Washougal City Council Regular Meeting - October 27, 2025

The Washougal City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 27, 2025, beginning at 7:01 PM. Mayor David Stuebe presided, with Mayor Pro Tem David Fritz, Councilmembers Molly Coston, Julie Russell, Ernie Suggs, and Michelle Wagner, and Student Representative Jake Larzalere present; Councilmember Tia Robertson was absent and excused by unanimous consent. No public comments were offered. The Council approved the consent calendar and a personnel policies update, heard reports from city staff and councilmembers, and held an executive session before adjourning at 7:45 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Councilmember Suggs requested unanimous consent to approve the consent calendar as read, with no objections.
• Approved items: Workshop Minutes of October 13, 2025; Council Minutes of October 13, 2025; Payroll Claims of October 15 totaling $388,240.84; Accounts Payable of October 9 and 16 totaling $420,609.82; and Agenda Bill #46-2025, Authorization to Transfer of Funds for Emergency Utility Assistance.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Bill #47-2025 - Personnel Policies Update: Human Resources Director Teresa Stedman presented the resolution, revisiting the update originally discussed at the October 13, 2025 Workshop. Councilmember Suggs moved to pass and post the resolution in the usual manner; Councilmember Coston seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition.

City Manager Report

• Acting City Manager Trevor Evers reported significant rainfall over the weekend, resulting in extensive cleanup of stormwater systems and streets because of downed tree limbs and debris.

Mayor's Report

• Mayor Stuebe commended street sweepers for their quick response to wind and rainfall and praised the Pumpkin Harvest Festival as a growing, successful event.
• He attended ribbon cuttings for Washougal Yoga and Wellness Studio and Kascadia Brewery Public House, saying new businesses are bringing visibility to Washougal.
• He reported attending two Symbiosis meetings related to the wastewater treatment project, exploring ways to enhance existing systems and potentially reduce energy and water rates, and said he will continue working with Symbiosis and the Port.
• The House Minority Leader, who serves on the House Transportation Committee, toured the Slough, and the House Majority Leader is scheduled to tour the Slough Bridge. Mayor Stuebe emphasized the importance of state leaders understanding Washougal's traffic, commerce, safety concerns, and the critical need to repair and upgrade the Slough Bridge.

Council and Student Representative Reports

• Student Representative Jake Larzalere reported that Washougal High School's football team won on Friday and advanced to state; the Pumpkin Harvest Festival was successful; the high school haunted house was well done; a band concert was scheduled that evening; a winter concert is planned; and FBLA will attend its fall conference on November 7 at Lower Columbia College. He also attended his first school board meeting, where cell phone use at the high school was the main topic.
• Councilmember Russell reported that the Ending Community Homelessness Organization (ECHO) meeting was canceled.
• Councilmember Wagner thanked donors, staff, and volunteers for the Harvest Festival; praised the Campanile unveiling and an original song written for it; and attended Arts Commission and Parks Board meetings. She noted that the Second Saturdays in the Park program is growing.
• Councilmember Coston said the Campanile dedication was very well received and praised the Citizens Academy as a sign of community engagement. She announced a native plant sale on November 2 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM in the Excelsior High School parking lot, Main Street trick-or-treating on Friday, October 31, and Election Day on Tuesday, November 4.
• Councilmember Suggs suggested displaying children's artwork in city and library buildings. He attended a Camas-Washougal Port meeting where a proposal to extend Port Commissioners' terms from four to six years was discussed, and he commended community volunteers.
• Mayor Pro Tem Fritz attended the AWC Federal Legislative Priorities Committee meeting on October 15, where there was discussion about Washington cities potentially losing federal funding for projects and possible delays from the federal government shutdown. He also attended the Campanile celebration and a chamber luncheon, helped plan the Drug Take Back event held October 25, plans to attend the Hyas Point event this Friday and Main Street trick-or-treat on October 31, and noted a Washougal Ivy League work party at Sandy Swimming Hole on November 8 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. He signed up to volunteer with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership to plant native vegetation at Mabel Kerr Park; the minutes list December 6, while the transcript says Saturday, December 5.

Executive Session

• At 7:35 PM, after a short break, the Council entered executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(g) to review the performance of a public employee, with no action to follow. The open meeting resumed at 7:45 PM and was adjourned immediately afterward.

Key Outcomes

• The consent calendar was approved as read, including the emergency utility assistance fund transfer authorization.
• Agenda Bill #47-2025, the Personnel Policies Update resolution, was passed and ordered posted in the usual manner.
• The executive session on employee performance was held with no action taken.
• The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 3, 2025, with a workshop at 5:00 PM and the regular meeting at 7:00 PM.