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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Washougal City Council Workshop – November 17, 2025: Budget, Revenue Proposals, and Legislative Agenda

City Council — Monday, November 17, 2025

BodyWashougal, Washington

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, November 17, 2025

StatusFILED

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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Speaker 1

0:03

I stand by up.

0:07

Okay, I would like to uh welcome everybody to our uh city council workshop on day November 17th.

Speaker 2

0:18

Council Member Wagner here, Councilmember Russell here, Councilmember Coaston Council Member Sub

Speaker 3

0:29

here,

Speaker 2

0:30

Councilmember Robertson here, Mayor Pur Tam Fritz.

Speaker 1

0:35

Here

Speaker 2

0:37

representative Lark Learn

Speaker 1

0:38

here,

Speaker 2

0:39

Mayor CB.

Speaker 1

0:40

And here, thank you.

Unassigned speaker

0:42

All

Speaker 1

0:42

right, we're at our first opportunity for public comments.

0:46

Anybody in the audience.

Speaker 4

0:58

Nice to be here in person and the Larry Keyster.

1:01

Commissioner Port of Camera Springer will uh when we start talking about the 236 legislative agenda.

1:10

We want to work together with court city to uh have the same voice.

1:15

So obviously quest uh bridge we've been working on for a while, and we will continue to and then we will also support 30 seconds because that affects intermodal traffic from the Port of Industrial Park.

1:32

So I count on our uh assistance for those when we go to Olympia, and any time that we have an opportunity to bring those up with the uh um with our legislators,

Unassigned speaker

1:44

I

Speaker 4

1:44

do believe might be making some progress with the slew bridge, but that's let's see

Speaker 1

1:54

so it all comes down to funding, right?

1:57

Yeah,

Unassigned speaker

1:58

so

Speaker 1

1:58

we raise nine billion dollars in the state,

Unassigned speaker

2:03

and

Speaker 1

2:03

we've already spent loop through it.

Speaker 4

2:06

Yeah,

Speaker 1

2:06

and so this session we're gonna have to raise another like two billion dollars, so it's gonna

Speaker 4

2:13

be interesting.

2:15

But even though you know the money might not be here right now, like we did on the tour this last week.

2:22

Get the vision out there, not only what it is that we need and why we need it, but show it to

Unassigned speaker

2:29

the

Speaker 4

2:30

legislators that are gonna provide that funding for us.

2:33

Might not get it this year, we might not get it next year, but at least it's on the list.

2:41

Yeah, so we're at the top of the list for the bridge, been there for four years.

Speaker 1

2:46

Top of the list, but I think though I agree, I think we have that momentum that we're starting to bring that focus down here, and by having uh representative Arcus down here and uh right the speaker of the house, Jenkins getting involved in that.

3:04

Um Larry, that's our uh strength or one voice, right?

3:10

And um, I think that's uh it's gonna prove to help us out.

3:15

So we're gonna get there.

3:16

We're gonna get there.

3:17

Yeah, but uh now I appreciate all your support with all that stuff too.

3:23

That's it.

3:24

Nothing else.

Unassigned speaker

3:27

Okay,

Speaker 1

3:27

but anything on the uh zoom app no sir.

3:33

Perfect, thank you.

3:34

Okay, we're on to new business community services and strategy 2026 legislative agenda and Clark County Transportation Alliance 2026 policy statement.

Joe Walsh · Speaker 5Inferred

3:47

Joey Right.

3:48

Good evening.

3:49

I'm Joe Walsh, the community of services and strategy director, and I'm joined tonight by Jordan Ebage from Monument Advocacy who handles our uh helps us with the federal side.

3:59

Um speak at the end, but we're gonna start locally.

4:09

Uh and I'm gonna go through this pretty quickly.

4:11

One to save more time for Jordan, the start of the show tonight, and two, because there's not a lot of changes um from uh last year, so this should look pretty familiar to folks.

4:20

Starting with our legislative the 2026 agenda, just the one pager you have in front of you.

4:26

Um this is essentially telling uh uh us saying to the state all of these programs, all of these state programs are really important for cities like Washugal, they're critical for for us when uh for funding transportation projects, new park amenities, getting clean water to our residents, and we're encouraging this the state to continue to invest in those projects.

4:49

Really no changes on

Unassigned speaker

4:51

that.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

The second paragraph is about local authority, and this is essentially us telling the state that we think every community is different and uniquely situated to make their their own decisions when it comes to revenue and spending, and we encourage the state to uh to provide flexibility to local uh local jurisdictions with these programs.

Joe Walsh · Speaker 5Inferred

5:13

There is one key change on this paragraph that I want to point out.

Unassigned speaker

5:17

So

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Transportation Safety█████████████████████████████████33%

Public Safety███████████████████19%

Fiscal Sustainability██████████████14%

Public Engagement██████████10%

Parks and Recreation███████7%

Revenue Generation███████7%

Engineering And Infrastructure████4%

Procedural███3%

Budget Equity Analysis██2%

Summary of Proceedings

Washougal City Council Workshop – November 17, 2025

The Washougal City Council held a workshop on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 5:01 PM to 6:52 PM, to discuss the 2026 legislative agenda, the Clark County Transportation Alliance policy statement, and a mid-biennium budget review including proposed new revenue sources for transportation and public safety. Council members present included Mayor David Stuebe, Mayor Pro Tem David Fritz, Councilmember Michelle Wagner, and via Zoom Councilmembers Julie Russell, Ernie Suggs, and Tia Robertson. Student Representative Jake Larzalere also attended. Councilmember Molly Coston was absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

Port Commissioner Lary Keister emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Port and City, stating the Port supports the 32nd Street Corridor Improvement and the Slough Bridge projects. He expressed that both projects would be advocated for inclusion in the 2026 legislative funding cycle.

Discussion Items

2026 Legislative Agenda & Clark County Transportation Alliance (CCTA) Policy Statement: Strategic Initiatives Manager Joe Walsh and Jordan Evich (Monument Advocacy) presented the legislative priorities. Key items included continued funding for the Slough Bridge (now estimated at $130 million, up from $125 million), the 32nd Street Rail Crossing ($7.5 million from SIB to be reallocated), Washougal River Road safety improvements (cost decreased to $6 million), and a new request for a veterans memorial at the city cemetery. The CCTA policy statement supports a unified regional voice for transportation projects, with Washougal's listed projects as tier D and E. Walsh noted a change to the legislative agenda regarding RCW 52.02.160, which allows cities to create fire protection districts; the city found it too restrictive and will advocate for more flexibility, though it does not affect current regional partnership with Camas. Councilmember Russell raised concerns about trash removal on state highways and asked how to advocate for more funding.
2025-2026 Mid-Biennium Budget Review & Modification: Finance Director Daniel Layer, City Manager David Scott, and Police Chief Zane Freschette presented revenue proposals and budget modifications. Layer highlighted community survey results showing low satisfaction with street maintenance (less than half satisfied) and high priority for streets, parks, and police. The pavement management program currently has a PCI of 1.1 (high), but a funding increase of $300,000 per year is needed to avoid backlog and maintain condition. An ADA transition plan requires $750,000 annually. Layer presented three potential transportation revenue tools: a 0.1% transportation benefit district (TBD) sales tax ($305,000/year for 10 years), increasing the license tab fee from $20 to $40 ($275,000/year), and a new 0.1% public safety sales tax ($305,000/year) authorized by HB 2015. The public safety tax also unlocks a state grant (up to $125,000 per position for 3 years at 75% cost) for law enforcement hiring, training, and equipment.
Public Safety Sales Tax Discussion: Chief Freschette explained that the public safety sales tax revenue would fund park restroom crime prevention (cameras, hardening, increased janitorial), police vehicle/equipment replacement, community engagement, and professional staff for public records. Multiple council members expressed strong support for addressing park vandalism (especially at Sandy Swimm Hole) and discussed ideas such as paid parking for non-residents, security cameras, and park rangers. Councilmember Russell and others noted the need for a comprehensive plan.
Budget Modification Details: Layer outlined specific changes including: $104,000 for public safety facility upgrades and janitorial services (funded by partial-year public safety sales tax), $178,000 transferred to the REET 2nd Quarter Fund for pavement management (from TBD sales tax), $25,000 for Schmidt Park conceptual design, $3.9 million for Shepherd Road pedestrian connection (using TIFS and TIP funds), $119,000 for a DOT grant for systemic stop-controlled intersections, and an additional $164,200 for a new street sweeper replacement (stormwater fund).

Key Outcomes

Council Direction on Revenue: After discussion, council members reached consensus to move forward with two of the three proposed revenue sources: the 0.1% transportation benefit district sales tax and the 0.1% public safety sales tax. The increase in the license tab fee from $20 to $40 was not supported by the majority; some members cited equity concerns, enforcement difficulties, and preference for a smaller incremental increase. Council directed staff to prepare ordinances for the two sales taxes for first reading at the December 1, 2025 council meeting.
Public Hearing Set: Council set a public hearing for December 1, 2025 to adopt the mid-biennium budget modification ordinance, which will incorporate the revenue changes once adopted.
Next Steps: Staff will bring ordinances for the two sales taxes on December 1, 2025. The Third Quarter 2025 update was moved to the subsequent council meeting for time reasons.

Meeting Transcript

I stand by up. Okay, I would like to uh welcome everybody to our uh city council workshop on day November 17th. Council Member Wagner here, Councilmember Russell here, Councilmember Coaston Council Member Sub here, Councilmember Robertson here, Mayor Pur Tam Fritz. Here representative Lark Learn here, Mayor CB. And here, thank you. All right, we're at our first opportunity for public comments. Anybody in the audience. Nice to be here in person and the Larry Keyster. Commissioner Port of Camera Springer will uh when we start talking about the 236 legislative agenda. We want to work together with court city to uh have the same voice. So obviously quest uh bridge we've been working on for a while, and we will continue to and then we will also support 30 seconds because that affects intermodal traffic from the Port of Industrial Park. So I count on our uh assistance for those when we go to Olympia, and any time that we have an opportunity to bring those up with the uh um with our legislators, I do believe might be making some progress with the slew bridge, but that's let's see so it all comes down to funding, right? Yeah, so we raise nine billion dollars in the state, and we've already spent loop through it. Yeah, and so this session we're gonna have to raise another like two billion dollars, so it's gonna be interesting. But even though you know the money might not be here right now, like we did on the tour this last week. Get the vision out there, not only what it is that we need and why we need it, but show it to the legislators that are gonna provide that funding for us. Might not get it this year, we might not get it next year, but at least it's on the list. Yeah, so we're at the top of the list for the bridge, been there for four years. Top of the list, but I think though I agree, I think we have that momentum that we're starting to bring that focus down here, and by having uh representative Arcus down here and uh right the speaker of the house, Jenkins getting involved in that. Um Larry, that's our uh strength or one voice, right? And um, I think that's uh it's gonna prove to help us out. So we're gonna get there. We're gonna get there. Yeah, but uh now I appreciate all your support with all that stuff too. That's it. Nothing else. Okay, but anything on the uh zoom app no sir. Perfect, thank you. Okay, we're on to new business community services and strategy 2026 legislative agenda and Clark County Transportation Alliance 2026 policy statement. Joey Right. Good evening. I'm Joe Walsh, the community of services and strategy director, and I'm joined tonight by Jordan Ebage from Monument Advocacy who handles our uh helps us with the federal side.

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