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Vancouver Connects: December update

Local gifting ideas, immigration resources, Vancouver's draft land use map


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# Vancouver Connects

Monthly Newsletter | December 2025

City Manager update

Give small businesses a holiday boost

'Tis the season of giving. This year, I invite you to explore and support the small businesses that make up 95% of all businesses in Vancouver and keep your holiday dollars local. When you shop small, you support local jobs and the places and people who make Vancouver unique and keep it thriving all year.


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The latest from City Hall

Our commitment to a safe, welcoming Vancouver

The City is committed to ensuring everyone feels safe and welcome - regardless of immigration status. We've compiled a
list of resources (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/ogg9vr)
to help you better understand your rights and where to access legal assistance.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) serves everyone in our community and does not enforce federal immigration laws. They will not ask about immigration status unless it's directly relevant to a criminal investigation.

VPD encourages anyone who believes they are witnessing a crime as a result of possible ICE activity or if you're unsure the individuals involved are legitimate officers, to call 911.



Council to finalize Vancouver's land use map

At the
Dec. 15 City Council meeting (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/48g9vr), Council will vote to endorse
a final land use map (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/k1h9vr)
for Vancouver. The map, called the Preferred Alternative, is part of the City's
Comprehensive Plan update (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/0ti9vr)
and shows the different uses and scales of buildings that can be located around the city. While this is a major milestone in the process, the draft updated plan and code will be released in early 2026 for the public to review and weigh-in on final details before the map, plan and code are officially adopted in the summer.
Sign-up for the project email list (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/gmj9vr)
to stay informed.


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Bridge Shelter: Designed for safety and support

Construction work continues on Vancouver's 120-bed
bridge shelter (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/c7k9vr), 5313 N.E. 94th Ave. The shelter is expected to be completed in fall 2026.

Together with
Do Good Multnomah (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/szl9vr)
and community partners, the City is building a trauma-informed shelter where privacy, secure storage, pet accommodations and direct access to medication assisted treatment will support safety, dignity and services that help people address barriers and move toward stable housing.


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Student-led grant program strengthens Fourth Plain

Round one of our new
Fourth Plain for All Community Grant (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/okn9vr)
supported 22 projects this year with up to $5,000 each. Co-designed with Fort Vancouver High School students, the program is helping families, celebrating culture and creating opportunities along the Fourth Plain Corridor. Funded projects include youth entrepreneurship, cultural festivals, mentoring, food access, cold-weather outreach and community events. This program is part of the City's larger
Fourth Plain for All (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/4co9vr)
community investment strategy - bringing more than $25 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to strengthen Fourth Plain.


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We're prepared for winter, are you?

Wrap those water pipes, disconnect the hoses and dig out the snow shovel! Winter is coming. Vancouver Public Works reminds everyone that the best time to prepare for freezing temperatures and severe winter weather is before they occur. Learn how to prevent frozen water pipes, sign up for garbage/recycling service alerts, and view the City's top priorities for deicing and plowing during icy weather and snowstorms on our
severe weather page. (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/0xp9vr)


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PFAs: Quarterly water testing results

We remain committed to addressing PFAS in the water supply with long-term removal measures.
View our most recent sampling results and learn more about how we are protecting water quality. (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/wir9vr)


More news from City Hall

*
City honors first recipient of new Dave Miletich Volunteer Coach of the Year Award (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/cbs9vr)


*
Vancouver City Council adopts new flag for the community (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/s3s9vr)
*
Vancouver Arts & Music Festival named “Event of the Year” for Southwest Washington (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/8vt9vr)



Special events

Save the date

Explore our
Calendar of Events (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/oou9vr)
for volunteer opportunities and more family-friendly fun in Vancouver.


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Multiple dates in December

Christmas Ships Parade

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Each December, the Columbia River shimmers with reflections of holiday lights as the
Christmas Ships Parade (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/01w9vr)
sails past the Vancouver Waterfront and other Clark County vantage points.


(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/gux9vr)


Saturday, Dec. 6

Native Made Holiday Market

Join Clark County Historical Museum and the ARTScentered at the Vancouver arts hub for the
Native Made Holiday Market, (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/wmy9vr)
featuring the talents of local and regional Indigenous vendors and artists.



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Sunday, Dec. 14

Community Menorah Lighting

The
Chabad Jewish Center (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/s7z9vr)
invites you to
celebrate the start of Chanukah (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/8z09vr)
with the lighting of their 19-foot community menorah at Vancouver Waterfront Park. Enjoy free donuts, live music, ice carving and a chocolate gelt drop.


(https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/os19vr)


Saturday, Dec. 20

Winter Solstice Sunset Walk

In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the beginning of the sun's return. On this eve of the solstice, take
a guided, two-mile walk (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/4k29vr)
along the Columbia River to honor this quiet turning point.
Sign up (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/kd39vr)
to reserve your spot.




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Report a Concern (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/gy49vr)


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Community Crime Map (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/cj69vr)


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City Council (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/8379vr)


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Be Heard Vancouver (https://t.e2ma.net/click/kt7v4f/wqxjmrg/4o99vr)


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415 W. 6th St. | P.O. Box 1995 | Vancouver, WA 98668-1995


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