Coronavirus – Latest Updates from the City of Ridgefield

Clark County (Southwest Region) is currently in Phase 2.

Clark County Public Health

The City of Ridgefield does not have a health department. Clark County Public Health manages public health for the county.

• COVID-19 Data

• COVID-19 Testing

• COVID-19 Vaccine

• COVID-19 Recommendations

Report a Re-Opening Violation

To report a re-opening violation to the Ridgefield Police Department, fill out the form here.

Ridgefield School District

• Community Updates from Superintendent Nathan Mccann

• Ridgefield School District News

Who should I follow for updates about COVID-19?

• Clark County Public Health: Website | Facebook

• Washington State Coronavirus Response: Website

• Washington State Department of Health: Website | Facebook

• Governor Jay Inslee: Website | Facebook | Twitter

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Website

EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND PRESS RELEASE

City Facilities

City Hall, City offices at the RACC and the Police Department lobby are closed to the public, with limited access by appointment only. Online services will remain available and phones will be answered during normal business hours. Employees are being encouraged to work remotely when possible, provided it does not interfere with vital operations.

City Services

City services are modified as follows: 

• All public events and park reservations are cancelled. We are not accepting future park reservations at this time.
• Public parks and trails remain open, providing public space to remain active while practicing social distancing. Play structures, sports courts, and park restrooms are re-opened.
• To alleviate worry and maintain a standard of health in our community, the City will not assess late fees nor disconnect water service until further notice. You will continue to receive bills and past due reminders during this time. If you are having trouble paying your bill, please call us at (360) 887-3557 to make payment arrangements.
  • Utility payments can be made online, by phone (360)887-3557, by mail or by drop box in front of City Hall.
• Ridgefield Police has resumed issuing Concealed Weapons permits by appointment only. Please call 360-887-3556.

City Events

City Events will not include gatherings until it is determined safe to do so. We are continuing to provide online or individual event activities and recreation, please visit our First Saturdays page for details.

Sports Fields & Practices 

State Guidelines for Sporting Activities are being monitored and enforced. Security Officers patrol the fields to ensure that rules are being followed to keep everybody safe and continue moving forward with the fields open and available. The focus is on education (step 1), but if there are persistent violations, security will ask offenders to leave for the day (step 2). If the violations continue after that, violators will not be allowed to return until adherence to safety precautions can be assured (step 3).

With these guidelines in place, we are looking forward to seeing our children recreate in a safe manner. Please refer to current Healthy Washington Guidelines for Sporting Activities for specific guidelines.   

To report a Safe Start violation to the Ridgefield Police Department, fill out the form here.

City Public Meetings

To assure the health and safety of the general public during this COVID pandemic, and compliance with Governor Inslee’s Proclamation, the City of Ridgefield will conduct public meetings virtually. Public meetings include City Council meetings, Planning Commission and Parks Board. Members of the public are invited to attend, listen and participate in the meetings as follows:

MEETING PROCEDURES:
The meeting will be conducted via Zoom. Any member of the public wishing to attend the meeting remotely is invited to attend the meeting via Zoom or telephone call in. Instructions to attend the meeting will be provided the day prior to the meeting on the City Council or Boards and Commissions web pages. 

PUBLIC HEARING:
Members of the public may provide testimony during a Public Hearing listed on the agenda in two ways:

Live comments. If possible, notify the City Clerk that you would like to make comments during the public hearing no later than 3PM the day of the meeting. Notification may be made by email at julie.ferriss@ci.ridgefield.wa.us. Provide your full name and phone number. When your name is called by the Mayor during the meeting, the City Clerk will unmute your microphone so you are able to make your comments.

If notification is not provided in advance, use the “raise your hand” feature on Zoom during the public hearing if you wish to make a comment. When your name is called by the Mayor, the City Clerk will unmute your microphone so you are able to make your comments.

As in a live meeting, all comments will be limited to 3 minutes.

Written comments may be submitted to the City Clerk via email or be placed in the drop box in front of City Hall no later than 3PM on the day of the scheduled City Council meeting. Comments will be compiled and provided to the City Council and necessary City staff.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
Members of the public wishing to address items not on the agenda must email the comments to the City Clerk at julie.ferriss@ci.ridgefield.wa.us no later than 3PM on the day of the scheduled City Council meeting. Comments will be compiled and provided to the City Council and necessary City staff.

As usual, a recording of all Council meetings will be made available on the City website the day after the meeting at https://ridgefieldwa.us/government/city-council-meeting-audio-files/

UPDATE (6/12/2020)

The City is accepting all submittals, drop-offs, and pick-ups. 

Site work, building construction, and inspections may proceed for all construction projects. 

The remaining restrictions can be found in the Phase 2 Community Development Operations.

LIMITATIONS

Permits

For single-family residential building permits, submittals and pick-ups are limited to five per builder per week. Email an electronic version of the building permit application materials to staff by 1pm on Monday to receive an invoice and schedule a hard-copy submittal during the same week.

There are no limitations on submittals, drop-offs, or pick-ups for other permits. 

Building inspections

Inspections are restricted to new construction and unoccupied structures that have been vacant for more than two weeks. Building inspectors must take proper actions to reduce the spread of disease in the field, including maintaining 6 feet of separation at all times, using disinfectant, and wearing masks and gloves. Workers on site must be following requirements from the Governor’s Phase 2 Construction COVID-19 Job Site Requirements. 

If, at any time, building inspectors arrive to inspect a site and these measures are not in effect, the building inspector will immediately stop the inspection and shut down all jobsite activity until it can be proven that these required measures are in effect.

PROCEDURES

See Phase 2 Community Development Operations

Members of the public may not enter the Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center (RACC, 510-B Pioneer St). Staff is available by phone and email during normal working hours. Scheduling appointments to submit, drop off, and pick up materials is at staff members’ discretion. 

For building permits, schedule appointments with Dorothy Harrington, Dorothy.harrington@ci.ridgefield.wa.us, 360-857-5011.

For land use and engineering permits, schedule appointments with Cristy May, cristy.may@ci.ridgefield.wa.us, 360-857-5027.

Submittal procedures

Email staff an electronic version of the application materials (M 8am-12pm for single-family residential building permits, M-F 8am-12pm for other permits). Staff will process the application and send an invoice. Schedule hard copy submittal with staff and submit a hard copy of the application materials (and check, if paying by check) on the table outside of the RACC. Alert staff that the materials have been submitted, and staff will pick up the materials immediately.

Drop-off procedures

Schedule drop-off with staff (Single-family residential M-F 8am-1pm; other M-F 8am-3pm). Drop off materials on the table outside of the RACC. Alert staff that the materials have been dropped off, and staff will pick up the materials immediately. 

Pick-up procedures

Schedule pick-up with staff (Single-family residential M-F 8am-1pm; other M-F 8am-3pm). Alert staff when you are in the RACC parking lot. Staff will place the materials to be picked up on the table outside of the RACC. If paying by check, replace the materials with a check which staff will pick up immediately.

Unemployment Questions?

Please visit Washington State Employment Security Division

Business Guidelines

For the most up to date Business Guidelines and Restrictions, please visit the governor’s website.

If you have questions about requirements and guidelines for your business during this time, please contact City Manager Steve Stuart at steve.stuart@ci.ridgefield.wa.us or (360) 887-3557.

Business Loans and Assistance

Federal

• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Coronavirus relief options, including Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) & Advance, SBA Express Bridge Loan and SBA Debt Relief

  • SBA Coronavirus Business Assistance Loans Comparison Guide
  • SBA-approved alternative online lenders for Paycheck Protection Program applications

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce 

  • 10 Commonly Asked Coronavirus Small Business Loan Questions 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

  • Resources for Businesses and Employers

State

• Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) Coronavirus News and Resources, including assistance applying for U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan financial assistance.

  • To assist with the large demand, WSBDC has distributed a list of alternative online lenders that are now U.S. Small Business Administration-approved to handle Paycheck Protection Program applications

• Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD)

  • Information for workers | COVID-19 Scenarios & Benefits Available Chart

  • Information for employers and businesses

  • For businesses considering employee lay-offs or terminations, ESD has enacted emergency rules to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation and quarantine for workers and businesses. Learn more.

• WorkSource and Workforce Southwest Washington have several programs that can help businesses affected by COVID-19, including layoff aversion programs.

• Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s Office

• StartUp Washington (Washington State Department of Commerce)

• Washington Retail Association Resource Guide for Retailers & Employees

Local

• Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce

• Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) 

• Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber (en Español)

• Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce

• Visit Vancouver USA

• Greater Portland Inc. (GPI)

• TheLocalYou (promotes local businesses and how the community can support them – apply to add your business)

COVID-19 Signage

• Open With Care – Clark County Sign 
• CDC Stop the Spread of Germs Poster
• Washington State Business Signage Toolkit
• Free Printable Coronavirus Signage

Rental Assistance

Emergency Rental Assistance – Clark County Council for the Homeless

Utilities – City of Ridgefield Water and Stormwater Service

• Online Utility services are available 24 hours a day.
• There will be no late fees assessed for water bills until further notice, and there will be no water shutoff during this time frame. Please call (360) 887-3557 if you are having trouble paying your bill.
• Start/Stop/Move Utility services may be completed online or by phone at (360) 887-3557.

Parks, Trails, and Sports Fields

• Public parks, trails, play structures, and restrooms are open. Please follow social distancing protocols and do not recreate if you are feeling ill.
• Park reservations are closed until further notice.

Avoid Coronavirus Scams

If you receive letters, calls, emails, or other communications from individuals claiming to be from the IRS and offering coronavirus stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams.

Electric, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies can’t disconnect your service for unpaid bills through July 28. Anyone who says otherwise is a scammer! Hang up and call your utility. If you’re worried about paying your bill or having your utility service disconnected, learn how the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission can help. Call them at 1-888-333-WUTC (9882) or visit http://bit.ly/2Db8gqg.

There have been reports of scammers claiming they can provide priority access to the COVID-19 vaccine for a fee. This is NOT TRUE. 

Food Resources

Ridgefield Family Resource Center

Location: We are located in Portables C and D between the Ridgefield Administrative & Civic Center (RACC) and Union Ridge Elementary School.  Take Pioneer Street into downtown Ridgefield and park in the RACC parking lot at 510 Pioneer Street.  We are in the portable to the right of the RACC building, outside of the fencing.

Hours: The Ridgefield Family Resource Center is open to serve Ridgefield School District’s students, families, and staff on the following days and times:

Monday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Thursday 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm

For resource needs and to make an appointment outside of these house, please contact Chris Poppert at 360-619-1412 or via email at christine.poppert@ridgefieldsd.org.

To learn more about the services we provide and the resources available to you and your family, visit the Ridgefield Family Resource Center website at http://rsdfamilyresourcecenter.weebly.com/ 

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

21814 NW 11th Avenue, Ridgefield, WA 98642
Handing out food boxes on Tuesdays, 10-12:30.

Compassion 360

Local non-profit providing food boxes and additional support. Order online: https://www.compassion360.org/ click on “Let us know How Can We Help”

Clark County Food Bank

Food pantry sites: https://www.clarkcountyfoodbank.org/get-food-covid19
Prepared meal sites: https://www.clarkcountyfoodbank.org/preparedmealsites

Goods and Services:

• Ridgefield Helping Facebook Group – A Facebook group resource for local people who are looking for items and services.
• To connect with more resources, visit WA211.org
• Internet Connectivity
  • Washington State Drive-In Wifi Hot Spot Locator
  • Free and Low Cost Internet Options

• Online AA Meetings
• Free Online Mental Health Support Group meetings and other resources at NAMI SW WA.

Finances

• To alleviate worry and maintain a standard of health in our community, the City of Ridgefield will not assess late fees nor disconnect water service until further notice. You will continue to receive bills and past due reminders during this time. If you are having trouble paying your bill, please call us at (360) 887-3557 to make payment arrangements.
• Financial Resources for Washington Residents Impacted by COVID-19

Recreational Activities

Fitness Activities

• Take a walk around downtown – learn more about Downtown buildings and art by downloading the Distrx app or do the Historic Downtown Walking Tour.
  • Do this printable Downtown Art Scavenger Hunt! When you are done, check the answers with this KEY.
• Go for a walk or bike ride on neighborhood trails or walk through Abrams Park. 
• Check out a Ridgefield Day-cation! Many can meet the requirements of physical distancing with slight modifications.
• Practice your favorite sport or work out at home with SportsEngine At-Home Workouts
• P.E. with Joe has exercises for all ages
• Check out Fitness Blender for free workout videos and healthy living information
• Download the Nike Training Club app to access free workouts and fitness information
• Set up an Obstacle Course or Relay Race

Indoor Activities

• Have a library card? Check out FVRL’s “What to do while you’re stuck at home” page!
• Check out the PBS Parent Resource page for endless ideas based on age and skill level.
• Go on a virtual field trip
• Visit a Museum, Zoo or Amusement Park
• Join a Virtual Marine Biology Camp with Oceans Initiative
• Make a Plant Rubbing Collage with crayons and plants from your yard
• Color to your heart’s content
• Plan an indoor scavenger hunt
• Get creative with these arts and craft ideas using items in your house
• Explore science, technology, engineering, and math with Simple STEM Activities To Do At Home

Outdoor Activities

• Visit a local U-Pick Farm!
• Complete a Nature Scavenger Hunt
• Put down a picnic blanket and share a meal outdoors
• Organize a Backyard Olympics day
• Get nostalgic with classic outdoor games
• Go camping in your backyard (or living room!)
• Set up outdoor science experiments and sensory play