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Record of Proceedings

Washougal City Council Regular Meeting – June 8, 2026

City Council — Monday, June 8, 2026
BodyWashougal, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, June 8, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 35:36

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

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

Speaker 1

0:06

Welcome everybody.

0:07

Good evening.

0:08

I'd like to invite Lisa Meanie up to provide us with an invocation tonight.

0:14

Thank you for coming out here.

0:16

I don't know where you're coming from, but uh if you had a long drive, we appreciate it.

Speaker 2

0:21

Oh, I'm actually just over the bridge.

0:23

Okay, awesome.

0:26

Thank you.

0:27

I'm happy to

Unassigned speaker

0:28

be here.

Speaker 2

0:29

Um we'll take a moment for this invocation.

0:34

Let us pray.

0:35

Today, Lord, we ask for your blessing upon all who attend this meeting, particularly upon those who serve the city of Washugal as staff and council members.

0:47

May we always seek your assistance in building and protecting this community.

0:52

With your help, may God may Washugal be known as a place of shining welcome, care, justice, and honesty for every individual, because each is a reflection of

Unassigned speaker

1:07

you.

Speaker 2

1:08

If there is any discord or discomfort, please enable us to show your gift of forgiveness to smooth the path towards sincere reconciliation.

1:20

Thank you, Lord, for all you have provided, Washugal, and in advance for the good things to

Speaker 1

1:33

all right.

1:34

I'd like to call uh today, June 8th, Monday uh council meeting um to order and ask that you all uh rise and join me with uh Pledge of Allegiance.

1:49

Pledge allegiance

Unassigned speaker

1:56

for which it stands one nation under God with liberty

Speaker 3

2:02

and access for

Unassigned speaker

2:03

all

Speaker 1

2:07

thank you all.

2:08

Uh Amanda, would you take roll call, please?

2:12

Mayor Stevie.

Speaker 4

2:14

Yeah.

Speaker 1

2:15

Mayor Perton Brett.

2:18

Councilmember Wagner here.

2:20

Councilmember Suggs

Speaker 4

2:21

here.

Speaker 1

2:22

Councilmember Robertson

Speaker 4

2:24

here.

Speaker 1

2:25

Councilmember Swafford

Speaker 5

2:27

here.

Speaker 1

2:27

Councilmember Shaplinsky.

Speaker 5

2:29

Here.

Speaker 1

2:30

Student Representative Larsalier.

Speaker 5

2:32

Here

Speaker 6

2:38

we're here.

2:41

You're

Speaker 5

2:41

for 10 Prince, yeah.

Speaker 6

2:47

Councilmember Will, okay.

Speaker 5

2:49

Oh, how to address?

2:50

Yeah.

2:51

Um Councilmember Wagner.

Speaker 6

2:53

Okay.

2:55

Wagner asked me.

2:57

Excuse the Fritz.

Speaker 1

3:00

All right.

3:01

Hearing no objections, so ordered.

3:04

Uh we'll go on to any amendments to the agenda this evening.

3:10

Uh, anybody have any amendments to the agenda?

3:13

All right.

3:14

Uh next item, proclamations.

3:16

We do have a proclamation tonight for Get Outdoors Month.

3:21

And we also have a sponsor with us here tonight, Jane Tessner Kleiner with the Lower Columbia Nature Network.

3:29

Um, I am going to read the proclamation and then we'll call you up uh to say a few words if you'd

Unassigned speaker

3:36

like.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation████████████████████████████████32%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Economic Development████████████████16%
Community Engagement█████████████13%
Arts And Culture████████████12%
Engineering And Infrastructure█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Washougal City Council Regular Meeting – June 8, 2026

The Washougal City Council met on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The meeting opened with an invocation by Lisa Meany and the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Wagner presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Pro Tem David Fritz. The council heard a proclamation for Get Outdoors Month, received a public comment on the future of Washougal Lumber, approved the consent agenda, and unanimously reappointed two members to the Parks and Cemetery Board of Commissioners. Councilmembers and staff provided extensive reports on regional projects and community events before entering an executive session to discuss property acquisition.

Proclamations

  • Get Outdoors Month: Councilmember Wagner read a proclamation declaring June 2026 as Get Outdoors Month in Washougal. Jane Tesner Kleiner, Program Manager for the Lower Columbia Nature Network, accepted the proclamation and highlighted a regional events calendar featuring over 250 activities aimed at connecting communities with nature across Southwest Washington.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mark Elkins spoke about the future of Washougal Lumber. He expressed strong support for retaining the business as a locally owned community establishment rather than seeing it replaced by a large retail chain. Mr. Elkins asked the Council whether the City could provide incentives or assistance to a new owner to help facilitate local ownership and operations.

Consent Calendar

  • Workshop Minutes of May 26, 2026, were approved.
  • Council Minutes of May 26, 2026, were approved.
  • Accounts Payable of May 28 and June 4, 2026, were approved. The consent agenda was approved in a single motion by Councilmember Suggs without objection.

New Business

  • Agenda Bill #31-2026: Parks and Cemetery Board Appointments: Rose Jewell, Community Engagement Manager, presented the reappointments of Tammy Mackey and Rory Straubel to the Parks and Cemetery Board of Commissioners for a three-year term. Councilmember Suggs moved to reappoint the candidates, seconded by Councilmember Szyplinski. The motion carried unanimously. Councilmembers noted the appointees' active roles in the "Second Saturday" programs and other community parks programming.

Reports and Communications

  • City Manager David Scott reported on the 32nd Street Rail Crossing Project open house, noting approximately 100 residents attended and provided valuable feedback, including specific questions and concerns from nearby residents regarding the overpass design. He also announced the successful opening of the Community Market season.
  • Mayor Dave Stuebe thanked Councilmember Wagner for presiding. He reported attending a regional meeting on Fourth of July preparations, a Clark County mayors' dinner, and the Farmers Market ribbon cutting, expressing enthusiasm for the start of summer.
  • Councilmember Tia Robertson announced expanded operating hours at the Washougal Library effective June 1, highlighted the Camas Library's "Borrow Big" campaign to support a children's area remodel, and noted libraries offer Discover Passes and outdoor activity kits.
  • Councilmember Marty Swofford reported attending a CREDC meeting where the I-5 Bridge Replacement Project and regional economic development initiatives were discussed. He expressed appreciation for city staff and volunteers maintaining athletic fields, noting that visiting baseball teams complimented Washougal's facilities.
  • Councilmember Ernie Suggs reported attending the 32nd Street Rail Crossing Project open house, noting generally positive feedback. He also attended the Community Market ribbon cutting, a Port of Camas-Washougal meeting, Family Resource Night at the high school, and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum mural ribbon cutting.
  • Councilmember David Szyplinski attended the Two Rivers Heritage Museum mural ribbon cutting and encouraged the Arts Commission to participate in discussions on artistic elements for the 32nd Street overpass. He also attended the project open house, sharing public feedback with staff, and participated in a monthly public safety meeting.
  • Student Representative Jake Larzalere reported that graduation was scheduled for the coming Saturday. He shared positive reflections on his experience in the Citizens Academy, particularly the presentations on city finances, operations, and infrastructure growth.
  • Councilmember Michelle Wagner highlighted upcoming events including Water Safety Day at Hathaway Park and a ribbon cutting at Hamllik Park. She expressed support for incorporating artistic features into the 32nd Street overpass design.

Executive Session

  • The City Council entered executive session at 7:40 PM for a discussion on property acquisition under RCW 42.30.110(1)(b). The session was extended, with the council reconvening at 8:30 PM. No action was taken, and the meeting was adjourned.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously.
  • Appointments: Tammy Mackey and Rory Straubel were unanimously reappointed to the Parks and Cemetery Board of Commissioners.
  • Executive Session: Held for property acquisition; no action followed.
  • Next Meeting: Monday, June 22, 2026 – Workshop at 5:00 PM & Council at 7:00 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome everybody. Good evening. I'd like to invite Lisa Meanie up to provide us with an invocation tonight. Thank you for coming out here. I don't know where you're coming from, but uh if you had a long drive, we appreciate it. Oh, I'm actually just over the bridge. Okay, awesome. Thank you. I'm happy to be here. Um we'll take a moment for this invocation. Let us pray. Today, Lord, we ask for your blessing upon all who attend this meeting, particularly upon those who serve the city of Washugal as staff and council members. May we always seek your assistance in building and protecting this community. With your help, may God may Washugal be known as a place of shining welcome, care, justice, and honesty for every individual, because each is a reflection of you. If there is any discord or discomfort, please enable us to show your gift of forgiveness to smooth the path towards sincere reconciliation. Thank you, Lord, for all you have provided, Washugal, and in advance for the good things to all right. I'd like to call uh today, June 8th, Monday uh council meeting um to order and ask that you all uh rise and join me with uh Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge allegiance for which it stands one nation under God with liberty and access for all thank you all. Uh Amanda, would you take roll call, please? Mayor Stevie. Yeah. Mayor Perton Brett. Councilmember Wagner here. Councilmember Suggs here. Councilmember Robertson here. Councilmember Swafford here. Councilmember Shaplinsky. Here. Student Representative Larsalier. Here we're here. You're for 10 Prince, yeah. Councilmember Will, okay. Oh, how to address? Yeah. Um Councilmember Wagner. Okay. Wagner asked me. Excuse the Fritz.

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