Beaverton City Council Meeting - April 21, 2026

The Beaverton City Council met on April 21, 2026, to discuss downtown parking enforcement, a nonprofit loan program, and the library advisory board's annual report. The meeting began with public comments urging protection for non-traditional family structures, followed by a work session on parking, consent agenda, a debated loan bill, a library presentation, and council reports.

Consent Calendar

• Remaining items on the consent agenda (agenda bills 26073, 26074, 26075, 26076, and 2607) were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sandra Elliott, a Beaverton resident practicing ethical non-monogamy, requested the council bring forward protections for expansive relationship structures and blended/multi-generational families. She cited research showing 60% of non-monogamous people experience stigma and discrimination, and noted that eight cities (including Portland, Astoria, Cambridge, Somerville, Berkeley, and Oakland) have passed similar ordinances without legal challenges.
• David Carlson, campaign coordinator for Open (organization for polyamory and ethical non-monogamy), urged the council to proceed with a family and relationship structure non-discrimination ordinance. He stated that only 18% of households are traditional nuclear families and that one in five Americans live in multi-generational households. He shared that Portland, Olympia, Astoria, and West Hollywood passed similar policies in the last two months, and that over 100 Beaverton residents signed a petition in support.
• Emily Techmas Koons, a Beaverton resident, expressed hope that the council would protect all family structures, including blended and chosen families. She reiterated that the eight cities that passed the exact language faced zero legal challenges or controversy.

Downtown Parking Program Work Session

• Community Development Director Andy Varner, Development Division Manager Tyler Ryerson, and Parking Manager Molly Rabinovitz presented a work session on the downtown parking enforcement pilot program. Key findings from the pilot (July 2023–July 2025) included: over 10,000 hours worked by a third-party vendor, 11,000+ warnings and citations (two-thirds warnings), a 9–10% increase in parking utilization, and a reduction in average stay in two-hour spaces from over two hours to approximately 1.5 hours. The pilot also highlighted the need for updated permit programs (currently unchanged since 2002), improved signage and branding, curb management adjustments, and consistent enforcement hours. Staff presented three contract options with a third-party vendor (LAS Parking LLC) at different service levels and costs. Mayor Beatty opposed moving forward without a more robust parking plan and expressed reservations about the ambassador program and license plate readers. Other councilors (Hussen, Kimmy, Teeter, Tivnan) supported continuing enforcement, with Councilor Hussen favoring Option 2 for consistency during peak hours, Councilor Kimmy emphasizing the need for quick action and more painful tickets to change behavior, Councilor Teeter open to Option 2 or 3 but wanting consistency, and Councilor Tivnan advocating for prioritization of wayfinding and focusing on Broadway. The council did not vote, but the city manager summarized that the majority of council is interested in moving forward with an enforcement contract blending options 2 and 3, with overlapping coverage during peak hours. Staff will return with a draft contract.

Agenda Bill 26078: Nonprofit Loan Program

• Councilor Kimmy pulled this item from consent for discussion. The bill would provide $100,000 to the Oregon Startup Center (OSC) to establish a bridge loan program for nonprofits through a loan loss reserve, potentially leveraging $250,000–$300,000 in loans. Councilor Kimmy and Councilor Hussen opposed, arguing that the program would primarily benefit established nonprofits and not the small, community-based organizations (especially those serving immigrant and refugee communities) that lack capacity to take on loans. Councilor Teeter, Mayor Beatty, Councilor Tivnan, and Councilor Hartmeyer Prigg supported, noting the program's sustainability, amplification of funds, and the existence of other direct grant funding (e.g., $532,000 in CDBG grants). The motion passed 4–2, with Councilor Hussen and Councilor Kimmy voting no.

Library Advisory Board Annual Report

• Library Director Kim Carroll, along with Library Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Perry and Vice Chair Sarah Blatner, presented the 2025 annual report. Highlights included: over 10,000 new library card holders, the popularity of the Design and Make space (capacity limited due to high demand), 1.6 million visits to the Murray Scholls branch since 2015, 5,400 hours of volunteer service (equivalent to 7.5 months of full-time work), and services such as shelter assistance, bus tickets, and ID support. The library supports council goals like advancing diversity through multilingual story times and cultural programs. Councilors expressed strong appreciation for the library's role as a community hub.

Council Reports and Other Items

• City Manager Elizabeth reported on: the launch of Beaverton Community Assistance Grants (applications due May 1), fiscal year 2026–27 budget development (May 28 committee meeting, June 16 adoption), the May 19 election and voters' forum, and various community events (bike ride, Earth Day recycling, child abuse prevention month). Councilor Teeter suggested that when items are pulled from the consent agenda, staff should give a brief presentation first. Councilors agreed and also requested advance notice of pulls. Councilor Hussen shared concerns about anti-Muslim rhetoric and its impact on the community. Councilor Kimmy noted attending the Revolutionary War Memorial rededication event.

Key Outcomes

• Downtown Parking Enforcement: Council gave direction to proceed with a permanent enforcement contract blending options 2 and 3, with overlapping coverage during peak hours. Staff will return with a draft contract.
• Consent Agenda: Adopted unanimously, excluding agenda bill 26078.
• Agenda Bill 26078: Passed 4–2 (Mayor Beatty, Councilors Teeter, Tivnan, Hartmeyer Prigg in favor; Councilors Hussen and Kimmy opposed).
• General Practice: Council agreed to request presentations when items are pulled from the consent agenda and to provide advance notice of pulls.