(VANCOUVER Wa.)— The City Council meeting on January 5, 2026, demonstrated a contentious atmosphere and a perceived lack of meaningful public engagement, according to the OpGov.ai platform.
Not to mention the first meeting of 2026 had only one community speaker.
(Photo: YouTube)
Carmen De Leon began her testimony, frustrated by the confusion, having thought she would be able to take part in a public hearing, according to what she had read on the city’s website.
Limited to speaking only about agenda items, Ms. De Leon raised critical points about construction safety, city employee compensation, and council decorum.
“You know, the only problem I have with construction is that about 15, 20, 30 years ago, the average home," De Leon said. "You had 17 seconds to escape in case of a fire."
The resident said now the average is only three seconds because the wood and the paint light up like a matchstick.
"There's something wrong with the building codes,” De Leon said.
(Photo: YouTube)
De Leon also expressed frustration over not being heard by the council. She later brought up issues after community communications, from the audience, and was asked to leave chambers. This came after she was issued multiple warnings for being personally abusive and impeding the orderly conduct of the meeting.
Kimberly Elbon was also present and tried to address the council. The mayor reminded her that she is still under suspension and escorted her out.
(Photo: YouTube)
OpGov.ai has reached out to Ms. Elbon for comment about why she was suspended.
This year the council will be having community forums after each meeting, which will hopefully lead to the public having a better chance to address council on a variety of issues.
“A key debate centered on extending a Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) for the Green Leaf Uptown Apartments,” OpGov.ai said. “Despite concerns raised by some council members (Hansen, Fox, Stober) tha, the council will be having community forums after each meeting, which will hopefully lead to the public having a better chance to address the t the $4.5 million extension would not create new housing supply in a period of declining construction, the measure passed, prioritizing existing tenant stability over new development incentives.”
Monday’s meeting also held the election for mayor pro tem. Councilor Bart Hansen nominated Councilor Sarah Fox.
“I'd now like to nominate council member Fox, and in doing so, I would also like to say what a great job Mayor Pro Tem Eric Palson has done in his two years My reasoning is that I like to see this change in leadership happen every two years as it gives other council members the opportunity to step into leadership,” Hansen said.
Councilor Fox accepted the nomination and was elected mayor pro tem by the council.
(Photo: Councilor Sarah Fox, YouTube)
“Council board and committee assignments were mostly approved as a slate, with C-TRAN Board assignments debated individually, OpGov.ai reports.
“Council Member Kim Harless's plea to serve on the C-TRAN Board, citing her unique perspective as a transit-dependent individual who had not previously served, was initially resisted by the mayor’s recommendation for status quo,” OpGov.ai said.
“I want to remind the council that I'm the only person that has been public transit dependent. And the only person that has not served on C-Trans Board despite continuing interest in it. And this is a change in that composition that is much needed for our community,” Harless said.
(Photo: YouTube)
Council Member Harless was appointed as the alternate for the C-TRAN Board, replacing Council Member Ty Stober, after a motion and vote.
OpGov.ai will follow up on the Jan. 12 meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
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