Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency & City Council Joint Meeting - March 17, 2026

The meeting began with the Beaverton Urban Redevelopment Agency (BURA) board considering property acquisitions and then transitioned to a regular city council session featuring a proclamation, public testimony, a multicultural gap analysis presentation, a city manager’s report, contract approvals, and council discussion on downtown parking enforcement.

BURA – Property Acquisitions & Urban Renewal Plan Amendment

• Staff presented Resolution 2026-073 authorizing acquisition of five properties (two on SW Canyon Road, three on SW Beaverdam Road) and amending the Central Beaverton Urban Renewal Plan to include them. The acquisitions implement the Creekside District Master Plan and the Bureau Portfolio Redevelopment Strategy approved in 2023.
• Board members expressed strong support, noting the acquisitions will consolidate properties for future redevelopment and reduce obstacles. Mayor Bauti and board members Hartmeyer-Prigg and Teeter all spoke in favor.
• Vote: 8‑0 (three absent). Resolution adopted.

Proclamation

• Councillor Hartmeyer-Prigg read a proclamation declaring March 31, 2026 as Transgender Day of Visibility in Beaverton. The council adopted it unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Juliette spoke about the Shen Yun performing arts company, highlighting its origins, its 20th anniversary, and opposition from the Chinese government. She invited council members to attend performances and provided informational materials.
• Evelyn Cocher (lifelong Beaverton resident) thanked the council for allocating $25,000 in excess budget to support the immigrant community. She cited a sharp increase in ICE and DHS arrests in Washington County (from under 50 to over 300 per quarter) and noted that Hillsboro had allocated $200,000 and adopted policies similar to those proposed in Beaverton. She urged the city to improve communication, create an FAQ page, and take stronger protective measures.
• Antonia (self‑described Latino community leader) criticized the council for not moving quickly enough. She stated she had met with over 24 Beaverton businesses and questioned why it took the city over a month longer than Hillsboro and Washington County to declare a state of emergency. She demanded a plan to help businesses affected by ICE activity and documentation of ICE actions by the police department.

Discussion Items

1. Multicultural Gap Analysis Findings (Lara Media Presentation)

• Dr. Kenya Williams (Chief Equity Officer) introduced the study, which aimed to understand barriers to belonging for diverse communities. Victoria Lara and Antonio Lara from Lara Media presented key findings:
  • Community members love Beaverton but feel institutional connection is uneven.
  • Top barriers: communication gaps, language and cultural barriers, transportation, cost, trust/safety concerns.
  • Residents want clear multilingual communication, youth and family support, events across neighborhoods, real representation in decision‑making, and accessible multicultural spaces.
  • Recommendations included creating a community navigator program, a centralized information hub, a multicultural hub, equitable funding for community‑led organizations, non‑police safety responses (e.g., Portland Street Response), and public equity accountability dashboards.
• Council members responded positively. Councillor Kimmy noted the need to deliver services in ways communities can receive them. Councillor Tivnon connected findings to neighborhood associations. Councillor Duggar highlighted the importance of compensating community advisory members to avoid skewed voices. Mayor Bauti emphasized communication and getting out of City Hall to serve neighborhoods.

2. City Manager’s Report & Federal Activities Update

• City Manager Meredith Smith announced upcoming events (State of the City, ‘your city’ newsletter, belonging speaker series) and reminded the public how to identify city employees.
• She provided an update on legal and operational responses to federal immigration and anti‑DEI actions:
  • Streamlined utility billing assistance (13 residents benefited from cap removal).
  • Ratified a state of emergency related to immigration activities.
  • Codified Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise Law into city code.
  • Adopted a legal framework to expedite participation in litigation; joined four cases (against military deployment, ICE invasions, and anti‑DEI grant conditions).
  • Published flyers in English/Spanish on identifying police officers.
  • Hosted staff training sessions and provided economic development support to impacted businesses.
  • Partnered with Centro Cultural, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition, and ACLU for community training.
  • Worked with Representative Thuy Tran to pass HB 4138 (limits police mask use, allows state injunctions against federal immigration violations).
  • Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WACA) will now provide monthly reports to the city on dispatch calls involving federal activity.
  • A policy resolution refining the city’s immigration enforcement stance is being developed with police and union leadership, using Hillsboro’s ordinance as a model.
  • Staff are scoping mutual aid services to get financial help to the community by end of fiscal year.
• Council members thanked staff and requested regular updates. Councillor Teeter noted that joining the Fresno lawsuit protected $600,000 annually for low‑income housing. Councillor Tivnon and Councillor Duggar emphasized the need for better communication to the public about these efforts.

3. Downtown Parking Enforcement Contract (Pulled from Consent)

• The council considered a three‑year, $1.3 million contract for downtown parking enforcement. The new contract would increase enforcement ambassadors from 2.5 to 4 FTE and include office space for customer service.
• Debate: Mayor Bauti led opposition, calling the cost “astronomical” and noting parking issues persist. He cited feedback from a downtown business roundtable and said the city had not acted on many suggestions (e.g., wayfinding signs, shared parking agreements, paid parking). He argued the money could be better spent on infrastructure or lighting. Councillor Hartmeyer-Prigg questioned the return on investment. Councillor Duggar noted that parking tickets brought in only ~$50,000 annually while warnings were issued for two‑thirds of citations. Councillor Teeter and Councillor Tivnon expressed concerns and said they preferred to explore alternative solutions before committing to a multi‑year contract. Councillor Kimmy supported enforcement, arguing that without it, long‑term parking would worsen for downtown businesses.
• Staff (Andy Barner, Molly Rabinovitz, Casey Ratto) answered questions: enforcement reduced average stay from over 2 hours to 1.5 hours and increased occupancy from 55% to 67%. If the contract were not approved, proactive consistent enforcement would stop, but the city could reassess. Paid parking remains an option but would require capital investment.
• Vote: Motion to approve the contract failed 1‑5 (Councillor Kimmy in favor; all others opposed). The contract was not approved, and staff will bring back alternatives.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (Resolution CRB‑26061 and other items) was approved unanimously (6‑0) after pulling the parking contract. Approved items included:
  • Contract for interim city manager.
  • Lease agreement for Community Action (Head Start) at a city‑owned building.
  • Property tax waivers for 14 housing complexes (Barcelona, Bridge Meadows, Cedar Grove, El Monica, Furcrest, Altar, Altura, Menlo, Amenity, Spencer, Mary Ann, Henry, and others) built in the last six years, supporting affordable housing for seniors, families, and foster families.

Council Items

• Councillors offered heartfelt tributes to outgoing City Manager Jenny (Smith), acknowledging her leadership, mentorship, and role in establishing the council‑manager form of government. They noted her work on budgeting, staff hiring, and guiding six new councillors. A farewell gift (a beaver‑shaped art piece with words representing her accomplishments) was presented.

Key Outcomes

• BURA Resolution 2026‑073: Adopted (8‑0). Authorizes acquisition of five properties and amends the Central Beaverton Urban Renewal Plan.
• Proclamation: Adopted. March 31, 2026 is Transgender Day of Visibility in Beaverton.
• Multicultural Gap Analysis: Received and discussed. Council directed staff to use findings to improve communication, expand community navigators, and consider policy changes.
• Downtown Parking Enforcement Contract: Not approved (1‑5). Staff to return with alternative strategies.
• Consent Agenda: Approved (6‑0) with one item (parking contract) removed.
• City Manager’s Federal Response Update: Noted. Council requested regular updates and improved community communication.
• City Manager Transition: Council expressed gratitude and will hold a public farewell event in two weeks.