Summary

Council approves telecom franchise, housing impact fee and SDC deferrals, contracts, and $13.15M in vouchers; holds executive session

VancouverAug 18, 20253 min read

At a glance

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At a hybrid meeting on August 18, 2025, the Vancouver City Council (all seven members present) held an executive session on threatened/potential litigation and real estate negotiations, approved minutes from August 11, 2025, authorized a five‑year government relations contract with Arbutus Consulting (not to exceed $475,000), approved a contract amendment with United Rentals for hygiene units at Safe Stay and Safe Park communities, authorized claim vouchers totaling $13,152,692.69, and adopted three ordinances: a right‑of‑way telecommunications franchise for Metro Fibernet LLC (Ordinance M‑4511), an impact fee deferral for multi‑family residential development (Ordinance M‑4512), and a system development charge deferral for multi‑family residential development (Ordinance M‑4513). Public hearings received no public testimony. A Homeless Situation Report update was presented.

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Multi-family Residential Development Provide System Development

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City Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxCommerceHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Entered executive session (5:30–6:30 PM) to discuss Threatened or Potential Litigation and Real Estate Negotiations (RCW citations noted).
Approved August 11, 2025 meeting minutes.
Authorized Professional Services Agreement with Arbutus Consulting for Washington State government relations (five years; total not to exceed $475,000) (Contract C-102017).
Approved contract amendment with United Rentals for rental, waste removal and water fills of restroom/shower (hygiene) units at Safe Stay and Safe Park communities (Contract C-101224).
Approved claim vouchers in the amount of $13,152,692.69.
Adopted Ordinance M-4511 granting a non-exclusive right-of-way telecommunications franchise to Metro Fibernet LLC (Metronet).
Adopted Ordinance M-4512 amending the Vancouver Municipal Code to allow deferral of traffic and park impact fee payment for multi-family residential development.
Adopted Ordinance M-4513 amending VMC 14.04 to allow deferral of utility system development charges for multi-family residential development.
Received a Homeless Situation Report update from the Homeless Response Manager (no Council action recorded).

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Meeting information

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City Council Meeting

Aug 18, 2025, 6:30 PMVancouver City Hall, Council Chambers, 415 West 6th Street, Vancouver WA 98660completed

Agenda

Council Dinner / Executive Session Re: Threatened or Potential Litigation RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) and Real Estate Negotiations RCW 42.30.110(1)(c) (5:30 - 6:30 PM)
Regular Council Meeting
6:30 PM Vancouver City Hall - Council Chambers - 415 W 6th Street, Vancouver WA
Pledge of Allegiance
Call to Order and Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
2024-1871 Minutes - August 11, 2025
attachments=1
Decision: Approval of Minutes
Community Communication
This is the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to Council regarding any matter on the Agenda not already scheduled for Public Hearing. (Separate instructions are provided for offering testimony on Public Hearing when applicable.) This includes the option to testify about Workshops. Members of the public addressing Council are requested to give their name and city of residence for the audio record. Speakers are to limit their testimony to a total of three minutes for all items combined. RCW 42.17A.555 and City Council Policy 100-32 prohibit the use of public facilities to support or oppose any ballot measure, or to support or oppose any candidate for elective office. Any violation of these rules could result in a suspension of speaking privileges during public comment periods at City Council Meetings for 90 days or longer for multiple offenses.
Consent Agenda
The following items will be passed by a single motion to approve all listed actions and resolutions. There will be no discussion on these items unless requested by Council. If discussion is requested, the item will be moved from the Consent Agenda and considered separately – after the motion has been made and passed to approve the remaining items.
1. Contract for Washington State Government Relations - C-102017
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
2. Contract Amendment - United Rentals for Hygiene Units at Safe Stay and Safe Park Communities - C-101224
attachments=6 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
3. Approval of Claim Vouchers
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
Public Hearings
The following item(s) are scheduled for public hearing. Members of the public addressing Council are requested to give their name and city of residence for the audio record. Unless otherwise announced by the Presiding Officer, speakers are to limit their testimony to three minutes for each public hearing.
4. Right-of-way Telecommunications Franchise Agreement for Metro Fibernet LLC (Metronet)
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Public Hearings
5. Ordinance Amending Vancouver Municipal Code to Provide Impact Fee Deferral for Multi-family Residential Development
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Public Hearings
6. Ordinance Amending Vancouver Municipal Code to Provide System Development Charge Deferral for Multi-Family Residential Development
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Public Hearings
Communications
2024-1872 From the Council
Decision: Communications
2024-1873 From the Mayor
Decision: Communications
2024-1874 From the City Manager
Decision: Communications
2025-1194 Homeless Situation Report Update
attachments=2
Decision: Communications
Adjournment