Washougal City Council Workshop: Parking Code Updates – October 27, 2025

Mayor David Stuebe called the workshop to order at 5:00 PM on Monday, October 27, 2025, and adjourned at 5:30 PM. Attendees included Mayor Pro Tem David Fritz, Councilmembers Molly Coston, Julie Russell, Michelle Wagner, Ernie Suggs (via Zoom), and Student Representative Jake Larzalere; Councilmember Tia Robertson was absent. Staff present included Acting City Manager Trevor Evers, Police Chief Zane Freschette, Finance Director/City Clerk Daniel Layer, and others. No public comments were made. The workshop focused on proposed parking code updates; no formal vote was taken.

Public Comments & Testimony

• None.

Discussion Items

• Police Chief Zane Freschette presented current language in WMC 10.32.030 and suggested revisions. The current rule permits enforcement, including towing, when a vehicle is parked in one spot for more than 24 hours. The proposed language clarifies that moving a vehicle only a short distance, such as one foot, does not reset the time limit; a vehicle must be moved a minimum of one block to a street with a different street name to avoid violation.
• The proposal also removes code enforcement officers from the enforcement authority language because they no longer hold a commission, leaving authority with law enforcement officers.
• Chief Freschette said the ambiguity in the current code has been a problem for roughly 8 to 10 years, notably downtown where some vehicles are moved a few feet to appear compliant. He acknowledged that changing parking language can create new issues but said this change is intended to close a specific loophole.
• Enforcement is typically reactive: police respond to complaints, may mark and observe a vehicle for 24 hours, place an orange warning sticker, and tow if the vehicle is not moved within another 24 hours. Contact with owners is attempted first.
• Chief estimated that 99% of tows go to Chuck's under the city's towing contract; otherwise, vehicles may go to a county-wide rotation. Councilmember Ernie Suggs asked about tow and storage fees; the Chief said fees for municipal tows are set by statute and he would provide the daily storage rate later.
• Councilmembers raised concerns about neighborhoods with limited off-street parking, new ADUs and multi-family housing, and people living in vehicles. The Chief noted RV and trailer rules are separate, and that recent and pending Supreme Court case law makes the city cautious about revising RV/living-in-vehicle enforcement.
• During City Council reports, Councilmember Michelle Wagner asked on behalf of a Washougal Arts and Cultural Alliance (WACA) board member whether there was still an opportunity for a donor to contribute sculptures, statues, or an inclusive multi-generational play element to the Town Center Project plaza. Acting City Manager Trevor Evers said sculptures could likely be added later, but a play element requiring concrete would need earlier coordination; staff would look into it.

Key Outcomes

• Councilmembers offered informal feedback generally supporting the proposed clarification that a vehicle must be moved at least one block to a street with a different street name to reset the 24-hour parking limit.
• Chief Freschette will refine the ordinance language with the city attorney and bring it back for a future council vote.
• Acting City Manager Evers will follow up with staff on the potential donor contribution and placement feasibility for Town Center sculptures or play elements.
• The workshop adjourned at 5:30 PM. The next meetings are Monday, November 3, 2025: a 5:00 PM workshop and a 7:00 PM council meeting. The Citizen's Academy graduation was scheduled for 6:00 PM that evening at the Washougal Community Center.