[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6197081,"mediaKeyId","3853896-5776149bdd7386731cfb80dcc48c9bd9","parentId",3853896,"title","Council approves 2025–26 supplemental and biennial budget; credit/debit card convenience fees to be passed to non‑utility customers","audioSeconds",230,"startMs",3314000,"endMs",3544000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853896-5776149bdd7386731cfb80dcc48c9bd9&start=3314&end=3544","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853896-5776149bdd7386731cfb80dcc48c9bd9/thumbnail_3314000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6197081/Vancouver/Clark-County/Washington/Council-approves-202526-supplemental-and-biennial-budget-creditdebit-card-convenience-fees-to-be-passed-to-nonutility-customers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197081-332c7285ad84f1ddc9d534d161ff84d8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773786198&Signature=jf2TzeXngIt9q1M2KAZIve2yzBBGSJuaNE2ByVBQydr1ajpifeXKR4sG82OQjX91zYQYliLEnPklgQzroCfCyaQ-ptvT2LUTa2kuSRZtWdVOEx4j2NOawU73m22tEBR9GfVeOzqVz9lzDw61H7usCZsiF9hWAD6acueqrWyCZHJBbmrHxMdMhrOZnlARsNRZvs2NhUhbHeDZhzblPuG5mXaN88qkoSTo0nXEDZVlOhdtFOX52M4OTskZQCpM8bs-en8tvYyV04qCS0IBZVIMcobDBDjscONaP4wvXoyGXB1dx~0kLB8yBfII8A1pV62y9d8ywiXrykN7NH1wbaOT7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vancouver City, WA","date","2025-06-16T00:00:00Z","article","Vancouver City Council adopted supplemental appropriations and the 2025–26 biennial budget on Monday and confirmed a policy to pass credit and debit card processing fees on to customers who pay city fees by card, excluding utility customers.

City finance staff told council that prior to the budget decisions staff had projected a gap of roughly $43 million across the biennium; staff and council worked through a combination of revenue adjustments and spending reductions so that the adopted budget is balanced. As staff emphasized, Washington law requires a balanced municipal budget: \"We are prohibited by law from running a deficit... We are required to have a balanced budget,\" staff said.

Regarding card fees: staff clarified the supplemental package contained no new swipe fees. The 2025–26 biennial budget includes a provision to pass consumer card processing fees to customers who elect to pay city fees and permits with a credit or debit card. Staff said the policy excludes utility payments: \"The debit and credit card fees are not going to be passed down to our utility customers.\" Councilors asked for and received clarification that the fee applies only to payments to the city for services, permits or fees and does not apply to private businesses in Vancouver.

Councilor Fox raised questions about specific line items, including City funding provided to the CJC and whether unspent funds would be returned; staff said unspent funds can be returned in future supplementals but could not be appropriated until a later supplemental. Staff also answered questions that the biennial budget includes various options used to close the projected shortfall and that the adopted budget is balanced.

The council voted to adopt the supplemental appropriations and biennial budget. The motions passed on voice votes during the consent agenda and subsequent roll calls for the biennial budget action. Staff will continue to monitor expenditures and return to council if further adjustments are needed.

Ending: The adopted budget and supplemental appropriations take effect as provided in the ordinance; staff will continue financial monitoring and present any needed future adjustments during supplemental budget processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Vancouver City Council (06-16-25)","oneSentenceSummary","Vancouver City Council adopted supplemental appropriations and the 2025–26 biennial budget and confirmed policy to pass credit/debit card processing fees to city customers who pay by card (utilities excluded).","taxTitle","Vancouver, Clark County, Washington","taxId",2767,"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},6197086,"Council adopts rental registration ordinance; councilors debate definitions, exemptions and fees",1009,2325000,3334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853896-5776149bdd7386731cfb80dcc48c9bd9&start=2325&end=3334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853896-5776149bdd7386731cfb80dcc48c9bd9/thumbnail_2325000.jpg","/articles/6197086/Vancouver/Clark-County/Washington/Council-adopts-rental-registration-ordinance-councilors-debate-definitions-exemptions-and-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197086-4cfffc928af4fd924484cd3218867d54/orig.mp4?Expires=1773786198&Signature=fvt4KTVNVnpy54hayXo3iWn-89i9dXAxVVZ7ZUxTvBm0J5Z6zbR3M1lSuIUUmPfNBT3FUKp4XxeLIUybcgKyasIYUQuuL1L-LgrJhmQ7v4-5ijZKQ~5ZxRK5YB7MAevHqPe9ntUkwymHLZ~2EYXQ~WiZMkyaJ~tLRC9U~TNPb3gBIq~bf3m7OduBcdrZ--ItU~23rsFVnbT7SI-11dEyWQHoSr13YDrVpHVLzEUwB3mhiF7b2tf5VbiwR3PSqhl7vjrkMKUgbx4PPXmfSCK2DK4nnPA8AMp--Kj4WTImzspgezYsojUFVuAI43WV7dNTMh2H~h5VdwVfMMVBS4aDFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vancouver City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance creating a rental registration program (new Chapter 5.08 of the Vancouver Municipal Code) that requires property owners to register rental units annually and includes a $30 per-unit charge to fund the program. Council passed the ordinance after discussion about definitions, exemptions and enforcement.

City staff described the primary goals as building \"an accurate database of the rental units in the city\" to inform outreach, inspections and policy, and said the license would be a calendar-year license starting Jan. 1 with a 45-day grace period for renewal.

Councilors spent substantial time on definitions. Staff explained the code uses distinct terms: \"housing unit\" to describe the type of dwelling and \"rental unit\" to narrow the set to units offered for rent. Councilor Fox asked whether the definitions align with Washington's Landlord‑Tenant Act and whether accessory dwelling units, owner-occupied basement units, and units intentionally unavailable for rent would be treated fairly.

Staff emphasized the program is not intended to be punitive: \"It's not meant to be an extra revenue source, and it's not meant to be punitive. It's meant to, can we get a better understanding of what the rental pool looks like,\" staff said. The code allows a property owner to indicate a unit is \"unavailable for rent\"; staff said the city's intent is to gather accurate data and not to fine owners who report an ADU is used by family or not rented.

Councilors also discussed an exemption for units subject to recorded affordability covenants at 60% area median income (AMI) or lower. Staff said the exemption applies readily to units with recorded covenants because the city can verify those, but that naturally affordable units without covenants are harder to identify and verify year-to-year. Staff noted roughly 2% of the city's rental stock appeared to be naturally below 60% AMI and said the city could explore future approaches to recognize such units if a reliable verification method can be developed.

Councilor Anderson said she was not supportive and expressed concern that adding a $30 annual charge \"goes completely against affordable housing.\" Other councilors said the fee is intended to cover the program's operating costs and not to generate revenue. The ordinance passed on roll call; Councilor Hansen voted no. The mayor cast the deciding aye and the ordinance passed.

Staff will implement outreach and data‑collection activities, offer notices to property owners, and provide guidance for owners who believe units are unavailable for rent or are below‑market without a covenant. Council asked staff to return with further refinements and operational procedures as the program is implemented.

Ending: The new registration program takes effect as set by the ordinance; staff will begin outreach to property owners and return to council with implementation updates and possible refinements to definitions and exemptions.","The Vancouver City Council adopted a rental registration program (new Chapter 5.08 VMC) intended to create a citywide database of rental units, with annual registration and a $30 fee; councilors debated unit definitions, exemptions for existing below‑market units and how the program would align with state landlord‑tenant law.",{"_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},6197091,"Council approves 180th Avenue contract with on-site safety monitor; rejects Water Station 14 bid for further safety review",1230,740000,1970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3853896-5776149bdd7386731cfb80dcc48c9bd9&start=740&end=1970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3853896-5776149bdd7386731cfb80dcc48c9bd9/thumbnail_740000.jpg","/articles/6197091/Vancouver/Clark-County/Washington/Council-approves-180th-Avenue-contract-with-on-site-safety-monitor-rejects-Water-Station-14-bid-for-further-safety-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6197091-83eb2864788dfcf5ec85941ed9d7e1da/orig.mp4?Expires=1773786198&Signature=WxyhOc6JpDaYwlAeNGpNYEWhwTVT5bbgarjGHui~1p~labqjMQGsLf55qZwmQZT0m~Xoe9ZslKu4CUC0H-EZVHyZ4b8WmA1~T7EzzUuYAYPNeGT9hI8B0xinZBVrMGACszbUZJWPPiij46M3HtpZxJ8FRUjFVA7jyAnDtYZ7ynZu4kP4yIHdIIMC6R84dJAUJpU0nmwKb4DiMyznuawr-jlg5OhafDrXbz5SxRWaq4Fk9GsgKFS~LefeL7vHQq1gIftkibb~qbyDCuWF3cK5Whf-vFl6scJuD79PfMKkdgdac4bNvjqCrFcF4wR7wHIOnaHCBH6qA~yqmaTpuFwRPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vancouver City Council on Monday approved a contract for the 180th Avenue extension with an additional requirement that the city hire an on-site safety monitor, and separately rejected the apparent low bid for PFAS treatment at Water Station 14, returning that item to staff for further safety review.

Council took the two votes after extended discussion about safety citations shown on the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) website for the apparent low bidder — identified in council documents as Rachi — and about legal and schedule risks if the city delayed either award.

City Attorney (spoke during the meeting) summarized the council's options: \"you can accept the lowest responsive responsible bidder... or... reject all bids,\" and noted staff could add additional criteria and rebid if council chose to do so. Staff also proposed a third approach: accept the apparent low bid and separately contract for a third-party observer to monitor safety on site and report back to the city.

Public Works staff described the proposed observer: \"Their responsibility would be to monitor safety related, issues. They would, document any, safety related matters they they see and then they would report those back to the city.\" Staff emphasized the observer \"would not have any ability to, interfere with the contractor's progress\" and would only document and report concerns.

Councilors stressed competing timing obligations. Public Works said the 180th Avenue work is tied to a development agreement with Hewlett Packard and needs to be complete before HP occupies its building this fall; staff said a rebid could jeopardize that schedule. For Water Station 14, staff said the project is funded by a Department of Health grant executed in January 2024 and the city must award construction within 18 months of that date — roughly July 2025 — or seek an amendment from the Department of Health.

Councilor Paulson pressed for a cost estimate for full-time safety monitoring and staff estimated, \"for both projects combined, at least a 100,000 if not more.\" Councilors raised the procurement question of whether adding monitoring costs after bids are received would change which bidder is the lowest \"responsible\" bidder.

After debate the council took separate motions. Councilor Fox moved to approve the 180th Avenue extension contract with the additional on-site safety inspector requirement; the motion passed on voice vote. Later, another councilor moved to reject the Water Station 14 award and return it to staff with additional safety conditions; that motion also passed on voice vote.

Council members asked staff to return with procurement language and options for how safety history should be considered in evaluating bidders for public works, and whether disclosure and verification procedures for L&I citations could be added to future bid scoring. Staff told council they would work with procurement and legal to draft language and evaluate whether the changes would be implemented through procurement policy, contract provisions, or code amendments.

Background: Councilors and staff referenced L&I investigations and prior incidents involving the apparent low bidder and noted L&I timelines for completing investigations can be lengthy. The city also noted its legal constraint: without a factual record staff cannot decline the apparent low bidder in favor of the second-lowest bidder. Councilors directed staff to develop requirements that would allow safety history to be a factor in future bid evaluations and to propose procurement or contracting language before rebidding projects.

Ending: Staff will return to council with draft language for procurement and contract provisions to allow council to consider bidder safety histories and to specify monitoring requirements; the Water Station 14 item will be reworked and brought back to council after staff develops additional safety conditions and evaluates grant timing with the Department of Health.","Vancouver City Council awarded the 180th Avenue extension contract with an added on-site safety monitor and declined to award the Water Station 14 PFAS treatment contract, sending it back to staff for additional safety requirements and possible rebidding amid concerns about a bidder's safety record and pending L&I investigations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves 2025–26 supplemental and biennial budget; credit/debit card convenience fees to be passed to non‑utility customers

Council adopts rental registration ordinance; councilors debate definitions, exemptions and fees

Council approves 180th Avenue contract with on-site safety monitor; rejects Water Station 14 bid for further safety review