James Curleigh Carothers

The meeting addressed several operational and personnel matters. Key items included the approval of the December 10th, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes. The Commission approved a request to test for Fire Department entry and lateral positions. Furthermore, the Police Department's proposed rule change to Section 7.03 regarding the Time in Grade Requirement was approved, as was a waiver request for Officer Jeffries concerning the Sergeant examination. The Commission also provided input and approved the weight distribution for both the upcoming Sergeant Promotion examination and the Lieutenant Promotion examination, as presented by the Police Chief.

The workshop session included discussions on several key agenda items. Topics covered were the presentation of a draft resolution for creating a Police Lieutenant position, which is scheduled for consideration at the subsequent regular meeting. Council members also reviewed options for the Downtown Parklet Program for information only. A dedicated discussion regarding the Change of Government will be revisited at the next workshop meeting. There were no miscellaneous staff updates provided. Public comments addressed the form of government and the SunCal Development Agreement. Council members provided updates on various external activities including the Georgia-Pacific Mill Clean-Up, C-TRAN activities, Library Board meetings, ADA compliance events, the Downtown Camas Association retreat, and updates from the Regional Transportation Commission.

The workshop session covered several topics for information and discussion. Key workshop topics included Downtown Parking Changes, a Professional Services Agreement Task Order 9 for Camas National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES) Support Outfall and Sediment Study, and miscellaneous staff updates, including remarks on Jim Hodges' retirement. Legislative updates and an update on the Our Camas 2045 Preferred Alternative were also presented. Council members provided reports on various community events and ongoing issues, with significant discussion centered around the form of government. The Mayor also commented on the Joint Policy Advisory Committee (JPAC), Regional Fire Authority (RFA), a Prosecuting Attorney rate increase, and recommended a Council Member for the Cascade Renewable Transmission advisory group.

The public hearing was called to order, and the Hearings Examiner provided a summary of the public hearing process, emphasizing the role in applying existing city laws and the timeline for submitting written decisions. The primary hearing item addressed was the Fire Station 41 Parking Major Variance (File No. VAR25-1001), which included an overview of the application and follow-up information provided by the applicant. The meeting concluded with the issuance of a Notice of Decision for the variance.

The meeting included public comments on the Our Camas 2045 plan, the form of government, and parklets downtown. The consent agenda, which was unanimously approved, covered the approval of prior meeting minutes, disbursement of automated clearing house and claim checks, an amendment for the Slow Sand Filter Plant Start Up, and the acceptance of the Advanced Excavation Specialist NW Pacific Rim Drive Pavement and ADA Improvements project. A key discussion item involved the NE Hathaway Road Waterline Replacement bids, where the council voted to waive minor bid irregularities and award the bid to North Cascade Excavating. The Mayor clarified a newspaper article regarding the removal of fluoride from drinking water. Council members provided updates from the Finance Committee meeting.