vacate that gravel road. It would then be returned to parcels on the opposite side of the overpass.

Okay, so it's always the adjacent owner that we would work with.

That is correct. And in this case, the right-of-way deed was very specific that should we never need stop using this road, that it has to go back to that parcel.

Okay, then that was actually the answer to my question. I was leading towards that sometimes we charge or we sell it to them for assessed value. Other times we don't. So this situation, the deed actually stipulated that we just returned it to them.

That is correct. Thomas Meyer brought it to our attention prior to asking for the road vacation, and our attorney did review it and decide that there was no reason to sell this portion back to them.

Okay, great. Thank you.

Absolutely. Thank you.

Any other questions?

Sure.

Yes.

Yeah, just wanted to thank you for this information. It's very complete. It's good to see the photos and the history and the context. So I appreciate it.

OK. And now we will open it up for the public. If there are any members of the public that would like to comment, your comments need to be limited to three minutes and just to the topic of this road vacation. Is there anyone? Thomas Meyer.

Thomas Meyer. I'm in favor of obviously this road vacation as I'm the petitioner to have it. I want to thank the staff. They've been very good to work with to actually make this happen. You know, Laura Sly and Brett Gallop have just been extraordinary. You know, we've had this property for a lot of years and built a veterinary clinic out there in 1981, and people said I was a fool because there was only two stop signs at 134th Street, and so you've seen the development come forth. I think just one clarification needs to be there. There's that gravel road that's actually on the other easement there on the south part that was originally part of what they called Tenney Acres. When the overpass was built in Washedot, we lost access to our back parcel because our access to that was off of 10th Avenue. So part of the settlement agreement which came from the Attorney General and then Washedot gave us access on that gravel road to my back parcel. I question, and I'm not debating, but I just would question, I'm not sure that Ouachita or anybody else would have built that gravel road for maintenance of the overpass. It was put in there to allow me easement to the back parcel there. So that's a continuation. It's not part of the vacation process, but there is an easement agreement and a settlement agreement that I'm not sure that you're aware of that stipulates that I have that. So that would be my only comment there. And I thank you for moving this process on so that we can continue with the development. And I'm open for any questions.

Thank you very much for that background. Any questions? Okay. Anyone else like to comment? Carmen De Leon?

Thank you.

Yeah, it's me, Carmen de Leon Mello. And I looked at this thing, and I read it at home, and it said that since it's of no use to humans, that they're going to do whatever else they wanted with it. Well, you know what? Humans aren't the only species on Earth. So wouldn't it be an honor for every one of you to give a bald eagle a home because on the land that when you go into vancouver lake you take a left and there's three poles and they're this big around white security i'm not doing nothing man there's a there's about this i'd say about five feet around a platform and it's about 30 feet up on the pole there's not a lot of traffic and that's where the eagles nest So how about you give an eagle a home, build a pole on this property, and the eagles like the fact that the prey, you know, they're safer being secluded that way. And if you haven't seen the birds' nests out of California, they've got two eagles that they watch 24 hours a day. They watch the chicklings hatch. They watch all of this. And we could do that here. We already have two. I've seen two of the eagles' nests. I'm telling you, you go down like you're going to Vancouver Lake. and then you take a left that takes you over there to, what's that other, wherever you swim at, you know that drive that dead ends at Vancouver Lake? Well, if you go left instead of going straight, you'll see three of those poles. Two of them have nests, and one I got a good look at, it's empty. So, I'm saying with billions of birds lost, Because of humanity how about humanity give a little bit back and give an eagle a home or any bird for that matter Because you can even just build poles and woodpeckers will come and pick on it if it's a wooden one And I know you got lots of extra wooden poles from whatever I've seen them you guys can actually have a good purpose for this country and instead of destroying all the land for the humans have some sympathy for that wild animals especially the one that represents our great country so how about oh and then you said you advertise and nobody responded well because the population of clark county is what is it five hundred thousand half a million And Columbian only has a circulation of 30,000. So you're not even getting a half of a half of a half of a half of a half of the population to show up. So maybe if you actually advertise where at least 100,000 or 200,000 people would hear about this stuff, then maybe you'd have more people here than just me. because I have other things written, let's see. Oh yeah, and maybe an animal overpath because you talked about overpaths and they have been constructed because it eliminates roadkill and again, consider other people, other species other than humans on this earth.

Okay, thank you. Is there anyone else?

That concludes public comment, Chair.

Okay, any further comments or questions from the council? Hearing none, I'll entertain a motion. And this is Resolution 20260602. So moved. OK. Second. Moved and seconded. All those in favor, say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay, moving on, we have Laura here, is joining you too, for public hearing, public use and necessity, Northeast Hazeldale Avenue and Burnt Bridge Creek Trail crossing.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning. Good morning, Council, Chair, everyone. So thank you for the introduction. And before we kind of dive into this, this is for the audience out here, is what is or what does a public use necessity, what does that mean? It's not necessarily known to a lot of people or the audience. And so what public use and necessity is is when the government needs private property for the greater good of the community. It's also designed to balance the individual property rights and ensure that that property is paid fairly and it goes to the, protects her constitutional rights as well. Examples of what public use for the greater good is are things like roads, highways, bridges, tunnels. It includes our transportation, our public transportation, which also includes the airport. It includes schools, police and fire stations, hospitals, and something that people don't just generally think about, utilities. So this has to do with essential services like water supply, sewage systems, electrical services, and this also includes playgrounds, open spaces, nature reserves. So today, the gooder The greater good discussion is about providing a safe pedestrian connection for our citizens from Discovery Trail to the Burnt Bridge Trail. So that's the examples of the greater good that we're talking about today. So when do we have public hearings? for this greater good. This pretty much breaks down to when negotiations have come to an impasse with the property owner. And what happens here is that we will, council will look at the project, will determine do we really need this project for the public good? At this time we're hoping that we will declare this as a public use of necessity and where that would direct the county or the PA's office to move forward with the condemnation procedures which in simple terms would file a motion with Superior Court to move this forward. Slide three, please. So just for a graphic look at where the project is, it's just north of the northern boundary of the city of Battleground and along Hazeldale Avenue. And if you want to go to slide four, please.

What did I say?

Oh, gosh. I'm sorry. Battleground. Sorry. All right. So the project is we're going to construct a new sidewalk on the west side of Hazeldale Avenue. We're going to create a connection path between the city's trail system and the county's trail system. As part of that project, we're going to upgrade a lot of ADA compliant pedestrian plants or ramps. And we're also going to be putting in one of those, we call them RFBs, but that's really a big flashy signal system that catches the attention of the owners or the drivers. And that really does help the visibility and the safety aspects for our pedestrians as well as our as our drivers so next next slide so this is um let me get to my notes here um so to give you some additional background the county had four parcels in which we needed to negotiate with the with the owners we have settled with all of them but one And what the project needs, and it's always on a focus of what does the project need. I want to highlight, well I'll highlight on the next slide, but the project needs 666 square feet from the parcel that you see on the aerial view. And the blue line is the approximate, this is through GPS. or GIS the blue line is the existing right-of-way the red line is what we what the project needs and you can see that the red line kind of parallel parallels with the the fog line on Hazeldale so the sidewalk is going to be along the edge of the of the asphalt, and then the ground view there, you can see the fence on the foreground, that is the existing right-of-way, and we continue straight through, but in this case, this piece of property, we needed a wedge or a triangular piece, so the red line again is what the project needs for the project. And the blue line is the existing right-of-way. There are a lot of encroachments on this. The property owner has placed a lot of improvements. We call them encroachments. The county does have an unwritten policy, use and enjoy until such time that we need it for a public purpose. The next slide, please. So the heart of everything that my department does is we work off the right-of-way plans. The right-of-way plan's specific purpose is to identify private property for a public purpose. And this is what solidifies and identifies what we need for the project. This is just a snapshot of the entire Right away construction or the right away plans, which is different from the construction plans the construction plans There's another set of plans that we give to the contractor say go build this and So that's the heart of everything we want to do or the heart of everything that we do and I just wanted to kind of highlight that to you because we do have a tool and I wanted to show that to you as well as to our audience here. So where we are as far as the timeline goes, it's a very aggressive tight timeline. So last month I met with you folks and I was hoping I wouldn't be here today. That was the, my hope was that the passage of the first and the second resolution would, create some traction with the property owner, asking them to come to the table and speak with us. So today we have a public hearing where we'll discuss the public use and necessity, and it's staff recommending that we initiate the condemnation procedure in order to make those construction deadlines. And the city would like us to have the certification, which means we have been through the audit process through the federal government, FHWA, that we have followed all the rules. every property owner has been paid. We actually have possession of the property in order to construct the project. Through that, that is a release of those construction dollars and then we go out to bid. So it's a very aggressive, BUT IT'S DOABLE. AND I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR YOU. ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DID YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING?

BEFORE COUNCIL DELIBERATES, THIS PROJECT IS A LITTLE BIT UNIQUE. IT DOES EXIST IN OUR ADOPTED TIP. It is in Clark County right-of-way, and Laura mentioned the city. They are involved in this uniquely as kind of the sponsor of this project. So it is being funded by some grants, and the city funds are covering the remainder of that. Our match and contribution to this project is in the right-of-way acquisition and the environmental permitting. So it's an exciting joint project for us, connecting those two trails and making safer conditions.

thank you questions sure go ahead yeah thank you could we go back to the map i just want to do big picture for the people watching just so if you could kind of describe the connector the two trails that are being connected where this property is if it's the only property left to satisfy the connection that you want to make just kind of want to walk people through if say they were traveling on this trail where where these different projects are going to be located if you i don't know if there's a way to follow with that line but it looks like we're connecting two trails on the west and east

I'll do my best. So if we start where the leader is for this project, that's approximately where the crossing would be from Hazeldale East to Hazeldale West. So yeah, thank you. So going westerly from the leader of project, you can see this green thin line that goes easterly. That is the Discovery Trail. And it's a well-used trail, and then there's an overpass through Hazeldale over the I-5 that will connect down and drops down into Hazeldale Avenue, and it just truncates. It stops there. And approximately 1,000 feet north of along Hazeldale, traveling to the west, is the Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway. So there is no place for pedestrians to walk from the Discovery Trail to the Hazeldale Trail. And the city of Vancouver identified this project and said, hey, we've got money for this. Would you guys buy the right way?

And just a minor note, there are sidewalks on the east side there. What we're proposing here is a multi-use path on the west side of the road, and it also moves those potential crossings further south along Hazel Dell Avenue right at the Burnt Bridge Creek trailhead there. It's right at the bottom of a curve and a hill on Hazel Dell Avenue, so it is... it's not an ideal location for a crossing if someone were to follow the existing sidewalks on the east side of the road there.

Okay, and thank you. And is this the last property challenge to complete this whole connection? Yes, it is. Thank you.

Chair. Yes, go ahead.

So I see in the staff report, well, first of all, thank you for this presentation, but I see the staff report that you've made an effort to contact the owner, but still complete and responsive, correct?

I'll turn this over to Brett, who is a right-of-way agent on this piece of property, so he can get those exact stats for you.

Yes, I mean, we've spoken to them. It's actually only like seven times since November. Each time that we've reached out, they've responded either thank you or we'll look into it. We would like more information. We'll speak to our attorney. And we've never gotten a response. We've never gotten a counteroffer. We've never gotten there's nothing that they've asked for to point that we could work with to negotiate.

If we move forward with this, the owners will still be compensated, correct? Absolutely, yes. Okay, thank you.

It is their constitutional right.

Perfect, thank you.

Other questions? Yes, go ahead.

Yeah. Real quickly, just quick comment in that it does serve the public good to move forward with this. There are two absolutely stunning trails, and there's no safe way to cross between the two. So there's definitely a need for that. I did have a question, though, on one of the comments, actually two of the comments that you made. that there were significant improvements on their due. Then I'll recite the second comment, which is our standard practice is to let people enjoy the available right away until it's time that the public needs it returned. I was actually kind of surprised by that comment, and I'm curious. I've seen, and this is just anecdotal for me seeing in the city of Vancouver that frequently when road projects are done that move into either what the existing right-of-way was or expanding into private property, that if there's a retaining wall or some form of improvement there that they build that same degree of improvement on their property. Is that something that would happen here? I don't know what our policy is on that.

Well, the federal guidelines in any time where we are reclaiming the right-of-way needed for a road project or whatever public purpose that is, we are required to clear the right-of-way. And so there is a public... public benefit and a cost savings to public works that if someone has a lawn up to the edge of asphalt you know a lot of people believe that their property ends and starts at the asphalt and we have to there's utilities underground and power poles and sidewalks and things that are beyond that. So if they want to put their rhododendrons and their wagon wheels and they want to landscape that, that's one thing. It's the cost savings to public works, so we're not maintaining that. And we do mow our shoulders Maybe once, twice a year, but it's not to the level of pride of ownership that most property owners would do. So property owners get a say in how their curb appeal looks to their property, and it saves the county significant dollars as far as maintenance on that.

Okay, and then do we initiate improvement replacement or is that not part of what we do?

That's not allowed under the federal guidance for that because it is an encroachment. And so unfortunately it is not compensable to answer your question if someone puts significant dollars into a retaining wall. That is at their risk, we let them know that.

um so uh it that is that is a risk yeah okay all right thank you it it's not uncommon for constituents to use the settlement money to replace what's being removed so they might rebuild those amenities onto their parcels after we've cleared the right-of-way all right thank you

And just for clarification, we're still in the process leading toward condemnation that this step is to declare this a public use and necessity, correct?

Yes, in addition to direct the PA's office to start the condemnation process, which means we go across the street and put a motion in with Superior Court. Great.

And there's still an opportunity for the property owners to say? 100%. Yeah. Okay. Just right up to this.

100%. So at present, we have hired an additional separate independent appraiser to update the valuation because it's been nine months since we've made the initial offer. And once we have that updated appraisal report, we'll give it to the PA's office because they need that current value to go across the street.

Great. And I'll invite Laura to correct me if I'm mistaken, but once we hand it off to the PA's office, the constituent can no longer negotiate with our body. That goes directly to the PA's office. And this might be a question for Amber. At the heart of your question, is this the last step for council?

yes going through the hearings once you ultimately make the determination for it to go to the courts we file and then we kind of get that final determination with respect to it so going through these initial steps here lead to that formal court hearing so if we don't come to a resolution And not saying that if we file something with the courts, if the individual or the property owner were to come forward and want to find a negotiated price with us, we would still negotiate on behalf of Public Works with respect to what our valuation is. We could resolve prior to the court hearing, but if we get to the hearing itself, the judge will ultimately determine what the fair market value is and also the determination that it is appropriate. for it's the best use is for public use. That will be the easiest threshold most likely in these cases and it really comes down to a money valuation and so that's what the hearing is for.

Right but so this is the last step for the council. Great, good to know. Okay, so thanks for the presentation and answering all our questions. So I'll open it up to the public. Is there anyone who signed up related to this public use and necessity Northeast Hazel Dell Avenue and Bridge Creek Trail crossing?

Carmen de Leon.

Yeah, hi, it's me again, Carmen De Leon. I go by Melo. So this is the same presentation as the one just before in regards to letting the public know and only 30,000 people are informed if they looked, yet we have a population of half a million. Okay, whatever. I would like to see a public workshop or whatever it is that where you can change the rules that 30,000 is not enough of information for the public. You need to talk to at least, 200,000 people, let's say about half the population of Clark County, that would be better than just 30,000. Anyways, in regards to this trail, I love the idea of circling Clark County on one single trail. That's great. You know, why not? Get people out into nature and stop killing it, which is what I said before. Give a bald eagle a home. Well, this trail provides a perfect opportunity to put some birds' houses up along the trail for just 20 bucks each. And like she said many, many times, and I've read it, this is all for the human population, and you know what? Pretty much screw you birds. Go ahead and die. Because the people need this and the people need that well the people need their birds and their bees and We need to protect our environment for them and if this trail wants to protect the animals then they should put things along the trail for to welcome birds and and let them know they're safe and that they won't be dying by the billions. Another thing is that it should be glow-in-the-dark painted so that in the night it will be safer. And for example, when I go to Sacramento or L.A., whatever, down I-5, I cross the Oregon-California border, they stop me. They say, do you have any fruit? They don't charge. They say nope or eat it because they don't want fruit from Oregon and Washington and California. And you keep going. And the more you drive down I-5, there's another phone and another phone and another phone that it can call 911 in case of an emergency. So if these trails are secluded, we know that the homeless love invading and making their little tents and doing their drugs along those little creeks that are hidden from the public. So I do suggest putting those phone lines up and down the walkways in case of emergency, and they should glow in the dark in case of an emergency. I'm just saying you care so much about the public, let them feel safe walking in a secluded, dark area. You know what I mean? What was the other one? Let me see. Yeah. Yeah, pretty much you only care about the humans, and there's no regard for the bird population or anything else. So I do suggest bird-friendly trail and anything friendly because when the house next door to me got bulldozed, the very next day the raccoons were roadkill. So as soon as we build, all the animals die. Think about that.

Okay, thank you. Is there anyone else?

Chair, that concludes public comment.

Okay, thank you very much. Okay, any further comments or questions from the council? And if not, I'll entertain a motion. The resolution number is 20-26-06-01. So moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Thank you.

Okay, moving on to open public comment, public comment on consent and separate business as well. And just as a reminder, according to our rules and procedures, comments should address county business and not make statements on the private activities, lifestyles, or beliefs of others. This includes elected officials and staff and members of the public. This includes any disruptive behavior, disparaging, or unreasonable behavior. And if that occurs, I'll ask you to stop, and it may result in a recess of the council. So with that, anyone signed up?

Carmen De Leon?

So it's me again, like your worst nightmare, Carmen de Leon. I go by Mello. So we had this wonderful proclamation, and she did talk about people's experiences with foster care. And unfortunately, and I try not to cry, because I think about the name Justin Buse. and he was removed from his home three times because his daddy would beat him to death. Well, they couldn't take him the fourth time because he did beat him to death. So they took a child that was getting beaten three times and gave him back to go die. That's the error of the foster care system. Another case I heard, oh, actually, I remember her name was Karen Cook back in 1985-ish. So we were teenagers. And she says to me, well, I just lie to them because if I go home, my parents don't let me out. But if I say that they're abusing me, I go to the foster home and they let me go out and party all Friday night and Saturday night. And they even had in those days, if you remember, cable TV with the Playboy channel. So she liked the foster home because she could watch the Playboy channel and go out and party on the weekends while her parents suffered being called bad parents and the kid getting put in a foster home that didn't need to be there. She was just spoiled. And that's why I'm saying that, yeah, the foster care system, yeah, I guess it helps some people. But like I've known from people who've been in foster care, this kid, Justin Buse, You know what? I think it was $40,000 per adoption. So they're getting their cut. CPS is getting their cut for taking kids away from their families. But, you know, I mean, the amount of destruction that goes into these children, you're never going to fix. But anyways, I'm going to get off that topic because it triggers me. So anyways, they make massive errors in the foster care system and it really needs to be looked at. The other thing on this agenda was what? Oh yeah, that was the point, you can't sell broken goods. So if Justin Buse was beaten, give him back, we can't sell him, this kid's traumatized. But the kids who are not beaten, the girl like that was lying about her parents, they can be sold, they can get their $40,000 cut for selling a kid who's not traumatized from being sexually abused or beaten by his parents. Those kids get sent back home, they can't sell them. But the kids that were treated nicely, oh, they can be adopted out. My son was adopted out. But as you know, they failed miserably. Anyways, I'm just going to try not to be triggered anymore. But you should know that the foster care system needs some serious, serious looking at because kids are dying in foster care.

Okay, thank you. Is there anyone online?

That concludes public comment, Chair.

Okay. Great. Let me look at my agenda. Okay. Moving on, would anyone like to remove an item from the consent agenda?

Chair?

Yes.

Yeah, I'd like to look a little bit more at number four.

Number four. Okay. Any other items? Yes. Okay, then excluding number four, I will entertain a motion for items one through 10.

So moved. Second.

Moved and seconded, thank you very much. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Okay, then let's proceed to item four, community planning, extending the date for Parametrics Inc. related to the comp plan. Oliver is coming forward. Do you have a question?

Yeah, I just wanted to learn a little bit more about, we're extending it to a date that might be beyond our final decision, so I just want to make sure that we weren't, there won't be any deadlines missed by this consultant if we do so. Just want to make sure.

Good morning, Chair Marshall and councillors. Thank you, Councillor Little. Now, if we complete our plan, our schedule in October, I DON'T THINK THIS CONSTRACT WILL CONTINUE. IF, ON THE OTHER HAND, WE DO RECEIVE ANY FUNDING FROM COMMERCE AFTER COMPLETION OF THE PLAN AND THERE IS ADDITIONAL IMPLEMENTATION WORK, WE MAY AMEND OUR CONTRACT WITH PARAMETRICS IF WE WANT TO KEEP THEM TO HELP US IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLIMATE ELEMENT. BUT OTHER THAN THAT, THIS WORK IS LIMITED TO HELPING US WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE CURRENT PERIODIC UPDATE. AND THERE ARE NO CHANGES IN THE COST OR THE CONTRACTUAL APPROVAL THAT THE COUNCIL HAVE ALREADY MADE. THIS IS JUST TO GIVE US TIME BECAUSE WE WERE SCHEDULED TO FINISH IN JUNE. And here we are.

Okay, great. Thank you. Anything else you want to say about what we will learn through this process?

They are assisting us in the completion of our climate element and any other additional work as it relates to our contract also with commerce. That's it.

Great. Thank you. Thank you.

Any other comments or questions? If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve item four.

So moved.

It's been moved.

Second.

Moved and seconded. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Thank you very much. Motion carries. Thank you, Oliver.

Thank you.

Okay, separate business, public works. Alice and Devin, good to see you.

All right, good morning, Council. My name is Devin Rostfer, and I'm the Clean Water Division Manager in Public Works, and I'm joined here by Alice Millward. And our request today is for Council to authorize the County Manager to sign an amendment to an existing professional services contract between Clark County and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership to increase the amount of the contract by $75,000 and extend the contract expiration date to June 30th of 2027. A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND INFORMATION. WE HAVE HAD A LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF VANCOUVER AND THE PORT OF VANCOUVER THROUGH AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR EXPERIENCE VANCOUVER LAKE, WHICH IS A PROGRAM THAT'S IMPLEMENTED BY THE LOWER COLUMBIA ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP THAT'S FOCUSED ON K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION AT VANCOUVER LAKE. the program is equally funded by clark county the city of vancouver and the port of vancouver at the amount of twenty five thousand dollars each and so the request to increase the contract our impact we have budget capacity for this program ongoing um and our portion of the seventy five thousand dollars is only twenty five thousand dollars and i will also mention that our intergovernmental agreement is set to EXPIRE AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF RENEGOTIATING THAT WITH THE CITY OF VANCOUVER AND PORT OF VANCOUVER AND SO THE EXTENSION OF THIS PROGRAM WOULD GET US THROUGH TO THE END OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT BEFORE WE'LL COME BACK AND PROVIDE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE PROGRAMMING. SO THANK YOU.

GREAT. THANK YOU. HOW MANY STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM?

can share the deliverables that are expected from this next portion of the contract and so there are two environmental science lessons for 16 classes which is about 350 students depending on the class size there is there are four hour field trips to vancouver lake for 16 classes so we expect about an additional 350 students to be engaged and 64 chaperones because the parents also need to learn as well and then there are six canoe community paddles which are available for about 120 community members and then there's social media as well to share with the general public

Great. And is this available throughout the county? Can participate in this? Correct. Good. Okay. Any questions from the council?

Just one quick question. When it says community forums, what are they delivering with that?

I am seeing that's a great question. I'm not seeing that in the existing scope of work. I apologize, but the existing scope of work is two classroom environmental science lessons, field trips to Vancouver Lake, paddles on Vancouver Lake, and communication materials, which include press releases, flyers, website, and social media posts. And so can you help?

Yeah, it's the very last words of the second paragraph on the staff report.

OK, I apologize.

And the reason I asked is because I wasn't aware of any.

Yeah, and I apologize. I can get clarification on that. I do know that the audience is primarily school-aged children and that there are events at times at the City of Vancouver's Water Resources Center, but I regret that I don't have a detailed answer for that.

Any other questions or comments?

Sure. Just a really quick question, Devin. This covers the expense of all the activities that get done in Vancouver Lake, so they don't get charged a fee for participating, right?

No.

Okay, thank you.

Okay, anything else? If not, I'll entertain a motion to approve.

So moved.

Thank you. Moved and seconded. Okay, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you very much for your presentation.

Thank you, and I'll follow up with a clarification on community forums.

I think we might want to attend as I think the issue. I'd love that. Okay, all right. Item two under separate business, Laura, you're back. Approval of a resolution directing the county engineer to remove the buildings on parcel number on that parcel number.

Do you have the slideshow up for presentation? Good morning again. For the record, my name is Laura Henry Sly. I manage the Real Property Services section for Public Works. And what we have in front of today is you go to the other. So, yeah, 17 years ago, Public Works purchased the property that's highlighted in blue and that is located at the northeast corner of SR 503 and 119th. and that was purchased with the intention of constructing 119th Street Road project. At the time, the project limits included the reconstruction of this entire intersection. Ahead of our project, a major development, which was anchored the WinCo store, came ahead of our project. And so as a result, we went and truncated and shortened the termini or the limits of our project. And the WinCo development built all of the frontage improvements from SR 503 the west side to the new termini of our limits so as a result this piece of property was dropped off of our project and the interim we rented the property and we did that until 2024 when we went and inspected the home and it had deteriorated to a point where it didn't make sense to be able to continue dumping money into something that we were eventually going to tear down. So the structure is now vacant. And if you go to the other one, too, as well, it includes an old residence and the old iconic used to be a repair shop gas station. They have become a nuisance, an attractive nuisance, and we need to get these removed to remove the attractive nuisance and also for public safety. But here's the fun part. Well, I think it's fun. So before we demolish these, we offer these structures to our emergency services. So the sheriff's office, the SWAT teams, the local fire districts for actual real life hands-on experience. So they go in there and do operational rescues and they will, in some cases, they may burn it. or they may fill it up with smoke and do rescues or they, you know, by the time the three agencies go through this, the house is pretty much beat up. And so that really does provide some valuable training that is not available to our professional emergency services. And as a result, to remove this, so when they're done with that, then we will, We will demolish the homes and so staff is asking for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the removal of these structures And that also that includes the asbestos reports the removal if that's needed the possible cleanup due to the gas station repair shop and at the time that we did purchase this we did get a an environmental assessment one and two nothing in the the report indicated there was anything that bad to clean up, but we don't know until we actually get on site. And so that's why that amount is so high. We may not spend it all, but we may need that for cleanup of a gas station. And so that pretty much is what I have for our presentation today, if you have any questions. Thank you. Are there questions?

Yeah, just a couple quick questions. Thanks for this presentation. What's the total area of both lots?

That's about a quarter of an acre. It's not that big.

Other than potentially having the fire department and the sheriff's department use it for exercises, real world exercises, what is intended use once the buildings have been completely removed?

It will eventually be used for the expansion of the intersection on the east side and at this point there is nothing identified in the six-year tip that's not necessarily you know you guys advanced projects so you could advance that sooner but there is a long view from public works perspective that we're going to need that property to to widen that intersection.

Okay. So for widening. Okay. Maybe a possible poll for bald eagles. Yes. Might work as well.

Okay. Any other questions? Go ahead.

Just expanding a little bit on that. I'm assuming only a portion of the land will be needed, though, and eventually we'll be able to vacate the remainder of it?

Well, we would surplus that. I have several conversations each year, people reaching out saying, hey, what are you doing with that piece of property? So it is a high value corner piece of property. But until we actually deliver that project, we cannot surplus any remainder of that subject parcel.

Okay, and then I'm certain this is probably before your time being involved in this, but we purchased it in 2009. Was there the ability to have rented the home out until we needed it?

Oh, we did rent it out for many years.

Okay, until it became uninhabitable?

Well, yeah, we did rent it for many years, and it was in 2024 that we went out and inspected the home, and it was... in a dilapidated repair the tenants weren't living up to their end of the bargain for uh the upkeep of that and instead of dumping tens of thousands of dollars on a home we knew we would eventually tear down it didn't pencil out okay and i'm assuming the use is it commercial commercially it is commercially so anybody that would purchase that property would demolish that anyway right essentially okay all right thank you appreciate that

OK. Any other questions? If not, I'll entertain a motion. And is there a resolution number?

It's going to be 2026-06-03.

OK. Thank you. Is there a motion?

So moved.

Thank you. Moved. Is there a second?

Second.

Moved and seconded. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thank you very much. okay on to item three david and ross thanks for being here uh so 2.7 acres acquisition near the fairgrounds good morning

GOOD MORNING, COUNCIL. CHAIR MARSHALL, FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS DAVID STEIP. I'M HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL ACQUISITION OF THE BISHOP PROPERTY WHICH IS IN THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF EXISTING FAIRGROUNDS COMMUNITY PARK. IT'S A PIF 10 ACQUISITION SO IT'S EAST OF THE HIGHWAY AND JUST FOR YOUR REFERENCE FAIRGROUNDS COMMUNITY PARK IS A BIG SURPRISE RIGHT NEXT TO THE FAIRGROUNDS SO IT'S SOUTHEAST OF THE FAIRGROUNDS SO uh so this is as i mentioned it's a pif level it's a pif 10 acquisition it helps us accomplish our level of service goals established in the current adopted pros plan it will improve the usable acreage of the existing park and it will provide us with the opportunity to make improved connectivity between fairgrounds PARK, THE COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, ACTUALLY, WHICH WE DON'T HAVE A CONNECTION TO CURRENTLY, A FORMAL CONNECTION, AND TO WHIPPLE CREEK REGIONAL PARK. SO IT GETS US TO THE CORNER OF 164th, SO WE COULD HAVE AT GRADE CROSSING AT THE INTERSECTION TO CAPITALIZE ON THE FRONTAGE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WERE RECENTLY PUT IN BY THE DEVELOPER WHO RECENTLY DEVELOPED THE SUBDIVISION THERE NEAR WHIPPLE CREEK PARK. We'd like to make that connection to sort of accommodate an ever-growing use of those two community assets. As you know, the neighborhoods around there are developing quickly. AND WE PLAN ON REVISITING THE MASTER PLAN FOR FAIRGROUNDS PARK IN 2029. IN THE CURRENT ADOPTED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WE HAD AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR 2032 BUT WE'LL BE PUSHING THAT OUT A YEAR FOR STAFFING REASONS AND MAINTENANCE CAPACITY CONCERNS. IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, SORT OF ZOOM IN OF THIS MAP. Shows the existing shows the location of the park and our existing public properties And again, it just gets us down to that corner it it makes the parcel More usable and this is not unlike the Edmunds acquisition which we brought to you last month where we're just focusing on PIF acquisitions that are proximate to existing properties at this time.

I have a quick question while you're on the map. So that riparian area there, is that where the trail goes through there?

So the area to the west of 111th that's on TREED is actually an open space that's owned by that developer. um that developed that subdivision so this is an old aerial there are actually homes um being constructed there as we speak and so there is a potential to make that connection there but we haven't uh we haven't entered into any sort of a trail easement with a conversation

In the Ross Hoover Parks and Nature. So great question. So this acquisition creates an opportunity to connect to that greenway in the future through future discussions with that developer because of the intersection, because this property is on the intersection and which which would avoid a mid block crossing on this road. You'll also see just north of the development that easement. David, I don't know if you want to highlight that.

yeah there's a there's a a real thin green line that wraps around that uh that existing home um just north of the sort of the plat map that's actually an access easement that we acquired i think two years ago actually danielle cowley negotiated that to provide access to whipple creek regional park for that neighborhood and the frontage improvements are made all the way up there so we can cross at the intersection And we can use the sidewalk to make the connection to that access point to Whipple Creek Park. We've received a lot of feedback, as you likely know, Chair Marshall, from the equestrian community about parking issues at Whipple Creek Regional Park. And sort of the long-term hope is that we can use the undeveloped part of the west side of Fairgrounds Community Park to maybe make some improvements that are more focused on walkers, hikers, bird watchers, and they can make that connection using those improvements and reduce the pressure on the equestrian parking over at Whipple Creek Park.

Okay, so there is a connection on the northern edge and then potential with this acquisition and hope for other connection. Could you envision any equestrian access moving back and forth?

It's a very interesting thought. The specific design elements of what this site potentially could become in the future will be the product of meaningful engagement with community and especially folks who live in and around this area, who utilize this area, who utilize Whipple Creek and Fairgrounds Park. prior to that this site is uh this is the opportunity to acquire it and then that future work in terms of what it becomes is is just that future work that we will have the opportunity to to discuss if we acquire this property

As I mentioned earlier, we'll be starting that public process to revisit the adopted plan for Fairgrounds Community Park in 2029. So we'll have public engagement strategy like we would any new park plan development.

And then I just add that the frontage improvements that David mentioned includes a full sidewalk that's been developed from the 164th on the west side of 164th all the way up through that new development. So that corridor is already there in terms of pedestrian access north and south on the west side.

I asked about the horses because that used to be a horse barn there before it now is very million dollar homes. Oh, and the other question I had is Whipple Creek part of PIF 10?

OK. Chair Marshall, it's technically outside of the PIF district. But since it touches the PIF district, we consider it serving that PIF district. Good. I think that's important. Yeah. Absolutely.

Great. Sorry to dominate here, but this is in my neck of the woods. Great questions. Yeah. Other questions from other folks? Go ahead.

Oh. Just a really quick question. Can you remind us what a PIF 10 is? THANK YOU.

SO PIF STANDS FOR PARK IMPACT SO PIF STANDS FOR PARK IMPACT FEE AND THE GREATER CLARK DISTRICT FEE AND THE GREATER CLARK DISTRICT ESTABLISHED THE PIF DISTRICTS OF ESTABLISHED THE PIF DISTRICTS OF WHICH WE MANAGE PIF DISTRICT 4 WHICH WE MANAGE PIF DISTRICT 4 THROUGH 10. THROUGH 10. AND THOSE DISTRICTS ARE areas where development fees are paid by the developers for us to the parks department and public works to acquire and develop properties for parks and recreation for the citizens that are moving into those subdivisions thank you david

And the specific boundary of PIF 10, you can see a bit on this map on the on the east side of Whipple Creek Regional Park that's shown on the map. You can see a red kind of maroon colored dashed line. That's actually also the boundary of of PIF 10. It proceeds north and actually the the new development areas in PIF 10, the the district then proceeds north cross across that new development and then up one sixth, I'm sorry, one 11th Avenue. Um, and so, uh, this new development is actually in the, in the PIF, in the park impact 10 district.

Um,

Other questions? Go ahead.

I'm trying to understand the nature of how this came about. And was this in the capital improvement plan? Or is this kind of more like an opportunity that came up and we're like, this may not have been in the plan, but this is an excellent opportunity to bolster the system?

Yeah, great question. So in our parks and recreation open space trails plan, there is a section that is acquisition criteria. There's a couple pages worth of criteria that we utilize to vet potential acquisition opportunities. And those absolutely apply to this site. And there's also an opportunistic element to this. Additionally, I will add that given the location of this particular acquisition immediately adjacent to an existing park, a county owned and operated park, we're thinking in terms of operations right now and operations costs. And so when we see sites that are immediately adjacent to parks where we add significant connectivity between parks across roads and avenues, those fit really well for our current funding paradigm, where we're not adding new isolated park locations currently to add to operational costs, including travel, unload time, load time of equipment. This is already in a site we're currently maintaining, and so we're thinking about it with that operational lens as well.

And don't get me wrong, I agree with this philosophy. I mean, that's one of the big things that we're working through with the regional parks task team is how we can create more connectivity through the county trail system. But we did receive a comment from a community member with a concern, and I do share that concern, We can't see the entire boundary of PIF district 10 there, but when we do use those dollars for something that's adjacent to an already existing park, does that create an equity problem for the PIF district?

Yeah, great question. So geographic and distribution of investment is a great question. I think, yes. And I will add, we are also looking at sites across the county. And this is not the only site we're looking at. We're thinking about how we can best utilize those impact fee district funds. And also at the same time at we're adding acreage we're adding connections and also filling in where we know we do not have adequate park space and so we're doing all of those simultaneously discussions with property owners are are happening throughout the throughout the county where we can find these these opportunities and so they don't when they come to you they they they don't come in in a certain sequence they come as as a landowner agrees and so um when looking at it from the outside it looks as though this may be the only site we're looking at and it is is in fact not so we are we are continuing to work on that

Councillor Young it is worth noting that this property was listed for sale and so it just came up in my sort of quarterly search of you know the different PIF districts for you know things that we might be able to acquire that meet that help us meet our goals and objectives that are in the pros plan so this this this was listed We typically wouldn't put a property acquisition in the capital plan for real estate transaction reasons where there's some confidentiality there. So that's why we've come to you twice in the last month with property that we feel like we need to acquire this year instead of putting it in the capital plan for next year. We typically, as a property buyer, can't act as fast as the private sector. Yeah, I understand that.

And I will say part of the legacy that we leave behind is going to be determined by these decisions that we make today. You may not see anything out of it for 20 years. Who knows? But someday people will come back and look at it and say, appreciate it for what it is but really won't ever understand the history behind it so it's one of those challenges i think that like i i full-heartedly agree with that comment you know we need to be careful and make sure that our pif dollars are being equitably used and but also at the same time for the entirety of the system there has to be some priorities laid that might override some of those other issues at the time but and then when these things arise then we kind of take a step back and look you know do we need to adjust anything now that we've made this kind of surprise acquisition so but thank you

And I will just add, for anyone who's interested in this topic, how we acquire properties, how we develop properties, ensuring equitable access, ensuring that there's good geographical distribution, that really gets to the heart of the conversations that we're just starting now with community, and that is our system plan, the future of our plan and how we are investing. If anybody's watching this or listening to this that wants to be a part of that process, We don't want you to be a part of it. We need you to be a part of it. This is the future of the system. And you can help define what those specific criteria are. And so please check out our website. We need our community members to weigh in as to what those equitable investments and what the criteria look like that will guide us moving forward.

Not to belabor the point on equity, but it is worth noting that in the last three years, we developed Cozy Camp Community Park, which is on the east side of the highway in PIF 10. And we're working on developing a park plan for your adoption for Mount Vista Community Park. which is also on the east side of I-5 and PIF 10. So we have lots of balls in the air, and sometimes we come to you with like this really, you know, a two-page summary of why we're doing something, and that creates lots of questions. So I just wanted to put that out there for clarity.

No, that's great to know. I mean, PIF 10 is not my backyard, so I don't know much about what's going on there. So it looks like you have a handle on that. Just thank you for keeping an eye on it. Our pleasure.

Councilor Little.

Sure. Yeah, just really quick. Sorry if I missed this. Is there a structure on the property or any infrastructure, and what's the condition, and what's the plan for it?

Great question, Councilor Little. There are several structures on the property that are likely not usable. And part of the purchase and sale agreement will be a certain amount of cleanup. It'll be handled through addendum once the purchase and sale agreement is signed. So we're working with the real estate agent on how some of the vehicles which are personal property that are hard of hard for us to dispose of are dealt with and then you know some other things on the property so that's also a reason why when we come to you with these acquisitions there's some there's a certain amount of money in addition to the purchase and sale price for us to do things like site security and site cleanup okay but no contamination that you know of No, it hasn't been used for anything of note. Okay, thank you.

Okay, how far east does PIF 10 go?

PIF 10, I don't know exactly how far it goes. I apologize. I think it runs to 29th, which is Cozy Campus right on 29th. If it doesn't run to 29th, it runs to the other side of the WSU campus. But I don't think the WSU campus is in PIF 10. But I can certainly provide that for you.

I was just wondering. I know there's a great deal of development going on there. So I was wondering. because that development keeps going beyond the 29th.

Yes. Chair Marshall, we're actively looking for property in every part of every PIF district and even just outside because typically we can afford property outside of a PIF district. Once the urban growth boundary moves or the zoning changes, we get priced out of the market. So we're actively looking for things that... We would consider serving a PIF district that might be outside the urban growth boundary because a community park serves a half a mile radius and a or I'm sorry, a neighborhood park serves a half a mile radius and a community park serves a three mile radius. And so we've been working with. OUR ATTORNEYS TO GET AN INTERPRETATION TOGETHER AND A LEGAL OPINION THAT WE CAN SPEND PIF DISTRICT DOLLARS IF IT'S SERVING, STILL SERVING THE PIF DISTRICT BUT NOT PHYSICALLY RIGHT INSIDE IT.

RIGHT.

THAT MAKES SENSE.

THOSE PARCELS ARE GOING FAST.

Yeah, like I mentioned earlier, we just can't act as fast as a developer or somebody who wants to buy five acres and build a hobby ranch.

And I thought I was trying to find in here, was there a covenant on this property? Was it intended to be used for conservation? Did I see that correctly?

We won't be putting a covenant on it.

No, I thought that one existed already.

I would have to look at the title report. I apologize for not doing it. I was just curious.

That's okay. Well, I think this is a great acquisition. Opportunities come up, and I think it's great to seize those opportunities. And I would just say Whipple Creek Regional Park is really a gem. It's not your usual park. It's a natural area. And I know the equestrian community uses it heavily, so as do other people.

Thanks. Chair, I do have just one more quick process question. Do we have a current purchase and sale agreement for this property?

uh counselor young we we have a purchase and sale agreement signed by the the property owner um we don't bring you the purchase and sale agreement until we have those signatures in hand okay so we're technically not under contract to purchase at this point yeah um is there i know i mean there's certain various barriers that are going to exist because we're government but

if you can put your heads together and see if there's anything that we can do to make you more competitive buyers to eliminate some of the mess you know that works with when you're buying from you know private individual but your government entity so if you can think of any ways that we can make the system more efficient to where you are not at such a disadvantage when you're looking at acquiring property please let us know

the council request is uh doing just that sir so um if we can come to you as these things arise in it and it and it goes quickly that we are we're much much more expedient so we can make it quicker i'm happy to do that i think we better move a little quicker right here um actually april has her hand up oh okay april

Good morning, Chair Marshall. April Firth, Deputy Director, or sorry, Deputy County Manager. What you saw, so Parks gave supplemental documentation, and it's the properties next door that have the covenant that runs with the land, but I don't believe this one does.

Thank you.

Chair?

Yes, go ahead.

I move to approve separate business item number three.

Okay, is there a second?

Second.

Moved and seconded. Thank you. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Thank you very much. Okay, and then finally, item four, Jeremy Provenzolos coming back to talk to us about Royal Road.

Good morning. Jeremy Provenzola, county engineer. Last item of the day, I promise, at least for me. Requesting council consider a resolution authorizing the right-of-way transfer of a portion of Southeast or South Royal Road from Clark County to City of Ridgefield. We have several segments like this that are kind of a patchwork where they're, in terms of the network, it is bound by BY CITY ROADS. IT'S NOT ACTUALLY CONNECTED TO IT'S NOT ACTUALLY CONNECTED TO OUR COUNTY NETWORK. OUR COUNTY NETWORK. LIKE I SAID, THEY EXIST LIKE I SAID, THEY EXIST PERIODICALLY, PARTICULARLY AROUND PERIODICALLY, PARTICULARLY AROUND THE CITIES. THE CITIES. RIDGEFIELD, WASHUGLE, CAMAS, RIDGEFIELD, WASHUGLE, CAMAS, YOU'LL SEE IT QUITE A BIT. YOU'LL SEE IT QUITE A BIT. WE MANAGE THOSE OPERATIONALLY WE MANAGE THOSE OPERATIONALLY WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN THOSE CITIES, BUT WE DID WELCOME THOSE CITIES, BUT WE DID WELCOME THE REQU MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY'RE PLANNING SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO SOUTH ROYAL ROAD AND THEY'D LIKE TO BRING IT INTO THEIR ONTO THEIR BOOK SO THAT THEY CAN IMPROVE IT TO THEIR URBAN STANDARDS BEFORE THEY OR AS THEY DO THOSE IMPROVEMENTS SO CITY OF RIDGEFIELD HAS APPROVED AN ORDINANCE SUBMITTING THIS REQUEST TO COUNCIL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AND OUR RESOLUTION ESSENTIALLY ACCEPTS THEIR REQUEST AND TRANSFERS THAT RIGHT AWAY

okay are there any questions i had a question on this map so this is if this is on the partially within their growth boundary and partially outside of their growth boundary

I believe it is entirely in their urban growth area.

In their urban growth boundary. And just looking at this, there's this, is that little island, this is this one, that one. So that white island south of that, is that in their growth boundary?

I think that might actually be City of Ridgefield.

That's the City of Ridgefield. And it's surrounded by county property?

No. Well, the map that you're referring to there, I think that is a Google map. The other map prior to that, the one on the first page, that's the one. It doesn't show up very well on the screen here, the coloring. But you can see... That it is entirely within their UGA, and some of it is already in existing city of Ridgefield. Okay.

Yeah. I was just curious about it, because it looks like there's an island in that other map that's in their growth boundary, but it's not contiguous. Yeah. Yeah. It's not related to your request. It's just a curiosity to me.

And it's an artifact of Google. Okay. Yeah.

They're not here to answer that question.

I don't know what they're doing.

Okay. Any questions? No questions? I'll entertain a motion.

Move to approve separate business item number four.

Okay. Thank you. Is there a second?

Second.

Moved and seconded. All in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carries. Thanks.

Thank you.

Okay, and now to the county managers report. The only thing I wanted to share with council is our new community development director started on Monday. His name is David Kuhn housing. And I will get him in front of council both in one on ones and publicly so that you guys can start developing your relationship. But we're really excited to have him on board. And I know April's keeping him busy right now transitioning some stuff.

Great. There's a lot to do. Welcome, David. wherever you are. Okay, I guess we've concluded our agenda. And without objection, the meeting is adjourned.