CAMAS CITY WORKSHOP
Observer - Janet Hedgepath
Present in Person - Tim Hein, John Svilarich, Marilyn Boerke, Martin Elzingre, John Nohr, Leslie Lewallen, Jennifer Senescu, Mayor Steve Hogan
Agendas and presentations at: https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/camaswa-pubu/MEET-Agenda-a18fdb0f9f4a4d418d3d9528635319f2.pdf
Public Comment - Grant Bergstrom explained about a fire started behind his house by who he thought were homeless people. He wanted to know what laws protected people and property. Eight people (many dentists) testified about the importance of having fluoride in the water.
Workshop Topics
2025 Revenue Bond Presentation - staff explained the process of revenue bonds which would be used for sewer, storm water and solid waste. Rates would pay back the bond. The funds are restricted and will not go through the general fund.
Bybee Road Name Change - the change will be Bybee Rd SE to Bybee Rd NW to align with Camas naming. It will be presented at next Council meeting
Regional Parks Funding Task Team - County wants to create a task force with a representative from each city. The context is a recognition of the lack of connectivity of the park system, an insufficient tax base to cover operation and maintenance and rapid County growth. The purpose of the task force is to 1) understand needs and gaps of each park system, 2) benchmark against each other and national data, 3) explore and understand other park system funding models regionally and nationally, and 4) provide and recommend sustainable long-term pathways forward. Phase 1 would consist of 8 ½ hr meetings. Phase 2 would be outreach to the public and Phase 3 would settle on a funding mechanism. C. Elzingre asked why there were no numbers and benchmarks - Answer - this is forming a committee and they don’t want to start with a predetermined outcome. C, Senescu said she heard the words levy and taxes so she didn’t want to participate. C. Lewallen said we shouldn’t have assets we can’t fund. As no one immediately volunteered, Mayor Hogan said they could think about it and get back to him.
Lacamas Lake Bridge Water Safety - the pedestrian bridge at the lake is being used as a diving platform. Although there are multiple jurisdictions for the lake and the surrounding land, the bridge is a city asset. When approached about signage, the County said it was not their responsibility. Education and safety devices such as float rings, look like the City is condoning the activity but strict enforcement would be difficult. The Mayor called for an ad hoc committee to study the problem. It will be created at the July 21st meeting
Resolution No. 25-011 Regional Fire Authority (RFA) both Camas and Washougal must place the resolution on the November ballot or the agreement between them to create a regional fire authority will be terminated. In order to be on the November ballot the resolution has to be filed by August 5th. C Senescu opposed bringin it forward as the voters already turned it down. C, Boerke argued that the City did not do a good job explaining the proposition. Council decided to move it to the July 21st meeting
The following were placed on the July 21st Council Meeting for consideration
Resolution No. 25-010 Adopting the Clark County Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for 2025-2029 -
Professional Services Agreement for the Wastewater Treatment Plant
Professional Services Agreement for Forest Home Booster Station Geotechnical
Staff Comments - Fire chief Free and Police chief Jones gave an update on 4th of July - Fires included 3 houses, a van, and a myriad of dumpsters, trees and bushes. There were no injuries that required hospitalization
Council Comments - moved to Council meeting
Public Comment - Carrie Patterson wanted fluoride removed from the water and the money used for other public health issues. Aaron Cliburn had reached out to the County and they would take no responsibility if the City places life rings at LaCamas Lake.
Jacinta Cox - data shows fluoride reduces tooth decay
CAMAS CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Observer - Janet Hedgepath
Present in Person - Tim Hein, John Svilarich, Marilyn Boerke, Martin Elzingre, John Nohr, Leslie Lewallen, Jennifer Senescu, Mayor Steve Hogan
Agendas Presentations https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/camaswa-pubu/MEET-Agenda-f98843b8c0d441fe879185bf1758580c.pdf
Public Comments - Three people spoke against the recent RV parking ordinance which was passed at the last Council Meeting. Tyler Sanders - off-street parking minimums should be eliminated. Mike Hamilton - voters already said no to Regional Fire Authority. Four people spoke about fluoride. Two wanted it removed and two didn’t.
Consent agenda approved
Staff Reports - Chief Jones gave an update on enforcement of traffic rules for electric assisted bicycles and motorbikes
Council Comments - thanks to the fire and police depts for their work on the 4th of July. They decided to revisit the RV parking law. They will workshop it on Aug 18th.
Mayor Proclamations - proclaimed July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month
His Appointments to the Port of Camas-Washougal (C. Lewallen with C. Elzingre as alternate) and the Planning Commission (C. Lewallen with C. Senescu as alternate) were approved
Meeting Items
Public Hearing – Ordinance 25-011 2025 Spring Omnibus Amending the 2025- 2026 Budget
https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/camaswa-pubu/MEET-Packet-f98843b8c0d441fe879185bf1758580c.pdf
There was no public comment and the amendment was approved
Ordinance No. 25-004 Removal of Fluoride from Drinking Water
There was public comment on March 17th. Cost of fluoride in the water is about $40,000/year. Council decided to discontinue use and asked staff to draft an ordinance. Councillors expressed mixed feelings about the ordinance. Several expressed that they no longer supported the ordinance after hearing so many comments to keep it. C. Nohr had tallied the comments regarding fluoride. He said that the comments from people in Camas favored keeping fluoride. He said he did not appreciate the scare tactics questioning the safety of the water. He also took exception with an email calling them Nazis. C. Senescu said Council should not try to medicate the water. It was government overreach. C. Senescu moved to approve the ordinance. It died for lack of a second.
PUBLIC COMMENTS -
Margaret Tweet - loudly asserted the majority did not want fluoride in the water
Annette Garner - thanked Council for vote on fluoride and complained about noise and debris of fireworks
Aaron Cliburn - thanked Council for moving Regional Fire Authority forward and their willingness to be involved in water safety
Tyler Sanders - thanks for fluoride vote
Dale Larsen - thanks for careful consideration of fluoride vote even though he didn’t agree with decision.