Proposal to Vancouver City Council June 24th 2013

Good Evening Mayor and Council.  I would like to discuss the Old Evergreen Highway Neighborhood Association and the federal grant we received for building a sidewalk.  With $925,000 ready to go, we are only short the $140,000 for engineering.  We have raised about $70,000 and still need another $70,000 and its looking bleak.

Two weeks ago I listened to the council commend local groups working together to cut costs and save money.  I would like to take that a step forward with the proposed sidewalk project.  I’m wondering if the City will support OEHNA working with Washington State Civil Engineering department to help with the required studies.  Additionally oversight review and stamp from the chosen PE firm Berger ABAM who have done extensive studies already.  David Sacamamo and I are meeting tomorrow to move this forward and give Professor Dave Pallack the requested information.  Professor Pallack stated as long as we meet three of the four required criteria they would fit this project into the Fall schedule for a 4 student senior project.  The proposed trail will meet all 4 of the requirements according to ABAM.

Will the city support this proposal, and will the city please help outline any requirements to fulfill.

I would also like to understand if the approved design can have an extended vesting from City planning so that if we can not complete 100% of it in 5 years, that we do not have to come back to the drawing board like the last time design was planned and engineered prior to 1996.   I would like to propose a 20 year vesting period so that we can limit use of resources required the future as we try and complete the trail.

Thank you in advance for the consideration, this will save us around $100,000 or more and we can use the excess revenue towards the trail project in other ways or help fund a program at WSU. 

Lets take advantage of WSU, ABAM and hopefully the City generosity and move this project forward.

Thank you, and I hope to have an answer by next Monday to make sure I do not affect Professor Pallacks timeline to make sure our project gets fit in.

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Update from City Council meeting - Funding for the initial build is 100% complete with the federal contribution and City contribution to help with Engineering and permits in kind.  We only need to find an in kind solution for the Engineering of 3 miles more of trail...

More to come

Approved City of Vancouver Land swap with BNSF

On June 17th, the Vancouver City Council approved a land swap with BSNF to make way for an easement for high speed rail from Seattle to Eugene,  however no one asked exactly what Vancouver get’s in return other than land of equal value.

Wouldn't it be prudent to think or ask if BNSF might have plans to upgrade their bridge and limit that bottleneck too?

Whether Freight, Amtrack, high-speed rail or Light rail, they all have the same principles of engineering, where grade is concerned.

If light rail where to come to Vancouver, why not one of the conditions in the land swap to have BNSF leave an easement for light rail. This would allow our community to improve our train station using the new starts funding from the federal government.

Check this article out: http://couv.com/crc-light-rail-project/third-bridge

Instead everyone let the crooks at the CRC believe bringing light rail over I5 was the only feasible option. Crooks are people that do not have accountability of accounting, the CRC exemplified that.

I’m blown away at the waste of resources and lack of foresight or willingness to have public, private and federal transportation work together to find a means of success to improve the Oregon and Washington transportation system.  If light rail was not the driving factor to move forward, construction of a new vehicle bridge could be commencing forward by 2014.  Citizens would have their jobs, Vancouver would keep its historic and growing appeal, Portland would get what they want more light rail debt, i guess.

Interesting right?

Coast Guard hearing - June 5th 2013

Another moment where I’m not a politician, simply a concerned citizen with questions and feel there should be better direction.  Being nervous was not my intent, thus I did not read my statement, instead spoke clumsily from the heart.   

Only one gentleman touched on the law that summarizes no bridge shall limit commerce upstream. 

Here is what I wanted to say, however Brian Dunn chief of the Coast Guard office asked that we focus the comments on why the proposed project would hinder commerce or not abide by coast guard regulations.

My name is Brian Joseph Smith, I would like you to think about a couple items that are questions I’m still asking to help with direction and vision.  Not all pertain to Coast Guard regulations, but offer some insight to the lack of clear vision the CRC has offered

CRC spent 170M and the only example of the projects vision is a document or online 3-D video?  Where is that 3D scale model for people to get a real visual of the proposed project including BNSF and the port effected area’s We spent so much on Library children's toys, and some have little function. A scale model could have been built with the ability to incorporate change options over time and offer information like History…

Why has the CRC made this project dependant on Light rail?  Why not focus on getting traffic away from I-5 corridor and the heart of Portland.  What about building west, direct routes to Hwy 30, Portland NW industrial, and Beaverton.  Gas and power Utilities use these routes to help with diversity of their routes and increase access.  They go form Vancouver directly to Beaverton, why not People. 

Also the CRC seems to be unable to offer clear accounting of where the $170 million was spent, does that seem reasonable to you?

Even if there were 5 lanes across I5, what happens at Delta Park or the Rose Quarter, there are still only two lanes and no talks of making changes on their planning as documented through 2030.

On Monday June 3^rd the City passed a motion to do a land swap with BNSF.  This is to vacate Lincoln street between 11^th and 12^th to make room to support high speed rail.  Wouldn’t it be reasonable that if BNSF has plans to make changes to their rail system, which will most likely include a new bridge in the future that if light rails was to come to Vancouver it could use the same route.  Vancouver operates the third busiest train station in Washington and there is plenty of room for development and construction without demolition or any inconvenience to the citizens or business that use the current I-5 system and highway 14.  The estimated amount of job loss and commerce effected is mute if the Bridge and improvements were built west. Here is an opportunity for private money to work with public on a billion dollar project. Again I’m not for light rail, however since it would be government subsidized, wouldn't it be reasonable that it connect with the other government subsidized facility Amtrack ?

From the 3-5 Billion dollar estimate budget for the project, how much of that is towards deconstruction or paying off large businesses so they can move?  Building a bridge to the West will not have that adverse effect.

Everyone wants a new bridge everyone wants jobs, and the major hold up was light rail and where mass transit systems should be.  The biggest factor I see with the CRC proposal is the finances don’t work, especially considering one third is funded by tolls. The mayor suggests studies show light rail is lower cost to support over time for tax paying citizens. However he did not factor the toll fee burden to local residents, including citizens going to Oregon for work.

I want to see Vancouver as a smart city with clear direction and vision.  My name is Brian Joseph Smith and I’m running for City Council.  And I would like to encourage you tonight to deny the current CRC project as proposed.

Core Services & Public Safety

Core Services & Public Safety

Vancouver has the obligation under law to provide for the health and safety of its residents. In the last four years we have seen the closure of a firehouse which resulted in massive work on the parts of some citizens to regain services by getting federal grant monies to reopen the fire station in their neighborhood. It remains to be seen how long this station will remain open.

Currently the police department has undergone such severe cuts that our newest precinct office on the east side has been closed. Office hours for assistance has been reduced to Monday-Friday from 8 to 5 p.m. at the West precinct office only so anyone wishing to conduct business had better be able to meet that demand on their time schedule. With a reduction in the police force the current services are short 13 officers who have handled over 61,000 911 calls in 2012 alone. Their own website has this statement on its front page:

 Staffing at VPD facilities will remain limited until the budget crisis is resolved so the VPD website is an excellent resource for information.

The following is a breakdown of the calls and services which were performed at the East precinct prior to it closing:

 

NRT East

This unit works out of the VPD East Precinct and includes 1 Sergeant, 3 Detectives that work cases involving Burglary, Fraud, Auto Theft, Street Level Narcotics, Serial Thefts, Robbery, Pawn/ Second Hand Stores, and Unlawful Firearms Possession and 1Detective that works Juvenile Gangs including assaults, robberies, harassment / intimidation, firearms possession, gang graffiti. This Detective works hand in hand with Ju-venile Probation.

2012 Statistics

Arrests - 198

Charges/crimes on arrests - 377

Other charges/crimes referred on non-custodial arrests - 200

Arrest warrants cleared  -165

Search Warrants written  - 32

Firearms recovered (July-Dec)  -12

Grams of heroin recovered (July-Dec) - 70

Grams of methamphetamine recovered (July-Dec) - 19.4

 

As a city councilman I would work hard to find ways to reinstate the core services needed for residents safety within our police and fire departments.

Land Infill

Land Infill

I am completely not in favor of the current land use zoning for low density  housing a value of R9.  That is way to dense to sustain a sensible enjoyable way of life.  There are plenty of areas for high density and apartment and condo living.  Homes need room for peace and quiet.  R9 = 43,560 square feet divided by 9 = 4840 sf per lot.  A small lot used to be 7260 square feet R6.

Transportation

Transportation

I strongly believe that sound transportation infrastructure is critical to the success of our city. That being said, I am also a strong proponent of a balanced and analytical approach to planning, budgeting, and expenditures for transportation projects. I’m also firm in my stance that Vancouver is not nor should it be a subsidiary, servant, or subject of Portland. We are our own unique community with our own unique needs. When it comes to major transportation projects that require any type of financial burden on the city, taxpayers, or business community, I will always advocate for a public vote first.

●       Light Rail – I am not in favor of light rail because it has proven to be a structure for debt.  We need to focus on transportation that is sustainable, but also flexible for the majority, not the few.  Additionally it will never be able to take people exactly to where they want to be.  We have plenty of parking and plenty of space for roads and bridges.  I like my American dream of owning a home, having a car, and a lawn for the children to play. Light rail would never in 100 years be available for convenient access to me or my family or my neighbors.  The voters have said it, no light rail at this time.  Take it to the trainstation If thre is the necessity, they are forecasting high-speed rail from Seattle to Eugene.  A recent Vancouver City Council approved land swap has details of expansion.

●       Tolls – NO plain and simple.  If the state would quit using gas taxes for items not included in roads and bridge maintenance this would not be an issue worthy of discussion.

●       CRC – Here is something I am completely dumbfounded on.  170 Million dollars were spent and there is not one 3D scale model rendition to give anyone a real visual of appeal and vote on. Everyone wants a bridge, why could there not of been options to choose from?  The CRC board suggested the LPA could not be changed and still qualify for Federal money.  That seems unreasonable and is not factual. What will it look like coming into I-5.  Also, What happens at Delta Park, non-one has suggested any improvements to that section of Oregon I-5.  I strongly believe we need to use the same principles Power and Gas Utilities use when they need to grow and create more access, They create diverse routes and spread the traffic away from congestion, not force more right down the middle.  Vancouver must have a bridge to Hwy 30 as an option to by pass Portland and on to Beaverton.  A scenic route today through the under utilized industrial districts.

●       CTRAN – There are many boards that council members sit on in the process of serving the city. This board is just one of them but an integral one which has a direct impact on the long range plans for the economy, housing and mass transit needs of our community. This board has allowed our city council to vote as a block veto group of three voting to stop and overturn the votes of the entire C-Tran district board, which impacts our whole county. I believe that the city of Vancouver needs to have a strong position for the issues on this board but I do not believe that the council should be able to override the entire county’s ability to equally voice their control over their services and community as well. Under this system how Vancouver votes so goes the health and vitality of the entire county. The best option we have to solve the absolute disaster that the power hold of the city has on our ability to thrive is to replace our council members who insist on abusing their power.

   

●       RTC - The regional transportation council has the responsibility to provide and plan for future needs with regards to freight and commuters. It is their job to work with the different boards and assess the long range plans for our roads, highways and bridges based on development. This group consists of persons who work for Oregon’s Metro Service District, Tri-Met, and more. Our local development has been under the control of Director Dean Lookingbill who handed the lead role for long range development plans over to Oregon’s Metro last year in a “memorandum of understanding” or in other words a contract of “Interlocal Governmental Agreement”.  Our very choices on where housing is built and what kind of housing it is as well as parks, roads, business and economic development are being controlled by an agency we do not elect nor have any authority over. As a city council person I would work to make sure that all “IGA’s” or MOU’S would be approved by the local elected officials before any such authority is handed off to some entity in another state.

City Budget

City Budget

Understanding where the City of Vancouver allocates its budget is going to be my biggest target.  The standard response has been that there is no budget to do what the citizens want and need, however there seems to be plenty of budget to build a new website, or purchase new land for more parks, approve the Hotel renovation after 8 years in operation.  If the budget falls shy on taking care of parks, how can there be money to purchase more land for parks?  The City recently spent over $50,000 for a new website and logo, when the old one worked just fine.  In fact the new site is not organized as well, nor does it incorporate ways to give neighborhood associations, the NTSA tools to be successful.  

Why is the City blindly approving Hilton Hotel renovations on one side, and cutting fire and police jobs on the other?

I feel the city should be able to take advantage of local resources more effectively.  We have an organization called the NTSA (Neighborhood Traffic Safety Alliance) which has been using ¼ of 1% of REET and Federal grant money to effectively prioritize safety and ADA projects to enhance streets and access City wide.  What I don’t understand is the City does not dedicate any of the annual budget to this well organized group.  The city is using staff and resources to do surveys for potential and some future projects, however the NTSA is so well organized they could take on that responsibility quite effectively.  I feel that all traffic calming, restoration and enhancements should have a direct influence of the local residents in each area.  The NTSA is the organized body to streamline that effort and make sure local residents get the most out of any projects being managed in their area.  I have a couple examples in my blog if you are interested in reading more.

Local Economy

Local Economy

I had the opportunity to meet Jerry Oliver one of the Port of Vancouver Commissioners, and he confirmed what I already knew, there are currently NO facilities with 100,000 square feet of space available for lease inside the city.  To increase available high paying jobs, we need space for larger business to move into.  Instead the focus has been residential land infill and light industrial retail space to be developed.   Higher paying jobs are in corporations with call centers distribution channels, not checkout isles or stocking shelves.  I believe in the build it and they will come approach.  If the City wants to focus on infill, how many jobs could be created constructing corporate centers, and then long term jobs to fill them.  Washington has great tax laws, and Vancouver should be able to easily show even Oregon corporations that moving north offers a 10% pay raise.

The Port has a 108 acre project being developed, but only one company that is taking aim to develop one of the 5 spaces.  I understand the Port of Vancouver gets 10 Million dollars per year from Clark County Property tax, but they have all the space in the world to build corporate centers and be profitable on their own.  In my opinion those 5 spaces making up the 108 acres should already be spoken for and being developed.  But that is me wearing my optimistic sales hat.  Current national economic conditions might suggest otherwise, but promoting Washington tax laws to big businesses who want to be on the west coast should raise attention.

Vancouver seems to have a lower standard of living than the rest of Washington.  Lower income per capita by 6.6% than the Washington average and about equal to the National average.  Unemployment tops 8%, and probably much higher if all factors like those that stopped claiming benefits or those that are taking advantage of the system and handouts available from Medicare and Disability.  I only say that because I have had the misfortune to meet a couple people taking advantage of the system, collecting disability due to Asthma, but bowling 6 nights per week.   Interesting right, they should be able to handle a desk job…

Vancouver City Council June 3rd 2013

Tonight was very interesting to me.  For the first time ever I was there to just listen, and listen all the way through.

I have some questions.

BNSF land swap with City of Vancouver, Lincoln Ave between 11^th and 12^th.  Property intended to be used to expand the railroad with direct access for high-speed rail from Seattle to Eugene.

The question was asked if reasonable compensation was exchanged with the City, yet no one asked to see exactly what that was.  Is it prudent to see the bill of goods sold?  What I heard was the use of High-speed rail expansion.  Just one more reason that if light rail were ever to come to Vancouver It should go to the Train Station and that could have been part of the deal.  Private Money working with Public.  Also who is paying for all the proposed improvements that were noted.  Does the City pick up that entire bill?

Part of the motion to refinance the Hilton hotel the City owns, also passed to make renovations.  Where is the entire budget break down?  How much in renovation are they making after 8 years of use? He mentioned everything, from the Restaurant to Rooms and even Lobby but what is a reasonable maintenance restoration budget each year,  or life of original product?  Or is this a complete overhaul?

In the End the council was discussing the every 4 year Clark County/C-Tran review meeting next Tuesday at 5:00 (I need a better note taking method).  Bart stated the numbers of Representation of Vancouver money that is used, versus voting power at this meeting.  For some reason at this every 4 year meeting the City of Vancouver only gets the vote of one person.  Interesting because the City used their Power of Veto to deny passing a motion in the last C-Tran Board Meeting.  This motion was to ensure the people were able to VOTE on the proposed CRC and light rail project.  The City Council members where then told by the City Lawyer or the City Manager that the only exit strategy might be to remove itself from the organization..?  Jeanne Stewart asked what would be the adverse effects the City feels it has with C-Tran beyond the proposed  light rail addition to the LPA of the CRC project.  She asked the Mayor exactly what differences they would have with this organization, yet he did not speak.  She thought the Mayor should be the one to represent, however I thought the Mayor is removed from Voting because his company has a contract with Tri-met…?