City Council

Now you can easily stay up to date on City business, even if you can’t make it to City Council meetings.

We have added short summaries of agenda items and audio timecodes to our 2022 City Council Meeting Audio Files webpage, so that you can easily listen to the parts of the meeting you are most interested in. You can access them here: https://ridgefieldwa.us/government/city-council-meeting-audio-files/ and below find an example from the most recent Council meeting.

Full meeting minutes will continue to be published on the Agenda & Minutes website, http://ridgefieldwa.iqm2.com/Citizens/.

City Council meetings are currently taking place in a hybrid format. Council and Staff presentations are present in the Columbia Assembly Room at the Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center but the meeting is accessible via Zoom webinar. Members of the public are able to provide public comment where indicated on the agenda if they attend in person and if they attend virtually. Learn more: https://ridgefieldwa.us/government/city-departments/city-council/

03/10/2022 City Council Regular Meeting

Meeting Type: City Council Regular Meeting
Download Audio File – Click here
View Full Meeting Agenda and Minutes – Click here

Audio Time Codes:

I. GENERAL SESSION CALL TO ORDER

1. Flag Salute
2. Roll Call
3. Late changes to the agenda (none)

II. PROCLAMATION – 00:01:39

1. Support for the Ukrainian People – Click here to read the full proclamation

III. PUBLIC COMMENT – 00:03:10

IV. CONSENT AGENDA – 00:08:30
Approved.

V. PRESENTATION

1. Carty Road Subarea Plan – Back to Work – 00:09:24
   In response to several requests to annex a 266 acre area into City limits, Council started a subarea planning process to address impacts and compatibility related to future growth within the boundary of the area proposed to be annexed. In 2020, the City completed an analysis of the natural areas and infrastructure, and engaged the community and stakeholders in conceptual planning including land use, roadways, and a shared vision that works for the community. Due to the delay, the City is going to reopen the subarea planning process to again engage with stakeholders, then to Planning Commission for recommendations and then to Council for review and decision. The subarea plan would only be implemented if and when the area is annexed into the City. There are no active requests to annex the area. Documentation with supporting information available in the Agenda Packet.
2. Horns Corner Master Plan – 00:48:40
   Requested input from the community regarding park amenities for Horns Corner Park on Ridgefield Roundtable public engagement site. Based on responses, developed and presented two park concepts. The renderings of the two concepts can be viewed beginning on page 104 of the Agenda Packet. 

VI. PUBLIC COMMENT – 01:15:39

VIII. COUNCIL/PRESIDING OFFICE/STAFF REPORTS

1. Council – 01:19:16
2. Mayor – 01:27:25
3. City Manager & Staff Reports – 01:28:18

Members of the public can participate in the Council appointment process by submitting questions for and attending the upcoming Town Hall Forum on Wednesday, March 16.

The application period has ended and qualified applications have been given to each City Councilmember. Councilmembers will identify up to five candidates to continue in the process. The list of candidates moving forward will be on the website when determined. The City Clerk is currently accepting community questions for the virtual Town Hall Forum on March 16 at 6:30pm.

Questions may be submitted to City Clerk, julie.ferriss@ridgefieldwa.us prior to the forum and may be accepted during the forum (time permitting). After the forum, attendees may submit feedback on the candidates to City Clerk via email.

To access the forum and learn more about why there is a vacancy on City Council and the process to fill it, visit our website: https://ridgefieldwa.us/city-council-vacancy-february-2022/

Attend the premiere of the 2022 State of the City video with remarks from Mayor Jennifer Lindsay on Tuesday, March 1 at 5:30PM at the Ridgefield High School Performing Arts Center. Hear an update on the past year’s achievements as well as current and future projects.

Light refreshments will be available in the lobby before the address.

Don Stose resigned his position on City Council effective January 31, 2022.  State law provides that City Council “shall appoint a qualified person to fill the vacant position.” The timeline for filling the Council vacancy is as follows:

• February 25, 2022: Applications due to City Clerk by 12:00PM (noon)
• March 16, 2022: Virtual Town Hall Forum will allow the public an opportunity to meet candidates and ask questions. Questions may be submitted prior to the Town Hall, and during the Town Hall if time permits.
• March 24, 2022: Interview, Appointment, and Swearing In at regular City Council public meeting.

Interested applicants must submit a completed application packet to the City Clerk either on-line or at Ridgefield City Hall, 230 Pioneer Street, Ridgefield, WA 98642 no later than February 25 at 12:00PM.

Additional information about the process and how to apply can be found on the City website: https://ridgefieldwa.us/city-council-vacancy-february-2022/.  A paper application packet can be picked up from Ridgefield City Hall – please call 360-887-3557 option 0 to request a paper application packet.

Members of the public may provide input and be a part of the Council appointment process by:

• February 11 to March 10: Email suggested questions for the Town Hall Forum to City Clerk, julie.ferriss@ridgefieldwa.us 
• March 16: Attend and participate in the online Town Hall forum.
• March 24: Attend and observe the Council interview process.

To be considered for the position, candidates must have continuously resided within the Ridgefield city limits for a minimum of one year prior to appointment to the Council; and be a registered voter in the City of Ridgefield. The newly appointed Councilor will be required to run for election in 2023.

RIDGEFIELD, WA – After 12 years of public service on Ridgefield City Council including four years as Mayor, Don Stose is resigning his position effective January 31, 2022. Don plans to spend more time with his family and traveling with his wife, Sherry Stose. “During my 30 years working for Toyota, I was often on the road while Sherry Stose was at home raising our children. It is time for me to be available to travel with her.”

Don was born and raised in Spokane, WA where he attended a local community college but remains an avid Gonzaga fan. Don and Sherry, his wife of 48 years, have two adult children and two grandchildren. Don and Sherry moved to Ridgefield in 2005 and Don was elected to City Council in 2008. As an active Councilmember, Don has worked hard to manage the growth of the City to provide quality neighborhoods and unique businesses, protect our natural resources, and create a community where residents can live, work, play and learn.

While Don served as Mayor for the last four years, he worked to develop and strengthen partnerships with CTRAN to provide better service for Ridgefield, state legislators and our federal delegation to help Council fulfill priorities like additional park space and a new Outdoor Recreation Center, Friends of the Ridgefield Library to develop a remodeled and expanded library and community non-profit organizations to create a more vibrant and prosperous city. He also enjoyed welcoming new businesses like Rosauers and Vancouver Clinic that have made our lives better and brought additional jobs and services that our residents need and want.

Don actively demonstrates his passion for the residents of Ridgefield with his giving spirit; he is quick to volunteer for any community project. Don dedicates many hours to support the Ridgefield School District, Citizens for Ridgefield Schools and the Ridgefield Lion’s Club, a volunteer organization committed to conducting service projects and raising funds for those in need. He is also the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Pink Lemonade Project, an organization that works to “educate, empower and support women through their breast cancer journey.”

Don believes that “the future of Ridgefield is bright and becomes brighter every day, thanks to the City Council, staff, partners and residents. I am confident that the current City Council has the ability to effectively plan and manage growth of the City so that Ridgefield is recognized for its livability, natural environment and innovative local economy.”  Don’s enthusiasm, service to the City of Ridgefield and sparkly-eyed smile will be missed.

With a vacancy, the Council will begin a process to appoint a qualified replacement beginning after Don’s resignation is effective in February 2022. Washington  law will require the appointee to run for election in 2023.