Departments and Services Updates

Camas Essential Services 

Essential services, including police, fire/EMS, water, sewer, and stormwater drainage services, will continue while City Hall and other City departments are closed.  Additional Department service information is detailed below.

The city offers both online and phone options to access services during the closure of offices:

• • • Download the City's Mobile App Camas Connect 24/7 or go to the website to utilize the online Citizen Response and Service Request System: Citizens may submit questions or comments, identify an issue, or report a concern to various city departments via the City of Camas CRM mobile online system. Enter a Service Request

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AND REGULAR MEETING

• • • The Monday, May 4th Council meeting will be held digitally through Zoom. The workshop prior to the meeting will be canceled. UPDATED 5/1
    • The Monday, April 20th regular meeting was held digitally through Zoom.
    • The Monday, April 6th regular meeting was be held digitally. More information on the future meetings to come. All information regarding City Council meetings and workshops can be found here.

CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSION MEETINGS UPDATED 5/1

• • • • • • All City Boards and Commission meetings are canceled through May 2020

CAMAS PUBLIC LIBRARY

• • • The Library is closed until further notice - Please follow the Library's social media or website for more detailed updates - www.camaslibrary.org

FINANCE
PAYMENTS - UTILITY BILLING AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

• • • Utility Bill Payments: To make utility payments or hear your balance, please call the automated payment line at 360-817-7117 or visit www.cityofcamas.us/billpay.
      • The City has started a "Support Local & Save" initiative to encourage residents to support local small businesses & in turn receive assistance on their utility bills. This initiate runs through May 31. Click Here for more information.
    • Any payment including Ambulance Billing can be dropped off in the secure drop box marked “Water & Sewer” on the building at the Fourth Avenue entrance to City Hall.  Payments should include clear account information and should never contain cash.
    • For all other inquiries or payments, please call customer service at 360-834-2462.

HUMAN RESOURCES/JOBS: Job applications will be accepted via email or regular mail only (except for Firefighter applications). If you need an alternate delivery method, please contact the department at 360-817-1530.

PARKS AND RECREATION - UPDATED 5/14

• • • On May 5, Phase 1 of reopening of parks began with the opening of parking lots. Additionally the bathroom facility at Heritage Park reopened. All other City-run restrooms and parks facilities, including play structures, sports fields, sports courts and picnic shelters will remain closed at this time to reduce crowds, limit group interaction and encourage social distancing. Trails and open grassy areas may continue to be used.
    • Lacamas Lake Lodge is closed until further notice
    • Camas Community Center is closed until further notice
    • All classes, programs, leagues, and meetings will be postponed until the lodge and the center reopen.
    • Private rentals scheduled to take place during the closure are canceled and will be fully refunded.
      For rental questions or to reschedule your event for a later date, please email Susan Newlove at snewlove@cityofcamas.us.

   ANNUAL CROWN PARK EASTER EGG HUNT

• • • April 12, annual City-sponsored easter egg hunt held in Crown Park is canceled

   CAMTOWN YOUTH FESTIVAL

• • • June 6, the annual Camtown Youth Festival held at Crown Park is canceled for public safety.

CAMAS CEMETERY 

• • • The Cemetery grounds will remain open; however, the Cemetery on-site office will be closed to public access and operate on an appointment-only basis. Appointments and other Cemetery business needs should be coordinated through the Finance Department. Please call 360-834-2462 for Cemetery appointments and information.

CITY FACILITY MEETING ROOMS 

• • • NEW RESERVATIONS:  Effective immediately, no new meeting room reservations are being accepted for any City facility (Police Community Room, Fire Station 42 Community Room, Library Meeting Rooms, Community Center, Lacamas Lake Lodge, Scout Hall) until further notice.
    • EXISTING/SCHEDULED RESERVATIONS:  Those with scheduled reservations to use a City facility are strongly encouraged to reschedule their events for a later date. Reservation fees and payments will be refunded, if applicable   UPDATE 3/16/20:  Existing/Scheduled Reservations are being canceled where appropriate

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
PLANNING – BUILDING - ENGINEERING UPDATED 5/1

Effective April 24 all low-risk construction may resume. – All work shall be conducted in accordance with Phase 1 Construction Restart COVID-19 Job Site Requirements. Access to Community Development (permits, planning/development engineering and inspections):

• • • • Applications and plan submittals will be accepted by appointment only.
      • Inspections will commence Monday April 27th, 2020.
        • • For general Building questions or appointments please contact: permits@cityofcamas.us
          • For general Engineering questions or appointments please contact: aashton@cityofcamas.us
          • For general Planning questions or appointments please contact: rmaul@cityofcamas.us
    • All employees that have the ability to conduct work remotely will do so in coordination with the division manager

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AND SUPPORT

• • • Technology Services are being provided remotely whenever services allow. Technology staff is not accepting any walk-ins.  Meetings or direct support requests will require an appointment
    • Employees are required to enter service and support requests directly into CRM
    • Managers and Supervisors are asked to call technology staff directly in any cases of urgent support needs

PUBLIC WORKS - OPERATIONS

• • • Administration/Capital Engineering: The department will operate on an appointment-only basis. Call 360-817-1561 to make an appointment.
    • Operations: All maintenance, operations and related services will continue to be provided by the Public Works Department. The Operations Center located at 1620 SE 8th Avenue will be closed to public access and will operate on an appointment-only basis. Call 360-817-1563 to make an appointment.

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATED 5/15

Changes to Fire Department Hiring Application Process

Fire Marshal's Office (FMO) Update: Effective April 24 all low-risk construction may resume. All work shall be conducted in accordance with Phase 1 Construction Restart COVID-19 Job Site Requirements.

• • • Applications and plan submittals will be accepted by appointment only. Call 360-834-6191 to make an appointment.
    • Inspections will commence Monday April 27th, 2020.
      • To request inspections, contact the FMO via Camas Connect (via the phone app or through the City of Camas website) or call  the FMO inspection line at 360-834-6191 x1.

Station 42: The public lobby will be CLOSED to the public until further notice. Citizens and visitors can pick up the lobby phone and call if they need access to the station or personnel there (just as it already is in Station 41 and Station 43). 

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATED 5/22

• • • POLICE CLERICAL-RECORDS:  The police department’s main office is open for business, Monday - Friday, from 8AM to 5PM. However, the lobby is closed for access but citizens can speak to the staff with a telephone just outside the lobby door. The public can also call the main number (360)834-4151 Monday through Friday, during normal business hours. The public can also send emails to: police@cityofcamas.us 
      During this period, we will not be processing any new concealed pistol licenses and we will not be doing any civil fingerprinting.
    • OFFENDER WORK CREW: UPDATED 5/22  The Camas Offender Work Crew program (fieldwork) will resume operations as of June 4.
    • CODE ENFORCEMENT:  The Code Enforcement Officer is working normal hours, Monday - Friday, 8AM to 5PM.
    • TRAINING:  All non-essential travel and training will be canceled, with certain exceptions made by the Chief of Police.
    • COMMUNITY ROOM:  The Police Department’s community room is closed to the public. No new reservations are being taken until further notice.
    • POLICE RESPONSE:  The Camas Police Department is still responding to all calls for service and will continue to respond in-person to calls where there are life safety issues or if the call for service cannot be handled over the telephone. Public safety is of critical importance and every effort will be made to ensure a swift police response where necessary. When possible, for non-emergency requests, officers may be contacting members of the public or doing follow-up by telephone. When officers do make person-to-person contacts, they will attempt to employ social distancing techniques. All criminal investigations will continue.
      • • While we do not have a telephone reporting system, citizens can work with officers over the telephone to file a variety of police reports rather than reporting the incident in person.
          • Citizens may still call 311 and ask to speak with a Camas Police Officer if they need to file a police report.
            This should only be used for NON-EMERGENCY situations.
          • The 911 number should be used for all other purposes.
        • We are suspending all civilian ride-a-longs.
        • Officers will be advised to limit non-essential contacts with members of the public.
        • Most police attendance at public events will also be canceled and rescheduled for a later date once the social distancing recommendations by the CDC are lifted.
        • We are also planning for the possibility that our staffing may be impacted if our personnel become ill. We plan to keep patrol functions as a top priority should this occur.
        • We are also increasing the cleaning and sanitization of our workspaces, vehicles, and other equipment.

In embracing the recommendation of the Department of Health and the Governor’s Office, we encourage all Camas residents to practice social distancing and limiting interactions in group settings.

Clark County Public Health is recommending the cancellation of large gatherings of more than 250 people in order to minimize the potential health impacts of COVID-19.

Here are other ways the City is responding to the virus:

• • • Staff is actively engaged with the regional and state efforts to combat the virus
    • Working to provide up-to-date information and messaging
    • Additional personal protective equipment protocols enacted for first responders
    • Ongoing communications with staff on the issue

There are things that we can all do to help contain the virus:

• • • Wash your hands often and well – hot water, soap and a duration of at least 20 seconds are the three critical steps
    • Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when hand washing is not available
    • Cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or tissue
    • Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects
    • Avoid touching your face unless you have just washed your hands
    • Stay home if you are sick and encourage your colleagues to stay home as well

administration@cityofcamas.us       360-834-6864       City Departments and Services Contact Directory