City Council

Vision for the City of Ridgefield

Vision Statement: Connecting our historic past with a healthy future where people, nature, and business flourish together. 

Mission Statement: Committed to providing the community with superior services, building on the proud history, and meeting the challenges that shape our future. 

Ridgefield City Council Professional Code of Conduct

The Ridgefield community is entitled to a fair, ethical and accountable local government. The general public should have full confidence that their elected and appointed officials:

• Are good stewards of the public’s trust and committed to serving in the best interest of the Ridgefield community;
• Comply with both the letter and spirit of the laws and policies affecting the operations of city government;
• Are independent, impartial and fair in their judgment and actions;
• Use their public office for the public good, not for personal gain; and
• Conduct public deliberations and processes openly, unless required by law to be confidential, in an atmosphere of respect and civility

Click here to read the Professional Code of Conduct for City Councilors. It describes core values: the traits and qualities that represent our highest priorities. These values are the fundamental forces that define our behavior. 

This document also creates a system which enables City Councilors and city residents to seek guidance and redress regarding potential violations of this Code of Conduct.

Equity Statement

The City of Ridgefield recognizes the great value of diversity of culture, background, race, language, ability, age, gender identity, economic status, religion and other factors. This means:

• The City recognizes the role that government can play in breaking down barriers to equitable access to opportunities.
• We continually celebrate the diverse community different individuals cultivate.
• We are committed to ensuring fair and equitable access to City programs, services, and employment.
• Elected officials and staff will continually work with the Ridgefield community towards economic, civic and social justice.

All City staff are committed to the following values:

We will treat every person with respect and dignity. Always. We celebrate and embrace diversity and respect each person’s individuality, opinions, feelings and unique talents. Our workplace is to be a shelter from violence, threats, harassment of any kind, discrimination, retribution, bullying and abuse. Every person who comes in contact with a City of Ridgefield employee, including other employees, can expect honesty, fair dealing and courtesy. No amount of authority, status or power can excuse anyone in our organization from treating another with rudeness, humiliation or disrespect. Ever.

Council Goals

Council has adopted seven organizational goals that provide direction for staff and policy decisions to continue to better serve residents. 

Goal #1 : Plan and Manage the Growth of the City

The City should prepare for, plan, and manage the expected growth and its impacts – so that Ridgefield is recognized for its livability, natural environment, and innovative local economy.

Goal #2: Revitalize Downtown as a Destination Location

Create a vibrant downtown destination location that provides quality merchandise, service, and activities within an ambience that is unique to Ridgefield and not readily available elsewhere including a walkable downtown, small town character and regularly scheduled social events.

Goal #3: Create and Maintain Economic Stability for the City

Provide for a “complete community” where people can live, work, shop, and play. Build a robust economy that provides a wealth of living wage employment opportunities for residents.

Goal #4: Assure the City’s infrastructure is able to Meet Growing Community Needs

Plan for, manage and maintain the City’s infrastructure (access, streets, water/sewer, etc.), schools, transportation, and City services to meet the population and business growth.

Goal #5: Retain Culture and History of Ridgefield

Build upon the City’s friendly inviting small-town atmosphere, existence, and appearance of historic elements of the community, walkable main streets, and animated storefronts by preserving and enhancing them in a way that recovers, uncovers, and celebrates its history.

Goal #6: Maximize the City’s Natural Resources and Attractions

Integrate the area’s natural resources such as the Wildlife Refuge, archeological resources, waterfront area, the Lewis & Clark and Native American connections and the building environments. Maintain a healthy environment with abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation and public access to the waterfront; and promote Ridgefield as a place to visit for outdoor recreation and appreciation of the area’s natural assets.

Goal #7: Actively Engage and Communicate with the Ridgefield Community

Create a community where the City works collaboratively with and listens to residents, organizations, and businesses to develop meaningful solutions to complex issues, realize sustainable visions for the City’s future and increase the capacity of the community to do something better by ensuring an open and accountable government, providing timely information on issues that impact the community and offering continuous public engagement opportunities.

Meet the Council

Mayor Jennifer Lindsay

(Position 6, Term expires 2025) Ms. Lindsay holds a B.A. in Political Science from Portland State University, has more than 10 years of experience working with schools and local government, and demonstrated her leadership skills on the City’s Planning Commission from 2016-2018. In her nine years as a resident of Ridgefield Ms. Lindsay dedicated much of her time to volunteering with service groups such as Ridgefield Lions, the 4th of July Committee and the Booster Club. She is interested in keeping the rural feel surrounding our town as the City grows, a trail system network that creates a draw to the region and maintaining the historical, small town atmosphere of downtown.

Mayor Jennifer Lindsay has served on City Council since 2019.

Contact at jennifer.lindsay@ridgefieldwa.us

Councilor Ron Onslow

(Position 1, Term expires 2025) Mr. Onslow started his journey at the University of Portland where he received a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Business and a minor in Psychology. Since then, he has managed Onslow’s Restaurant in Vancouver, owned and operated three other restaurants and one deli-bakery. On the side he was a coach for softball, swimming, and football. He also has collected vast board and commission experience as President and Board member of the Northwest Ski Club Council, Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Miss Washington pageant, American Softball Association, and Advisory Board for the Culinary School at Clark College. Throughout his impressive adulthood, he has been honored as Junior First Citizen of Vancouver, named to the Outstanding Young Men of America and Outstanding Employer for work done with the Vancouver School District.

Contact at ron.onslow@ridgefieldwa.us

Councilor Rachel Coker

(Position 2, Term expires 2023) Rachel Coker has served as a member on the Parks Advisory Board since 2019. She has been involved in the community through the Parks Board, attending community events, volunteering at the Lions Club booth at the Clark County Fair, and attending business spotlight events by Ridgefield Life magazine and the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce. Coker enjoys Eagle’s View Lookout Park, the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and photographing local events and landscapes.

Coker was appointed due to vacancy on the Council July, 2021, and will sit for election for a full term in 2023.

Contact at rachel.coker@ridgefieldwa.us 

 Councilor Lee Wells

(Position 3, Term expires 2023) Mr. Wells has been in the community over 60 years. He, along with his wife and their five children, is a graduate of Ridgefield High School.  To date, he has had nine grandchildren in the Ridgefield school system.  Mr. Wells retired from Columbia River Log Scaling & Grading Bureau after 44 years of service. He was President of Ridgefield Junction Neighborhood Association for six years and Legislative Director for Clark/Cowlitz Farm Bureau for six years. Mr. Wells has made several trips to Washington DC to discuss estate taxes, wildlife management and other community concerns.  He and his wife, Geri, continue to run the family farm they bought in 1972. Mr. Wells is honored to have served as a Ridgefield City Council member since 2008.

Contact at lee.wells@ridgefieldwa.us

Councilor Matt Cole

(Position 4, Term expires 2025) Mr. Cole has served on the Ridgefield Planning Commission as well as represented Ridgefield on the Clark County Mosquito Control Board. In 2021, Cole was the citizen advisor to the Budget Advisory Committee. He has coached baseball, served on advisory boards at both Clark College and Washington State University Vancouver, and participates in local community business events. Cole enjoys the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex, attending Ridgefield Raptors games, spending time in Downtown, and visiting the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.

Cole was appointed due to vacancy on the Council April, 2022, and will sit for election to retain his seat 2023.

Contact at Matt.Cole@ridgefieldwa.us

Councilor Rob Aichele

(Position 5, Term expires 2023) Mr. Aichele started his career by completing a carpenter’s apprenticeship at the Pacific NW Carpenters Institute in Portland Oregon in 1990. Through skill advancement trainings he became a Superintendent for Skanska where he worked for almost 27 years on complex projects with Intel, PDX airport, Salem Hospital, Canby schools and many others. He then took a position as a Representative for the Pacific NW Regional Council of Carpenters where he worked until his retirement in 2018.

Mr. Aichele married his high school sweetheart Tana and they raised 3 children and have lived in Clark County for over 30 years.

Mr. Aichele moved to Ridgefield in 2015 where he became an active member of the Lion’s Club. Mr. Aichele was appointed to the City’s Planning Commission in 2019 and was elected to City Council in 2020. As a Councilmember his focus is achieving greater employment opportunities, expanding trail and sidewalk connectivity to enhance public safety and to keep downtown vibrant.

Contact at Rob.Aichele@ridgefieldwa.us

Councilor Judy Chipman

(Position 7, Term expires 2023) Judy Chipman grew up in Ridgefield and moved back to the area 9 years ago. Chipman served on the Columbia Credit Union Board of Directors for 9 years and retired from Bonneville Power Administration in 2017. In 2018, Chipman was appointed to the Ridgefield Planning Commission. Chipman enjoys attending Raptors games, walking her neighborhood, and enjoying the small-town atmosphere of Ridgefield.

Chipman was appointed due to a vacancy on the Council in July, 2021, and will sit for election for a full term in 2023.

Contact at judy.chipman@ridgefieldwa.us