WASHOUGAL — A standing-room crowd of about 50 people with strong opinions on Arizona’s law targeting illegal aliens turned out for Monday night’s Washougal City Council meeting.

The unusual attendance at what otherwise was a routine meeting came in response to a July 6 resolution passed 5-2 by the council to encourage Washington’s Legislature to adopt a law similar to Arizona’s.

In addition to public comments, the gathering heard an apology by Mayor Sean Guard for not having read the Arizona law before the July 6 resolution passed and comments from council members about their July 6 action.

Prior to public comment, the mayor announced the enforcement of rules that allow two people to speak on each side of an issue for three minutes each, adding that the comments must be relevant to city business and not directed at individuals.

Three spoke on each side of the issue, followed by the mayor’s apology and councilors’ comments.

Councilman Jon Russell voiced his displeasure with the rules set forth for public comment, saying it was the first time he’d seen them in use. Russell asked that more comments be allowed because of the number in attendance, but the mayor declined. Russell sponsored the July 6 resolution and is running as a Republican to be a state representative for the 18th District.

Councilwoman Molly Coston said she was elected to conduct city business and that council meetings are not the appropriate venue to discuss immigration.

“I believe this issue is outside the scope of city business,” Coston said.

Councilman Dave Shoemaker disagreed, saying immigration is not outside city business because Washougal is affected by immigration laws.

From outside the city

Of the six comments heard, most came from people who live outside Washougal.

“I’m pretty proud of our nation and pretty proud of you guys,” Gary Wyren of Vancouver said to the council after talking about his ancestors’ coming to America legally through Ellis Island. “Thank you for supporting our fellow Americans in Arizona.”

Another Vancouver resident, Rick Covington, spoke against the July 6 resolution, saying the method in which it was enacted was not proper. He said the council, by not giving the public adequate time to comment on the resolution, did not practice ethical governance.

Councilwoman Jennifer McDaniel said a citizen had asked the council for an opinion on immigration, and that after debate, the July 6 resolution to encourage the state Legislature passed.

“It is not out of line or unusual that we did this,” McDaniel said.

Councilman Paul Greenlee spoke to the larger issue and said any stance on immigration should be personal and not an opinion of the council.

“It’s wrong for the council to speak for the city on partisan political issues,” Greenlee said. “Doing this hurts the team; it hurts the city, because it alienates people.”

Jordan Frasier: jordan.frasier@columbian.com; 360-735-4569, ext. 2034

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