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City Council Meeting

The first regular meeting of 2025 doubled as a handoff between councils: former Mayor Teri Lenahan offered parting remarks, incoming officials took their oaths, and the new body immediately plunged into public comment, board assignments, and process questions that will shape the year ahead.

Highlights

  • 🙌 New leadership sworn in. Ariel Goodwin (mayor) and councilors Aaron Dumbrell, Mandy Hagedorn, and Katie Reading took the oath of office alongside returning members Trista Pippen and James Fage. Lenahan thanked staff and the community for “16 years of partnership” before passing the gavel.
  • 🏛️ Council president elected. After three nominations (Pippen, McCall-Wallace, Dumbrell) and a bit of Roberts Rules confusion, the council voted 4‑3 to name Councilor Aaron Dumbrell council president for 2025.
  • 🗣️ Robust public comment. Speakers urged the city to:
    • Continue the UGB relook while broadening engagement (Don Weber, Larry Gonzalez, RAC members).
    • Consider the Strong Towns framework for incremental, fiscally responsible growth.
    • Honor the referendum result and “listen to voters” before spending more on Appeals (Greg Brown).
    • Show up for community events (Chamber’s Cindy Hurst), revisit the Garlic Festival IP transfer (Mike Schaefer), and address a chronic semi-truck parking issue blocking Brenthill streets (Mia Wic).
    • Property owners east of town (Chris Edmonds, Rudy Kadlub) and Hillsboro resident Aaron Nichols encouraged the new council to keep dialogue open while scrutinizing pending litigation costs.
  • đź“… Board & liaison assignments set. Council divvied up 2025 ex-officio duties (EDC, Parks Board, Planning Commission, Library Board), regional seats (Metro JPACT, WCCC, Community Development Block Grant PAB), and requested a January retreat to get everyone up to speed.
  • ⚖️ Process reminders. City Attorney Chris Crean reviewed Oregon’s public-meeting rules, warned against serial emails that risk quorum deliberations, and noted future code work is coming as the Legislature pursues new housing mandates.
  • 🧭 Priorities previewed. Mayor Goodwin outlined goals: transparency, patient process improvements, consensus when possible, and proactive communication. Council asked staff to schedule joint work sessions (RAC, city boards), plan a strategic retreat (target mid-January with food), and ensure the Jan 15 special meeting is properly noticed now that members are sworn in.

Follow-Ups

  • City Manager / Recorder
    • Finalize the January retreat date, agenda, and venue (likely mid-month, all-day with lunch).
    • Update the ex-officio calendar and share revised EDC/Parks/Planning/Library assignments with chairs.
    • Ensure the Jan 15 special meeting notice reflects the sworn-in council and includes Executive Sessions on the referendum appeal.
  • Mayor & Council
    • Coordinate attendance at upcoming Chamber/Events Association functions; schedule a future agenda item to clarify event roles, cost sharing, and speaking expectations.
    • Prepare board liaison reports once meetings resume (Library on Jan 15, Planning Jan 8, etc.) and watch for future agenda add requests routed through the mayor/manager.
  • Police & Public Works
    • Investigate the reported semi-truck parking and speeding issues on NW Trellis Drive (Brenthill); provide guidance to the HOA/resident and explore broader parking policy updates.
  • Community Development / Planning
    • Draft a plan for a joint work session with the Rac (and 3J Consulting) so council can hear findings and next steps before the committee winds down.
    • Monitor the state housing bills Crean referenced so the city can anticipate upcoming code amendments.
  • Council President Dumbrell
    • Represent North Plains on WCCC (with Mayor Goodwin as Metro/JPACT rep) and report back on regional topics that could affect the city.