Changes and ambiguity on the federal level will not keep the city of Vancouver from pursuing improvements in safety, housing and homelessness, and economic development, Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said in her State of the City speech Monday evening.
“I know there is uncertainty and even fear in our community right now. … In a time of uncertainty, rallying together around what unites us is so important,” she said.
More than 100 people gathered at Firstenburg Community Center for the annual address by McEnerny-Ogle, who is running for a third four-year term.
Although her speech encompassed familiar topics, such as the city’s development and street improvement projects, the mayor acknowledged questions residents may have about how federal policies will affect Vancouver.
Federal changes
McEnerny-Ogle reiterated Vancouver’s policy that its police will not undertake immigration-related investigations or ask about immigration status.
“Despite what happens outside of Vancouver, we will continue to serve all community members with dignity, empathy and compassion regardless of their status,” she said.
McEnerny-Ogle also tried to alleviate fears around Vancouver losing funding due to federal cuts or grant freezes.
In late January, the White House issued — and later rescinded — a memo announcing a freeze on nearly all federal grants and loans. (A city report obtained by The Columbian estimates the total amount of unspent federal funds at risk if a federal grants freeze occurred was nearly $105.7 million as of Jan. 29.)
Last year, Vancouver managed a record high of 197 grants worth more than $218 million, after landing 58 new grants worth $88 million in 2024, McEnerny-Ogle said.
The mayor assured the crowd that the city will continue “ambitious projects.”
“Administrations come and go,” she said, “and many of the grants and funding we pursue have always spanned multiple administrations and the ensuing shift in priorities that accompany them.”
Housing, homelessness
McEnerny-Ogle noted homelessness is one of the most important issues residents want the city to address.
“We have heard you, and at the same time, addressing homelessness and its impact on both the housed and the unhoused is complex,” she said. “No one solution exists.”
The city council’s emergency declaration on homelessness reached its one-year mark in 2024, McEnerny-Ogle said. It enables the city to access additional funds and resources, as well as designate up to 48 acres of public property and rights-of-way closed to camping.
In addition to planning what will be the county’s largest homeless shelter, the city opened Safe Stay shelters, as well as winter shelters, which remained at capacity all season, she said.
But more shelter is needed, McEnerny-Ogle said. In 2024, 54 homeless people died in Clark County.
“That is unacceptable,” she said. “We need to have the capacity to get people inside.”
Other priorities
Although public safety remains important to Vancouver residents, Proposition 4, a levy that would have funded more police services, failed in 2024, McEnerny-Ogle said.
The city has received feedback on the proposition since the November election and is reconvening the City Manager’s Police Advisory Committee that worked on developing Proposition 4. The committee will determine what a potential new measure could entail, she said.
The mayor shared how the city is preparing for growth, including its Waterfront Gateway and Heights District projects. The city recently approved its first draft economic development strategy.
“We have cemented our place as Southwest Washington’s economic engine, and we can’t take that for granted,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
The desire for change has even extended to the city’s flag.
McEnerny-Ogle unveiled the city’s plan for a new flag following a video of residents who did not recognize, or seemingly approve, of the city’s current flag.
“People think it’s supposed to be an eagle with a seagull’s head,” McEnerny-Ogle said.
The city will open a design competition to create the city’s next flag. Entries are due by June 14, Flag Day, according to the city’s website.
