Washougal City Council Workshop Meeting Summary

The Washougal City Council held a workshop on July 27, 2026, starting at 5:00 PM and adjourning at 6:06 PM. Mayor David Stuebe presided. Councilmembers David Fritz, Marty Swofford, Tia Robertson (arrived at 5:23 PM), and David Szyplinski (via Zoom, joined at 5:43 PM) were present; Councilmembers Ernie Suggs and Michelle Wagner were absent. Student Representative Jake Larzalere was also absent. The meeting covered the Civic Center mural, the Draft Capital Facilities & Utilities Element update, Storedahl & Sons Quarry comments, and City Manager recruitment.

Consent Calendar

• Civic Center Mural – Arts Commission Recommendation: Rose Jewell (Community Services & Strategy Director) presented the final design concept for a mural to be installed on the west wall of the library. The Arts Commission recommended the design (by artist Jeremy with WACA) after minor revisions. Total project cost is $15,000, with $8,150 contributed by the city (from WACA funds). Installation is anticipated to begin September 13 and take 10–14 days. The item was placed on the consent agenda for approval, authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreement.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Port Commissioner Larry Keister reported that the Port of Camas-Washougal was selected for technical assistance from the Center for Sustainable Infrastructure (CSI) through the Washington State Department of Commerce's Industrial Symbiosis Technical Assistance Program to identify opportunities for reducing operating costs through shared resources. He also announced an upcoming Grove Field Airport Master Plan community meeting on Thursday to gather input on the Port and community's vision and goals.
• Cindy Soliz expressed concerns about the proposed Storedahl & Sons Quarry Project. She stated the environmental scoping document inadequately considered impacts within Clark County, including the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, roundabouts, and bridges. She requested the scoping document be revised to expand its geographic area.

Discussion Items

• Community Development: Draft Capital Facilities & Utilities Element Update
  • Mitch Kneipp (Community Development Director) presented with consultants Jessica Herceg (DOWL), Wes Wegner (Wallis Engineering), and Joe Miller (Jacobs). The update combines existing chapters 8 and 10 into a single hybrid element. Technical analysis showed: the water system can provide 7.88 million gallons per day (maximum day demand) against projected demand of 6.64 million gallons per day under the preferred land-use alternative, sufficient for 20-year needs. The sewer system has adequate capacity for 20-year projections, though a general sewer plan amendment will proceed separately for longer build-out. Stormwater management concerns were noted regarding potential impacts from ADU and middle housing infill if impervious surface additions under 2,000 square feet are not managed; staff recommended a "wait and see" approach rather than reducing the threshold to 500 square feet, to avoid hindering housing development. New goals and policies were added, especially for police and utilities. Next steps: presentation of the draft Parks & Recreation Plan and Transportation Capital Facility Plan on August 10.
• Community Development: Storedahl & Sons Quarry Conditional Use / Skamania County
  • Mitch Kneipp and David Scott (City Manager) presented a draft joint agency technical comment document for the J.L. Storedahl & Sons Quarry Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS evaluates a conditional use permit in Skamania County. The comments request additional analysis and clarification on transportation, public services, environmental impacts, and long-term interagency coordination. The project would send 80% of traffic westward via SR-14 and Washougal River Road; route options 3 through 6 have been eliminated by the applicant. Councilmember Swofford expressed support for the collaborative approach and stressed the need for accountability and mitigation. Mayor Stuebe noted comments are due by July 30. The resolution to authorize the City Manager to submit comments was presented for a vote to maintain the city's standing in future proceedings.
• Human Resources: City Manager Recruitment
  • Teresa Stedman (Human Resources Director) presented the recruitment plan to replace City Manager David Scott, who announced retirement effective April 15, 2027. The administrative committee (Mayor Stuebe, Councilmembers Suggs and Wagner) reviewed four firms and selected GMP Consultants. The estimated cost is $28,775, not including candidate/consultant travel. The process includes recruitment, assessment, and finalist interviews. The full council will be involved in defining desired qualities and interviewing finalists. No formal council action was required; direction was given to proceed with GMP.
• City Manager's Office: Council Rules & Policy Discussion
  • David Scott suggested deferring this discussion until all councilmembers are present. Mayor Stuebe concurred; the item was deferred.

Reports and Communications

• City Manager David Scott deferred.
• Mayor Stuebe deferred.
• Councilmembers deferred.

Key Outcomes

• The Civic Center mural design concept was placed on the consent agenda for formal approval.
• Council directed staff to proceed with submitting joint agency comments on the Storedahl & Sons Quarry DEIS, with a resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign and submit.
• Council provided direction to proceed with GMP Consultants for the City Manager recruitment process.
• The Council Rules & Policy Discussion was deferred to a future meeting when all councilmembers are present.
• Next workshop is scheduled for August 10, 2026.