The following information is in response to a media request for information regarding a recent death investigation by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Date of death: 11/03/2019
Location: Vancouver, WA
Decedent Name: Ellis, Amanda K.
Decedent Age: 36 Yrs
Resident of: Vancouver, WA
The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:
Cause of death: Pending
Manner of death: Pending
Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to the Washington State Patrol.
Nikki J. Costa
Operations Manager
Vancouver, Wash. – The county manager is seeking an applicant to fill a vacancy on the volunteer Community Action Advisory Board. The position is for a low-income representative living in Clark County Council District 4.
The twelve-member board makes recommendations about local government funding for basic needs, self-sufficiency and housing programs. Members also advocate for services supporting low-income communities, families and persons.
Low-income representatives are defined as any person who is nominated by a group who is low-income such as tenants of a low-income housing complex or an agency that predominantly serves people who are low-income such as Council for the Homeless, Share, NAMI, etc.
Term periods are three years, with the first term ending Dec. 31, 2022. Incumbents have the opportunity for re-appointment to two additional three-year terms.
Clark County is looking to diversify the board composition and encourages people with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to apply, especially persons from historically oppressed or underserved communities.
Interested residents must submit an application and résumé to Rebecca Royce, Clark County Community Services, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or ebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov">rebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov.
Application information can be found at www.clark.wa.gov/community-services/community-action-advisory-board or by calling Rebecca Royce at 564.397.7863.
Application deadline is 5 pm Friday, Dec. 6.
Vancouver, Wash. – Owning a pet can be physically and mentally beneficial for people of all ages. Animals can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase social interaction and physical activity. From companionship to security, pets can provide older adults a better quality of life and improve aging in place.
Learn about the health benefits animals can provide and how to best plan for your pets at the next meeting of the Commission on Aging, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20.
The meeting will be in the sixth-floor Hearing Room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.
Cheri Martin and Bob Libby from the Southwest Washington Humane Society will explore how relationships with animals can impact health and well-being, especially for older adults. They will also provide information and resources on what to consider when adopting a pet and how to plan for your pets’ needs if you can no longer take care of them either short- or long-term.
The Nov. 20 discussion is the eighth meeting this year focused on healthy communities, especially for people 65 and older. Healthy communities can contribute to one’s ability to live independently, safely, and comfortably.
The Commission on Aging, supported by the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members. For more about the commission, please visit www.clark.wa.gov/aging.
Commission meetings are carried live on CVTV Channel 23 and online at www.cvtv.org. To see replay times, go to www.cvtv.org.
County Council public hearings scheduled for November
Vancouver, Wash. – County Manager Shawn Henessee has recommended a budget to the county council that emphasizes a balance between the increase in both the demand and cost of providing critical public services.
“We are faced with trying to balance the challenges of an increase in demand for county services due population growth with providing the high quality services our community deserves,” said Henessee.
The county council will consider the $545.27 million budget during a public hearing beginning at 2 pm Monday, Nov. 25. The county’s other elected officials will be first to testify on budgets proposed by their departments.
Anyone interested may testify when the hearing continues at 10 am Tuesday, Nov. 26. If needed, public testimony will be continued to 10 am Wednesday, Nov. 27. All sessions will be in the sixth-floor hearing room in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.
After public testimony, the council will deliberate and make a decision on the 2020 budget. Per state law, the county budget must be adopted after the budget hearings and prior to the beginning of the next fiscal period, Jan. 1, 2020.
The County Manager’s recommendation comes on the heels of a year-long review of all departments to look for efficiencies within their existing budgets.
“The budget deep dive project over the last year was a considerable amount of work, but in the end it makes this recommended 2020 budget much more achievable,” said Henessee. “Moving forward, we are going to have to continue to look for those efficiencies and cost savings in order to have a more sustainable General Fund.”
Key recommendations
Henessee told the council in a work session last week that most of the recommended budget updates dealt with software and cybersecurity needs, critical law and justice safety needs, infrastructure upkeep and replacement, and maintaining service levels while meeting increase workload demands.
Henessee included in his recommended budget a request to set aside $700,000 for a multi-campus space planning project for county buildings. This study would include law and justice services such as the county jail.
On the revenue side, he recommended that the council enact a 1 percent property tax increase allowed by state law which will increase revenues by $639,370. Henessee also recommended increasing property taxes by an additional .979 percent of “banked capacity” available to the county because it did not enact the 1 percent increase in recent years. This would increase revenues by $621,315.
The complete 2020 recommended budget can be found on the county’s website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/budget/2020-budget.
The following information is in response to a media request for information regarding a recent death investigation by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Date of death: Found 11/02/2019
Location: Vancouver, WA
Decedent Name: Wear, William C.
Decedent Age: 50 Yrs
Resident of: Vancouver, WA
The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:
Cause of death: Gunshot Wound of the Head
Manner of death: Suicide
How injury occurred: Self-inflicted gunshot wound of the head (handgun).
Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to the Vancouver Police Department.
Nikki J. Costa
Operations Manager
Vancouver, Wash. – Members of the community are invited to come learn about plans for a new community park on Northeast 72nd Avenue.
Public Works staff will host an open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 13, at Prairie High School, 11311 NE 119th St. Those interested in attending can stop by anytime during the event to discuss the project, ask questions of county staff, and offer comments and suggestions.
The county is currently in the master planning process for Curtin Creek Community Park. With your assistance and feedback, this park can be designed with the amenities to meet the needs of the community. The park will provide a gathering place for the community with a range of active and passive recreational opportunities.
More information can be found on the county’s website https://www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/curtin-creek-community-park.
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Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Community Services is asking residents who are low-income to complete a survey about their family’s needs. The survey, which can be completed online or on paper, will take approximately 15 minutes. It is strictly confidential.
The survey will be available today through Friday, Jan. 31.
An online version is available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020CNANeedsSurvey in English, Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese.
Paper copies in English, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese and Chuukese are available from human services providers such as agencies that offer housing, food, clothing, health services and employment assistance.
If you are unable to obtain a paper copy from a service provider, please contact Rebecca Royce at 546.397.7863 or ebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov">rebecca.royce@clark.wa.gov.
Community Services is required to conduct a needs survey every three years. The results are used to help prioritize which programs and services will be funded in our community with Community Service Block Grant awards.
Vancouver, Wash. – Shoreline Master Programs (SMP) are local land-use policies and regulations that guide use of shorelines. SMPs are based on state guidelines and tailored to the specific needs of the community. Clark County is undertaking a periodic review of its SMP, as required by the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
Residents can review proposed changes to SMP policies and regulations and share feedback at one of two upcoming open house events:
- 6-7:30 pm Thursday, Nov. 14, Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center, Commons, 510 Pioneer St.
- 6-7:30 pm Monday, Nov. 18, Frontier Middle School, Commons, 7600 NE 166th Ave.
Stop by any time during one of the open houses to review displays, talk to staff, and share your comments.
If you are unable to attend in person, you can participate in an online open house via the project website link below. The online open house will be available Nov. 12 through Dec. 1, 2019.
For more information, visit https://www.clark.wa.gov/smp2020.
The SMA requires each SMP be reviewed and revised, if needed, on an eight-year schedule established by the Legislature. The review ensures the SMP stays current with changes in laws and rules, remains consistent with other Clark County plans and regulations, and is responsive to changed circumstances, new information and improved data.
Learn more on the Department of Ecology SMA webpage https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Shoreline-coastal-management/Shoreline-coastal-planning/Shoreline-Management-Act-SMA.
Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking applicants for a volunteer position on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.
The position represents Clark County public interest groups. The three-year term begins immediately.
The commission advises the county council on solid waste issues, such as recycling, garbage collection, landfills, transfer stations and waste-reduction programs.
The commission meets at 6 pm on the first Thursday of February, May, August and November. Meetings are at the Center for Community Health, 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd.
Members of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission represent a variety of interests, including the solid waste industry, the business community, agriculture, and city and county residents.
Applicants should send a résumé and letter of interest to Tina Redline, County Manager’s Office, PO Box 5000, Vancouver 98666-5000.
Applications also can be sent by email to edline@clark.wa.gov">Tina.Redline@clark.wa.gov or fax to 360.397.6058.
The letter of interest should include:
- How you can represent the interests of Clark County public interest groups.
- Your personal or professional experience related to solid waste.
- Your vision for the future of solid waste management in Clark County.
Application deadline is 5 pm Friday, Nov. 8, 2019.
Visit the Solid Waste Advisory Commission website for more information.
Vancouver, Wash. – The West Van for Youth coalition is conducting a survey to gather views on youth substance use from families and businesses in the west-side 98660, 98661, 98665 and 98663 zip codes.
The survey results will help the coalition know how to better serve youth and families in west Vancouver.
The coalition, made up of students, individuals and public and private agencies, works to promote healthy choices and reduce substance misuse among youth. It was established in 2011 as part of the Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative program funded and administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority. Clark County is the fiscal agent for the coalition.
The survey, which is hosted on SurveyMonkey, is anonymous. Responses will be kept confidential and reported only as aggregated data.
The survey is voluntary. A community member who takes the survey can decline to answer any question or stop the survey at any time. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is open until Friday, Dec. 13.
An English version of the survey is at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CLWEVA2019EN. A Spanish version of the survey is at https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/CLWEVA2019SP.
The survey is among several recent efforts by coalition members to raise awareness about youth substance use and encourage youths to participate in drug prevention activities.
In late October, coalition volunteers:
- Adorned trees and lamp posts in downtown Vancouver and west-side neighborhoods with red ribbons for a youth substance prevention campaign.
- Planted 950 red tulip bulbs in downtown Vancouver and west-side neighborhoods.
- Volunteered to decorate the town with prevention messaging.
For more information about West Van for Youth, please contact Alaina Green, program coordinator, at 564.397.5841 or een@clark.wa.gov">alaina.green@clark.wa.gov.
Equestrians, mountain bikers will continue to have year-round access to gravel trails at 300-acre regional park
Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Parks and Lands will put seasonal trail restrictions in place at Whipple Creek Regional Park to preserve the park’s natural surface trails.
Beginning Nov. 1, dirt trails will be open only to foot traffic at the 300-acre park off Northwest 179th Street. Equestrians and mountain bikers can continue to use gravel trails year-round.
The park’s trails have been plagued by persistent, heavy mud because of poor drainage, clay soils and steep slopes. To improve trail conditions, volunteers have donated 7,600 hours over the past six years to build reroutes, improve drainage and spread gravel across the park’s main trails, making them accessible year-round. Volunteers also realigned and restored a series of natural surface, or primitive, trails.
“A lot of time, effort and money have gone into these trails,” said Dora Hernandez, volunteer program assistant for Clark County Public Works. “Volunteers worked hard to create a trail system that offers varied experiences to users, so these seasonal closures are necessary to preserve the trails and the hard work that goes into them.”
Clark County Parks will post signs at main entrances to Whipple Creek Regional Park explaining the seasonal closures and displaying a map of the park’s gravel and primitive trails. Signs also will be posted at each primitive trail entrance reminding users that the trail is only open to foot traffic during wet weather.
A map showing the park’s gravel and primitive trails has been posted on the county’s website, www.clark.wa.gov/parks.
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Camas, Wash. – Clark County Public Health has issued an advisory for Fallen Leaf Lake in Camas due to blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.
Responding to a report of a blue-green algae bloom in Fallen Leaf Lake, Public Health staff visited the lake and confirmed the presence of blooms near the bank, extending north from the Fallen Leaf Lake Shelter.
Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with lake water in areas of floating blue-green-colored scum. Blue-green algae can produce toxins that are harmful to people and deadly for small pets that drink the water.
Health officials recommend:
- Avoid swimming and other activities where skin contact is likely
- No drinking lake water
- No water contact for animals in areas of scum
- Avoid areas of scum when kayaking or paddle boarding
- Clean fish well and discard organs
Caution signs have been posted at Fallen Leaf Lake. Public Health will continue to monitor the lake as long as blooms are present, and signs will be updated as conditions change.
Additional information about blue-green algae and current advisories are posted on the Public Health public beach website. To report algae blooms in other bodies of water, visit the Public Health website.
Questions? Contact Clark County Public Health at eph@clark.wa.gov or (564) 397-8428.
Clark County, WA – The Bridgeview Resource Center has been recognized with the National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) 2019 Award of Excellence in Innovation. Clark County Community Services’ Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program staff nominated Bridgeview for the award. Samantha Whitley, Clark County Community Services Program Coordinator, accepted the award at the NACCED Annual Conference in Tucson, Arizona on Oct. 15.
In commenting on the award, Mary A. Keating, NACCED’s president, said, “I can say that the committee was impressed by how comprehensive the project is. It appears the center and its partners support a diversity of residents (youth, parents, seniors, people with disabilities, youth aging out of foster care) with a comprehensive approach to service delivery. We also really appreciated the level of engagement from the residents, and the broader community.” In the award nomination, Clark County staff noted that “by centralizing access to services, everyone benefits…with centralized access to classrooms, computers, office and meeting space, [social service] partners and families come together in a manner that increases effectiveness and streamlines service.”
Clark County was an early supporter of the Bridgeview Resource Center, awarding $100,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds toward the center’s construction. Among the reasons cited by the county for supporting Bridgeview were the ways it helped meet a goal of the Clark County Action Plan, to “establish and maintain suitable living environment and economic opportunities” and the primary strategy to “support acquisition of and improvement to facilities that provide services to low-income, elderly and special needs persons.” The role of Clark County Community Services is to enhance the quality of life through public resources that serve the county’s most vulnerable populations and to help them access services and opportunities that lead to a better life.
The Bridgeview Resource Center opened its doors to the public on January 7, 2019 and has already exceeded the 2,700 people they projected would be served in the first year. The resource center was designed as a central place where people could learn about the resources available in the larger community. A navigator is available to connect people to the agencies that best suit their individual needs. Additionally, more than 25 local organizations and agencies collaborate to offer classes and events to help people with education, health and wellness, and employment to get ahead. Some partners such as WorkSource, Goodwill Job Connection, Bridgeview, and Lighthouse Community Credit Union have offices at the Resource Center. Other partners offer classes and activities at the center. Bridgeview, a local nonprofit organization, owns and operates the resource center.
The Bridgeview Education and Employment Resource Center is located at 505 Omaha Way in the Skyline Crest neighborhood in Vancouver's McLoughlin Heights, next to the Boys & Girls Club.
More than 100 pounds of tobacco product waste collected during past five annual events
Vancouver, Wash. – Volunteer programs for Clark County and the city of Vancouver are seeking volunteers for the sixth annual “The Butt Stops Here” cleanup on Saturday, Oct. 26. The cleanup event, which removes cigarettes butts and other litter from local parks, is being held in conjunction with national Make a Difference Day.
Those interested in volunteering can sign up for whichever park they would like to clean up, and should meet at that site starting at 9 a.m. Groups will meet back at 12 noon to weigh their bags of cigarette butts. Volunteers can also enjoy warm beverages provided by Dutch Bros, and a coupon for pizza from Blind Onion.
Since the first “The Butt Stops Here” cleanup in Oct. 2011, volunteers have removed more than 100 pounds of cigarette butts from both Clark County parks and city of Vancouver parks and open spaces. Cigarette butts each weigh about one-tenth of an ounce, and are the most commonly found litter in the world and account for an estimated 32% of litter in parks and recreation areas.
“We had a great group of people show up to help last year,” said Volunteer Program Assistant Dora Hernandez. “We heavily rely on volunteers to make this event successful, so we’re hoping for another great turnout this year.”
Volunteers need to dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own gloves, bur organizers will provide gloves and garbage bags for the event.
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Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County Treasurer Alishia Topper reminds residents that second-installment 2019 property taxes are due on Thursday, Oct. 31.
“If you have not received your 2019 second-installment tax statement or have lost it, please visit our website at www.clark.wa.gov/treasurer or contact the Treasurer’s Office at 564.397.2252 for a duplicate statement,” Topper said.
The Treasurer’s Office is located on the second floor of the Public Service Center at 1300 Franklin St. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm.
In response to customer parking feedback, Topper is adding a convenient drive-through drop-off at the parking structure kiosk at the Public Service Center on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 31. The kiosk is near the Franklin Street entrance to the parking garage. “I’m excited to give another option to taxpayers that provides convenience and saves them money,” Topper said.
Taxpayers may pay property taxes online using a credit or debit card or from their checking or savings account. Credit/debit card payments are assessed a 2.39 percent vendor fee, and payments from electronic checking and savings accounts will carry a $1 vendor fee.
To make a payment, go to www.clark.wa.gov/treasurer/payment-options, or call 1.877.778.4606. To register to receive your tax statement electronically and manage your property taxes online, go to www.clark.wa.gov/ezPropertyTax.
Payment transactions must be completed by midnight, Thursday, Oct. 31, to avoid interest charges.
Tax payments can be mailed to the Clark County Treasurer, PO Box 35150, Seattle, WA 98124-5150. Tax payments must be postmarked by Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, to avoid interest charges. Taxpayers are encouraged to use the return envelope and payment coupon provided with their statement to mail their payments.
The following information is in response to a media request for information regarding recent death investigations by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Date of death: 09/15/2019
Location: Vancouver, WA
Decedent Name: Westby, Joseph N.
Decedent Age: 51 Yrs
Resident of: Vancouver, WA
The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:
Cause of death: Multiple Gunshot Wounds of the Torso
Manner of death: Homicide
How injury occurred: Decedent was shot by another person(s) with handgun.
Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to the Vancouver Police Department.
Nikki J. Costa
Operations Manager
The following information is in response to a media request for information regarding recent death investigations by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Date of death: 10/15/2019
Location: Vancouver, WA
Decedent Name: Chernyaev, Vladimir E.
Decedent Age: 34 Yrs
Resident of: Vancouver, WA
The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:
Cause of death: Multiple Blunt Force Injuries
Due To: Motor Vehicle Accident
Manner of death: Accident
How injury occurred: Struck by motor vehicle (car) while riding an electric scooter.
Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to the Vancouver Police Department.
Nikki J. Costa
Operations Manager
Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at 9:30 am Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019. The meeting is open to the public.
The meeting will be held in Conference Room 243, second floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.
The agenda includes discussion of the third-quarter 2019 County Finance Report.