Summary

Vancouver City Council approves multiple contracts, grant program, and tax exemption; advances two ordinances

VancouverFeb 23, 20263 min read

At a glance

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Council met Feb. 23, 2026 (hybrid). Workshops covered the Comprehensive Plan update and Boards & Commissions spring recruitment; closed session on collective bargaining. Council approved minutes of Feb. 2, proclaimed Black History Month, heard public testimony, and approved the bulk of the consent agenda. Key actions included construction acceptance for Water Towers 5 & 6, multiple contract awards/amendments (including a $5.5M fire truck purchase and temporary staffing contracts totaling $7M), adoption of a $300,000 Fourth Plain Small Business Resiliency Grant Program (Resolution M-4371), approval of an 8-year multifamily tax exemption for Palisades West (Resolution M-4372), and advancing ordinances for a 58th Street rezone and amendments to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority bylaws to March 2 for second reading/public hearing.

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Downtown Redevelopment

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LaborPublic SafetyCommerceHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Accepted construction of Water Towers 5 and 6 and authorized release of contractor retainage.
Authorized contract (up to $5,500,000) with Cascade Fire Equipment Corp for tractor-drawn aerial ladder trucks.
Authorized four temporary staffing services contracts totaling up to $7,000,000 across four vendors.
Authorized amendment to workers' compensation third-party administrator contract to increase funding to a maximum of $660,000.
Authorized one-year extension to television/video production and broadcast equipment contract with Key Code Media, Inc. for an additional $300,000.
Authorized professional services agreement with Lasko Printing Specialties Inc. for digital printing and related services (estimated up to $3,000,000).
Approved First Amendment to the Historic Reserve Properties primary lease with the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust.
Adopted Resolution M-4371 establishing the Fourth Plain Small Business Resiliency Grant Program using $300,000 in Fourth Plain for All Investment funds and authorizing contracting with nonprofit administrators.
Adopted Resolution M-4372 approving an 8-year limited property tax exemption for market-rate rental housing for the Palisades West Apartments application.
Advanced ordinance to rezone ~1.6 acres at 7711 and 7809 NE 58th Street from R-22 to R-35, setting second reading and public hearing for March 2, 2026.
Advanced ordinance amending the Downtown Redevelopment Authority bylaws (Section 2.09) clarifying Executive Director employment status, setting second reading and public hearing for March 2, 2026.
Approved Minutes of the Feb. 2, 2026 City Council meeting.
Proclaimed February 2026 as Black History Month.

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Meeting information

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City Council Meeting

Feb 23, 2026, 4:30 PMVancouver City Hall, Aspen Room, 415 West 6th Street, Vancouver WA 98660completed

Agenda

Workshops: 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Vancouver City Hall - Aspen Room - 415 W 6th Street, Vancouver WA
2026-186 Comprehensive Plan Update
Approximately 1 hour | attachments=6
Decision: Workshops: 4:30-6:00 p.m.
2026-187 Boards and Commissions Spring Recruitment
Approximately 30 minutes, to immediately follow the previous workshop | attachments=1
Decision: Workshops: 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Council Dinner / Closed Session to discuss collective bargaining pursuant to RCW 42.30.140(4) (6:00 - 6:30 PM)
Regular Council Meeting
6:30 PM Vancouver City Hall - Aspen Room - 415 W 6th Street, Vancouver WA
Pledge of Allegiance
Call to Order and Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
2025-1655 Minutes - February 2, 2026
attachments=1
Decision: Approval of Minutes
Proclamations
2026-190 Black History Month
Decision: Proclamations
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. Construction Acceptance — Water Towers 5 and 6 Coating Replacements
reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
2. Contract Award — Cascade Fire Equipment Corp for Purchasing and Customizing Tractor-Drawn Aerial Ladder Trucks - C-102137
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
3. Contract Award — Temporary Services Contracts - C-102169 / C-102164 / C-102163 / C-102168
attachments=4 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
4. Contract Amendment — Increase in Contract Funding for Workers' Compensation Third Party Administrator - C-101539
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
5. Contract Amendment — Extension of Contract for Television Video Production, Broadcast Equipment and Related Services - C-101575
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
6. Professional Services Agreement — Lasko Printing Specialties Inc: Digital High-Speed Printing and Related Goods and Services - C-102155 RFP 2-26
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
7. First Amendment to Historic Reserve Properties Primary Lease
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
8. Resolution for Fourth Plain Small Business Resiliency Grant Program
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
9. Multifamily Tax Exemption — Palisades West Apartments
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
10. Ordinance for the 58th Street Rezone Reapplication
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
11. Amendment to Downtown Redevelopment Authority Bylaws
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
12. Approval of the Claim Vouchers
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Agenda
Communications
2025-1656 From the Council
Decision: Communications
2025-1657 From the Mayor
Decision: Communications
2025-1658 From the City Manager
Decision: Communications
2026-188 Homeless Situation Report
attachments=1
Decision: Communications
Community Forum
This is the place on the agenda where the public is invited to speak to Council regarding any matter. Members of the public addressing Council are requested to give their name and city of residence for the record. Speakers are to limit their testimony to a total of three minutes. Up to 90 minutes will be allotted for the Community Forum.
Adjournment