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Council adopts multiple code updates, approves feral‑rabbit rules and awards $6.6M in street‑preservation contracts
Summary
On May 18 the council adopted several municipal-code updates (Titles 2, 6, 8, 13, 15, 17, 18), approved an ordinance addressing rabbits/feral animals, and awarded four street‑preservation contracts totaling roughly $6.6 million to Western United Civil Group and Clark & Sons Excavating.
The Battle Ground City Council on May 18 completed second readings and votes on a package of municipal code updates covering administration, animals, health and safety, streets, water and sewers, building codes, zoning, and environmental protections.
Ordinance highlights and actions: - Ordinance 2026‑05 (Title 2, administration and personnel) was adopted by roll-call vote, motion carried 7–0. - Ordinance 2026‑06 (Title 6, animals; includes rabbit/feral‑cat language) was adopted after discussion about trapping, humane-society intake and housing expectations; vote 6–1. Councilmembers debated enforcement tools and whether the humane society contract covered small animals. - Ordinances 2026‑07 (Title 8, emergency services/special event permits), 2026‑09 (Title 13, water & sewers), 2026‑10 (Title 15, buildings & construction), 2026‑11 (Title 17, zoning) and 2026‑12 (Title 18, environmental protection) were adopted after council review and clarifications.
Title 12 (streets and sidewalks) drew extended debate over homeowner liability for sidewalk maintenance and possible city exposure to claims. Council ultimately struck Section 12.108 (sidewalk maintenance) from the package and removed a provision tying developer frontage improvements to a transit‑stop obligation (Section 12.116.j); the remaining Title 12 changes were adopted as amended, unanimously.
Street preservation contracts: the council awarded four projects (A–D) in the 2026 street preservation program, with the low bids and authorizations as follows (all actions carried unanimously): - Project A (NW 20th Ave & 1st Way) — Western United Civil Group: $2,561,512.95 - Project B (SW 20th Ave, plus county alternate) — Western United Civil Group: $1,477,540.50 - Project C (NE Grace Ave & Salmon Creek Bridge) — Clark & Sons Excavating: $1,746,668.70 (including alternates) - Project D (SW Scotton Way) — Western United Civil Group: $1,452,274.10
Public works staff said bids came in well under the $8.8 million budgeted total; the likely combined low‑bid total was roughly $6.6 million before anticipated change orders. An open house for the projects is scheduled for May 27, 2026, 5:00–6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
Council also agreed to bring the RV ordinance back for reconsideration (staff to prepare supplemental information) at a future meeting.
