With the start of 2010 upon us and with a new administration and renewed sense of enthusiasm, I pledge to lead the City of Washougal through some significant changes in 2010 with the advice and help of the city council, the staff and the community of Washougal.  Many of these items have already been started.

 

Increasingly Open Government.  In response to citizen suggestions a number of changes are already being made to how the City of Washougal conducts business and meetings.  First, the Consent Agenda has been eliminated at council meetings and items that would have been included in this portion of the agenda will be discussed and acted on individually as are all other agenda items. 

Second, workshop sessions will now be taped and minutes produced of these important meetings.  In addition, audio tapes will be made of executive sessions and securely stored.

I will also be allowing a public comment period during certain agenda items that are of higher interest, prior to the council taking a vote on the issue.  Too often, except in public hearings, comments are taken only at the start and end of the meetings which does not allow for helpful and timely input and comments from the public on items as they are discussed.

In regard to public record requests, it will now be the policy of the City to fulfill those requests as quickly as possible, without holding back information inappropriately.

 

Long Term Financial Planning.  Over the last few years the City has significantly increased its spending without regard to keeping revenues in line with spending.  As a result, in 2010 the City is using over 40% of its cash reserves, over $2.5 million, to balance the budget for 2010.  This will leave approximately $2.6 million in reserves at the end of 2010.  Without proper future financial planning now, it is entirely possible that the city will be out of financial reserves by the end of 2011.  That is not an option, either legally or morally.

I have instructed the finance staff, with help from other department heads, to undertake an immediate and total evaluation of every revenue and expense line item to see where adjustments can be made to reverse this trend.  While I campaigned on a pledge of not increasing any taxes or fees, it was not apparent until this fall what a precarious position the last administration has left the city in financially.

I will be asking city staff at all levels, as well as the council and members of the public to assist in this financial planning.  While there will be some significant and painful decisions to be made in how we prepare to balance the 2011 budget without use of reserves, I must say at this point that each and every portion of the city budget is on the table for discussion and evaluation.

 

Consider Zone Changes as it Pertains to Large Parcels and Commercial Areas.  I have asked the planning staff to bring forward recommendations on zoning that will encourage commercial and retail development in the downtown, along E Street and throughout the city on large tracts of land and available lots.

I intend to invest significant efforts and time in making Washougal THE most attractive and helpful place in the entire metro area to do business.  Through this process I will be asking business and industrial leaders to assist our efforts of tailoring Washougal’s codes, policies and fees to reach this goal.

 

Improve Sign Codes.  In response to suggestions over the last six months, I have directed our planning staff and planning commission to look at updates and changes to our sign codes, especially in regard to sandwich board signs that clutter the sidewalks and get left on the ground, all of the temporary side-of –the-road sign clutter and political signs.

While I want to be mindful of the needs of our businesses, I also want to balance the appearance in town and the clutter that is too often just left at the side of the road and at intersections. While city staff was previously directed to disregard portions of the City’s sign codes, I have directed that the codes be enforced until they are properly changed where appropriate.

 

Making the City Safer.  I have instructed the police department to begin a rigid enforcement of traffic laws in the City of Washougal.  While enforcement won’t be punitive, we will work diligently to slow speeds and intersection/stop sign violations through enforcement.  Stringent enforcement should be expected in all school zones throughout the city.

To assist in paying for traffic enforcement positions and to also help train officers in investigative techniques, I have also instructed the police chief to put together an out-of-state license plate enforcement program.  These efforts pay off in a number of ways.  First, through helping residents understand and comply with licensing laws, the city and state can gain incremental licensing and tax revenue.  Second, as vehicles are legally licensed in Washington, driver’s licenses also get changed to Washington licenses which help to avoid inappropriate local loss of sales tax revenue.  Third, for those individuals who continue to ignore the laws of the state, enforcement will increase revenue for the city and state through appropriate fines and fraud revenues.

 

Improving Washougal’s Whistle-Blower and Ethics Policies.  Obviously in 2009 we became painfully aware of major breakdowns in these areas that left city staff in unfortunate and difficult positions.

I have already directed appropriate staff to begin a complete reevaluation of Washougal’s policies for consideration of the city council.  I never again want any individual, elected, appointed or staff, be able to take advantage of or manipulate the system as we saw this last year.  I will be asking the council to consider changes that are far ranging and allow staff many options to report abuse and illegal activities without the fear of retribution, including the options of reporting such abuse directly to agencies outside of the city.

At the same time I will be asking the council to consider an ethics policy for all employees and elected and appointed individuals that make it extremely painful from a legal standpoint to undertake any such activities.  While even the best policies won’t be perfect, I intend to close as many possible loopholes as possible.

 

Community Beautification.  This is one of those issues that so many candidates, with the best of intentions, campaign on but are seldom successful in implementing.  I hope to not join that group.

Every community has areas that can look better and Washougal is no exception.  While keeping individual rights in the foremost of our planning, I have instructed staff to research proper and effective regulations that are used by other communities for possible consideration in Washougal. 

In the end I am hopeful that we will have success in encouraging residents and property owners to take better care of the front areas of their properties and make significant strides in decreasing some of the eyesores and blight in the community.

 

Shop Local First.  Everything good effort starts at the top.  I have instructed city staff on all levels that we will do business with our local businesses FIRST whenever it is reasonable and feasible to do so.  While I do not believe this will make a major difference in what is being purchased now, every sale helps.

With the assistance of the business community, I am confident that we will come up with a successful campaign to encourage residents to do more and more of their business in town as well.  A healthy business and retail climate will help attract a stronger, more diverse business climate.  I respectfully ask that everyone do what they can to assist the businesses in Washougal.

 

Partnerships.  I have already begun, with assistance from a number of department heads, to reestablish and strengthen healthy relationships with the Port of Camas-Washougal, the City of Camas, East County Fire & Rescue and the Washougal School District. 

With the current economic climate and the realities of government today, it is only through collaboration with our close neighbors that we will continue to be able to provide the highest and best services to all of our greater community.  I have pledged to each of these entities that Washougal is prepared and committed to be a good partner in current and future endeavors.  I believe that there are many areas where we can create new opportunities, or at the very least explore them to determine if they are viable for all.

 

These are ambitious goals, and this is just a portion of the work that I am asking the city council and staff to undertake this year.  I believe that 2010 will be an extremely pivotal year for this city, and I ask both the council and the public to assist in helping to improve Washougal for the benefit of all.

Many of this work will ultimately come before the city council for consideration and approval.  By reinstituting the council committees, I am confident that the council and staff will be able to work together to make many positive and informed changes to how the city does business.  I look forward to a much more progressive and successful Washougal.  I hope that you do as well.

 

Sean Guard
Mayor