In Clark County
Few dogs, cats are licensed
County auditor
wants more effort made to license pets
 The number of dog and cat licenses issued in Clark County has declined since 2001 despite a rising county population, and Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey wants more effort made to have pets licensed.
Kimsey estimated that less than 20 percent of dogs in the county are licensed, and less than 5 percent of cats.
The Oct. 2 report notes that the number of dog licenses issued in the county declined from 18,178 in 2003 to 17,771 in 2006 despite a 14 percent increase in county population.
The report used a guide for local governments to estimate the number of dogs in the county at 99,000. That would mean that 18 percent of the estimated dog population are licensed.
The report noted that the number of cat licenses issued has also declined, down 25 percent between 2003 and 2006. The decline was blamed on both a license fee increase and a decline in the number of licensing agents.
The report urged county officials to reconsider a proposal for another increase in cat licensing fees.
The number of dog and cat licenses issued in the county both peaked in 2003 when 18,178 dogs and 7,249 cats were licensed.
Clark County Animal Protection and Control increased the cat license fee in 2003 from $12 to $20 for an “intact” cat, and from $6 to $10 for a spayed or neutered animal.
According to the audit report, Animal Protection and Control has proposed to increase the cat licensing fee from $20 to $38 for an intact tact, and from $10 to $15 if spayed or neutered. The report recommended that the fee increases be reconsidered in light of the decline in the number of licensed animals.
About 40 percent of the licensed dogs in Clark County are in the city of Vancouver, and about half of licensed cats are in that city.
The number of licensing agents declined from 20 to 9 between 2003 and 2006. Licensing agents include veterinary offices and pet stores. Some agents quit providing licensing services, said the report, because the administrative procedures were not worth the time and money involved.
The report estimated the cat population in Clark County as 107,000 in 2006, with just 5,411 licensed.
Kimsey’s report, prepared by the county’s senior management analyst Larry Feltz, recommended that county officials set goals for the number of dog and cat licenses issued annually and work toward those goals.
The report also recommends that the county increase the number of licensing agents and move forward with plans for on-line licensing.
In response to the audit report, Linda Moorhead, who overseas the county’s Animal Protection and Control Division, said report recommendations would be implemented.
Moorhead said a staff member who canvasses neighborhoods for unlicensed pets would be given more time for that task and would work Saturdays when more people might be at home.
Moorhead said work would continue toward on-line pet licensing.
Moorhead said work would be done to determine if higher license fees deterred people from licensing pets. A decision on higher fees would be made by the end of 2008, she said.
Moorhead said she would visit veterinarian clinics and pet stores to encourage them to promote licensing either as licensing agents or by distributing license applications.
Other issues
The report discussed several related issues.
Clark County provides animal licensing and code enforcement services for the city of Vancouver under a reimbursement contract. The audit report said the county has charged Vancouver the same amount--$289,000 annually--from 2001 through 2006, despite changes in the amount of service provided.
The auditors calculated that Vancouver should have been charged an additional $63,122 in 2006 alone and nearly a quarter million dollars for the 2001-2006 period. The report recommends that Clark County officials bill Vancouver for costs incurred in animal control services.
Moorhead said her department’s finance manager will calculate the amount to be charged to Vancouver annually, making adjustments for the cost of services provided.
The report notes that the number of barking dog complaints rose during the 2001-2006 period, but better methods are needed to resolve such problems. The report recommended that neighbors be equipped with techniques to resolve their own noise complaints.
Moorhead said she would consider putting more responsibility on neighbors for resolving noise complaints.
The report also found that the Humane Society for Southwest Washington is overcrowded, especially with an increasing number of cats taken in each year. The report recommends that the county assist in analyzing the need for and funding of a new shelter facility.
Feltz may be reached at 397-2310, ext. 4689, and Moorhead at 397-2375, ext. 4119.

Food bank benefits from
auction
 The North County Community Food Bank gained $16,280.56 in a charity dinner and auction held Sept. 29 at the Royal Oaks Country Club in Vancouver.
Elaine Hertz, executive director of the Food Bank, said the total was down about $10,000 from the 2006 auction due in part to a trip that sold for $4,000 last year, and some items that sold for lesser amounts.
Hertz said that Skip Ogden of Dan’s Tractor donated a lawn tractor both this year and last. This year’s tractor, valued at $3,200, sold for $1,600, whereas the donation garnered $2,200 last year.
Biggest selling items this year, said Hertz, were a purse with an unknown amount of money in it, which sold for $800, and a group of outdated Battle Ground city street signs that sold for $700.
The Spirit of the Community portion of the auction, during which those attending are asked to donate to the Food Bank without buying items, produced $11,000, or about two-thirds of the total auction earnings.
Auction participants purchased lunch with each of the Clark County commissioners. Lunch for two with commissioner Steve Stuart went for $200, lunch with Betty Sue Morris went for $130, and lunch with Marc Boldt garnered $45.
Stuart was promoted to female auction attendees as an available bachelor.
In addition to the annual auction, the Food Bank raises money through a garage sale, Cruise In, Victorian Tea, and donations.
Battle Ground city council member Mike Ciraulo served as master of ceremonies for the auction. Auction sponsors included Royal Oaks Country Club, Dan’s Tractor, Grover’s Electric and Plumbing, and Nu Life Chiropractic.
The Food Bank may be reached at 687-5007.

Mueller and Miller quit council races
Bill Myers
staff reporter
The names of city council candidates Randy Mueller in Ridgefield and council candidate Jim Miller in La Center will remain on November ballots, but they won’t serve if elected.
Mueller announced his withdrawal in a Sept. 26 statement to the press, saying he recently accepted an employment offer from the Port of Ridgefield in a planning position that will involve confidential work and negotiations which would will conflict with service on the city council. Mueller had been working as a hired consultant for the Port under a contract scheduled to expire in November.
A Clark County Superior Court on Oct. 3 refused a request by Mueller to have his name withdrawn from the November general election ballot.
Judge Robert Harris declined Mueller’s request because ballots have been printed, and some even mailed to military personnel.
Clark County Elections Office spokesman Tim Likness said he is not aware of any law that would require Mueller to resign a city council position because of a Port job. “He could always recuse himself from issues that involve the Port,” said Likness.
Mueller, interviewed Oct. 1, said it really depends on how one reads the state statute that prohibits conflicts of interest. “The Port offered me a great career opportunity, and I want to be even over-cautious to avoid any appearances of impropriety,” he said.
Joe Melroy, a commissioner with the Port of Ridgefield, said Port policy prohibits a Port employee from serving as an elected official with the city of Ridgefield. While that policy is not in writing, said Melroy, Meuller has been informed of the policy.
Mueller’s resignation leaves David Taylor, his opponent for the Position 2 council post, unopposed.
Miller, who was opposing incumbent Linda Tracy for the Position 5 council position in La Center, recently notified Clark County elections officials that he has accepted a job opportunity in San Diego County.
Miller’s wife, Pat, said the family will be moving to the San Diego area soon. Miller, already at his new materials manager post, was not available for comment. The Millers have been La Center residents for the past eight years.
November ballots will continue to show Mueller and Miller as candidates for city council posts.
Likness said if either candidate wins and chooses not to serve, he will have to resident in writing or refuse to be sworn in. The appropriate council would then appoint a replacement. Likness said candidates who withdraw after ballots are printed should always advise members of the media and their opponents so the voting public is informed.

Council delays casino action
Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter
Action on a proposed Woodland resolution opposing a Cowlitz casino on I-5 has been delayed until Oct. 15.
Citing a lack of time, Woodland Mayor Doug Monge and City Attorney Paul Brachvogel said during an Oct. 1 city council meeting that they had not been able to prepare a resolution for the city council to consider. Two draft resolutions were presented during the Sept. 4 meeting by Darlene Johnson, an owner of Woodland Truck Line.
For the second time, Johnson and Sarah Coomber of Citizens Against Reservation Shopping urged the council to adopt a resolution. Johnson presented a third draft of a proposal that she said she hoped would satisfy the city council’s concerns.
“We did ask for a resolution on Sept. 4,” said council member Marilee McCall. “We asked the attorney to do this.”
At that time no date was set for the council to consider a resolution.
Council member Jim Tone agreed that the resolution should be prepared soon.
“I want to move this forward,” he said. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the intent.”
Tone said the resolution needs only to be put in official language and that any information presented as fact should be substantiated.
The two earlier resolutions called for the council to “prosecute all appropriate administrative appeals and/or commence litigation…, or join in litigation…,” if the U.S. Department of Interior approves the casino.
The draft presented by Johnson to the city council on Oct. 1 does not require that the council take legal action, but leaves that decision up to the city council.
“…The city attorney is directed to report to council all litigation commenced by other entities regarding the final decision. The council further declares that council shall decide whether to join in any litigation.”
The Cowlitz Tribe has asked the Department of Interior to put into trust land about 152 acres west of I-5 near the La Center Road interchange. The tribe has said it will build a casino and hotel that will be operated by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut.
The final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the casino is expected to be released this fall. The comment period has ended, but a spokesman for the Portland office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs said that municipal resolutions will be studied at the Portland office and forward it to the Washington, D.C. office, if they contain any new information.
Tone has asked that the Woodland School District and the Woodland Port Commission also prepare resolutions.
Michael Green, superintendent of Woodland schools, said the board is studying the draft EIS, but has made no decision and has not asked that a resolution be prepared. The board may discuss the casino proposal at its Oct. 22 meeting, he said.
A request to consider opposing the casino was taken to the Woodland Port Commission on Sept. 16, but executive director Dave Ripp said the Port tabled the matter without discussion until Oct. 23.
The cities of Vancouver and La Center have passed resolutions opposing the casino. Ridgefield has taken no formal position and City Manager Justin Clary said he does not know of any proposed city council action opposing the casino.

Brachvogel resigns as Woodland attorney
 Woodland City Attorney Paul Brachvogel has announced his resignation, but has not set a final date.
Brachvogel, who has been named Kelso city manager, said he will continue to serve Woodland until a city attorney is found. He plans to continue as Kelso’s city attorney.
“I want to make sure Woodland has a lawyer they can trust and they like,” said Brachvogel.
The Kelso attorney has been Woodland’s city attorney for four years.
A Ridgefield resident, Brachvogel said he plans to move to Kelso with his wife Jenny and children Natalie, 2, and Sarah, 5.

Blum says outreach vital for new mayor
Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter
Mayoral candidate Chuck Blum said he’s been spending hours going door to door, visiting prospective voters.
“Voters don’t necessarily contact the candidate,” he said. “The candidate has to contact the voters.”
Those who have talked to Blum have expressed concerns about growth, parks, transportation, and the condition of Horseshoe Lake, he said.
“Managed growth is a big issue,” he said. “We’ve grown 30 percent in the last 10 years.”
Blum said the urban growth boundary review committee should become active and the comprehensive plan reviewed.
The city’s growth has led to other issues, including the amount of parks and traffic problems.
“Transportation is a huge issue,” he said. “We should have started the 20-year plan six or seven years ago. To do one interchange will cost in excess of $100 million.”
Blum hopes to see three corridors connecting the north and south sides of the city: the current Lewis River Road, an underpass at Scott Avenue, and the extension of Atlantic and Pacific avenues to Dike Access Road.
He does not believe in charging transportation impact fees to industries and businesses, but he does see the possibility of fees for residential development.
“We need incentives for industrial and commercial development,” he said. “For residential development I would consider traffic impact fees. Industry and commerce pays its own way; they build special type streets to fit their needs.”
Woodland residents have said more activities are needed for young people, especially teenagers, Blum said. The skateboard park is a start, he said.
The water quality in Horseshoe Lake has people concerned, Blum said, as does the existence of Eurasian watermilfoil, an invasive plant species, in the Lake.
“The city needs to do something about the milfoil,” Blum said. “It’s the city’s responsibility. We have a water quality (city) committee that should become active.
“The Lake is such an asset. With the Lewis River and the Lake, we have such assets. We need to protect them.”
The city operates under the strong mayor form of government, and the city council has discussed and rejected the idea of a city administrator. Should the city decide to move to a city manager form of government, a vote of the people would be required. Blum opposes both.
“I don’t want to see the city government change,” he said. “If the citizens are dissatisfied with the mayor, they can vote the person out of office. I don’t think an administrator is necessary. It creates an additional layer of government. I don’t think the city can afford either an administrator or a manager.”
Should he become the next mayor, Blum said he expects to spend more than 40 hours a week at the job “inside City Hall and out in the neighborhoods talking to people. This is a two-way boulevard.”
Blum, 69, is retired and sells advertising on contract for the Lewis River Review, a Woodland monthly newspaper. At one time he owned a wholesale dairy products company in Woodland, and he was an advertising representative for the Longview Daily News.
A city council member for 10 years, Blum has been Planters Days chairman. He is a Mason and a Shriner and during football season, he moves the chains on the football field at Woodland High School.
“I’m third generation Woodland,” he said. “My great-grandparents homesteaded here.”
Blum and his wife Sharon have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Burke promises open government
Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter
Woodland City council member John J. Burke, a candidate for mayor, sees growth and transportation as major issues facing the city, but he also believes that City Hall should have a more open working relationship with the public.
“We need to get the administration people straightened up,” he said. “We should make people more easily available, have more communication with the public, and get the staff working with the public. I believe in an open line of communication.”
Burke said he has heard from people who have had unpleasant experiences with city employees.
“I would like to have open forums where citizens can come and bring their problems,” he said.
Transportation is a more difficult problem facing the city government. A citywide transportation study is expected to be complete during 2008, and Burke said the study should “enlighten us as to what we need to do.”
An overpass on Scott Avenue connecting the north and south sides of the city should be considered, but Burke said, “There are other ways to do it. Anything’s possible, but it all falls to money.”
Traffic along Lewis River Road (SR-503) is also a problem, Burke said, and the city must focus on relieving the congestion along the state highway.
“We need to work on turn lanes on 503,” he said. “We’ve got $1 million to do that.”
Despite transportation issues, Burke said he is opposed to transportation impact fees for any type of development.
“I don’t like impact fees, except for schools. It’s been a touchy subject,” he said. “We pay taxes to cover traffic issues, and developers put in streets.”
The candidate did not rule out the possibility of traffic impact fees in the future.
“It’s a hard one,” he said. “If the council wants impact fees, I’m not going to stop it.”
Burke said he has not gone door-to-door during the campaign.
“I’m out and about talking to people every day,” he said. “I have a flier going into the newspaper, and I’m promoting my Web site.”
The Web site is www.jjformayor.org.
Rapid growth is also a major concern, Burke said.
“I’d like to slow down,” he said. “We don’t want to grow so quickly that we’ll run out of school room.”
Burke supports the construction of a new police-fire building.
“We don’t have enough room for all our people,” he said. “If we get a new police and fire building, we can make room for some departments in City Hall.”
The owner of JJ’s Computer Repair, Burke said his business allows him the time to be a nearly full-time mayor. He is opposed to hiring a city administrator, but he said he would consider putting a city manager type of government to the people for a vote.
“I like the mayor-council form of government,” he said. “I’m not going to push (the manager-council form). It depends on the council. Maybe we will need it, but right now I don’t think we can afford it.”
A retired Coast Guard veteran, Burke has lived in Woodland for 15 years and served on the city council for six. He has been president of Planter’s Day for five years and Woodland Grange master for seven. He and his wife Shirley have two daughters, Diane Suome of Woodland and Linda Dahiquist of Vancouver, and three grandchildren.