Mayor and City Council

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About
Meet your Mayor and City Council
Proclamations, Policies and Notices
Public Participation
Requests and Contact Form

About

The city is managed by a council-manager form of government. This system empowers the community members of Vancouver and provides responsive, progressive leadership and a vision for our community.

The City Council, subject to the Washington State constitution, general statutes enacted under its authority and the provisions of the Vancouver City Charter, are vested with the authority of an elective council to enact ordinances or resolutions, adopt rules and regulations, appoint and remove the city manager, fix all salaries, adopt the budget, control indebtedness and the issuance of bonds, and to provide for an independent audit of any department or office (Charter Article I, Section 1.03 Form of Government, and Article II, Section 2.05 Powers and Duties).

The Council has seven members, including a mayor that is elected from the city at large. The Mayor and Councilmembers serve four-year terms. One Councilmember is appointed biennially to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore and will act as mayor in the absence or disability of the mayor.

For complete information on the powers and duties of City Council, read Article II of the City Charter.

Meetings, Agendas, Minutes

About Our City Council

City Government in Vancouver is the essence of democracy and citizen rule. The city is managed by a Council/Manager form of government. This system empowers the citizens of Vancouver and provides responsive, progressive leadership and a vision for our community.

The City Council, subject to the Washington State constitution, general statutes enacted under its authority and the provisions of the Vancouver City Charter, are vested with the authority of an elective council to enact ordinances or resolutions, adopt rules and regulations, appoint and remove the city manager, fix all salaries, adopt the budget, control indebtedness and the issuance of bonds, and to provide for an independent audit of any department or office. (Charter Article I, Section 1.03 Form of Government, and Article II, Section 2.05 Powers and Duties)

The Council has seven members, including a mayor, nominated and elected from the city at large. The Mayor and Councilmembers serve four-year terms. One Councilmember is appointed biennially to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore and will act as mayor in the absence or disability of the mayor.

Terms and Qualifications of City Council

Following is a summary of City Council terms and qualifications taken from the City Charter:

Section 2.01 Number, Terms: The council shall have seven members, including a mayor, nominated and elected from the city at large in the manner hereinafter provided: Commencing in the 1971 municipal election, three persons shall be elected to four-year terms as councilmembers at each biennial municipal election and; provided further, commencing in the 2005 biennial municipal election, one person shall be elected to a four-year term as mayor.

The person elected mayor shall have the powers of the mayor as provided in this charter and also all powers of a city councilmember. All incumbent councilmembers shall continue to serve until their successors are elected and qualified. In the event of a tie vote, the election shall be decided by lot. (As amended by vote of the people on November 4, 1969 and November 2, 2004.)

Section 2.02 Qualifications: Councilmembers shall be qualified electors and residents of the city for a continuous period of at least two years next prior to their election, and shall hold no other public office or employment under the city government. If a councilmember shall cease to have these qualifications or shall be convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or shall be absent from three consecutive regular meetings without being granted a leave of absence by the city council, this office shall become vacant and be so declared by the city council.

Section 2.03 Compensation: A councilmember shall receive a salary, payable in monthly installments; such compensation may be changed by ordinance. (As amended by vote of the people on November 6, 1984.)

If you are interested in running for City Council, please contact the Clark County Auditor’s Office – Elections Department at 360-397-2345 or visit their website: Clark County Elections.

Site not controlled by the City of Vancouver.

Meet your Mayor and City Council

Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle

Mayor

Current term: 2022 through 2025

Anne McEnerny-Ogle was originally elected to Vancouver City Council in November 2013 and took her first oath of office on January 1, 2014. She became the first woman to serve as Mayor of Vancouver on January 1, 2018, where she has helped to lead efforts in economic development, regional community relations, and transportation.

Anne attended Southern Oregon State College in Ashland, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1974. Two years later, she received her master’s degree in education from Lewis and Clark College in Portland. Mayor Anne taught for 30 years for Lake Oswego Public Schools, where she also served as chair of the mathematics department. During her career, she served as editor and author for Oregon’s State Math Journal, was a lecturer and instructor at colleges and universities, consulted for school districts in Washington and Oregon, and co-authored a book about reforming middle school mathematics.

Anne made improving the city she and her family call home a priority. She served for five years on the Vancouver’s Planning Commission and chaired both the Shumway Neighborhood Association Board and the Vancouver Neighborhood Alliance. She also served as board member and vice president of the Clark County Historical Society, chair and board member of Daybreak Youth Services’ Advisory Board, treasurer for the Uptown Village Association and president of the League of Women Voters, just to name a few.

Mayor Anne’s current assignments include serving as the chair for the C-TRAN Board of Directors, vice chair of the Southwest Regional Transportation Council, member of Metro’s Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation, and chair of the Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization Policy Committee. The Mayor also serves on the board for Greater Portland Inc. (GPI), is a member of the Metropolitan Mayors Ad-Hoc Consortium and the Association of Washington Cities and has active memberships in numerous business associations.

She continues to volunteer with the Vancouver Police Department’s Neighbors on Watch (NOW) program, the Rotarians, and the Community Military Appreciation Committee. Anne’s heart for Armed Forces is evidenced by her faithful presence and participation in local events honoring their bravery and sacrifice. The wife of a Vietnam veteran, Anne is personally grateful to celebrate those who have served, continue to serve and will serve in the future. Mayor Anne and her husband, Terry, have one grown son, and have been Vancouver residents since 1980.

Recent Awards

Iris Award – Women of Achievement in Southwest Washington, 2016
The Leadership Clark County Outstanding Alumnus Award, 2016
SW Washington Central Labor Council – In Solidarity Award, 2018
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce – Community Statesman, 2019
Boy Scouts of America – Distinguished Citizen Award, 2020
U.S. Global Leadership Coalition – Global Statesman, 2021
Royal Rosarians – Honorary Member, 2021
American Public Transportation Association Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member, 2022
Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative - Class of 2023

Current Assignments

Association of Washington Cities Large City Advisory Committee
Association of Washington Cities Bylaws Committee
Clark County Law & Justice Council
Clark Regional Wastewater District Oversight Committee
Columbia River Economic Development Council (alternate)
C-TRAN Board of Directors – Chair
Ending Community Homelessness Organization (alternate)
Greater Portland Inc (GPI)
Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Community Benefits Co-Convener
Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Executive Steering Group
Joint Policy Advisory Committee on Transportation
Greater Portland Economic Development District Board of Directors Advisor
Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization (RDPO) – Chair, Policy Committee
Southwest Regional Transportation Council – Chair
Vancouver Fire and Police Pension Boards – Chair
WA Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board – City Representative
Governor-elect Transition Team – Transportation Subcommittee
Governor-elect Transition Team – Public Safety Subcommittee
Clark County Law and Justice Council – Vice Chair

Current Community Involvement

Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC), Volunteer
Neighbors on Watch (NOW), Volunteer
Clark County Historical Society, Member
Vancouver Downtown Rotary Club, Member
Uptown Village Association, Member
Clark County League of Women Voters, Member
Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Government and Public Affairs, Member
East Vancouver Business Association, Member
Greater Portland Inc., Board Member
Metropolitan Mayors Ad-Hoc Consortium, Member
Association of Washington Cities, Member
Assistance League of Southwest Washington
Fire Corps Volunteer
NAACP, Member

Previous Community Involvement

Leadership Clark County Graduate
Shumway Neighborhood Association Chair
Vancouver Neighborhood Alliance Chair
Vancouver Planning Commission Chair
Fort Vancouver Boy Scouts of America Chair
WA Department of Revenue Tax Structure Work Group – Association of Washington Cities Appointee

Councilmember Kim D. Harless

Mayor Pro Tem Erik Paulsen

Councilmember Diana H. Perez

Councilmember Bart Hansen

Councilmember Ty Stober

Councilmember Sarah J. Fox

Proclamations, Policies and Notices

Public Participation

Guidelines for Community Testimony

Please refer to the published agenda for each specific Council meeting for information about the structure and protocol, including opportunities for public comment (see below), of that meeting.

All City Council workshops and meetings are broadcast (live closed captioning available) on www.cvtv.org, CVTV cable channels 23/HD 323, and on the City’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/VancouverUS.

The public is invited to provide comments to Council during each Regular City Council meeting, per Council Policy and Procedure 100-32.

The Below are guidelines for members of the public interested in speaking to Council during meetings. For more information, please refer to Policy 100-32.

Public Comments at Regular Meetings
Testimony Registration
Additional Information

City Council – 2025 Meeting Calendar

Public Comments at Regular Council Meetings

Regular Council Meetings take place on the first, second, third, and fourth Mondays of the month. In the event a City-recognized holiday occurs on Monday, the Council shall not meet. Regular Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m.

At the start of the meeting, prior to consideration of the Consent Agenda, the public will be invited to comment on any item or matter on that meeting’s agenda that is not scheduled for a formal public hearing. This allows community members an opportunity to address agenda matters before Council takes action on them.
The public will be invited to provide testimony on any item scheduled for public hearing. Speakers will be called to testify during the relative public hearing.
The public will be invited to provide testimony on any matter on a monthly basis at a Community Communication Forum. Please see details below regarding the timing and protocol for these opportunities.
For all comments and testimony, speakers are asked to limit their combined statements to about three minutes total in order to allow as many people as possible the chance to address Council. Please see information below about how to register to testify.
Pursuant to Council Policy 100-32, if any speaker exceeds the 3:00 minutes allotted for public testimony or speaks on matters other than City business, that speaker may be issued a 90-day or 180-day suspension from verbal testimony.

Information about Community Forums

Testimony Registration

All members of the public who wish to testify will be required to register in advance by submitting the form below or by calling the City Manager’s Office at 360-487-8600 by 12 p.m. on the day of the Council meeting. Registration for in-person testimony also will be accepted at the Council meeting until 6:30 p.m. Instructions for signing up will be posted outside of the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Opportunities for public testimony and details about additional protocol will be published on the agenda for each specific Council meeting. View Council agendas with supporting documentation and Council meeting minutes.

Additional Information

Members of the public who wish to submit lengthy or detailed testimony are encouraged to provide their comments in written form at least a week in advance to allow Council time to consider the information provided.
During all Council meetings, speakers are asked to address the Council as a whole and in an orderly manner.
The City Council will be accepting testimony regarding any matter on the agenda during its next regular meeting. Testimony may be provided in person in the Council Chambers at City Hall or remotely over the GoToMeeting conferencing platform.
Advance registration is required for members of the public who wish to provide in-person or remote testimony during the City Council meeting.
Online registration will close at 12 p.m. on the day of the upcoming Council meeting.
There are sign up cards and a submission box outside of Council Chambers for in person sign up only. Testimony sign up cards must be submitted no later than 6:30 p.m. on the day of the upcoming Council meeting.
Anyone who has registered to testify remotely must be available to connect or call in to the Council meeting between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. on the day of the upcoming Council meeting. Detailed instructions will be emailed to participants after registration closes the day of the Council meeting, including the link and credentials for accessing the GoToMeeting session.
Written comments on agenda items will also be accepted. Comments should be emailed to council@cityofvancouver.us by 12 p.m. on the day of the Council meeting to submit them to the City Council in advance.

View the March 17 agenda

The Council meeting will be available to view live on CVTV Comcast Channel 23 / 323, on www.cvtv.org, and on the City’s Facebook page, facebook.com/vancouverus. Community Communication Forums are not televised or streamed by CVTV.

To register to testify during the Council meeting, please fill out and submit the form below.

Please note that pursuant to the state’s Public Records Act (RCW 42.56), registration forms submitted for Council testimony are public records and may be subject to public disclosure.

Requests and Contact Form

Contact City Council

Please use this form for City Council inquiries.

City Resources:

This correspondence is subject to public disclosure according to the public records act (RCW 42.56). Absent applicable exemptions, the City of Vancouver may be required to release your name and/or information submitted in this communication upon request. Comments submitted regarding upcoming Council agenda items will be incorporated into the record and minutes for that agenda.

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Request a City Council Proclamation

Thank you for requesting a Proclamation from the Mayor, City Council and City of Vancouver. We appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge and support the special occasion or cause.

The City receives many requests to present both new and annually recurring proclamations each and every month. As such, formal presentation of proclamations at City Council meetings is limited.

After review of your request by Staff and the Mayor, the City will provide notification of how the proclamation will be presented. If a formal presentation at a City Council meeting is available, the expectation is there will be a representative on hand to receive the proclamation from the Mayor and make brief comments. If a formal presentation at a City Council meeting is not available, the proclamation will be emailed and mailed.

Requests for City of Vancouver proclamations should be submitted 30 days prior to the requested Council Meeting date, or if it is to be mailed, one month before the scheduled event/activity. City Council meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. (Please refer to the Council meeting calendar for specific dates.) Up to two proclamations may be read per meeting.

Please review proclamation and presentation guidelines prior to submitting your request.

Request a City Council Proclamation

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Request City Council Special Presentation

City Council appreciates the opportunity to hear updates from local groups or agencies affiliated with the City to report on recent or upcoming community events and activities. City Council meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. (Please refer to the Council meeting calendar for specific dates.)

Requests to make City Council presentations should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the preferred Council Meeting date. City Staff and the Mayor will review requests to make a presentation during a City Council meeting, and City Staff will notify applicant if an opportunity is available at the meeting. If such an opportunity is not available, the applicant group is welcome to speak during a regularly scheduled Community Communication Forum to provide a brief report to the Council. Briefings at a Community Communication Forum must follow the established protocol for testimony during a forum.

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Resources

Contact Us

Main: 360-487-8629

Mayor and City Council

About Our City Council

Terms and Qualifications of City Council

Meet your Mayor and City Council

Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle

Councilmember Kim D. Harless

Mayor Pro Tem Erik Paulsen

Councilmember Diana H. Perez

Councilmember Bart Hansen

Councilmember Ty Stober

Councilmember Sarah J. Fox

Proclamations, Policies and Notices

Proclamations

City Council Policies

Public Notices

Guidelines for Community Testimony

Public Comments at Regular Council Meetings

Information about Community Forums

Testimony Registration

Additional Information

Requests and Contact Form

Contact City Council

Request a City Council Proclamation

Request City Council Special Presentation

Resources

Contact Us