[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6122793,"mediaKeyId","2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07","parentId",2694155,"title","Battle Ground council approves agenda and consent items, sets public hearing on salary commission ordinance","audioSeconds",121,"startMs",5525000,"endMs",5646000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07&start=5525&end=5646","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07/thumbnail_5525000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122793/Battle-Ground-City/Clark-County/Washington/Battle-Ground-council-approves-agenda-and-consent-items-sets-public-hearing-on-salary-commission-ordinance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122793-4e3f94ddf5409299f76815905477ddc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568491&Signature=SctnLq2I55F73EbCVd8fp~JHbPjHO1s4aT1zB4lx6oj2nom7yuQS7Yc3veDHSJswtWsa88NvG1ZX3RK4UOtOWB6oy3MYIJRT0syVHXDqYdwIE7iY2ynnUU9bjEyOacd653CwGJk8hkNt5Uwrt3~BbKCgOoBvt0pZztdxwN46D6DtHFxVvtNKbppLDPTBj5cfaRJRatgwPSx~p-K6uRsRtGdj8qdkiBw-mqxBgeak7pCz7tzwLhEo769w8vIMl3Jdrnn60PtLiizvoiD9wVDi1v8UlbyN2C0xarlHMcyy9DIamDpdKvxlf5JY530rm2J~lFbEHwo2WdRYMH2oK-LoDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Battle Ground City, WA","date","2025-03-19T20:15:20.53Z","article","The Battle Ground City Council took several procedural actions at its March 17 meeting, voting unanimously to approve the meeting agenda and the consent agenda and to set a public hearing on an ordinance that would amend the City’s Salary Commission meeting procedures.

What the council voted on
- Agenda approval: Council voted to approve the meeting agenda as presented. Motion by Council Member Ferrer; second by Council Member Overholzer. Vote: unanimous (Mayor McCoy; Deputy Mayor Bowman; Council Members Kuipers, Ferrer, DeRozier, Davis, Overholzer).
- Consent agenda: The council approved four items on the consent agenda by unanimous vote (same vote roster).
- Salary Commission ordinance: The council voted to set a public hearing for the April 21 regular meeting on Ordinance 2025-03 (amending Battleground Municipal Code Title 2, Chapter 2.86). The proposed ordinance removes the requirement that the Salary Commission hold two formal public hearings and instead requires public-comment availability at each commission meeting. Motion by Council Member Overholzer; second by Council Member Ferrer. Vote: unanimous (Mayor McCoy; Deputy Mayor Bowman; Council Members Kuipers, Ferrer, DeRozier, Davis, Overholzer).

Context and next steps
City staff explained the proposed ordinance change is intended to reduce the administrative burden on the Salary Commission while preserving public access by requiring public-comment opportunities at each meeting. Council members asked about the procedure for providing input to the commission on compensation matters; staff explained the commission typically solicits written answers from incumbents and candidates and that any decrease in compensation would take effect only after the next election cycle (increases can be implemented sooner under the draft ordinance language).

Ending: The ordinance will be the subject of a public hearing on April 21; council members and members of the public may testify at that meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03-17-2025 Battle Ground City Council Study Session & Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At the March 17 regular meeting the council approved the meeting agenda and consent agenda unanimously and set a public hearing for April 21 on an ordinance that would change Salary Commission public-meeting requirements.","taxTitle","Battle Ground City, Clark County, Washington","taxId",53947,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122797,"Battle Ground discusses dark-sky streetlight standard and smart-light options; staff recommends coordinating with PUD",399,3488000,3887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07&start=3488&end=3887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07/thumbnail_3488000.jpg","/articles/6122797/Battle-Ground-City/Clark-County/Washington/Battle-Ground-discusses-dark-sky-streetlight-standard-and-smart-light-options-staff-recommends-coordinating-with-PUD","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122797-64eeb03a66a3c8a64e78bee336313127/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568491&Signature=Pn6RfvbcBptSKfBGh-Df68n3eyQogYE2HfBVJCCHr18AIesM6VUTU1Gs4J0FiYe9tNBZsDMFyXHVG7dR9jtu3xZVmr3YxO1P5YgY8mFn7VQs~xymbYMiUi7rOf8P6rpQzlRf6gvEeqPHTFYl-SC2UZ7SJ1CbhFRqfjHTqTguKCOR4FjvB4Iz0c9DksJ7vjH5MM1p1a0RsAJr~DRG753mHzZuSrJmn9kGXXhJ9nDvuixKK2t~3jU97HJIYtI7bzeNWhoTTejgfbLwdt7oHOnwhZM0QNLp~iFYB29ERHQtr-39UPlBUuVMDoKaI~-L~rowqHRl9UKwqdoGgbVgeF7ljA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented options for dark-sky compliant fixtures and smart-streetlight technology at the March 17 meeting, recommending a two-step approach: adopt a dark-sky fixture standard for new and replacement lights now and coordinate on smart-network rollout with Clark Public Utilities (CPU) as the utility builds a county-wide communications network.

Why it matters: changing the city’s fixture specification affects future streetlight replacements, developer-installed neighborhood lights and eligibility for grant funding tied to smart-city technology and energy management.

What staff said
Mark (city staff) described two common fixture families in the city: cobra-head-style roadway fixtures and decorative “acorn” fixtures. He said the cobra-head style already directs light downward and is largely compliant with dark-sky principles; acorn fixtures, by contrast, house the light source and require replacement (not a simple shield retrofit) to fully meet dark-sky standards.

Costs and technical notes
Staff provided ballpark costs: an Acorn-style replacement fixture was estimated at about $1,350 per unit (including shield options), while adding a smart-light controller to an already-compatible cobra-head fixture would be roughly $100 for the controller and $100 installation per fixture (staff said prices vary by vendor). Staff said the big technical enabler for smart features is a 7-pin connector on the fixture; cobra-heads can have the connector added, while acorn heads would typically require a new fixture.

Networking and timing
Staff recommended waiting on large-scale smart-light network decisions until CPU’s planned communications network (out for RFP) is defined; CPU is procuring a radio network for meter-reading and other services that the city could potentially join, which staff said would be cheaper than building a city-owned communications system.

Council feedback and next steps
Council members supported a practical path forward: change the city specification so replacement fixtures installed by developers or for new construction meet dark-sky standards at no additional cost, require shields upon request for nearby homeowners, and pursue grants for retrofits of older fixtures. Several councilors emphasized coordination with CPU on long-term smart-light communications, and staff said they will follow up with the utility and prepare a specification update for council consideration.

Ending: Staff will open discussions with CPU, track potential grant opportunities for retrofit work, and return with a proposed specification or ordinance amendment if council wishes to proceed.","City staff briefed council on dark-sky lighting, smart-streetlight controllers and costs. Staff recommended adopting a dark-sky specification for new fixtures (to maintain future upgrade paths) while waiting to align smart-light network decisions with the public utility district’s planned communications network.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122802,"Battle Ground posts higher 2024 revenues; finance director credits sales-tax growth and ARPA-funded capital work",1022,4464000,5486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07&start=4464&end=5486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07/thumbnail_4464000.jpg","/articles/6122802/Battle-Ground-City/Clark-County/Washington/Battle-Ground-posts-higher-2024-revenues-finance-director-credits-sales-tax-growth-and-ARPA-funded-capital-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122802-658b36c430617972e2ec2afa13610feb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568491&Signature=PYoLkdmhkKikhOLXavOMlXQdI8abFJ8DrmFtt6zvlOt2EdQOuk-a2us23O8uJFVwyed02V8RejPDCwOtNJotKjuWvGvoMv3k-w6MH6Zoec9cIXduOWQR~DXx0nhNwPhokKhNM0FaCUkXCAbnpP~O12SKBjdAi7h4hwqInlgD1xZlPF7L3cJAtAmBSpZO6oO5zkzs7cPIKAXCM6PwjzY4A~DlSwmTjvKi7hXTnUKZRqqTRhleI174wN5U5ZgwMghibVgbNpumimCn4DFzTluLwxzshug58AGLbjDJt2OgXw8EclN7dUyhJIkuDWswFOZWYeLV10CMjDNeM3tLIbWS4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff presented the City of Battle Ground’s completed 2024 financial results during the March 17 council meeting, reporting higher overall revenues for the general fund and a series of capital projects funded in part by ARPA money.

The presentation, delivered in detail to council, described accounting methods, audited-audit timing, revenue sources and capital spending. The finance presenter described government fund accounting and said the city will host its annual audit beginning April 21.

Why it matters: the report shows the city closed 2024 with stronger revenues than budgeted in several categories; staff said one-time federal ARPA funds were used to fund capital projects so ratepayers would not bear the full cost.

Highlights from the 2024 financial review
- Sales tax: The city’s regular sales-tax receipts increased sharply in 2021 and have remained materially higher than pre-2021 levels. Finance staff reported regular sales-tax collections of about $5.6 million for 2024 (a modest decline from 2023) but noted the multi-year trend shows continued elevation above earlier years.
- Mix of revenues: Taxes made up roughly half of general-fund revenues; utility taxes and charges for services were other significant sources. The Transportation Benefit District and other restricted sales-tax streams were discussed separately.
- Development activity: Single-family building permits rose unexpectedly in 2024 (284 permits compared with 182 in 2023). Construction-sector sales-tax receipts have increased significantly since 2021, reflecting higher construction values and activity.
- Development-related revenue and contributed capital: System-development and impact fees for water, sewer and parks showed notable receipts in 2024; staff also recorded contributed capital (infrastructure handed to the city by developers) across streets, storm drainage, water and sewer.
- Grants and ARPA: The city received multiple federal and state grants and recorded $3.5 million of governmental capital projects and $4.6 million of proprietary (utility) capital projects in 2024. Finance staff emphasized that significant projects (90 Second Avenue, an EQ basin, a reservoir and pump-station work) were financed in part by ARPA funds so recurring rate increases could be moderated.

Expenditures, audit and next steps
Staff reported general fund revenues of roughly $28.4 million for 2024 against budgeted figures and noted most divisions operated within budget. The city’s auditors are scheduled to begin field work in April; final audited statements will follow. Finance staff said most long-duration ARPA obligations were in place and work was on track to meet federal deadlines.

Council reaction and context
Council members asked for clarification about the drivers of sales-tax growth since 2021 (staff said a shift to destination-based collections and changes in consumer and delivery patterns during and after the pandemic) and whether a lower pipeline of subdivision applications means permit revenue will fall next year (staff said permit timing is irregular and multi-year planning makes predictions uncertain). Finance staff recommended continued monitoring of permit pipelines and noted that one-time federal funds had helped reduce immediate pressure on rate payers.

Ending: The city will proceed with the planned audit; staff said they would provide additional detail on any requested line items in the published annual report.","City staff presented the finalized 2024 financial picture to council: sales-tax receipts remain above pre-2021 levels, permit and development revenues were up in several categories, and one-time ARPA funds were used to cover capital projects to limit ratepayer impacts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6122807,"Humane Society for Southwest Washington reviews 2024 Battle Ground intakes, outlines Hazel Dell clinic and outreach programs",3130,627000,3757000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07&start=627&end=3757","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2694155-c195311316a205d676282558f76e5d07/thumbnail_627000.jpg","/articles/6122807/Battle-Ground-City/Clark-County/Washington/Humane-Society-for-Southwest-Washington-reviews-2024-Battle-Ground-intakes-outlines-Hazel-Dell-clinic-and-outreach-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122807-0e4a6bfe387ba17077ebbbe96d1e7df6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773568491&Signature=oAs60KyADY-y~z2j9Or9HVIScLZCh~lhYKZvpoIqgFSixsKHUF2u-OnVoojJHPAYezmO5Y3u693kkVZdHqNvbRm8ISWrwixGyt88NOEN3~Mv9kYyYk0LZNylf3HVyGK62zWC0-OUwkO4a-4JhJBm9qEO8J2DdZQ0tsdtbkr1ZOcjJzREZc4DwDJvFWMGfgT9cCAiUBeNP~a5cYK~x88yMFeNHvTudiFEfHED70jh2u5NoeB7zBydsxoNFa78sIX4PeZK1lxgPAr9SKUZMynf5CYFwjzwFU8Cy1-21N2ccPITFhadYwiFU0lQTD2RWRbGz9ZUHc946KfBwGZsjF84tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Humane Society for Southwest Washington presented its 2024 municipal-sheltering results and community programs to the City of Battle Ground during a March 17 study session.

HSSW leaders said their contracted municipal services for Battle Ground cover stray intake, dangerous-dog holds, bite quarantines, and abuse/neglect cases, and stressed diversion and “upstream” services that aim to keep animals in homes when appropriate. \"Our goal is not to increase or build a bigger shelter,\" Andrea Bruno, executive director, said. \"If we can keep an animal in the home, that is a win for the community and for the jurisdiction paying for these services.\"

HSSW also described organizational changes and expanded services. Megan Dennis, vice president of strategic initiatives, said HSSW completed the acquisition of the former Humane Society of Cowlitz County effective Jan. 1 and now operates a Vancouver campus and a Longview campus. \"We are now one organization,\" Dennis said, and she said the merger was intended to share expertise and avoid duplicative services across counties.

Why it matters: the city contracts with HSSW to provide municipal animal services instead of operating a municipal shelter. HSSW argued the public–private model saves money and adds volunteer capacity while allowing donor-funded programs to address needs outside the contract.

Key service lines and programs
HSSW listed the functions it provides under municipal agreements: intake and sheltering of strays; protective custody and forensic support for neglect and abuse cases; medical care, vaccination and spay/neuter; animal husbandry, behavior support and enrichment; pathway planning for outcomes; trap-neuter-return (TNR) for community cats; return-to-field and wildlife intake. Dennis described HSSW as an \"extension\" of local code enforcement and animal-control work, coordinating triage and intake decisions with local officers.

The presenters emphasized diversion programs that try to prevent shelter intake: mobile low-cost spay/neuter and wellness services, a free pet-food pantry, temporary boarding (Safe Haven) for people with short-term needs, donor-funded medical assistance, and partnerships with human-service providers serving seniors and people experiencing homelessness. \"When we build trust by helping someone's animal, we can connect them with other needed services,\" Bruno said.

Battle Ground figures and contract notes
HSSW provided unaudited 2024 figures and a contract breakdown for Battle Ground. Dennis said the number of animals billed under the municipal contract from Battle Ground was 136 for 2024 and that those represent contracted intakes only. \"These only represent the animals that came in under the contract,\" Dennis said when councilors asked whether the number included surrenders.

HSSW described a method for calculating an average cost of care: total shelter expenses tied to direct animal care divided by live intakes. The organization reported an average cost of care for 2024 of $7.33 (unaudited) using that method and said the contract was written on a flat-fee basis with a subsidized per-animal assumption; HSSW also told councilors donors subsidized part of the municipal cost. HSSW cautioned the 2024 numbers were unaudited and subject to final financial statements.

Large-case example and capacity
Bruno recounted a 2021 hoarding/neglect case the shelter took from Battle Ground — more than 50 animals on one property — and described how HSSW coordinated with Battle Ground code enforcement and animal-control staff to triage, notify veterinary staff, and intake all animals on the same day. She said one of the dogs from that intake became a staff foster and was later adopted.

On shelter capacity, HSSW said the Vancouver campus can typically house about 90–100 dogs (more if small puppies are co-housed), about 100 kittens (foster network expands capacity), and roughly 20 adult cats in the building at one time; the organization emphasized a robust foster program to manage seasonal surges. \"Our goal is always to be no more than 80% so that we always have room to provide the service to you when you have a need,\" Bruno said.

Mobile clinic and Hazel Dell community clinic
HSSW described donor-funded expansion of medical services. Bruno said HSSW now operates a 30-foot mobile surgical unit that provides low-cost spay/neuter and wellness care, and that the mobile clinic runs pop-up clinics (including at the Battle Ground library) for income-qualified families. She also said HSSW recently broke ground on a 5,400-square-foot community veterinary clinic in Hazel Dell, leased on Highway 99, that HSSW expects to be built out by August with an anticipated opening by September. The clinic will be income-qualified only under state law, Bruno said, and will phase services: initial focus on spay/neuter and wellness, then later dentals, specialty surgery and some urgent care.

Volunteers, partnerships and workforce development
HSSW leaders highlighted volunteer support: the organization reported more than 1,000 active volunteers whose work, if valued at federal volunteer wage calculations, equals several million dollars of labor. Dennis and Bruno also described partnerships with human-service organizations (examples cited: Living Hope Church, Clark College, food banks and shelters) and said HSSW runs internships and externships for veterinary students and techs in cooperation with regional programs.

What councilors asked and next steps
Councilors asked about the split between contracted intakes and donor-funded surrenders (HSSW said the 136 count covered contracted intakes only and donor funds covered non-contract surrenders), partnerships with human-service agencies, whether HSSW tours and presentations could be offered to senior groups, and how the organization manages capacity during seasonal \"kitten season.\" HSSW invited councilors and the public to the clinic opening and said it would share its published 2024 impact report with the city.

Ending: HSSW requested feedback on the impact report and offered to provide additional data if councilors want more detail. \"If there's any information you would like to see on here that's not included, then please let me know,\" Dennis said.","The Humane Society for Southwest Washington (HSSW) briefed Battle Ground councilors on its municipal sheltering contract, 2024 intake and cost figures for Battle Ground, a recent merger that added a Longview campus, new mobile and clinic services, and diversion programs aimed at keeping pets with owners.","actionData","errors"]

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Battle Ground council approves agenda and consent items, sets public hearing on salary commission ordinance

Battle Ground discusses dark-sky streetlight standard and smart-light options; staff recommends coordinating with PUD

Battle Ground posts higher 2024 revenues; finance director credits sales-tax growth and ARPA-funded capital work

Humane Society for Southwest Washington reviews 2024 Battle Ground intakes, outlines Hazel Dell clinic and outreach programs