Washougal City Council Workshop – April 13, 2026

The Washougal City Council held a workshop on April 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The meeting included public comments, the presentation of the 2025 Police Annual Report by Chief Zane Freschette, and a review of Community Development Code Updates – Group 3 by Mitch Kneipp. No formal votes were taken during this workshop. Written minutes were not available for this meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Christy Antonio (2310 North 6th Street): Raised concerns about a non-conforming road in her backyard. She stated a manhole was installed two feet above the road elevation and that the developer plans to pile dirt six to twelve feet high against her and her neighbor's fences. She requested a contact in City Engineering to review the grading plans.
• Larry Keister (Port of Washougal): Announced the opening of a permanently affixed boathouse at the Port's marina, managed through Airbnb with a maximum stay of four nights. He stated its purpose is to provide non-boating community members an opportunity to enjoy the marina and to provide an overnight presence for security. He also reported that the Highest Point housing project is on schedule, with walkthroughs next month and occupancy expected in early 2027.

Discussion Items

A. Police: 2025 Police Annual Report – Chief Zane Freschette

• Staffing: Chief Freschette reported the department was fully staffed at 22 sworn officers for part of 2025 but currently has one vacancy. An animal control vacancy was filled after an officer transitioned to patrol.
• Fleet Management: The department's fleet operates approximately 23 hours per day. The last major patrol vehicle purchases were in 2022. Chief Freschette stated the ideal model is a single-officer-per-car assignment with a ten-year replacement cycle, but funding remains a challenge. A leasing option through Enterprise was explored but did not meet the city's needs. The department uses hybrid vehicles, improving fuel economy but increasing maintenance costs. Council members stressed the need for a sustainable fleet replacement plan tied to city growth projections.
• Public Safety Sales Tax (HB 2015): The city has submitted its application for grant funding. Council approved the concept in late 2025. Collection of the 0.1% tax is projected to begin July 1, 2026, with 180 days to achieve state compliance.
• Call Data & Workload: The department received 12,616 calls for service in 2025, resulting in over 19,000 individual officer responses. Chief Freschette noted Washington ranks 51st in the US (including D.C.) for police officers per capita.
• Public Records & Personnel Needs: Chief Freschette highlighted a rapidly increasing volume of public records requests from outside the city, creating the most critical workload pressure. This was identified as the top staffing need.
• Medical Saves & Equipment: The department has had eighteen months of documented life-saving events using modern defibrillators. A JAG grant (approx. $50,000) was awarded for a TruNarc drug testing device. The department's K9, Cassius, was revived with Narcan after a fentanyl overdose during a warrant search.
• Reserve Program: The program has been ended due to state law (HB 2015) and increased training and liability standards for volunteer law enforcement functions.
• Community Engagement: Programs continue, including Drug Take Back, Coffee with a Cop, National Night Out, PAL, and the Pink Patch Project.

B. Community Development: Code Updates – Group 3 – Mitch Kneipp

• Comprehensive Plan Update: The county planning commission has recommended a preferred alternative that matches Washougal's. The county council hearing is scheduled for April 27. A potential issue regarding excess capacity for housing may require rebalancing population numbers if other city expansions are denied.
• Affordable Housing Density Bonus (Town Center): The existing program is being updated to comply with state statutes. Changes include tying income limits to Area Median Income (AMI), implementing a mandatory fifty-year affordability term, removing the requirement for applicants to demonstrate a need, and requiring integrated placement of affordable units with market-rate units.
• Religious Organization Density Bonus: A new state requirement mandates allowing a density bonus for affordable housing on property owned or controlled by religious organizations. Staff proposed a 10% density increase for single-family sites and a 20% increase for multifamily sites. Council discussed parking and traffic impacts and generally supported the tool, with one member suggesting higher percentages.
• New Housing in Existing Buildings: The state requires allowing up to a 50% increase in housing unit density within the footprint of existing buildings in zones permitting multifamily. Key provisions: no additional parking can be required, the projects are exempt from concurrency and SEPA review, building and fire codes must be met, and the building must be at least three years old. Council expressed concerns about the parking and environmental review exemptions.
• Smaller Updates: Staff presented updates on archaeological monitoring standards, exceptions to the annual plan amendment cycle (including emergency amendments), and new notice requirements for development within 500 feet of resource lands such as farms.

Key Outcomes & Next Steps

• Council Direction: Council accepted the 2025 Police Annual Report. Staff was directed to continue developing a sustainable fleet replacement plan and staffing model.
• Code Updates: Council provided feedback on the proposed code changes. Staff will return with revisions for further discussion at the workshop scheduled for May 11, 2026.
• County Hearing: Council was informed of the County Council hearing on the Comprehensive Plan preferred alternative on April 27, 2026.

No formal motions or resolutions were passed during this workshop.