Cornelius City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - August 4, 2025

The meeting began with a work session on parking management for climate-friendly and equitable communities compliance, followed by a regular council meeting that included public comments, presentations on public safety and library levies, and a land use decision. The council discussed three options for complying with state mandates, leaning toward option 1 (eliminating parking minimums citywide) but requesting further analysis and community input.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent agenda (motion by Councilor Godines, second by Councilor Colgan, unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aaron Nolley (Laurel Woods resident) presented a petition signed by dozens of residents requesting pedestrian safety improvements: painted crosswalks, marked parking at parks, yellow no-parking zones, flashing crosswalk signs, and tree trimming at specific intersections (Ginger & 26th, Heather & 26th, Jasper & 24th, Jasper & 26th roundabout). He noted that overgrown trees block driver views and that near misses have occurred. Council thanked him and said staff would review the requests, but noted that uniform application across the city must be considered.
• Ken Welch (resident on S 26th Ave for 20 years) criticized the city for four years of delays in addressing traffic safety on S 26th, citing four hit vehicles (one pinning him in his truck), persistent speeding, and a stop sign at Dogwood being ignored. He referenced emails from staff promising improvements and said the city told residents to "suck it up" because the street is a collector. He demanded speed bumps, crosswalks, or opening alternative exits. Council acknowledged the issue and noted that the street was planned for high traffic, but that driver behavior needs improvement.

Discussion Items

• Parking Management Compliance Work Session (presented by Community Development Director Barbara Fryer):
  • All three options require common design reforms: parking area shading/solar, carpool spaces, EV capacity for 5+ unit multifamily, bike parking, and elimination of parking minimums within 1/2 mile of a frequent bus route (blue area on map).
  • Option 1 (recommended by Planning Commission): Eliminate parking minimums citywide, applicable to future annexations. No additional town center requirements.
  • Option 2 (Fair Parking Policy): Requires unbundling parking from rent, paid parking districts, or residential parking permits. Complex retroactive requirements for multifamily (5+ units) and commercial parking (e.g., Walmart).
  • Option 3 (Regulatory Reform): Requires at least one pricing mechanism (residential parking district or parking benefit district). Maximum parking limits: no more than 0.5 off-street spaces per dwelling unit in climate-friendly area, and no parking minimums for affordable housing, shelters, ADUs, etc.
  • Costs for parking districts: meters $500-$1,000 per stall install, $150-$200 annual; payment systems (QR code) startup $100,000 + $10,000/month; enforcement $30-$60/hour plus equipment ($1,000 handheld to $65,000 vehicle-mounted).
  • Councilors expressed frustration that the state mandate is punitive for small cities like Cornelius, where the 1/2-mile buffer covers most of the city. Councilor Godines, Councilor Colgan, and Mayor Delane leaned toward Option 1 to avoid costly enforcement, but requested more detailed scenarios and a joint work session with Planning Commission. Council also discussed a possible town hall to educate the public.
  • Staff noted the city is currently operating under Option 1 de facto, but no formal adoption has occurred.
• Washington County Sheriff's Office Update and Public Safety Local Option Levy (presented by Undersheriff Cook):
  • Jail staffing nearing full capacity; facility upgrades ongoing; 572 beds with three pods closed; partnering with Yamhill County and using community correction center (60-100 beds).
  • Highlighted countywide teams: Community Violence Reduction Team (45 search warrants, 100+ firearms seized), Search and Rescue (48 missions in 2024, volunteers aged 14-20), and Drone Team (500+ missions in 2024).
  • Public Safety Levy (Measure 34-345) on November ballot: 66 cents per $1,000 assessed value (average $19/month, $6 increase from expiring levy). Funds sheriff's patrol, jail, district attorney, community corrections, juvenile, mental health response, and drug enforcement (seized 1.3 million fentanyl pills in 3 years). If not passed, services would be reduced.
  • Councilor Godines raised concerns about ICE collaboration: Undersheriff confirmed the sheriff's office does not enforce immigration laws and maintains a sanctuary policy. They encourage reporting suspicious activity to non-emergency dispatch.
• Washington County Cooperative Libraries Local Option Levy (presented by Assistant County Administrator Marnie Kyle):
  • Measure 34-345: replaces expiring 22-cent levy with 37 cents per $1,000 assessed value (average $129/year, $10.75/month; $54/year increase). Funds 16 libraries, digital collection, courier service (2.5 million items delivered), 2.4 million visits, 7.2 million checkouts in FY23-24. If not passed, reduced hours, fewer books, and reduced services.
  • Council encouraged public to vote and support the levy.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2025-06 (North 10th Avenue Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment and Zone Change): Approved unanimously. Applies city R7 zoning to three annexed properties (within city limits and UGB) and retains county AF5 zoning outside UGB. Includes a trip cap of 12 trips per property, as recommended by ODOT.
• Appointment of Daniel Rodriguez to the Public Infrastructure Advisory Board (Position 8, term through December 2027): Approved unanimously.
• Future actions on parking: Council directed staff to prepare detailed scenarios (e.g., Grande redevelopment, east development) and schedule a joint work session with Planning Commission, followed by a public town hall. No formal vote on options was taken.