Boards and Commissions

The purpose of the Aviation Advisory Committee is to provide advice and recommendations to the airport manager, city manager, city council and departments regarding the management and operations of the Pearson Field Airport and other aviation-related issues affecting the Vancouver. 

Governing Documents

Municipal Code, Title 10 Aircraft and Airports, Ch 10.05, Pearson Field Airport

See Pearson Field Airport for more information.

The Building and Fire Code Commission makes recommendations to City Council on building and fire codes and all proposed code changes; hears appeals of building official and fire code interpretations. The membership is composed of specific construction interests.

Governing Documents

VMC 17.08.040

The City Charter requires that every five years a committee convene to review the City Charter and recommends changes to the City Council.

The purpose of the City Center Redevelopment Authority (CCRA) is to provide an independent legal entity under State law and City Ordinance (VMC 2.71) to undertake, assist with and otherwise facilitate the redevelopment of property within the Vancouver City Center Vision plan area (VCCV).

Redevelopment of the VCCV plan area by the CCRA serves essential public purposes by relieving blight, undertaking development of an underutilized area in the heart of the City in a manner consistent with City planning, facilitating private investment and economic development which will build the City’s tax base and create jobs, and providing for the development of public amenities, public parking facilities, recreational and entertainment facilities, connections to the riverfront and coordination of waterfront redevelopment efforts.

Charter and Bylaws

The Citizen Noise Advisory Committee (CNAC) is the official forum to address the community’s aircraft noise concerns. Local jurisdictions and the Port of Portland appoint the 15-member committee to represent residential and business concerns. CNAC was organized in 1998 as an official Port of Portland advisory committee on aircraft noise issues. Visit the CNAC website for agendas, meeting times and locations.  

Adopt rules for regulation of classified service; appoint secretary/examiner; maintain minutes; provide for competitive testing to prepare candidate lists; hear and determine appeals, and investigate and report on matters relating to enforcement of Civil Service matters.

Governing Documents

Vancouver Municipal Code 2.57.010 Consolidated Civil Service Rules

Promotes awareness and support of the arts as a vital part of our community and local economy by creating a more visually pleasing environment, while also expanding the opportunity and accessibility of citizens to experience art in public spaces.

Coordinates preservation activities for the County, City of Vancouver and other cities. Encourages rehabilitation projects, administers incentive programs, and maintains local Heritage Register. Council makes recommendation to the Commissioners to appoint members.

Governing Documents

Vancouver Municipal Code, 17.39.040 Clark County Historic Preservation Commission

A Board of Trustees oversees the work of the Mosquito Control District and establishes its policy. The board is comprised of one member from each city or town in Clark County and three at large members appointed by the Clark County Council. The board adopts the work plan, prepares and approves district expenditures, and contracts for services. Clark County Public Health provides administrative services for the district.

Governing Documents

See Mosquito Control District for more information.

Advises the Clark County Board of Health on issues related to public health.

Visit the Clark County Public Health website for more information.

Members: Joan Caley

The purpose of the Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission is to assist with and facilitate the development and promotion of a thriving cultural, arts and heritage environment in the Vancouver through programs, ownership of physical assets including buildings and public art and through community partnerships.

Governing Documents

VMC 2.88 Culture, Arts and Heritage Bylaws Culture, Arts and Heritage Charter

Plans

Public Art Plan Culture, Arts and Heritage Plan

About

The purpose of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority is to provide an independent legal entity under State law and City Ordinance (Chapter 2.73 VMC) to plan, design, finance, acquire, construct, equip, own, maintain, operate, repair, remodel, expand and promote of the Vancouver Convention Center and Hotel Project, consistent with redevelopment plans for the Esther Short Redevelopment Area adopted by the City.

The DRA serves as a citizen advisory body to the City Council, and Board Members work in a voluntary capacity. Members of the Board serve four-year terms which may be extended. Applicants are not required to live within the City limits.

Charter and Bylaws

History

The City Council established the DRA as a special purpose governmental entity in 1997 under RCW 35.21.730-757 with a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Council. The DRA Board approves budgets of and provides oversight and guidance to the Hotel and Convention Center project, which is managed by Hilton Corporation.

Candidates with broad business experience are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates will have experience in property management, project financing, financial management, and contracts. Additionally, experience in the lodging and restaurant fields would be helpful.

The DRA has no employees. The City’s Chief Financial Officer serves as the Executive Director of the Authority, with financial, administrative, and legal support provided by City staff.

The DRA employs an asset management firm specializing in lodging, restaurant, and convention facilities to monitor the ongoing operations of the Hotel/Convention Center and advise the DRA Board on operational, financial, and budget issues.

The DRA owns the Hotel/Convention Center facility. The land upon which the facility is located is leased by the DRA from the Vancouver Public Facilities District, which owns the property.

Current Members

• Jan Robertson, Board President
• Kathleen Kee, Secretary/Treasurer
• David Copenhaver
• Deborah Ewing
• Marc Fazio
• Brad Hutton

Governing Documents

Resolution Bylaws

Governing body of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District.

Governing Documents

See Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Board of Trustees for more information.

The City’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee was formed in accordance with state law that requires any city or county to form such a committee when they impose a new hotel-motel tax, raise the rate of an existing tax, repeal an exemption from the tax or change the use of the tax proceeds.

The purpose of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee is to make recommendations to the Vancouver City Council about how the revenue from the City’s four percent lodging tax is spent.

Files

LTAC Charter

The Parking Advisory Committee advises City Council on policy issues related to all city-owned on-street and off-street parking facilities and makes recommendations on parking regulations.

Governing Documents

Parking Services Business Plan Parking Control Zones Map PAC Jurisdiction Boundary Map Vancouver Municipal Code 2.63

The role of a Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission member is to act in an advisory manner to Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services staff, the Vancouver City Council and to advocate to decision makers and the public for parks and recreation issues.

Governing Documents

Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission Chapter 2.16 VMC

The Planning Commission is an independent review body of local citizens that provides recommendations to the City Council on changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Use and Development Code (Title 20 of the Vancouver Municipal Code). This includes formal review via a public hearing process on Comprehensive Plan map and text changes and zoning map and text changes, as well as subarea and district plans that are adopted by reference into the Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission also provides informal and advisory review via public workshop on a variety of studies, analyses, reports and plans related to land use matters. 

The Planning Commission is tasked with considering the long-term growth and development of the community. It is tasked with considering the impact of land use decisions on community livability, economic opportunity, housing affordability, public services, and the environment. The Commission brings a long term community perspective to land use policy, and is responsible for maintaining an accessible process that informs and educates the public.  

Agendas are posted 10 days in advance of meeting.

Governing Documents

VMC 20.220.010 Planning Commission Bylaws City Charter 8.01

Files

Additional Resources Planning Commissioner’s Handbook

The Public Facilities District (PFD) was created by the City Council to develop the Special Events Center in downtown Vancouver. The PFD acts as an advisory body to the City Council. Its five-member board are appointed by the Council to serve four-year terms in a voluntary capacity.

Meeting Time: Twice a year (typically in May and December)

Location: Vancouver City Hall, 415 W 6th St, Vancouver, WA 98660

Governing Documents

Public Facilities District Charter Public Facilities District Bylaws

Studies the relationship of salaries to the duties of the Mayor and City Council and establishes the salary for each. Commissioners must be registered voters and city residents.

Governing Documents

City Charter, Section 2.18 2021-2020 Salary Review Ordinance M-4294 2019-2020 Salary Review Ordinance M-4227 2017-2018 Salary Review Ordinance M-4174

Files

Salary Review Commission – Signed Ordinance 2023-2024 (PDF) Size and Form of City Governments Salary Review Commission Guidelines memo Council Assignments 2022 Salary Review Commission Requested Information Compilation 2020 Salary Review Ordinance

The Strategic Plan Advisory Committee is currently on hiatus after playing an important role in helping to inform development of the Strategic Plan (approved by City Council in June 2023) that lays out the City’s direction for the next six years and beyond.

Serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council and the Clark County Council on matters related to cable television franchising. The commission establishes rules and regulations for cable television franchises and monitors compliance with franchise agreements.

Governing Documents

City of Vancouver Comcast Cable Television Franchise Agreement Clark County Comcast Cable Television Franchise Agreement Vancouver Municipal Code – VMC 5.19.300

Files

City of Vancouver Comcast Cable Television Franchise Agreement – Signed Clark County Comcast Cable Television Franchise Agreement CVTV Programming Policy and Procedures Vancouver/Clark County Cable Related Needs Ascertainment Report

What is a TBD?

TBD stands for Transportation Benefit District. A TBD is a quasi-municipal entity created for the sole purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, providing and funding transportation improvements within the district. Under RCW 36.73 the Washington State Legislature permits local governments to establish a TBD and accompanying funding sources to provide for the preservation, maintenance and construction of local public ways.

Vancouver Street Funding Strategy/TBD Accomplishments

Vancouver’s Transportation Benefit District is committed to transparency and accountability, providing community members with information and updates on what revenues it receives and where the funds are spent. Each year, Vancouver provides a report back to the community, which also includes overall Street Funding Strategy revenues, expenses and projects. 

Documents

Vancouver’s Street Funding Strategy Report to the Community for 2022 Vancouver’s 2021 Street Funding Strategy Report Vancouver’s 2020 Street Funding Strategy Report Vancouver’s 2019 Street Funding Strategy Report Vancouver’s 2018 Street Funding Strategy Report Vancouver’s 2017 Street Funding Strategy Report Vancouver’s 2016 Street Funding Strategy Report

About the Vancouver Transportation Benefit District (TBD)

The Vancouver Transportation Benefit District (TBD) is a quasi-municipal entity, a legally separate and distinct body from the City of Vancouver, formed to support transportation improvements.

The boundaries of the TBD are identical with the City limits. By law, it is therefore required to be governed by the members of that legislative body (Vancouver City Council). acting as a separate legal entity, The Mayor of the City of Vancouver serves as the TBD Chairperson, presiding over meetings. The Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Vancouver serves as the Vice Chairperson and presides over meetings in the absence of the TBD Chair. Vancouver’s City Manager is chief executive officer and oversees the administration of the TBD.

Regular Board meetings are scheduled by the Board through a resolution in the first quarter of each calendar year. Notice is given using procedures identical to those used for regular meetings of the Vancouver City Council, as consistent with state Open Public Meetings Act.

Under state law RCW 36.73, Vancouver’s TBD has the authority to impose and/or seek voter approval of certain taxes or fees, which in turn must be dedicated to improving transportation systems. Construction, maintenance, and operation costs are eligible.

TBD Board of Directors Meetings

Please use the button at the top right of the page or the links below to view information from Board of Director meetings:

• Access other past TBD meeting agendas, minutes and details
• Watch CVTV video coverage of past TBD Board meetings and presentations

The Transportation and Mobility Commission will provide advice to Vancouver City Council, the City Manager and staff on a variety of transportation and mobility-related projects, programs and policies. It will also provide ongoing feedback and guidance on development of citywide transportation policy through the update of the city’s Transportation System Plan.

Established for the purpose of preserving, managing, and increasing the City’s urban forest thereby protecting a vital environmental, social and economic resource that benefits all residents and visitors, and for the purpose of assisting property owners and public agencies in improving and maintaining the urban forest in a manner consistent with adopted City policies.

Governing Documents

VMC 17.08.040

The members of this independent board establish policy for operation of low-income rental housing programs and low-income housing rehabilitation programs.

For more information, please visit: Vancouver Housing Authority

Governing Documents

Vancouver Housing Authority Board Policies Resident Commissioner Position Description