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North Shore: Council Agenda Includes Motions to Close Land Deal

CAMAS, WA – The City’s North Shore Legacy Lands project is a 30-year initiative focused on establishing a fully connected recreation and conservation corridor around Lacamas Lake. The April 6 regular Camas City Council meeting agenda will include motions to ratify the time-critical final steps to closing on the last two parcels of land included in this long-term community project.

The existing Lacamas Lake recreation and conservation corridor includes 880 acres on the south, east and west sides of the 320-acre Lacamas Lake. The final 87.7 acres, if approved, would become part of 159.3 acres on the North Shore acquired over the last two years through donations, purchases and Conservation Futures funding. The Pittock-Leadbetter House, built in 1901 by The Oregonian newspaper publisher Henry L. Pittock, is considered a highlight of the acquisitions.

“These final properties would provide key links to the trails and lands already acquired, significantly expand public access to active and passive recreation and create conservation areas on the north side of the lake,” said City of Camas Parks and Recreation Manager Jerry Acheson, who oversees the North Shore Legacy Lands project.

One parcel proposed for acquisition is the Rose property, $12.5 million, comprising 54.45 acres with 1,600 feet of shoreline, open fields, environmentally sensitive areas, forested hillsides and access to Lacamas Lake. It has been marketed to private buyers as prime land for commercial and residential development offering lake-view lots, water access and proximity to schools.

The second parcel proposed for acquisition is the CJ Dens property, $4.5 million, totaling 33 critical acres that include shorelines, boat launch parking area, forested hillsides, unique rock outcroppings and access to Lacamas Lake. The property is part of an 83-acre, 289-lot residential development currently for sale.

“We could not be more thankful,” expressed Acheson. “The generosity of the Camas-Washougal Wildlife League and the private landowners will ensure access, recreation and conservation for generations to come.”

Legacy
www.lilyatelier.com

Anticipated uses for the North Shore Legacy Lands include closure of Leadbetter Road to vehicular traffic and completion of the seven-mile loop trail around Lacamas Lake with connections to existing trail networks, nearby schools, neighborhoods and places of employment. Also planned are new trails, water access points, recreation areas and historical features.

In addition to protecting the natural and recreational areas, the North Shore Legacy Lands project celebrates several decades of foundational work laid by the City, Clark County, the State of Washington and the Columbia Land Trust to:

  • Protect 1,000 acres of critical land and sensitive natural areas such as riparian zones, wetlands and forested hill sides;
  • Preserve the visual quality that gives Camas its unique sense of place;
  • Create opportunities for recreational trails such as the popular Heritage Trail and the Lacamas Regional Park trail network; and
  • Provide direct public access to the lake for boating, fishing and swimming.

The vision for the North Shore Legacy Lands project was borne from substantial input from citizens, stakeholders, City staff and key conservation partners. It reflects a variety of City, County and regional plans, including the Clark County Conservation Areas Acquisition Plan; the City of Camas Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan; the Lacamas Corridor Master Plan and the City of Camas Strategic Plan.

North Shore
Without acquisition.

The timing of finalizing the last acquisitions is based on the terms of the purchase and sales agreements and cannot be postponed without penalty and threat of losing the properties. The funds being used to purchase the lands cannot be legally reallocated to general services, including emergency aid related to COVID-19. For more information related to the financing of the North Shore Legacy Lands project, see the April 1 video featuring Mayor Barry McDonnell, CFO Cathy Huber Nickerson and Council Member Steve Hogan, starting at 05:17.

The April 6 meeting will take place via webinar in accordance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation. The public may comment at the start and end of the meeting that begins at 7 p.m. Details for viewing and calling in to the meeting will be posted at www.cityofcamas.us in advance of the meeting, and a recording will be available in the days following at the City’s meeting portal, www.cityofcamas.us/yourgovernment/minuteagendavideo. Questions about the North Shore Legacy Lands or the April 6 meeting may be directed to 360-834-6864 or [email protected].

With acquisition.
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Inslee Extends Stay Home Order to May 4th; Updated DOH Numbers

OLYMPIA, Wash — Governor Jay Inslee extended the state’s stay home order through May 4, which is one month past the original “stay home, stay healthy” end date.

Inslee said that the Department of Health (DOH) data collected on the spread of the novel coronavirus shows cases are still on the rise in Washington state.

“We unfortunately have yet to see the full weight of this virus in our state. This order is not only justified, it is morally necessary,” he said. “We are confident in the steps we have taken but we cannot lose steam in the middle of this fight. May 4th is the soonest that we could possibly achieve our ends to keep our loved ones safe.”

The stay home order was originally issued on March 23, and initially was slated to end this week. Inslee said there was a possibility that the mandate could be extended after May 4.

“Let’s pitch in to make it the last date.” 

The DOH said the following today:

”Our social distancing efforts are beginning to ‘flatten the curve‘ here in Washington. Models from the University of Washington suggest that we may see 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 in this state, and it is clear that more people will die if our social distancing efforts stop right now. That’s why, today, Gov. Inslee extended his ’Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order for another month until May 4. By staying home, we are keeping our communities as healthy as we can. We are slowing down the spread of the virus and buying more time for the state to build hospital capacity.“

Numbers.  DOH has had some technical difficulties, but the latest numbers are now updated. As of 11:59 p.m. on April 1, 79,418 people in Washington have been tested for COVID-19. Of those, 6,585 people in Washington have tested positive for COVID-19, and 262 have died of the disease.

“We must continue this isolating act of community togetherness—staying in our homes as much as possible to protect ourselves and people we love. While we are at home, let’s pay attention to the reasons we are doing this. Connect with the people you love. Make online purchases from the small businesses that give your community life. Order takeout from the restaurants you miss the most. Notice the gifts we’ve given the earth in this time—the skies in famously smoggy Los Angeles are clear and blue. The carbon monoxide emissions in New York City are down 50 percent compared to last year this time.”

“Let’s take care of ourselves and our relationships. Think about how you want to emerge from this crisis. Rested, looking forward to opportunities to be with your loved ones, ready to keep the air clean by working at home more often. Take care of your body with nourishing foods, lots of sleep, deep breaths, and exercise. Focus on the parts of your life that bring you energy and joy: clean, cook, nurture, garden, sing, play games, create, love, read, write. Stay connected with others and maintain your social networks. Go for a walk and wave to your neighbors from six feet away. Ask them if they are well and if they need anything. Take care of your mental health. If you feel so overwhelmed you struggle to get through the day, call your health care provider, therapist, or mental health provider and set up a telemedicine appointment. Check out these resources to help support your mental health or that of a loved one:”

And if you are in crisis, don’t hesitate to call the 24-Hour Crisis Line at 866-427-4747 or text HEAL to 741741 to get confidential text access to a trained crisis counselor any time of the day or night.

Roundabout
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com

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Camas Public Meetings To All Be Held Remotely — Through April 23

CAMAS, WA — Based on Gov. Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation, as well as guidance from the Office of the Attorney General, all City of Camas public meetings, now until April 23, 2020, will occur remotely through an interactive online event tool, Zoom video webinar.

Public comment will be accepted at the start and close of the online public meeting, as usual, and may also be submitted in writing to [email protected].

Camas City Council convenes on the first and third Monday of the month. For April 6, the workshop meeting has been canceled, and the regular meeting will take place via Zoom at 7 p.m. The agenda will only address items that are necessary and routine or which are necessary to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. All other matters will be deferred until the public has its normal methods to attend.

In the upcoming weeks, Council and Staff will revisit whether the April 20 regular meeting is needed.

The public can watch the events live or view them afterward as a recording. Agendas, Zoom web links and Zoom phone numbers will be shared in advance of the meeting on the City website, social media, CamasConnect app and meeting portal, www.cityofcamas.us/yourgovernment/minuteagendavideo.

To view or participate in the live Zoom webinar, individuals will need to download the ZOOM Cloud Meetings software on their computer or download the app to their mobile device. Alternatively, individuals may call in to the event using the Zoom phone number provided.

Camas
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

The City is aware of issues regarding unwarranted access to Zoom and has taken additional precautions to secure the platform for trouble-free viewing and participation.

The City will continue to monitor newly released information to determine additional modifications as needed. For up-to-date programming and operations changes, the public is encouraged to visit www.cityofcamas.us/ourcommunity/covid-19.


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Camas Mayor Reverses Tuesday’s Statement: Halts Lake/Everett Roundabout

CAMAS, WA – In order to focus all efforts on fighting COVID-19, the City of Camas has put construction of the Lake-Everett Roundabout on hold. In two weeks, on April 15, the City will revisit the construction stoppage and decide how to proceed.

Four additional public construction projects currently underway are also being halted: improvements to Brady Road, construction of the 18th Avenue Reservoir, construction of the Lacamas Creek Pump Station and improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The City will immediately begin working with contractors to ensure the construction sites are safe and secure during the stoppage.

“As you know, we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation frequently. Things change very quickly,” said Mayor Barry McDonnell. “Governor Inslee is continuing to call for additional protective measures across the state. These important projects will ultimately move forward, but I believe that stopping all construction in Camas at this time is the right decision for everyone’s health and safety.”

For full project details and ongoing construction updates, the public is invited to visit
www.cityofcamas.us/lakeroadconstruction.

Parks
www.lilyatelier.com

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COVID-19 Overwhelming Department of Health Negative Reporting Tool

The Washington Department of Health hasn’t been able to accurately report negative COVID-19 results since March 28, and issued this statement Tuesday evening:

We are working to ensure daily numbers are posted on time. Here’s some context about recent challenges:

  • The Washington Disease Reporting System (WDRS) is used to report notifiable conditions.
  • Outside a pandemic, only positive results would be reported.
  • WDRS is now tracking negative results for COVID-19. This volume is overwhelming the tool.
  • We have worked with the vendor supporting WDRS to increase capacity.
  • We are also investigating additional solutions, which may include:
    • A separate reporting tool for negative results (roughly 93% of the data at this time).
    • Automating deduplication work performed manually each day. One day last week, more than 2,000 duplicate results were removed to ensure accurate, reliable numbers.

DOH will share additional updates if this problem persists. We cannot provide an estimate for the next release of numbers, but are working diligently toward that goal.

This week, DOH made several new data points available. Our website now includes visualizations showing confirmed cases, the epidemiological curve, cumulative case and death counts, testing numbers, and demographic information. Also coming soon is hospitalization data.

We are working closely with Microsoft to optimize the user experience for this data, including for those without a high-speed connection or those working from a mobile device.

Lacamas Magazine will continue to update any news about issues with this health reporting tool.

Roundabout
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com
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No Delay: Lake-Everett Roundabout Construction Proceeds As Planned

CAMAS, WA – In compliance with Gov. Jay Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation, which allows essential public construction projects to continue, the City of Camas will move forward with planned construction of the Lake-Everett roundabout in the coming days.

As communicated with the public through open houses and outreach, several trees will be removed at the start of the roundabout project. For full project details and ongoing construction updates, the public is invited to visit www.cityofcamas.us/lakeroadconstruction.

Why is this considered an essential project?

The City of Camas says the project is considered essential because without it, the intersection, which includes both City- (Lake Road) and State-regulated (Everett Street/SR 500) roadways, will soon reach failure. This means backups will reach a level where getting through the area will take considerable time and compromise motorist, pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

“We know these are difficult times, and we are continuously monitoring the COVID-19 situation and requirements, but we are also confident things will get better,” said City of Camas Public Works Director Steve Wall. “When that happens, the Lake-Everett intersection will once again be heavily used by the community, making this a necessary infrastructure improvement.”

Is funding for the project secure?

Yes, the City has confirmed that funding is still available and set aside specifically for this project by two programs administered by the State of Washington: a Transportation Improvement Board grant and a Public Works Board low-interest loan.

What if the City needs the money for something else?

The City cannot use these funds for anything else, including emergency aid, other projects or support services such as police, fire, parks or utilities. Likewise, the money that will pay back the low-interest loan can only be used for capital projects. It cannot be used for emergency aid, other projects or support services.

How was this decision made?

The City made this decision based on guidance from state and local agencies. Although most residential and commercial construction projects are on hold, the city said this public roundabout project is in line with similar essential construction projects proceeding throughout the county and state during the COVID-19 emergency. The Washington Department of Transportation will continue providing inspection support and oversight.

Parks
www.lilyatelier.com

The roundabout contractor, Clark and Sons Excavating of Battle Ground, Wash., is ready to begin work and understands its crew must follow all COVID-19 guidance provided by the Dept. of Labor and Industry and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Additionally, suppliers are ready and able to provide the needed equipment and materials.

Three additional City of Camas public projects are continuing as scheduled: improvements to Brady Road, construction of the 18th Avenue Reservoir and construction of the Lacamas Creek Pump Station. Each project provides vital infrastructure for Camas residents and has dedicated funding. For details, see www.cityofcamas.us/projectsalerts.

Public Outrage on Inslee’s Order

When Washington Governor Jay Inslee declared most residential construction projects “non-essential” in his emergency order last week it sent shockwaves across the state, especially because other states (like California and Oregon) designated the construction industry as “essential.”

Local legislators and the local building industry advocates disagree with the order, and have made clear their opinions.

“Washington is the only western state to not include residential building as essential,” said Washington State Senator Ann Rivers. “Our governor’s order is puzzling, something just doesn’t add up. It’s safe for a crew to work on a low-income government supported housing project but not a private home site across the street or even next door? These are difficult decisions, but we must take into account the ramifications of our decisions and do the things that make the most sense. As leaders we must look out for everyone’s health and well being. But, it is also essential that we look out for the people we represent and at the same time empower them to take the steps to assure their own wellness.”

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) pressed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to make a determination about whether residential construction is deemed “essential” in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

On March 28, DHS designated residential construction as “essential infrastructure business.”

“Americans depend on a functioning residential construction sector to provide safe, affordable housing for our citizens, and this need is especially acute during this pandemic,” said NAHB Chairman Dean Mon. “Moreover, a healthy housing market is critical to maintain a sound economy. I commend DHS for heeding the urgent concerns of the housing community and taking this decisive action to assure the men and women of the industry will be able to stay on the job and serve the needs of the American people at this critical time.”

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COVID-19: City of Camas Closes Parking Lots at City Parks, Trailheads

Effective immediately, the City of Camas has closed the parking lots at all Camas parks and trailheads until further notice to reduce crowds, limit group interaction and encourage social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis.

Trails, open grass areas and green spaces remain open but may only be accessed by foot, bike or other means not requiring parking in the lot.

“I appreciate the many benefits of being outside, enjoying our trails and green spaces,” said Mayor Barry McDonnell, “but we must continue to social distance to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”

Individuals should not call 911 to report others in noncompliance and should avoid confrontations over enforcement.

The City is closely monitoring all COVID-19-related guidance from local and state agencies and has enacted several changes as a result. Last week, the City closed all parks facilities, including play structures, sports fields, sports courts, picnic shelters and restrooms.

Parks
www.lilyatelier.com

Earlier this month, Camas City Hall, Camas Public Library and all other municipal buildings have also been closed to the public.

“I know we will get through this,” stated McDonnell. “And if everyone does their part, we’ll get through it even faster.”

The City will continue to monitor newly released information to determine additional modifications as needed.

  • To access to city services, patrons can visit www.cityofcamas.us, call 360-834-6864 or use the CamasConnect app.

In order to meet public health recommendations for protecting citizens and employees, parks
maintenance crews have been split and are working every-other-week shifts. During this time, the
City’s park lawns will continue to be mowed, though potentially less frequently, and garbage will
still be collected to uphold the health and safety of public spaces. Other routine tasks will be
deferred.

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Clark Regional EOC Opens COVID-19 Critical Medical Supplies Warehouse

Healthcare workers and first responders serving on the frontlines to help people amid the COVID-19 outbreak are in desperate need of personal protective equipment and other specific medical supplies.  In the past week, hospitals, Public Health, the Emergency Operations Center, and community leaders have put out pleas into our community to locate any unused items. 

In response to businesses and individuals offering supplies, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) and Clark County Public Health have opened a COVID Supply Warehouse  and a streamlined donation process to receive and manage those supplies of specific personal protective equipment (PPE). Volunteers of local Search and Rescue teams are staffing the supply warehouse and working closely with CRESA personnel.                                

“The response we are receiving is a reflection of the generous community wide support that exists in Clark County. We have such an extensive need for basic supplies in our medical facilities and for our emergency responders, and we cannot rely solely on state and/or federal sources to meet them. Corporate donors have taken stock of their own needs and are working with us to help fill the gaps,” said Robin Albrandt, Emergency Preparedness & Response Regional Coordinator and Program Manager, Clark County Public Health.

For the health safety and security of the warehouse volunteers and workers, they are asking people to email [email protected] to schedule their donations and deliveries.  Please include your contact information, the items and the quantity of your donation . The Supply Warehouse hours of operation are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. 

They are seeking the following specific equipment, which should be new and unopened:

  • Latex free gloves
  • Commercially made procedural masks and surgical masks
  • N95 respirators and N95 filters
  • Other respirators (P100’s, PAPR’s, and PAPR supplies/parts)
  • Face shields
  • Splash shields
  • Gowns
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Disinfecting wipes

If you have any other items for donation, please contact one of the many community donation centers, organizations or charitable thrift stores in your area.

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COVID-19: State, Local Data — Clark County Critically Low on Testing Kits

New COVID-19 data (as of 5 pm today) from the Washington State Department of Health and Clark County Emergency Operations Center:

  • Statewide deaths increased to a total of 195. Positive tests in Clark County are at 110.
  • Overall statewide negative tests total 65,462, which are 92.5% of the total tests.
  • Overall statewide positive tests increased to 4,896, which are 7.5% of the total tests.
  • WSDOT Southwest Region data indicates that traffic in our area has decreased significantly since February. ​Traffic for Saturday, 3/28/20 was down on average of 59% on highways and state routes in Clark County.
  • Clark County is critically low on COVID-19 testing kits and Testing swabs.
  • Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued new guidance Monday on how Washingtonians can report people and businesses violating the “stay-at-home” order that’s in effect statewide. He said there are three tiers of enforcing the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order that will likely be extended beyond the initial two weeks:
    • Local authorities (police stations, sheriff’s offices, etc)  receive a complaint through the non-emergency line or through a form you can fill out on the state’s coronavirus response website. DO NOT CALL 911 to report a violation. Authorities will warn potential violators to comply.
    • If they don’t come into compliance, the state will start with citations or suspension notices of a variety of permits, including revoking business licenses if necessary.
    • If that’s still not enough, authorities will refer cases to state Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office for either civil or criminal charges. 
  • Inslee was also challenged today on a conference call about why public construction projects are deemed “essential” while most other construction is “non-essential.” He ignored the question.

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23 WA Lawmakers Ask Inslee to Lift Temporary Ban on Recreational Fishing

The following letter, authored by 18th District Rep. Larry Hoff and signed on to by 22 other lawmakers, was sent to Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday, March 27.

Dear Governor Inslee:

Our state, along with the country and the rest of the world, is experiencing a challenge of immense size and scope that has radically altered the daily routine of life for so many.

Your task of balancing public safety with individual rights is not an easy one. However, we wonder if your Stay Home—Stay Healthy order might be a bit too narrow in what it allows Washingtonians to take part in over the next two weeks and perhaps longer. 

One of the four essential activities permitted under your order is: “Engaging in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running or biking, but only if appropriate social distancing practices are used.”

We were surprised to see recreational fishing not included on that list, and even more surprised when the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife closed the activity to the public altogether.

This is a time of deep anxiety and fear for Washingtonians, many of whom are struggling to find a way to decompress and enjoy life amidst the chaos. It’s a fact of life that very few activities are as relaxing as casting a line from the banks of a river or from a boat in the middle of a lake. It’s an escape, much like walking, hiking, running or biking.

It’s also a fact that many of our veterans recreationally fish, whether to simply clear their minds or to treat symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. As with all Washingtonians, we are concerned for their well-being during this time, and want to ensure they don’t suffer as a result of Stay Home—Stay Healthy.

We firmly believe there is a way to balance public health while also allowing folks to fish on Washington’s many rivers and lakes. We would ask you to consider adding recreational fishing to your list of allowable essential activities under Stay Home—Stay Healthy.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Representative Larry Hoff, 18th Legislative District

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