A proclamation is a general statement from the council, which would have allowed them to say what they wanted to, Myers said. A resolution is more vague than a full-on ordinance, which is a local law. According to a report from the Municipal Research and Services Center, “resolutions are often limited to expressions of opinion,” while an ordinance “generally prescribes permanent rules of conduct or government.”

Just because residents don’t like the law doesn’t mean they can start to pick and choose which laws to follow, Myers said. The mayor was hoping the councilors would pass a strongly-worded proclamation speaking out against I-1639, and then community groups would start working to get signatures to get a ballot initiative to repeal the measure in a future election. Many residents felt that was too long a process to go through, as I-1639 officially becomes law on July 1.

“Doing nothing is going to keep the snowball melting,” Councilor Herb Noble said.

While Myers was more supportive of issuing a proclamation instead of passing a resolution, he is no fan of I-1639. At different points Monday night, he called the law “unconstitutional,” “an assault on civil rights” and as having a “foundation of quicksand.” Still, as mayor, Myers said he has to look out for the interests of the town. While residents in attendance at Monday’s meeting wanted the councilors to do something, Myers said they don’t know the fallout from passing the resolution.

No police force

Yacolt doesn’t have a police force. The town contracts with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office for service. Myers said he didn’t know how the resolution would affect that contract, or if the sheriff’s office would want more money to work with the town. Myers didn’t know if it would affect the level of service the county provides. He didn’t know if the sheriff’s office or some other state agency would sue the town.

In a letter to the town received prior to the meeting, Undersheriff Mike Cooke wrote that a lawsuit was filed regarding I-1639 in which Clark County Sheriff Chuck Atkins was named a defendant. Because of the lawsuit, Cooke wrote, the department declined to send a representative to the council meeting. While some sheriffs around the state said they won’t enforce 1639, Atkins announced in February his department will enforce it.