Michelle Belkot, who was removed from the C-TRAN Board of Directors last month, describes her removal as unlawful, and the board opted to pause action on a vote regarding the language of the funding of light rail until July, allowing time for legal process

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

Michelle Belkot and her supporters were loud and clear Tuesday night, C-TRAN Board of Directors got an earful, and almost two hours later, the directors took Belkot’s advice.

By the end of the meeting, a vote on language that will determine if C-TRAN can negotiate to pay for the maintenance and operations of proposed light rail extension from Oregon and into Vancouver was delayed until July.

Belkot, a Clark County Council member, was removed from the C-TRAN Board of Directors by a vote of the rest of the County Council last month. Belkot used public comment at Tuesday’s meeting to describe her removal as unlawful and retaliatory, and with two pending lawsuits related to her removal, she said it would be unwise for C-TRAN to make any decisions Tuesday.

On the agenda Tuesday was the modified locally preferred alternative for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program proposed language change.

Belkot urged the board to delay a vote that would either allow C-TRAN to negotiate to pay for  annual maintenance and operations — or ban C-TRAN from paying.

After more than 90 minutes of public comment, and after a discussion among the board members, the action was paused until the July board meeting — potentially giving time for the judicial process to play out in court.

Last month, Belkot was poised to vote to return to older language, to protect Clark County taxpayers from being on the hook for Oregon TriMet’s transit system expanding into the city of Vancouver. Just before that vote was taken, however, that action was tabled. The next day, Belkot was removed from the C-TRAN board and replaced by Wil Fuentes, another Clark County Council member. It was presumed that Fuentes would vote with city of Vancouver leaders and the rest of the Clark County council on the C-TRAN board, in hopes of allowing C-TRAN to put Southwest Washington taxpayers in position to pay for light rail.

The old language, that Belkot was in favor of, states C-TRAN will not be responsible for costs associated with light rail. The new language, adopted in November 2024, says C-TRAN “may participate in funding.” Tuesday’s delay does mean that the current language remains in place, at least for now.

In the days following her removal, Belkot filed a suit in the Skamania County Superior Court, alleging her civil rights had been violated. Rob Anderson of Reform Clark County also filed suit against the four Clark County Council members who voted to remove Belkot from the C-TRAN board. The first hearing in Anderson’s case is scheduled for Thursday. (UPDATE: The first hearing in Anderson’s case has been rescheduled for May 1.)

“Acting before the courts to resolve this issue, … risks entrenching illegal acts and eroding trust,” Belkot said. “Please wait to clarify to ensure C-TRAN decisions are lawful and fair.”

Belkot noted that her lawsuit challenges her removal on four counts.

“Removing me violated my 1st and 14th Amendment rights, under the Civil Rights act, punishing free speech,” she said.

She said the Clark County Charter does not allow removal without cause, such as misconduct, which was not claimed.

Third, both votes — to remove her and to install Fuentes on the C-TRAN board — breached the Open Public Meetings Act, denying public notice and input.

And fourth, she is seeking relief, arguing “Fuentes unlawfully holds my seat due to these violations.”

For the next 100 minutes or so, Clark County residents spoke their minds for up to 3-minutes at a time. Most were in support of Belkot, but there were some who are pro-light rail and said they agreed with the Clark County Council’s decision to remove Belkot.

“I stand by your decision to remove a rogue councilor,” one light rail supporter said.

Matthew Bumala, the chair of the Clark County Republican Party, also signed up to speak.

“What happened with Michelle Belkot’s removal is very, very disturbing,” Bumala said.

Bumala noted that Clark County residents have consistently rejected tolls and light rail for three decades, but there always seem to be a powerful group of people who keep proposing light rail.

To the labor unions who want a new bridge, Bumala said he and many of his supporters in the GOP are with them. 

“We want a new bridge. We just don’t want tolls and light rail,” Bumala said. “Our community has been so clear about this, over, and over, and over again.”

The removal of Belkot from the C-TRAN board is just another maneuver from those who want to force light rail on county citizens. But, Bumala told board members, they have the opportunity to right a wrong and be part of the solution to the problem they created.

“Put Michelle back on this board,” he said.

Another Clark County GOP member, Mark Moore, a state committeeman, said he is hoping to have a letter written to federal officials to look into the conduct of those seeking light rail — and the federal funds that go with the bridge project.

He, too, warned C-TRAN board members of potential risks if any action were to be taken Tuesday.

“I’ve been advised of any business this body conducts, if indeed there is a single member inappropriately seated, it will render the work product of this body null and void,” Moore said. “Further, my legal counsel has advised that proceeding with an improperly seated member very likely will expose each individual member to legal jeopardy.”

He added that there are “serious legal and ethical questions regarding the bad-faith actions” of certain councilors in the appointment of Fuentes to the C-TRAN board. 

“At the minimum, this body should pause and consider the implications,” Moore said.

Soon after public comment, the board did discuss the tabled action regarding the C-TRAN/TriMet language.

Tim Hein, representing Camas on the C-TRAN board, said given the current litigation, it was prudent to wait until a time of resolution. 

After discussions with the board’s legal advisor, it was determined that Hein would be better off asking for a pause in the action for a determined amount of time. 

“I make the motion that would postpone discussion of the current item at hand for a three-month time period,” Hein said.

It was seconded by fellow C-TRAN board member and Battle Ground Mayor Troy McCoy. 

“Whatever side you’re on … this board has a commitment to the public to be clear and concise,” McCoy said. “So I support not making decisions that are going to be overturned or go 180 the next meeting or the meeting after. It’s prudent to slow down, to be … correct. We also need to start having discussions so the people know what’s really in this board’s purview. I think there is some misinformation.”

The rest of the board agreed to postponing the item until July.

After the meeting, Belkot said she appreciated Hein’s motion, allowing time for the court to make its decisions.

“It’s going to take litigation to decide what’s going to happen here,” Belkot said. 

Belkot arrived to the C-TRAN headquarters in east Vancouver to see a number of supporters carrying signs: “I Stand With Michelle Belkot”

“I came out to defend my situation and talk about where I am legally and what laws have been broken,” Belkot said. 

She was grateful that so many showed up in her corner.  

“I felt very supported and not so alone in all of this,” Belkot said.