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# 🏛️ Stevenson City Council Meeting Highlights - April 17, 2025
- URL: https://skamania-dispatch.ghost.io/stevenson-city-council-meeting-highlights-april-17-2025/
- Published: 2025-04-30T06:41:53.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-09T23:47:44.000Z
- Description: A heated public comment session, draft sewer ordinance, and outgoing public works director shaped this month’s council meeting.
- Author: Dispatch Squatch
- Tags: Stevenson, Stevenson City Council

A heated public comment session, draft sewer ordinance, and outgoing public works director shaped this month’s council meeting.

📄 [View the full meeting packet →](https://www.ci.stevenson.wa.us/citycouncil/page/april-17th-2025-regular-council-meeting?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)  
📝 [View the agenda →](https://www.ci.stevenson.wa.us/citycouncil/page/april-17th-2025-regular-council-meeting?ref=skamania-dispatch.ghost.io)

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## 🗣️ Public Comment: Community Division Over Protest

Public comment was dominated by reactions to **Councilmember Lucy Lauser’s participation in a Trans Day of Visibility protest** at the county courthouse, where she appeared topless in a symbolic act of protest against anti-trans legislation.

- **Critics** raised concerns about public decency and requested formal censure or resignation.
- **Supporters** praised Lauser’s courage and contextualized the act as free speech in defense of civil rights.
- Councilmember Lauser issued a statement defending the protest and condemning harassment and misinformation online.

Mayor Anderson emphasized the need for respectful discourse and reminded residents the council was not voting on the matter.

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## ✅ Council Business and Ordinances

- **Consent Agenda Approved**  
Council approved all items with a minor clarification in the *Personnel Policy* regarding CDL license timelines.
- **Sewer & Pretreatment Ordinance Discussed**  
A draft ordinance was reviewed, with no vote taken yet. It includes:
  - Clearer sewer connection requirements.
  - Financial assistance and hardship provisions.
  - A phased, 7-year implementation cycle.  
  Public comment was mixed, with both support and concern voiced—especially from households with existing septic systems.
- **Vouchers for city expenses** were reviewed and approved.

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## 🏗️ Department Updates

- **Public Works Director Resigning**  
Carolyn Sourek confirmed her mid-May departure and updated council on upcoming projects.
- Staff emphasized a need for clearer engineering standards and future planning as Stevenson grows.

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### 📬 Stay Engaged

City council meetings are open to the public in person, via Zoom, or livestreamed on YouTube. To provide public comment in advance, email **cityhall@ci.stevenson.wa.us**.

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*Thank you for staying informed and active in your local community government.*