Washougal City Council Workshop Summary – January 12, 2026

The Washougal City Council Workshop was called to order at 5:00 PM on January 12, 2026 by Mayor Pro Tem David Fritz. The workshop featured public comments honoring retiring staff, a detailed presentation on the Downtown Parking Study, a recommendation from the Molly Coston Legacy Committee, and an update to the city's Shared Leave Policy.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chief Ron Schumacher, retiring Washougal Fire Marshal, expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve the community, calling it his most rewarding career role. He thanked the citizens and commended the leadership of City Manager David Scott.
• Phyllis Carter, a member of the Washougal Studio Artists and treasurer for the Camas Artisans Guild, announced the upcoming "HeART Fest" event scheduled for February 7, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Black Pearl.
• Commissioner Larry Keister of the Port of Camas-Washougal announced the hiring of Marlo Maroon as the Port's first Deputy Director, a new strategic role focused on economic growth in Southwest Washington.

Discussion Items

A. Community Services & Strategy: Downtown Parking Study (Joe Walsh & Rick Williams)

• Rick Williams of Rick Williams Consulting (RWC) presented the findings and recommendations of the Downtown Parking Study. The study area contains 561 on-street parking stalls and roughly 1,200 off-street stalls.
• Key Findings: Current parking demand is low ("green to yellow" zone). Critically, only 28 two-hour parking stalls exist downtown, while over 530 stalls are entirely unregulated. Occupancy of private off-street lots peaks at roughly 35% .
• 12-Month Recommendations: Formalize guiding principles for parking management, create a downtown parking brand, expand time-limited parking (e.g., 56 stalls along Main Street), adjust parking code requirements to better match true demand, and explore shared-use agreements with private lot owners.
• Discussion: Councilmembers Michelle Wagner raised questions about zero parking minimums and ADA requirements (study recommends 4% of on-street supply). Mayor David Stuebe asked about enforcement (options include self-policing and third-party contracts). Councilmember Marty Swofford expressed support for the low-cost initial recommendations. A long-term shift to paid parking or structured parking (at an estimated $50,000 per stall) was deemed a distant prospect.
• Position: Council expressed general support for the study's first-year recommendations to establish a management framework. The study does not require formal adoption.

B. Community Services & Strategy: Report of the Molly Coston Legacy Committee (Joe Walsh)

• Joe Walsh presented the Legacy Committee's recommendation, endorsed by the Park and Cemetery Board, to rename the Downtown Community Garden in honor of the late Mayor and Councilmember Molly Coston.
• Discussion: Council members spoke unanimously in support, citing Coston's instrumental role in the garden's creation. A clause was added to the draft resolution ensuring the name "Molly Coston Community Garden" would transfer with the garden should it ever be relocated. Additional commemorative elements, such as an informational kiosk, plaque, or art piece (explored by WACA), were also discussed.
• Position: Council fully supported the renaming and the permanence clause.

C. Human Resources: Update to Personnel Policies (Teresa Stedman)

• Teresa Stedman presented a proposed update to the city's Shared Leave Policy. The update would allow employees to donate sick time (up to 40 hours per year) to the shared leave bank, in addition to vacation time. Employees must retain a minimum balance of 160 hours to be eligible to donate.
• A survey of comparable cities showed 79% have a shared leave policy, and 72% allow both sick and vacation time donations.
• Position: The proposed policy update received council discussion. A resolution was placed on the agenda of an upcoming meeting.

Reports and Communications

• City Manager (David Scott): Requested council input on scheduling the Annual Planning Session. Potential dates on Saturdays in May were identified (2, 9, 16, 23, 30). Staff preferred May 2 or May 16 to align with completion of the 2026 Community Survey. A scheduling poll will be circulated.
• Mayor (David Stuebe): Welcomed newly sworn-in Councilmember Marty Swofford. Commended city staff for their work on infrastructure projects and winter storm response. Expressed optimism for the city's projects in 2026.
• Council (Mayor Pro Tem Fritz):
  • Reported on the January 6th Regional Transportation Council (RTC) meeting, which focused on I-5 and 179th Street improvements near the Clark County Fairgrounds.
  • Provided a follow-up on youth vaping: Vaping cessation kits are now available free and anonymously at the Washougal High School counseling center. The Washougal Community Coalition (UNITE) is coordinating the effort and exploring wider distribution of kits to community locations at no cost.

Key Outcomes

• Downtown Parking Study: Received by council as information. Staff instructed to begin implementing first-year strategies (guiding principles, branding, code adjustments).
• Molly Coston Community Garden Naming: A resolution to formally adopt the name change was placed on the January 12, 2026 Regular Council Meeting (7:00 PM) agenda for a vote.
• Shared Leave Policy Amendment: A resolution to amend the policy (adding sick time donations) was placed on the January 26, 2026 Regular Council Meeting agenda for a vote.
• Annual Planning Session: Scheduling process initiated for a Saturday in May, targeting May 2 or May 16.
• Adjournment: The workshop was adjourned at 6:31 PM.