Vancouver Connects

Welcoming a new fire chief

As we begin the new year, I am pleased to share that Vancouver’s fire chief position is now filled. John L. Drake II (JD) brings 38 years of public safety and emergency preparedness experience from Los Angeles to Vancouver. His leadership will play a critical role in our continued work to advance Vancouver's Strategic Plan goals around creating a safe and prepared community.

Growing the “HART” of Vancouver’s emergency response to homelessness

Thanks to a $1.9 million grant awarded last summer, the City has nearly doubled its Homelessness Assistance and Resources Team (HART), adding four full-time staff, with one more hire anticipated early this year. HART provides compassionate outreach, service referrals, and encampment sanitation maintenance. More than 400 individuals were cited into Community Court and 359.17+ tons of solid waste were cleaned up in 2025. Expanded staffing will also support transitioning people into the bridge shelter when it opens this fall.

Save the date

At 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, a workshop on Vancouver's Homelessness Emergency response efforts in 2025 will be shared with City Council. Watch on Facebook, CVTV or in-person at City Hall.

New year, more opportunities to make your voice heard

Got a concern, idea, or issue you’d like to share with City Council? In 2026, there are more opportunities to speak directly with Council.

• Regular Council Meetings: New in 2026, join us to speak on any topic during the Community Communication Forum held after every regular Council meeting.
• Quarterly Community Forums: Join members of Council for informal conversations on March 23, June 22, Sept. 28, and Nov. 23.

City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first through fourth Monday of each month at City Hall.

Planning starts on new corridor improvement projects

We want to hear from you! We’re planning to improve safety and comfort for all travelers on:  

• N.E. 72nd Avenue from N.E. 40th Street to N.E. 78th Street  
• N.E. 86th/87th Avenue from Mill Plain Boulevard to Fourth Plain Boulevard  
• 97th/98th Avenue from S.E. 10th Street to N.E. 39th Street  

Tell us about your experience on these streets: Use our interactive map to share your feedback.

Champion a traffic calming project for your neighborhood street

Vancouver community members are invited to submit traffic concerns and champion project locations for the City's 2026 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program. This program will award $300,000 to local projects to help slow traffic and increase safety in our neighborhoods.

Helping keep rental homes safe and livable

On Jan. 1, the City launched a new Rental Registration System designed to support healthy rental housing conditions, and strengthen communication between the City, renters, and rental housing providers. Registration by residential property owners is required annually, but fees are waived through March.