C-TRAN Board Seat Debate Highlights Clark County Council Divide

0:00This story was written by Paul Valencia with ClarkCountyToday.com. Glenn Young didn't want the position, saying he was too busy to accept a new role. Michelle Belcott declared her willingness to accept the position. For a split second Wednesday afternoon, it looked like after a year of chaos regarding the Clark County Council and its representation on the C-Tran board of directors, Michelle Belcott was going to be put on the board after all. Nope, counselor Glenn Young might not want the job, but he certainly did not want counselor Belcott back on the job. Belcott made it clear she would stand by her convictions, noting that the council is not a dictatorship. The drama surrounding the council's seats on the C-Tran board continues. It appears that the council will have to wait for the return of Will Fuentes, absent from Tuesday's council time to have a say. A recent recommendation by the C-Tran board composition review committee will give the city of Vancouver

1:00four seats on the C-Tran board, three to the Clark County Council, and two to be shared by the other cities that make up the C-Tran boundary. Currently, Clark County has two seats on the C-Tran board filled by Sue Marshall and Fuentes. If you recall, Fuentes replaced Belcott on the board last year after the council removed Belcott for trying to protect taxpayers from paying operations and maintenance costs associated with light rail on the new interstate bridge. Fast forward to council time on Wednesday, Clark County chair Sue Marshall noted that the council needed a third counselor to take a seat on the C-Tran board. Marshall nominated young, Belcott, who is currently the alternate to the C-Tran board, had a question, so I'm not going to be considered even though I'm an alternate, she asked, I think you could be considered if you're nominated. A second later, counselor Matt Little, not only nominated Belcott, but asked that if two people accept the nomination,

2:02he would like to hear from them both before making a decision, young declined the nomination, and Belcott enthusiastically accepted the nomination. I'll be happy to serve as the alternate. Young said, I just have a workload that cannot take on another assignment at this point. With Young out, Marshall simply said, I guess we can vote, but it seems like there is only one candidate running. Belcott expressed her passion for transportation issues, noting it was a big part of her candidacy when she was elected to the council. Young though had concerns. He noted that the council has been working on new language in its rules of procedure, which would force board committee members to vote in whatever direction the council gives. Last year, Belcott went against the rest of the council when she vowed to protect taxpayers on the light rail issue. She was replaced at the next council gathering. Belcott has said that historically, Clark County counselors have voted separately

3:03on C-Tran board issues. It was never an issue until last year. Young wondered how Belcott would react in anticipation of new language in rules of procedures. If the Collective Council does give our C-Tran reps direction, how do you intend to handle that, young asked? As you know, it's not part of the rules of procedures and never has been for the Clark County Council. You are trying to adopt a city of Vancouver rule or procedure that has never been something for us. Why even get elected if we have to vote in collaboration? Belcott continued, I represent my district. What would even be the purpose of a counselor getting elected if they would just go along with another group of people? That's not democratic. Young said, it is the council's purview to assign individuals to a seat. Whether we place them on that board or not, it hinges on that person's willingness to listen to the entirety of the council, young said. He added, you are correct.

4:04It is not currently in our rules of procedure, but I anticipate it likely will be here shortly. So my question is, if it's adopted, do you intend to follow that? Belcott did not appreciate that young is anticipating something that has not yet been brought up for public comment. Marshall weighed in. If the council took a position to direct a vote on C-Tran, would you follow that or not? Marshall asked Belcott. No, it's not part of our rules of procedure. This is not a dictatorship, Belcott said. I believe we have case law at this point. Marshall shot back. That was in reference to a federal judge dismissing Belcott's case against her colleagues on the council for removing her from the C-Tran board last year. The judge dismissed all five claims last week, including an accusation that the four other councillors violated the Open Public Meetings Act. Belcott refused to back down. Yes, Belcott lost the case, but she still believed she had a case, which is basically a federal judge didn't agree with OPMA,

5:06so there is no existing OMPA. You all can just do what you want, Belcott said. With that, Marshall ended the discussion and went to a vote. Young and Marshall voted no. Little and Belcott voted yes. Motion does not carry. I think we will have to wait and bring this back when we have full council, Marshall said. Marshall and Fuentes are already on the C-Tran board. Young said he is too busy to add to his workload. Belcott did not receive three votes on Wednesday. Does that mean Councillor Little will be asked to take that seat?