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City Council Meeting

September’s meeting mixed annual recognitions, county-level updates, and a primer on the looming FEMA floodplain mandates, while staff walked through project punch lists and service trends heading into fall.

Highlights

  • 🟣 Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Council proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, reiterating the community’s support for the Washington County Family Justice Center. Executive Director Rachel Schutz invited residents to the Oct 13 Run for Hope at Hare Field and thanked North Plains Police for front-line work with survivors.
  • 🏛️ County briefing (Commissioner Jerry Willey).
    • Reported that Washington County’s fentanyl deflection center opened September 1; individuals cited for possession can now choose immediate treatment over jail.
    • County departments are preparing 3–5 % budget reductions ahead of the FY 2025 levy decisions; updates are forthcoming on the jail (another pod has closed) and the library levy rate.
    • Broadband remains a priority: the County is packaging rural fiber projects (with Greater Columbia Economic Development) so households west of Hillsboro can access high-speed service.
    • Trail projects are advancing, notably the Council Creek Trail (Hillsboro ↔ Forest Grove) and a companion corridor in western Washington County.
  • 📚 Library update. Director Robin Dodie highlighted:
    • AmeriCorps “Digital Navigator” drop-in sessions every other Tuesday at the library, part of the countywide broadband initiative;
    • The Early Literacy Specialist’s kindergarten/grade-school family nights at Quatama Ridge Elementary;
    • A new partnership with Melly’s for monthly trivia nights led by the Community Engagement Specialist.
  • 🗣️ Public comment. Aaron Nichols urged council to:
    1. Rescind Ordinance 490 (the 2023 UGB expansion) and related supporting ordinances in light of Judge Wittmayer’s ruling;
    2. Correct ReLook documents to acknowledge the binding referendum result and strike language referencing the unconstitutional HB 4026; and
    3. Emphasize the high turnout (72 % opposed) when describing the May 2024 election.
  • 🌊 FEMA floodplain mandate primer. Staff previewed the Region 10 FEMA “Pre-Implementation Compliance Measure” options (permit-by-permit, hybrid, or model ordinance) and confirmed no decision will be made until after an October work session; council needs more time to understand the ESA-driven requirements before selecting a path.

Staff & Project Updates

  • Planning & Development
    • Senior Planner Steve Miller noted several permits are moving into Type III review (public hearing before the Planning Commission), including a new multi-family proposal. Address assignments are handled in-house for each subdivision—unlike some counties—and staff is formalizing those procedures for emergency responders and utilities.
    • Franchise utility delays still constrain the North Avenue east segment; Lenar and Lumen must complete relocations before paving resumes.
  • Public Works
    • Dustin Lillie reported 313 Commercial and other downtown capital projects are in the punch-list stage (ADA ramps, landscaping, signage). The City has submitted reimbursement paperwork for the Small City Allotment grant even though minor items remain.
    • He’s drafting a facility maintenance plan to catalog building-by-building tasks (gutters, caulking, painting) ahead of the rainy season.
  • Finance
    • Bill Reed said water-utility receivables jumped after summer billing; staff is working with customers on payment plans.
    • A new accountant (formerly finance manager at MACC) joined on Sept 16 and will help keep payroll, AP/AR, and audit prep in house.

Council Roundtable

  • Mayor Lenahan recapped recent county meetings:
    • The Library Funding Roadshow (Sept 20 at the Washington Street Conference Center) will preview levy options and ask cities to weigh in;
    • Chair Harrington confirmed another jail pod is closed, underscoring staffing shortages;
    • The county is still finalizing details on the revised library levy rate before going public.
  • Councilors reviewed upcoming liaison meetings (Library Board, Parks, etc.) and thanked county partners for the broadband/digital navigator investments.

Follow-Ups

  • Staff
    • Schedule the FEMA work session (October) and assemble comparison materials so council can choose a PICI option before the Dec 1 reporting deadline.
    • Continue nudging Lenar/Lumen on the North Avenue relocation schedule and update council once work is scheduled.
    • Finalize the downtown punch-list and submit completion notices so ODOT can release retainage and close out the SCA grant.
    • Complete the citywide facility-maintenance inventory and return with a draft plan later this fall.
    • Monitor utility delinquencies after the September billing cycle and report any needed budget adjustments during Q2.
  • Council
    • Attend the Sept 20 county library roadshow (or submit testimony) and bring questions/feedback to the next liaison meeting.
    • Participate in the Oct 13 Run for Hope or share the link so residents know how to support the Family Justice Center.