Community News

## About Abandoned, Unregistered or Illegally Parked Cars Have you seen one in the neighborhood and wondered what to do about it? Follow these steps: ### Step 1: Observe It Is the car creating a hazard? Has it been there at least two weeks? Is it missing license plates? Is the plate's registration tab expired by more than a month? If yes to any of those, take the next step. ### Step 2: Document It Get the car's make, model and color, and license-plate number if it still has plates. You'll need these for the next step. ### Step 3: Report It CRESA (Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency) has an online form at **cresa.wa.gov/contact/online-reporting/report-an-abandoned-vehicle**. ### Step 4: Wait a Week If the car's still there, call police non-emergency at **311** to add your complaint. Do this every few days. **Why this process works:** By using the CRESA form, you put the car on a county-wide map. Then your subsequent complaints and others' can be associated with that map location, giving it weight for quicker response. If you skip the form and go straight to calling 311, busy dispatchers may not make that association. --- ## What's Illegal Parking? Here are some likely scenarios in our neighborhood that state law (RCW 46.61.570) defines as illegal parking: - On a sidewalk or street planting strip - On a crosswalk, or within 20 feet of it - Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction so as to obstruct traffic - In front of a public or private driveway or within five feet of the end of the curb radius leading to it - Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant - Within 30 feet of the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal located on the side of the road **For unregistered cars:** Registration must be at least 45 days expired before it can be towed or removed (RCW 46.55.113). --- ## Is a Front License Plate Required? With exceptions, Washington state law (RCW 46.16A.200) requires vehicles to display front and rear license plates. They must be kept clean and legible and mounted horizontally no more than four feet from the ground. The law also prohibits any covers or frames that obscure the plate. **Tickets cost between $136 and $200.** --- *For more information, contact the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency or call the police non-emergency line at 311.*

## Mayor's Update – February 11, 2026 ### Main Street Construction All sewer and water fully upgraded. With mild weather, both companies have resumed work. **Fully completed blocks:** 500, 1300, 1400 **Mostly completed blocks:** 600, 1100, 1200 **To do:** 700, 800, 900, 1000 Late 2026 completion expected. No full block closures are anticipated. --- ### I-5 Bridge – Fixed-Span Design Approved The Coast Guard has approved a fixed-span design for the proposed I-5 Portland to Vancouver bridge replacement. The current bridge opens an average of 250 times per year, with some years as high as 480 times annually. --- ### Corridor Projects – Be Heard Vancouver **NE 72nd Ave** from NE 40th St – NE 78th St. **NE 86/87th Ave** from Mill Plain to 4th Plain Share feedback by February 28th. Contact: [email protected] --- ### Board and Commissions Openings No new openings currently. Next openings will be for 9 boards, with notice going out March 15. Visit: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/boardsandcommissions --- ### Climate Action Framework Update Required every 4 years with targets of 27% reduction in GHG emissions citywide and 54% reduction for municipal operations. Focus areas include: - Building efficiency - Securing energy resources - Fleet electrification - Wastewater solids recovery - Tree canopy and urban heat initiatives - Equitable distribution of resources - Resilience initiatives --- ### Green Building Program The GBP outlines a policy framework for future land use and building code standards, intended to: - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions - Improve energy efficiency - Strengthen resilience to climate impacts - Protect local ecosystems Implementation will occur in phases, applying to new construction and substantial redevelopment projects. --- ### Keep Washington Working Act (KWW) The city of Vancouver is under the direction of the Keep Washington Working Act, a statewide law binding all Washington state and local agencies. Key provisions include: **No Immigration Status Inquiries:** Prohibits local law enforcement/city employees from inquiring about immigration status unless related to a local criminal investigation. **Limited Cooperation:** Prohibits the use of city resources to assist in federal immigration enforcement actions for civil violations. **No ICE/CBP Access Without Warrant:** Requires federal agents to have a judicial warrant to access non-public areas of city facilities or detain individuals in local custody. **Training & Signage:** Vancouver has provided city-wide training for employees on ICE encounters on city property. --- ### Workforce Development – 5-Year Economic Strategy Workforce SW WA helps recruit, train, and retain skilled workers. From 2019-2024, jobs in Vancouver increased by 9.6% (97,970 jobs), outpacing the national growth rate of 4.3% by 5.3%. **Focus areas:** - Promote and advance career opportunities in the trades - Youth and apprenticeships - Incentivize employers to invest in childcare options for lower-income workers **Legislative Priorities:** - Support childcare for workforce - Increase funding for homeownership - Advocate for law enforcement face covering restrictions (except SWAT/covert operations) - SW WA Training Facility - Lodging Tax increase --- ### 2026 Garbage and Recycling Rates - 32-gallon cart (weekly): up $0.36 - Recycling: down $0.13 - Organics (96-gallon cart): up $0.09 --- ### Property Tax Levy Lid Lift Passed Voters passed the property tax levy limit lift by approximately $0.15 per $1,000 in assessed value. The 2026 levy will serve as the basis to calculate future levies. --- ### Fourth Plain For All – ARPA-Funded Projects In 2021, Council endorsed an investment framework for ARPA funds in the Fourth Plain area. A 10-year investment strategy prioritizes five categories: - Housing - Community Building & Public Health - Parks & Public Space - Transportation - Economic Development **2025 Results:** - 352 tons of solid waste removed - 329 individuals engaged and cited into Community Court - 456 individuals found to be unsheltered (down 6%) - 466 served with 35% positive exits across 4 Safe Stays and Safe Park - WSU-V Internship Project: 88% reported progress toward goals and stability --- ### Annual Rental Housing Registration – Approved To improve rental tracking, quality, safety, and stability, each rental is required to have a Rental Housing License and annual business license as of January 2026. Cost: $30/unit/year. Exemptions apply for owner-occupied and income-restricted units. Inspections will begin in 2027. Registration software is currently in testing phase. --- ### New Public Works Operations Campus Update **General Contractor/Construction Manager Method:** Skanska USA selected as the first GC/CM. **Advantages:** - Increases the amount of affordable workers' housing - Allows the project to move forward - Gives the City flexibility to explore alternative options **Summer 2026 Construction Activities:** - Grading - Retaining walls - Geothermal exchange system - Stone columns for seismic resiliency - Tree planting Permits expected in 2026, with construction beginning fall 2026. --- ### PFAS Treatment System Monthly data collection and federal lobbying for water quality continue. The City has recovered $22 million in costs for PFAS claims against 3M, DuPont, and Tyco through litigation settlements. An additional $49 million in loans from the state has been secured. EPA drinking water standards for two major chemicals will be maintained at 4ppt (parts per trillion), the lowest detection limit possible. --- ### Air Quality Monitors Four new SensWA sites are being installed: - City Hall - Operations Center on 4th Plain - VFD Station 1 on Main - Fruit Valley Ready for operation in August 2026. --- ### Lodging Tax Grants Awarded 18 events totaling $378,427 in grants. Additional funding includes $57,482 for Historic Trust Tours and VDA Downtown Ambassador Program, and $1.3 million for Visit Vancouver tourism organization. --- ### Performing Arts Center Proposed 800-1,000 seat facility, mostly in the area south of the Hilton/Convention Center. Next meeting in February to discuss economic impact, operating pro forma model, order-of-magnitude capital cost, and proposed financing plan. --- ### City Hall Projects **Council Chambers Renovation:** - Audiovisual network upgrade - Wiring improvements - Assistive listening system - Microphone upgrades - Lighting upgrade **Ground Source Heat Pump Well:** Heavy construction in back plaza --- ### 2026 CDBG, HOME, and HOME-ARP Funds Applications are now open for 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME, and HOME-ARP funds. - **CDBG:** $1.9 million - **HOME:** $1.6 million - **HOME-ARP:** $300,000 for microenterprise assistance **Deadlines:** - Pre-Application: October 31st - Full Application: December 5th --- ### Homelessness – Bridge Shelter Two pre-engineered steel buildings with separate kitchen. Design is 100% complete. Value engineering is underway to reduce costs and optimize performance. Ready for operation in August 2026. --- ### Street Projects - **Jefferson Street:** Mostly completed - **18th St. (97th – 107th Ave):** $2.5 million - **Grand Loop:** $2.7 million - **192nd Ave (1st – 18th St.):** $800,000 - **112th Ave:** $500,000 Total 2026 Transportation Benefit District allocation: $7.1 million for pavement improvements. --- ### Burnt Bridge Creek Trail Trail by Andresen Road is currently closed. --- ### RTC Annual Report In 2025, the Regional Transportation Council granted nearly $16.1 million in federal funds on 16 projects. An additional $21 million was redistributed to meet annual targets. --- *For more information about any of these projects or initiatives, contact the City of Vancouver at (360) 487-8600 or visit www.cityofvancouver.us*