Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is accepting applications to fill a second vacancy on the volunteer Planning Commission.

The position is filling a current vacancy, and begins August 1 through December 31, 2019.

The Planning Commission is a seven-member group that makes recommendations to the council on land-use planning, zoning and development in areas outside cities and about issues such as growth management, roads, public facilities, development regulations and applicable county ordinances.

Clark County Public Health is closing Vancouver Lake to swimmers due to elevated levels of E. coli bacteria detected during routine testing. Some E. coli bacteria can cause serious gastrointestinal illness if water is accidentally swallowed.  

Due to the elevated bacteria levels, Public Health is closing the lake to swimming and wading. People who fish at the lake should take precautions to avoid water contact.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County has scheduled a public forum to hear residents’ comments regarding permitting private event venues in rural areas.

The forum will be 6-7:30 pm Wednesday, July 31, in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. It is open to the public.

The proposed private event venues would typically be permitted independently of  those currently allowed as an accessory use to a winery, and would be available for weddings, celebrations and other private events.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has upgraded its advisory at Vancouver Lake after test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water. Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with all water in Vancouver Lake.

Public Health has been monitoring blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, at Vancouver Lake since June 12.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council has appointed Robin Grimwade to fill a vacancy on the Columbia River Gorge Commission. The appointment is for a four-year term that begins immediately and continues through June 30, 2023.

Robin lives in Battle Ground and is vice president of corporate projects at Columbia Credit Union. He has advanced and associate diplomas in parks and horticultural management from the University of South Australia. Robin has served on the Clark County Planning Commission since 2017.

Vancouver, Wash. ‒ Clark County has extended the application deadline for an open position on the volunteer Animal Protection and Control Advisory Board. The deadline for applications is 5 pm Friday, July 26.

The position is for a dog owner who lives in Clark County. The term begins immediately and goes through Oct. 31, 2021.

Advisory board members meet quarterly at 6:30 pm on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Clark County Public Safety Complex, 505 NW 179th St., Ridgefield.

Functions of the 10-member board include:

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Master Composter Recyclers will host an open house this weekend as part of the seventh annual Art in the Garden event.

The open house is 10 am to 4 pm Sunday, July 14 at the composting demonstration site at the Center for Agriculture Science and Environmental Education, CASEE, 11104 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie. The demonstration site is at the west end of the NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County residents have the opportunity to explore 12 local gardens maintained using earth-friendly techniques during this weekend’s Natural Garden Tour. Visitors can meet host gardeners and find inspiration to make their own gardens beautiful and healthy.

Vancouver, Wash. – Arriving at the Water’s Edge an art exhibit featuring the work of Kathleen Cosgrove, Don Gray and Tom Relth, is on display at the Anstine Sixth Floor Gallery through Friday, Sept. 20, 2019.

The theme of the exhibit is rivers and water.

Learn more about the artists on their websites:

Vancouver, Wash. – The county manager is seeking an applicant to fill a vacancy on the Clark County Development and Engineering Advisory Board, DEAB. The position is open to a professional associated with commercial or industrial development.

The three-year term begins Sept. 1, 2019 and ends Aug. 31, 2022.

The advisory board reviews policy and county code changes and works on process improvements and fees with the county’s Community Development and Public Works departments.