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City Council Meeting

The council opened with a work session on the mayoral vacancy process before moving into a full agenda that ranged from urban growth outreach to long-term service funding.

Highlights

  • 🗳️ Work session revisited the mayor appointment roadmap, reaffirming a two-week application window and punting the final decision to the Oct 20 meeting so the full council can deliberate together.
  • 🗺️ Resolution 2320 redirects ODOT TGM contingency dollars to neighborhood-scale meetings on UGB concept planning; the measure passed 3–2 with Councilors Hagedorn and Rieding opposed.
  • đźš“ Staff kicked off a service funding plan that will pair community engagement with analysis of options (levy vs. utility fee) for sustaining a fourth sheriff’s deputy and other priority services.
  • 🏛️ Council backed a DLCD technical-assistance grant application to overhaul housing/commercial code sections—especially the Neighborhood Commercial zone—through a consultant-led audit and deep public involvement.
  • đź“Ł Public commenters urged the city to actively use URA grant tools, voiced concerns about chance-based mayor selection, and shared Strong Towns survey results calling for more grassroots input on UGB decisions and local amenities.

Notes

  • Work Session – Mayor Vacancy Process: City Attorney Emily Seltzer walked through charter/code requirements: post the vacancy, keep applications open at least two weeks, limit nominations to applicants, and record each ballot publicly. Council discussed ranked-choice math versus relying on “drawing lots” if stalemated, ultimately agreeing to reopen applications and revisit the issue Oct 20 when Councilor Fitch can participate.
  • Consent Agenda & Recognition: Minutes from Sept 15 and Sept 16 were approved. Washington County Sheriff’s Office presented its Explorer/Search & Rescue youth program, prompting council praise for regional emergency training.
  • Public Comment Themes:
    • Don Weber (in-city) urged the council to avoid coin-flip outcomes and to activate URA grant dollars for businesses like Sisters & Stuff.
    • Property owners advocated continued inclusion in UGB planning and noted historic precedents for tie-breakers.
    • Chassity Wilson (Strong Towns North Plains) summarized a 49-person community forum: 66 % want more engagement before expanding the UGB; top desires include a grocery store, added recreation, and better neighborhood outreach.
  • Resolution 2320 – TGM Outreach Shift: Council authorized re-scoping the Transportation & Growth Management grant so contingency funds cover multiple neighborhood meetings rather than a single large workshop. Vote: 3–2 (Ayes: Dumbrell, McCall, Penn; Nays: Hagedorn, Rieding).
  • Unfinished Business – City Services & Funding Plan: City Manager Bill Ganley outlined a timeline to gauge support for enhanced sheriff patrol and other services. Steps include fall community conversations, an early-winter survey, and modeling of either a local-option levy (earliest election May 2026) or utility fee. Council signaled interest in broad outreach before committing to revenue tools.
  • New Business – DLCD Technical Assistance Grant: Planner Rowan Braemer detailed the $75 k grant request to audit housing/commercial code, focus on the NC zone, and improve infill standards. Council gave unanimous consensus for the mayor pro tem to sign the support letter; staff files the application this week and will return with updates.
  • Mayor Selection (Regular Agenda): By consensus, the council moved the new-business item on tie-breaking rules to Oct 20 and asked staff to repost the vacancy immediately.
  • City Manager Report & Council Updates: Ganley announced an Oct 20 URA meeting to explore grant programs, sunset extension, and a future tax-increment “101” briefing from consultant Elaine Howard. Staff are also scoping AI-driven records tools and updated IT/cybersecurity services ahead of the civic center opening. Councilor Rieding requested public comment rosters distinguish “within city limits” vs. “rural” rather than “non-resident.”

Follow-Ups

  • Reopen the mayor application period for the charter-required two weeks and bring the candidate slate, interview plan, and tie-break procedure back on Oct 20.
  • Implement Resolution 2320 by coordinating with ODOT on revised TGM outreach tasks and scheduling the first neighborhood meetings.
  • Flesh out the city services funding engagement plan (community meetings, survey instruments, levy/fee modeling) and report milestones to council.
  • Submit the DLCD technical-assistance grant by the Oct 11 deadline and update council once award notifications arrive.
  • Prepare materials for the Oct 20 URA meeting, including grant program options and consultant availability for the forthcoming tax-increment finance workshop.

Video Recording