News

• Community Planning

The Housing Options Study and Action Plan project’s purpose is to identify housing challenges within the unincorporated Vancouver Urban Growth Area and opportunities to encourage development of housing that is affordable to a variety of household incomes through the removal of regulatory barriers and/or implementation of other strategies.

The group’s ninth and final meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25 via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public and will be recorded.


• Public Health

COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise in Clark County with more than 6,000 new cases reported in the last week. COVID-19 testing is in high demand and wait times for appointments and results may be several days. People should not go to emergency departments for testing if they do not need emergency medical care.


• Elections

Beginning Friday, Jan. 21, ballots will be mailed to all registered voters who reside in the city of Vancouver, Evergreen Public Schools district, Green Mountain School District, Hockinson School District, La Center School District, Mount Pleasant School District and Ridgefield School District.


• Public Health

Clark County’s Master Composter Recycler program is offering a free training for people interested in becoming program volunteers. Anyone interested in composting and recycling, and who wants to become a sustainability ambassador should consider becoming a Master Composter Recycler volunteer.


• Public Works

Vancouver, Wash. – Neighbors and community members are invited to learn about plans for the Northeast 99th Street corridor. This project will connect Northeast 99th Street between NE 94th Avenue and NE 105th Avenue, at the north end of the closed Leichner Landfill. The project also includes improvements such as widening the roadway and adding shared-use paths, sidewalks and bicycle lanes.


• Treasurer

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey, Assessor Peter Van Nortwick and Treasurer Alishia Topper today announced they are closing the county joint lobby to walk-in customers through the end of January. The closure was prompted by the large increase in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant.

In a joint statement, the three elected officials said, “The safety of our customers and our staff is our top priority.”


• Public Works

Vancouver, Wash. – Recent heavy rains are impacting communities around the state, with minor impacts occurring in Clark County. Clark County Public Works has been responding to calls as they come in, addressing issues of standing water and downed tree limbs on county roads and in county parks. Crews are also prepared to assist neighboring communities, including Skamania County, if needed.

Residents can check for weather-related traffic impacts at clark.wa.gov/public-works. Additionally, several park properties have been impacted. Current impacts include:


• Courts

Clark County District and Superior Courts today made the decision to suspend jury trials for the time being due to the increase in the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

All suspended trials will be rescheduled to a time when they can be safely conducted again.

Holding in-person jury trials brings additional groups of people into the courthouse which can contribute to the spread of the virus. The additional measure of temporarily halting jury trials is needed to protect the health of jurors, staff and other court users.


• Public Health

Clark County’s Green Business program will hold a free virtual Morning Blend networking event 8:30-9:30 am Thursday, Jan. 13 via Zoom.

Morning Blend is an opportunity to network, discuss green business efforts in the workplace, and learn about solutions for reducing our impact on the environment.


• Community Services

Clark County has implemented and currently operates eviction prevention rent assistance programs to assist people who are low-income impacted by the pandemic. These programs have provided an unprecedented $36.7 million in financial assistance to 4,535 households, paying for 39,607 months of rent and utilities since August 2020. Approximately $885,000 in financial assistance for rent and utilities is going out to over 100 additional households each week.