Washougal City Council Workshop - July 13, 2026

The Washougal City Council held a workshop on July 13, 2026, to receive a briefing from Clark County on regional parks funding challenges and a detailed update on the 2026 Supplemental Budget #2. The public testified on a proposed quarry haul route and the renovation of the Washougal Grange.

Public Comments & Testimony

• William Carter expressed strong concerns regarding the Storndahl & Sons Quarry Project, which he stated would generate 250 round-trip dump truck trips (500 total trucks) daily using Washougal River Road through residential and central Washougal for an estimated 40 years. He urged the Council to consider the negative impacts on traffic safety, congestion, noise near Cape/Skye Elementary School, roadway deterioration, property values, and quality of life, noting the public comment deadline for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is July 30, 2026.
• Don Leliefeld, owner of the Washougal Grange (621 Washougal River Road), described his efforts to renovate the historic building and retain its community assembly use. He questioned the City's determination that the property had been vacant for over a year, arguing this invalidates the non-conforming use and makes compliance with parking and other requirements cost-prohibitive. He requested the City provide clarifications so the project can move forward, suggesting that nearby church parking could be utilized.

Discussion Items

• Clark County Parks & Nature: Regional Parks Funding Briefing - Ross Hoover, Division Manager of Clark County Parks & Nature, presented findings from the Regional Parks Funding Task Team. He reported that the county park system is operating in an annual deficit, spending from reserves that will be exhausted in a few years. Staffing levels (0.69 FTEs per 10,000 residents) and operating expenditures ($1,604 per capita) are significantly below national medians (3.6 FTEs and $5,173 per capita). Washougal's park agency faces similar gaps (2.7 FTEs per 10k vs. national median of 13.7). With county population expected to grow 34% over the next 20 years, the task team recommended expanding the existing Metropolitan Park District (MPD) countywide as a primary solution. An alternative is a regional levy modeled on King County's. Expanding the MPD currently requires a costly petition process (20% of registered voters), prompting a legislative request for alternative pathways to the ballot. Council discussion focused on preserving city autonomy in spending their allocated share, ensuring proportional funding returns based on assessed value or contribution, governance (county council as the MPD board), and the process for future levy rate increases. The next steps include conducting market research, developing a revenue-sharing interlocal agreement (ILA) with all cities, and targeting a potential ballot measure in November 2027.
• Finance: 2026 Supplemental Budget #2 Update - Finance Director Daniel Layer presented an update on the budget amendments. He clarified that a prior Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) award to the Artisan Guild of Camas was for a tourism event held within Washougal. New LTAC awards totaling $17,437 from a June 24 meeting bring the total pending approval to $41,896.75. Layer reviewed capital project amendments, including moving a $4.1 million carryover for the Town Center project, adding a $1.3 million Sandy Swimming Hole Access Expansion (funded by park impact fees and a pending RCO grant), and a $292,260 Launchable Veterans Memorial (including a new $250,000 Department of Commerce grant). Transportation capital projects added include the 32nd Street North Safety Improvements ($751,000 RTC grant), the 27th Street Shared Use Path ($336,000), and the 32nd Street Widening ($995,000). Near-total funding for these projects comes from grants and impact fees. The total supplemental budget increases revenues by $9.14 million and expenditures by $16.64 million, primarily due to capital project carryovers and new grants.

Key Outcomes

• No Formal Votes Taken: The workshop was a discussion session. An ordinance adopting the 2026 Supplemental Budget #2 was placed on the regular council meeting agenda immediately following the workshop for a formal vote.
• Budget Ordinance Schedule: The ordinance to formally adopt all the presented 2026 Supplemental Budget #2 amendments was scheduled for council action at the subsequent regular council meeting on July 13, 2026.
• Regional Parks Participation: Council members indicated interest in participating in the development of the interlocal agreement (ILA) for the potential MPD expansion, viewing it as a necessary exploratory step without committing to the final framework.
• Grange Follow-up: The City Manager and staff committed to meeting with Don Leliefeld to review the determination of vacancy and explore paths forward for the Washougal Grange renovation.
• Next Scheduled Meeting: Monday, July 27, 2026 (Workshop at 5:00 PM, Council at 7:00 PM).