Office of Neighborhoods Weekly Update

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August 26, 2010 Weekly Update

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August 19, 2010 Weekly Update

August 12, 2010 Weekly Update

August 5, 2010 Weekly Update

July 15, 2010 Weekly Update

Office of Neighborhoods Weekly Update

August 26, 2010

It seems hard to believe, but it is already time to start thinking about autumn. Back to school activities are in full swing. The air is getting crisper. The garden looks great and is providing all kinds of good eats. And soon, the leaves will be turning beautiful colors. After that though, they will be falling off the trees and into our yards and street gutters. To avoid causing pools of standing water and localized street flooding residents and businesses should NOT rake or blow leaves into the street where they can block storm drain catch basins.

To help the neighborhoods take care of the fallen leaves, the City of Vancouver is again offering Fall Leaf Coupons that can be attached to neighborhood newsletters beginning in September. Free leaf disposal coupons can be redeemed beginning October 1 through December 20. Additional coupons will be available at the drop off sites and in the fall recycling newsletter.

When you send in your newsletters for printing please request the coupons as an attachment. As a reminder, for quickest turnaround of newsletter printing send your print-ready copy to newsletters@ci.vancouver.wa.us.

The Vancouver City Council will not be meeting the next 2 Mondays, as it does not convene on 5th Mondays or holidays. The next meeting will be on Monday, September 13th at 7:00 p.m., in Council Chambers, 210 E. 13th Street. The agenda includes an opportunity for citizen communication with the council after regular city business has been conducted. The public is invited to attend, or may watch the meeting on Cable Channel 23 or through video stream from the CVTV website.

Council workshop sessions precede the meeting at 4 p.m. in the same location. The public is invited to attend the council workshops, but public testimony is not taken during these sessions.

You may view the agenda for the upcoming workshop and meeting, as well as past meeting agendas and minutes here.

Here is the Street Sweeping Schedule for next week. Please take note there has been a temporary change to residential street sweeping during the summer months. Because of seasonal road maintenance the focus of the crew will be to take care of asphalt related maintenance projects. This will decrease residential sweeping schedule to a seven week turn around instead of every four weeks. Thank you for your patience as we fix roads "while the sun shines."

Paving of Chkalov and Mill Plain intersection is coming soon, weather permitting, and major detours and delays are expected for a short time.

Drivers will encounter major detours and delays from midnight Friday, Aug. 27, to approximately 9 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 28, while City of Vancouver crews place new asphalt and striping at the intersection of Chkalov Drive and Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard.

The intersection, one of the busiest in Clark County, is showing significant wear and tear from heavy traffic, as well as the effects of severe weather dating back to the 2008 winter blast. The maintenance paving is being done through the night and into the morning on a Saturday to help alleviate the disruptions and traffic restrictions needed to allow heavy equipment and crews to get in and get the work done as quickly as possible.

- Eastbound traffic on Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, east of Interstate 205, will be reduced to one through lane and one right-turn lane onto Southeast Chkalov Drive.

- Westbound traffic on Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, east of Interstate 205, will be detoured through Northeast 116th Avenue to Northeast Second Street and onto Northeast Chkalov and Northeast 112th Avenue, avoiding the Mill Plain and Chkalov intersection entirely. No westbound through traffic will be allowed on Mill Plain, west of Northeast 116th Avenue, impacting westbound access from Southeast Mill Plain to Interstate 205. To reach Interstate 205, westbound drivers should be prepared to take detours north to state Highway 500 or south to state Highway 14.

- Northbound traffic on Southeast Chkalov Drive will be restricted to right turns only at Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard.

- Southbound traffic from Northeast 112th Avenue and Northeast Chkalov Drive will follow a detour through Northeast Second Street to Northeast 116th Avenue in order to continue east on Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard. However, businesses along Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard, just east of Interstate 205, will continue to be accessible through their parking lots off Northeast Chkalov Drive.

Drivers are urged to watch for flaggers and signs warning of traffic changes and detours. Where traffic is allowed within the construction zone, drivers should proceed slowly, and be alert to construction workers, bicyclists, pedestrians and other motorists. Due to the delays and detours, drivers are urged to take another route and avoid the intersection entirely, if at all possible.

Paving and striping are highly weather-dependent processes, and the work will be rescheduled in the event of rain.

The City of Vancouver has successfully established it at the Beach Drive railroad crossing, south of Riverside Drive. The city has been working with the Federal Rail Administration (FRA) and Burlington Northern Santa Fe since 2004 on reducing noise issues in the nearby residential area, which led to establishment of this quiet zone, a railroad grade crossing at which trains are prohibited from routinely sounding their horns.

The FRA requires routine train horn blasts at public crossings. By regulation, train horns can be silenced only when other safety measures compensate for the absence of the horns. To secure this first Vancouver quiet zone designation, on-street medians were recently installed as a supplemental safety measure at the Southeast Beach Drive Crossing. The city has officially declared a notice of establishment for the Beach Drive Quiet Zone, which instructs passing train to cease blowing their horns at this crossing. Typically, however, there is frequently a transition period of a few weeks where some train engineers may blow the horns as they adjust to the new quiet designation.

To help motorists adjust to the new designation, the City has installed warning signs at the crossing, alerting drivers that trains do not sound their horns when crossing that location. In particular, Wintler Park visitors are being reminded to drive cautiously and watch for trains which are no longer required to announce their presence on the railroad track. Work is continuing on proposed quiet zones in other Vancouver locations, as well. More information will be provided on those efforts as it becomes available. Questions? Contact Matt Ransom at 487-7707 or matt.ransom@ci.vancouver.wa.us.

The Columbia River Crossing Project Sponsors Council (PSC) unanimously agreed earlier this month on a set of recommendations to the governors of Washington and Oregon for moving ahead with development and construction of the I-5 bridge project.

The draft recommendations were developed collaboratively by an integrated group of staff members from all the agencies represented on the council, as well as the ports of Portland and Vancouver. The recommendations include designing a permanent 10-lane replacement bridge over the Columbia River and changing the Hayden Island interchange design to address several community concerns. The co-chairs for the PSC will now develop a report to the governors based on the agreement. In addition to the recommendations, PSC members agreed that continued meetings of their advisory group are necessary to ensure project success. Future meetings will be planned to discuss project delivery issues related to governance, bridge type and design, and project financing.

The Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Fall Activity Guide is available now, and registration has started for fall classes! It’s online at vanclarkparks-rec.org, or you can pick it up at Marshall, Firstenburg, or the Vancouver Tennis Center. If you’ve decided to focus on fitness this fall, consider signing up for a pass to any of the three centers. Sign up in September or October and receive one month free!

LeRoy Haagen Memorial Community Park, on NE 9th St west of 136 Ave, in the Fircrest Neighborhood, is blooming with vegetables in the thriving new community gardens that were installed this year. The project will be finalized soon, thanks to a local Eagle Scout, Tyler Crebar, who took on a project of completing four new raised planter beds, near the entry gate to the gardens. The new planter boxes will provide accessible garden space for community gardens users. The planters will be surrounded by compacted gravel that will be easy to walk on for citizens with mobility challenges. The scout project is part of the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department's ongoing community volunteer efforts to enhance the community's parks. For more information on the community gardens see Community Gardens and How To Help.

The Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation Department will begin renting the boxes next season. Contact: Elizabeth Jordan, Capital Program Manager, 619-1121 or elizabeth.jordan@ci.vancouver.wa.us.

While stock market changes, job losses, foreclosures and financial stress continue to batter our communities, more residents are depending on public assistance. More than ever, people need to stay connected to community resources and emergency services that can help them survive this economic crisis. Access to local telephone service can be the difference between finding help and feeling isolated.

The Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP) offers eligible residents a low-cost landline phone for about $8 a month. If you, or someone you know, is receiving assistance from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), you may quality for the WTAP program.
Residents receiving food stamps, Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF), general assistance and other public programs could qualify for the WTAP program. To sign up, call your local telephone provider and provide your DSHS client ID number. You can receive a low to no cost phone line installation, and basic local phone service for $8 a month with no deposit required. If landline telephone service is not available, WTAP provides a voice mailbox and personal telephone number because the line between a job interview and a job offer can be as thin as a telephone cord.

While times may be tough, the ability to stay connected with family, friends and resources can improve the quality of life for those who may be struggling. Pass this information on to those who need to stay connected and help our neighbors work through these tough times!

For more information on the WTAP program or landline telephone services, contact the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission’s Consumer Help Line at 1-888-333-WUTC (9882) or e-mail consumer@utc.wa.gov.

The Board of County Commissioners has approved an ordinance that establishes a pilot program for residential, commercial and mixed-use projects pursuing the Living Building Challenge, one of the world’s most rigorous green building performance standards. The Sustainable Communities Ordinance allows some projects to bypass more traditional local codes and regulations to pursue the use of advanced green-building strategies.

Clark County is now accepting projects to the Sustainable Communities Ordinance pilot program. Enrollment will be open for five years, or until a total of six projects are accepted. More information can be found at Clark County’s Sustainable Communities.

"Clark County is at the leading edge of a growing number of local governments seeking ways to support Living Buildings in their communities,” said Jason F. McLennan, chief executive officer of the Cascadia Green Building Council.

Contact: Pete DuBois, Environmental Services, (360) 397-2121, ext. 4961, Pete.Dubois@clark.wa.gov.

Our Port of Vancouver commissioners have been talking with Vancouver residents—about the port’s recent expansion and efforts to create jobs. Now they want to share what they’ve heard and give updates on how investments in rail and industrial property are paying off.

At the Commissioners Forum, Thursday, September 9, 7-8:30 P.M., join in the discussion of strategies to get our economy back on course— your voice is important. It will be held at the Port of Vancouver Administration Building, 3103 N.W. Lower River Road, Vancouver, WA 98660. Julia Anderson, retired Business Editor for The Columbian newspaper will be the host, and it will be televised on CVTV Channel 21.

Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation 50 and Better presents Antique Road Review, the Luepke senior theatre club, under the direction of Janet Green, in the revue, “Gone Country”. Enjoy their musical, dancing and acting talents at the following dates and times at Luepke Center Community Room, 1009 East McLoughlin Blvd.:

- Friday, 9/10 10:15 a.m. Cost: FREE
- Friday, 9/10   6:30-8pm   Cost: $2.50
- Saturday, 9/11 11am-12:30pm   Cost: $2.50

Register by phone at 487-7100 or pay at the door. Contact Kelly Lund, Recreation Specialist, at 476-7055 or Kelly.lund@ci.vancouver.wa.us.

Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) is opening its doors to the public during its annual 911 Day Open House Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.The event will take place at CRESA, 710 W. 13th Street, Vancouver, Washington, 98660. The public will have the unique opportunity to tour the 9-1-1 center and see dispatchers in action taking emergency calls. Sneak a peek inside the workings of our Emergency Operations Center while subject matter experts are on hand to provide overviews and answer your questions. Interact with representatives from our Homeland Security division, a warning center Meteorologist from the National Weather Service, Free child ID kits offered, a county mapping expert and Amateur Radio technical experts.

Enjoy lively demonstrations from the local law enforcement K-9 units, SWAT Team, and many local skilled Search and Rescue Groups. Explore the latest in specialized public safety vehicles including Armored Personnel Carrier, Heavy Rescue Vehicles, Fire Engines, Ambulances, Police Command Vehicles, and much more.

Some of the fun activities that are planned for the children include coloring, button making, meeting firefighters and visiting with the police and search and rescue dogs. Complimentary refreshments donated by five local businesses will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. CRESA and the participating agencies and volunteers are proud to offer this free and educational community event.

Contact Cindy Stanley, Emergency Management Coordinator, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency,360-619-838, cindy.stanley@clark.wa.gov.

With a little imagination, you and your sturgeon could be stars of the 2010 Sturgeon Festival: A Celebration of Columbia River Ecosystems at the Water Resources Education Center. New to this year's popular Sturgeon Festival on Saturday, Sept. 18, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a challenge aimed at making the venerable sturgeon a familiar figure in the community. All you need is a standee – basically a cardboard cutout - of the Water Center sturgeon, a great setting, a creative idea, maybe even a costume, and a camera of some kind.

You can borrow a sturgeon standee from the Water Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way; Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE 136 Avenue; or Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin. Or go to the Water Center's website and print off the 30-inch sturgeon image and make a sturgeon standee on your own. Now you're ready to make some creative waves. Pose your sturgeon and snap a photo suitable for display at the family friendly community festival. You can enter one or all of these theme categories: Sturgeon and You Go "Green", Sturgeon and You Make a Difference, Sturgeon Takes a Hike, Sturgeon Goes to Dinner, Sturgeon Gets a Makeover.

Be sure to read the O-fish-all rules and fill out your entry form, available from the Water Center, Firstenburg Community Center or Marshall Community Center or online. Send or deliver your form and photo to the Water Center electronically, by regular mail or in person by the deadline of 5 p.m., Sept. 15. All accepted photos will be posted at the Water Center during the Sturgeon Festival. You may even win a prize donated by one of our local businesses.

Highlights for this year's Sturgeon Festival include Eartha the Clown, Birds of Prey, fish dissections and the Creature Feature reptile show. The festival is sponsored by the City of Vancouver's Water Resources Education Center and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Admission to this event and regular Water Center attractions is free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For additional information contact Cory Samia, Educator, Water Resources Education Center at 360-487-7111 or cory.samia@ci.vancouver.wa.us.

The needs and expectations for housing change with age. Housing options in the community should reflect these evolving needs and expectations. A livable community provides a range of housing types at various levels of affordability. Join in a discussion of the “age-friendliness” of housing choices in the county.

You are invited to share your ideas and professional expertise about the community’s current situation and future needs regarding housing. Clark County’s Aging Readiness task force is accepting reservations for a housing workshop on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, 3:00-6:00 p.m.. It will be at Clark College at Columbia Tech Center, 18700 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd.

The workshop is the first of five the task force will host as members develop an Aging Readiness Plan to prepare Clark County for the aging boom and keep our community livable for residents of all ages. See the online schedule of the remaining four workshops and the topics. Due to space limitations, reservations are required. To reserve a seat please call Jacqueline Kamp at Community Planning at 360-397-2280 ext. 4913 or reply to rsvp@clark.wa.gov.

What’s happening with the Shoreline Master Programs Update? How might it affect the use of your property? Join us to find out at the First Tuesday Presentation on October 5, 2010, at 4 p.m. in Vancouver City Hall - Council Chambers - 210 E. 13th St.

The Shoreline Master Programs Update is a collaborative effort of Battle Ground, Camas, Clark County, La Center, Ridgefield, Vancouver, Washougal, and Yacolt. It is required by the Shoreline Management Act of 1971 and funded by a grant from the Department of Ecology.

Sponsored by the Vancouver Planning Commission this presentation is for informational purposes - no policy decisions will be made. Please RSVP to Terry Lenhart at 360-487-7955 or terry.lenhart@ci.vancouver.wa.us.

Vancouver Public Schools will host four Superintendent’s Patron Tours in the school year 2010-11, on October 15, December 3, February 11, and April 15. Join Superintendent Steve Webb as he showcases the dynamic learning opportunities that are available to the 22,800 students. Patron tours are the best way to find out what’s new in your school district.

Highlights will include technology and innovation pilots, language immersion programs, professional learning communities, early childhood education partnerships, family-community resource centers, plans for a Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) magnet school, and much more. Tours begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 1 p.m. They feature a delicious luncheon prepared by students in the district's award-winning culinary arts program. Everyone is welcome, so invite your co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family members. To register for a tour, please contact Sue Knable at 313-4720 or susan.knable@vansd.org . Space is limited, so sign up today.

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