Beaverton City Council Meeting – March 3, 2026

This meeting of the Beaverton City Council on March 3, 2026, included proclamations for Women's History Month and International Women's Day, public comments on budget deficits, police funding, ICE enforcement, traffic calming, and sanctuary city protections. The council approved an interim city manager appointment, adopted comprehensive plan and development code amendments for walkable places, approved a liquor license process change, and held a work session on a potential fiscal sustainability service fee. Council also directed $25,000 from its travel budget to support community organizations aiding families impacted by federal immigration enforcement.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the council consent agenda and the contract review board consent agenda unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jennifer Croft (Beaverton resident) criticized the city's budget priorities, noting that $48.2 million from the general fund was allocated to the police department in FY2025-2026 despite the police department having its own public safety tax. She stated that police have not been doing their jobs regarding ICE agents in the city, and urged the council to stop seeking additional revenue until promised services are reliably provided.
• Ken and John (neighborhood representatives from the Alpenrose/Raleigh Crest area) testified about a development in Portland that will add a new connection through their neighborhood. They requested that the city withdraw the current survey, ensure meaningful neighborhood engagement, and require a robust traffic calming plan that goes beyond four speed humps as proposed by the developer, citing the hearings officer's requirement that the plan "shall mitigate impacts."
• Evelyn Cocher (lifelong Beaverton resident) expressed frustration that the council has not taken concrete action on immigration enforcement since passing a state of emergency in January. She noted that the January 20 proposal to codify sanctuary city laws was unanimously voted down by council members not from immigrant backgrounds and referred to a subcommittee that has not reported progress. She called for public town halls in English and Spanish and urged the city to set aside funds (like other cities have done) to support families affected by ICE operations.
• David Kearns (Beaverton resident) asked the council to strengthen sanctuary city protections by ensuring police department policy prohibits access to data collected through third-party platforms like Axon Evidence, and to explore ways to allow residents who fear federal law enforcement to speak at public meetings without requiring their name and address.

Discussion Items

• Interim City Manager Appointment: The city manager recruitment subcommittee recommended appointing Elizabeth Coffee as interim city manager for a one-year term, citing her strong background as assistant city manager and previous leadership roles in Gresham. Councilor Hussen questioned the one-year term, suggesting a six-month term with possible extension. Other councilors supported the year for stability, especially during budget season and the need for a thoughtful national search. The council voted unanimously (7-0) to approve the recommendation, with formal terms to be finalized at the March 17, 2026 meeting.
• Microtransit Pilot Project (Spot): Washington County and Ride Connection presented the Spot (Shared Public On-Demand Transit) microtransit pilot serving southwest Beaverton, funded through a STIF grant through June 2027. The service area covers 7 square miles, with 20,000 residents and 4,000 jobs in Beaverton. In the first six weeks, 585 trips were completed, with over 600 customer accounts created. The service is free, operates Monday-Friday 6:30am-9:30pm, and connects to Washington Square Transit Center. Councilors expressed excitement and asked about demographics, app features, and potential expansion to Beaverton Transit Center. Staff will continue outreach and explore permanent funding.
• Fiscal Sustainability Service Fee Work Session: Staff presented options for a new service fee on utility bills to address the general fund deficit. The fee would be charged per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) or by account type, with a target revenue of $5.8 million annually. Four fee structures were discussed: flat fee per EDU, tiered fees by EDU, fee by customer type, and flat fee per account. Councilors generally agreed on the purpose (general services) and the revenue target, and most favored removing options three and four. Mayor Beatty and several councilors preferred option one (flat fee per EDU) for its simplicity and proportionality, while Councilor Tivnon favored option two (tiered) to balance impacts. Council directed staff to refine options one and two (without a cap on option one) and to develop messaging strategies, with a follow-up work session in April. The fee is being considered alongside a potential transportation utility fee.
• Council Items:
  • Public Works Director Tim provided an update on the Alpenrose/Raleigh Crest traffic calming issue, stating that the city will work with the neighborhood to develop a traffic management plan, and that the previous survey process has been voided. The developer must construct traffic calming measures before opening the new connection.
  • Mayor Beatty acknowledged Councilor Hussen's advocacy on data sharing, noting that the city's contract with Axon ensures no law enforcement data sharing with federal agencies.
  • Council President moved to direct the city manager to identify an efficient process to allocate $25,000 from the council's travel budget (which has been underutilized) to a community organization providing mutual aid to Beaverton families impacted by federal immigration enforcement. The motion passed with support from multiple councilors, emphasizing it is a one-time seed funding. Council also encouraged special districts to contribute.
  • Mayor Beatty honored Paulino Martin San Pedro, a Beavertonian who was abducted in November and recently passed away, expressing condolences to his family and noting the importance of humanizing violence locally and globally.

Key Outcomes

• Interim City Manager: Approved recommendation to appoint Elizabeth Coffee as interim city manager for a one-year term, with formal terms to be finalized at the March 17, 2026 meeting. Vote: 7-0.
• Walkable Places Code Amendments: Adopted Ordinance No. 4879, amending the comprehensive plan and development code (LU 42025-00608, CPTA 42025-00615, TA 42025-00607) with amendments from the planning commission and supplemental memo. Vote: 7-0.
• Liquor License Process: Adopted Ordinance No. 4880, amending Beaverton Code Chapter 5.02 related to the local liquor license review process. Vote: 7-0.
• Fiscal Sustainability Fee: Council directed staff to refine options one (flat fee per EDU) and two (tiered fees by EDU) for the service fee, with no cap on option one, and to develop messaging and impact analysis for a follow-up work session in April. The revenue target remains $5.8 million annually.
• Immigration Mutual Aid Funding: Council directed the city manager to allocate $25,000 from the council travel budget for a one-time grant to a community organization supporting Beaverton families affected by federal immigration enforcement. Process to be efficient and timely.
• Traffic Calming: The city will work with the Alpenrose/Raleigh Crest neighborhood to develop a traffic management plan, voiding the previous survey, with the developer required to construct measures before opening the new connection.