Agenda Bill #101-10 – ARRA Cert Notification for E Str Improvements Project

NO. This agenda bill was irrelevant to the authority of the City Council. The ARRA bill (“Stimulus”) requires that the Mayor certify that the project is of public value and is worthy of taxpayer dollars. The certification specifically states, “I, Sean Guard, Mayor for the City of Washougal, hereby certify that the following infrastructure investment has received the full review and vetting required by law and that I accept responsibility that the infrastructure investment is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.” This statement is the Mayor’s responsibility, not the council’s. Therefore, I object to the city council voting on the issue at all.

Agenda Bill #102-10 – ARRA Cert Notification for Zone 4 Reservoir

NO. This agenda bill is identical to the previous one, and I voted on the same principles.

Agenda Bill #103-10 – Supplemental PSA#2 with Kennedy Jenks – Biosolids

YES. This is an updated agreement to incorporate newer data into our sewer planning. Since the economic downturn, the city has had less growth than was once projected. (No, I am not kidding.) As a result, the sewer may not need to accommodate as many people in the future as was previously thought. This research will also incorporate the latest regulations and state mandates imposed upon our city.

Agenda Bill #104-10 – Surplus Sale Resolution

YES. The former mayor used city funds on a city credit card to purchase a camera lens that fit the finance director’s private camera. The camera lens cost well over $1,200. What goes unsaid is, “What possible reason could the city have for buying a lens for a non-city owned camera?” In order to recoup our costs, the City Council authorized the sale of the lens on Ebay.

Agenda Bill #105-10 – Supplemental PSA with Paul Lewis – Financial Services Project

YES. Mr. Lewis is a financial expert who has impartiality with regards to our internal budget issues. Therefore, his assistance was sought to help prepare the 2011 budget.

Agenda Bill #106-10 – Declaration of Support, Voluntary Green Building Standards

NO. I strongly opposed this bill because of the history and implications of the agreement. You can read my full speech under the menu “Vote Statements.”

Agenda Bill #107-10 – Remand Sign Regulation Amendments

YES. The recommendation to the Council was to send the Sign Regulation Amendments back to the Planning Commission. Public scrutiny of laws is always a beneficial thing.

Agenda Bill #108-10 – Amendments to Department Head Manual Ordinance

NO. The changes to the Department Head Manual include two scales for perks like vacation, severance pay, etc. The effect is a grandfathering of all personnel into the old scale, and a new scale for new employees. My objection to this agenda bill is that at a time when the private sector is tightening its belt, this seems like a half-measure to tighten the public sector’s belt. Citizen after citizen has had expectations of promotions or advancement pulled due to lack of real economic recovery. There are times in which the government (pick your jurisdiction) acts as if it can declare itself exempt from fiscal reality. Such actions seem at odds with necessary accountability.

Resolution to Encourage State Representatives of the 15th & 18th District to sponsor and enact an immigration law.

YES. The resolution itself is copied below. I do support this resolution, although I will be first to mention that it will not necessarily solve all the issues with regards to the illegal aliens flooding the country. One aspect that I wish to note as well is that this resolution is a request for the state representatives of the 15^th and 18^th Legislative Districts to sponsor legislation similar to Arizona's SB 1070.  This is markedly different from some other cities which have issued resolutions in support or condemnation of the actions of the Arizona state legislature.  Rather than dealing with other states' decisions, it is appropriate for our city council to consider petitioning our own state representatives to enact certain legislation.

As for the solution to the immigration problem, I believe it is appropriate for the citizens to demand that welfare, drivers licenses, Social Security, and any other social “entitlements” be off-limits to those in our nation illegally. If these services were restricted to only those that are here legally, the incentive to cross the border illegally would diminish. If we take away the incentive, the problem resolves itself.

CITY OF WASHOUGAL, WASHINGTON

RESOLUTION NO. _____

A resolution to encourage State Representatives in the 15^th and 18^th Legislative Districts to sponsor legislation in the next legislative session similar to the immigration law recently adopted in the State of Arizona.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the state of Arizona enacted legislation in the form of Senate Bill 1070 relating to local enforcement of federal immigration laws; and

WHEREAS, this law establishes that violating federal immigration law is a state crime as well; and

WHEREAS, this law authorizes state and local law enforcement officers, if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that someone is an illegal alien, to determine the person’s immigration status; and

WHEREAS, this law mirrors existing federal laws; and

WHEREAS, similar immigration legislation is currently being considered in eighteen other states; and

WHEREAS, illegal immigration places enormous financial stress on the resources of all states and many cities; and

WHEREAS, Passage of such a law in the state of Washington is needed and appropriate;

RESOLUTION

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF WASHOUGAL AS FOLLOWS:

The City Council herby encourages our State Representatives in the 15^th and 18^th Legislative Districts to sponsor and enact an immigration law similar to the State of Arizona.

Adopted in an open public meeting this 6^th day of July 2010.

CITY OF WASHOUGAL