Summary

Vancouver City Council approves multiple contracts, grant program, and tax exemption; advances two ordinances

VancouverFeb 23, 20263 min read

At a glance

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Council met Feb. 23, 2026 (hybrid). Workshops covered the Comprehensive Plan update and Boards & Commissions spring recruitment; closed session on collective bargaining. Council approved minutes of Feb. 2, proclaimed Black History Month, heard public testimony, and approved the bulk of the consent agenda. Key actions included construction acceptance for Water Towers 5 & 6, multiple contract awards/amendments (including a $5.5M fire truck purchase and temporary staffing contracts totaling $7M), adoption of a $300,000 Fourth Plain Small Business Resiliency Grant Program (Resolution M-4371), approval of an 8-year multifamily tax exemption for Palisades West (Resolution M-4372), and advancing ordinances for a 58th Street rezone and amendments to the Downtown Redevelopment Authority bylaws to March 2 for second reading/public hearing.

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Downtown Redevelopment

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City Council

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LaborPublic SafetyCommerceHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Accepted construction of Water Towers 5 and 6 and authorized release of contractor retainage.
Authorized contract (up to $5,500,000) with Cascade Fire Equipment Corp for tractor-drawn aerial ladder trucks.
Authorized four temporary staffing services contracts totaling up to $7,000,000 across four vendors.
Authorized amendment to workers' compensation third-party administrator contract to increase funding to a maximum of $660,000.
Authorized one-year extension to television/video production and broadcast equipment contract with Key Code Media, Inc. for an additional $300,000.
Authorized professional services agreement with Lasko Printing Specialties Inc. for digital printing and related services (estimated up to $3,000,000).
Approved First Amendment to the Historic Reserve Properties primary lease with the Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust.
Adopted Resolution M-4371 establishing the Fourth Plain Small Business Resiliency Grant Program using $300,000 in Fourth Plain for All Investment funds and authorizing contracting with nonprofit administrators.
Adopted Resolution M-4372 approving an 8-year limited property tax exemption for market-rate rental housing for the Palisades West Apartments application.
Advanced ordinance to rezone ~1.6 acres at 7711 and 7809 NE 58th Street from R-22 to R-35, setting second reading and public hearing for March 2, 2026.
Advanced ordinance amending the Downtown Redevelopment Authority bylaws (Section 2.09) clarifying Executive Director employment status, setting second reading and public hearing for March 2, 2026.
Approved Minutes of the Feb. 2, 2026 City Council meeting.
Proclaimed February 2026 as Black History Month.

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