One board seat, two appointments

The Regional Transportation Council and C-Tran board bylaws call on governing bodies and agencies to select representatives.

The bylaws don’t, however, explain how to resolve inconsistent appointments.

The cities of Camas and Washougal share one seat on each board.

For the last three years, Camas Councilwoman Linda Dietzman has served on the C-Tran board and Washougal Councilwoman Molly Coston has served on the RTC. In 2009, Coston served as RTC vice-chairwoman, and in 2010, as chairwoman.

Historically, the two cities have swapped seats every couple years, Washougal City Administrator David Scott said.

But this year the new RTC chairman, Vancouver Councilman Jack Burkman, expressed a desire to keep Coston on the council as a resource. The mayors of both cities recommended keeping Coston and Dietzman in their current positions for one more year, Scott said.

The Camas City Council unanimously approved the appointments on Dec. 20. The Washougal City Council, however, decided at its meeting Jan. 3 to go a different direction.

Washougal Councilman Jon Russell nominated fellow councilman Dave Shoemaker to serve on the C-Tran board and Dietzman to take the RTC position.

The Washougal council approved the appointments in a 4-3 vote, with Coston and Councilmen Paul Greenlee and Rod Morris opposing.

Because the two councils made inconsistent appointments, Coston and Dietzman will continue to serve on their current boards until the two cities come to an agreement.

The cities are now working to reconcile the appointments.