Summary

City Council approves utilities and safety contracts, adopts housing awards, remands Strategic Plan

VancouverDec 8, 20252 min read

At a glance

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The Vancouver City Council met on December 8, 2025 (hybrid) at Vancouver City Hall Council Chambers; actions included contract awards for water and street-safety projects, adoption of 2026 Affordable Housing Fund awards, approval of Title 14 amendments to utility code, multiple committee appointments, approval of claim vouchers, and remanding Strategic Plan updates back to staff. An executive session on pending litigation was held.

Projects mentioned

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Mobility Improvement Project

Committees mentioned

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City Council

Topics discussed

TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Authorized City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group for Water Station 3 Final Design, not to exceed $2,904,774.
Authorized City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Consor North America, Inc. for the Safe Streets and Roads for All — Fourth Plain Safety and Mobility Improvement Project for $1,036,761.39, with authority to amend the contract value up to 10%.
Authorized the City Manager to finalize and execute the 2026 Grounds, Equipment and Maintenance (GEM) Interlocal Agreement.
Adopted Resolution M-4361 approving 2026 Affordable Housing Fund rental assistance and housing services awards and authorized the City Manager to execute related agreements.
Appointed Jordan Thomas and Matthew Winit to mid-term positions on the Aviation Advisory Committee (terms expiring June 30, 2027).
Reappointed Megan Dugan to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Board for a term beginning December 31, 2025 and expiring December 31, 2032.
Appointed Kyle Byrd, Keri Robinson, and Mike Bomar, and reappointed Temple Lentz, Christie Rust, and Janet Kenefsky to the Lodging Tax Advisory Commission (terms as listed in minutes).
Approved claim vouchers in the amount of $11,940,603.86.
Remanded the proposed updates to the 2023–2029 Strategic Plan back to staff for revisions and intent to return at a later date (motion approved unanimously).
Approved Ordinance M-4524 amending Vancouver Municipal Code Title 14 (water, sewer, and surface water utility fees and regulations).
Approved meeting minutes for November 10, 2025 (Councilmember Paulsen abstained), November 17, 2025, and November 24, 2025.
Held an executive session from 5:10–6:00 p.m. to discuss pending litigation under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i).

Timeline & follow-ups

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Meeting information

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City Council Meeting

Dec 8, 2025, 4:00 PMVancouver City Hall, Council Chambers, 415 West 6th Street, Vancouver WA 98660completed

Agenda

Workshops: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Vancouver City Hall - Council Chambers - 415 W 6th Street, Vancouver WA
2025-1570 Federal Update and Legislative Agenda
Approximately 30 minutes | attachments=2
Decision: Workshops: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
2025-1571 State Legislative Final Legislative Agenda
Approximately 30 minutes, to immediately follow the previous workshop | attachments=2
Decision: Workshops: 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Executive Session Re: Pending Litigation RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i) (45 min) (5:00 - 5:45 PM)
Council Dinner / Administrative Updates (5:45-6:30 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
2024-1931 Minutes - November 10, 2025
attachments=1
Decision: Approval of Minutes
2025-1598 Minutes - November 17, 2025
attachments=1
Decision: Approval of Minutes
2025-1599 Minutes - November 24, 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.
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 Award — Water Station 3 Final Design - C-102098
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
2. Contract Award - Safe Streets and Roads for All - Fourth Plain Safety and Mobility Improvement Project
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
3. Interlocal Agreement — 2026 Grounds, Equipment and Maintenance (GEM)
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
4. Approval of 2026 Affordable Housing Fund Rental Assistance Award Recommendations
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
5. Aviation Advisory Committee Appointment
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
6. Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Board Appointment
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
7. Lodging Tax Advisory Committee Appointment
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
8. 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.
9. 2023-2029 Strategic Plan Updates
attachments=4 | reports=1
Decision: Public Hearings
10. Vancouver Municipal Code Title 14 Updates
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Public Hearings
11. 2026 Model Business and Occupation Tax Ordinance Update
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Public Hearings
Unfinished Business
12. Consider Ethics Investigation Advisory Report Regarding Councilmember Harless
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Unfinished Business
Communications
2024-1932 From the Council
Decision: Communications
2024-1933 From the Mayor
Decision: Communications
2024-1934 From the City Manager
Decision: Communications
2025-1537 Endorsement of the Clark County Transportation Alliance 2026 Policy Statement
attachments=2
Decision: Communications
2025-1581 Interstate Bridge Replacement - Pre-Executive Steering Group
Decision: Communications
Adjournment