Um and this is the time for the Cornelius Urban Renewable Agency Board Meeting.

Uh could I please get a roll call?

Member Delane.

Yes, sorry, didn't understand yet.

Present.

Member Vaughn.

Present.

Member Nunez Baragan.

Present.

Uh Vice Chair Godinas.

Present.

Chair Lopez.

Present.

All present.

Perfect.

Thank you.

And so looks like an on our agenda today.

We have elections for chair and vice chair.

And I do have a script here.

Okay, so I'm gonna go ahead and start reading read this script.

Um so as part of today's agenda, we will hold elections for the positions of chair and vice chair.

These officers will serve for a term of one year.

And I will now open up the floor for nominations for the positions of chair.

Do I have any nominations for chair?

Board member.

I nominate uh board member Lopez for chair.

Second.

Okay.

Um let's see.

Are there any further nominations?

Hearing none, nominations are nominations for the chair are now closed.

And let's see here.

So I'm Chair Lopez on the nominee.

And uh I will address the group and say yes, I do accept the nomination.

Um I don't have a speech ready or anything, so I think we can go on to uh the next part.

Thank you, um, we will now proceed for the election for this position of chair, the nominee, Chair Lopez.

We'll call for a verbal vote uh for for each nominee.

Please respond with an aye if you support the nominee or remain silent if you do not.

So there's only one nominee again.

Um all of those in favor of Chair Lopez for Chair, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All those opposed.

Okay, so hearing none.

Uh let's see.

The votes have been tallied, and Chair Lopez has been elected as chair.

Congratulations.

One more year.

All right.

Now we're gonna redo that again, but this time for vice chair.

Um do I have any nominations for vice chair?

Nominate Commissioner uh Godiness.

Second.

Any other nominations?

No.

Okay.

We'll now uh proceed for the election of the vice chair position.

The nominees are board member Godinis.

Uh we'll call for a verbal vote for each nominee.

Please respond with an aye if you support the nominee or remain silent if you do not.

All those in favor of board member Godinez for vice chair, please say aye.

Aye aye.

All those opposed.

None?

Okay.

Uh the votes have been tallied, and board member Godiness has been elected as vice chair.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

No speech.

Appreciate it.

All right, congratulations uh to those that have been elected.

Um you have been elected for vice chair and chair.

Thank you for the participants.

Uh and the new officers will assume their duties immediately.

All right, thank you.

Okay.

So moving on.

Um we do have an item on the consent agenda.

Um we have the minutes from uh May and June on there.

Uh is there anyone willing to make a motion or any questions or comments on them?

Just point in clarification.

It's May 5th of 25 and January 5th of 26.

Apologies for that.

No comments, but I uh I'll make the motion to approve the consent agenda.

Second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

All right, all those against, any abstain?

Okay, looks like the motion passes.

Okay, moving on.

Uh, do we have any public comment?

No in person, nothing online.

Okay, perfect.

Thank you.

Uh we do have a presentation.

Uh City Manager Brandon.

Thank you, Chair Lopez.

Uh, just briefly, this is our first uh urban renewal report.

The urban renewal plan was adopted in 2019.

In the past couple of years, the urban renewal fund has matured to the point where we can utilize it.

It allowed us to purchase the former SB gas station, Grande Foods property, and others, and we do plan to borrow against the fund to begin other projects in the plan.

So it's very exciting.

It also means we must now report on our revenues and expenditures annually.

And so as I mentioned, this is our first report.

It involves nine taxing districts who are impacted by the tax increment financing.

And the way that works is it freezes the tax levels when the plan is adopted within the designated urban renewal district and uses the increment between that frozen rate and a given rate in future years to fund the urban renewal fund, and that money is used to address blight and to support economic development in the area.

In 2025, the fund produced 630, just over $634,000, including 48,000 plus in interest.

So we're got something to work with now.

So happy to answer any questions about the report.

Thank you.

Any questions or comments from the board?

No.

Okay, seeing none.

Okay, so it looks like there is no new business or unfinished business.

A motion to adjourn.

Second.

All those in favor say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

All right.

Looks like this meeting is adjourned.

Thank you.

Oh, the Cornell City Council.

For Monday, February 2nd, 2026.

Thank you.

First up is our call of order with our Pledge of Allegiance.

So please join me in Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Staff, would you take roll call, please?

Councilor Lopez.

Present.

Councilor Vaughan.

Present.

Councillor Nunez Baragon.

Present.

Council of President Godinez Valencia.

Present.

Mayor Delane?

Present.

All present.

Great.

Everybody's in attendance.

For announcements this evening.

Applications are open.

Maybe you saw that in your newsletter for the Civic Leadership Academy.

City Manager did a nice article on that.

Monday, February 16th, the city will be closed for President's Day.

Monday, March 2nd at 6 p.m.

We will have our city council work session.

And followed at 7 p.m.

on March 2nd will be the city council meeting.

Let's see.

We have some items on the consent agenda.

Do I have a motion to adopt the consent?

I motion to adopt the consent agenda.

Motion by Council President Godinas.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Second by Councillor Lopez.

Any further discussion?

Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

Abstentions?

Passes unanimous.

That takes us on to public comment.

Michelle, do we have anybody with public comment this evening?

Is there anyone in the audience wishing to comment on something not on the agenda?

Okay.

Well, thank you very much.

Recognition.

Wow, 20 years.

This evening we have a recognition for Erica Martinez.

Do we have some staff?

Oh, Ellie.

The Mr.

Microphone.

Yeah, there we go.

Okay.

Ilika can come up here.

So today we're uh here to recognize Erica Martinez for 20 years of service to the city.

So Erica initially started working as a part-time employee on the public work.

I'm so sorry.

The mic went out.

I'm so sorry.

Okay.

Do I need to go back?

I'll go back a little.

Erica's awesome.

Um so I'll just go back to in 2012, Elica transitioned up to City Hall and filled up a vacancy.

So hopefully you can all hear now.

Um she is the first line of support at City Hall.

When you walk in, she's the face that you see, and when you call the phone, she's usually the voice that you get on the other end of the line.

She does greet the customers with a smile and assist them with a friendly and helpful attitude.

Not just making utility payments, but she helps open accounts and close accounts, uh, issue business and liquid licenses.

Um she directs people to the appropriate staff if it's something she can't handle.

Um she also responds just to overall questions, and sometimes those are we get some odd questions.

Um but she does the best she can to help them in any way possible.

She even has goodies that she gives out to the kids when they come in, stickers, um, candy, whatever.

And that's my next one.

And she also has dog goodies for those who come in with the puppies.

So she does try to to make it a very welcoming atmosphere when people come into the office.

However, working with Flint Desk is not always easy.

At times we encounter difficult situations, difficult customers, and Erica does the best she can to treat them fairly with a smile on her face, and hopefully come to a good good outcome.

Hopefully.

And she does this again, making sure that everyone is treated fairly while still following city policies and procedures.

In addition to customer service at the window, Erica also helps with other financial aspects within the office.

Um participates in um some accounts payable, not only cash receipts, but accounts payable.

Um nicely organized.

Um, and she also likes to decorate and make the office look welcoming for the holidays.

So if you come in now, you'll see Valentine's all over.

Um so there's always something additional to add, but we would like to thank Erica for your continued um service to the community and congratulate you on 20 years with the city.

Thank you.

So thank you for all your um incredible service and continued uh it's always been nice to come to the front desk and see you there and have a quick conversation.

Council, any other questions, comments?

Yes, go ahead.

Yeah, I remember one of our first interactions.

I don't know if you remember it, but I was super nervous because I was coming in to have my first meeting for the city planning commission, and I thought it was at City Hall, and you were like, and I came in and you're like, oh no, it's not here, but you were so kind about it, and you called, and you're like, this is where you go, and this is what you do, and I was like, oh, she was really nice.

I was like, thank you so much.

But even as I've gotten to know you when I came for my first meeting with um the city manager at the time, you were amazing and to this day.

Every time I go in, I love chatting with you.

I love your converse collection and just how sweet you are to our community and how much you care about it.

I remember one time you asked me about resources because you had a family come in and you were like, Do you know where I can help them?

And I think that just speaks to your heart and how much you really want to make sure that our community members have what they need, even if we don't offer it.

So I'm just so grateful for the 20 years that you've been here.

And I hope you never leave us.

Another day will come, but hopefully we get another 20 years out of you.

Thank you so much.

Council Lopez.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

Uh I don't have as much to say as uh Councilor Goldidas, but I do want to thank you.

Um you were always friendly.

You make the place easy to come to.

Um, I remember the first time I came in, came in to set up uh my uh account.

Um, and again, you were friendly, you were nice.

So just thank you for your dedication.

Uh the city appreciates it.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I just have to congratulate you on 20 years, because 20 years in any employment space is worth congratulations in today's day.

I think uh so many people job hop that 20 years is just amazing.

So congratulations and thank you.

We're a great employer, apparently.

Um I just want to say thank you for everything that you do for the city, and also you're a sweetie pie.

I can just tell from your smile.

So thank you.

Before you know it, we'll be celebrating 40 years with Erica.

Okay.

Council Creek regional trail update is our next topic.

Um, presenter.

Uh nope, that's been postponed.

Uh auditor's sick.

So please, uh from Washington County, please approach, introduce yourselves so I don't murder your name, and uh we'll get your update.

Ah, there we go.

Good to go.

Setting up to our audience.

Losing half the audience, of course, because they're all here to see Erica.

As they should.

Uh yeah, as they should.

We weren't we didn't have firefighters here tonight, so that that the room wouldn't pack up.

Okay.

Perfect.

Great.

Well, thank you for having me, Council Mayor.

My name is Jonas Kalfkins.

I am a senior project manager at Washington County in Capital Projects.

Online is Diomi Valentine.

He is a principal planner with the county as well.

Here to talk about the Council Creek Regional Trail.

I'm managing both projects, which is why you get to listen to me tonight.

So just a quick brief over the agenda that I'll cover this evening.

I'll go over the project background, go into the design and funding status of the two projects, explain why we have two projects for the trail, go into the near-term communication and reporting, and then touch on our next steps.

So for the project background, the Council Creek Regional Trail Master Plan was completed in 2015.

Two corridors were identified the North South and East West.

North South is a long-term vision.

There's no funding commitment there.

Whereas the East West is a near-term goal.

And we do have funding there.

That was thanks to the Council Creek Regional Trail Working Group, partnership with the cities, the county, Metro, TriMet, and ODOT to help really build the momentum to secure grants for the East-West Corridor.

We were able to receive three grants.

The first one, a regional flexible fund from Metro for the preliminary design.

And then we went for a rebuilding American infrastructure through sustainability and equity grant, a raise grant.

That one we were told to reduce our ask.

So when they did ask us to reduce that, they took out all the crossings.

So we the raise grant only funds the actual trail segments.

And then we were awarded another Riffer grant through Metro, which was for the crossings.

So the preliminary design covered the whole thing.

And then from there we dug into the actual design of each segment and the crossings.

So for our trail project, we actually started design in September of 2023.

We had an open house in May of 24.

We received our environmental permits about August of 2024, and then our design was completed in September of 24.

The reason for that very close schedule, the RAISE grant had a very tight window and a very tight requirements when we had to make sure our design was done to obligate construction funds.

However, the corridor at the time was still under ownership of ODOT.

So we were not able to secure the property rights necessary to construct.

Federal highway was understanding, and they said, Well, you get your design done, get your permits in, submit, we'll hold it, and then we'll say you're good to go.

And then over the next year, you can get your right-of-way, and then you can go into construction after that.

We'll re-evaluate everything to make sure that's all that's needed.

That's how we proceeded.

So in July of 2025, TriMed took ownership of the corridor.

TriMed granted an easement to the county to construct, maintain, and operate a trail.

And during this time as well, we were trying to get an amendment through federal highway so that we could do some additional geotech work, do some additional exploration when it came to some stuff with DEQ.

So all that was happening in 2025.

We we we refined our design, repackaged everything, submitted back to federal highway in December.

And right now we are just waiting for response from Federal Highway.

Because it's a raise grant, and because we're a direct recipient, all of those are under review by the grant review task force.

So they're having a look at all our grants right now.

We've submitted, we've got every single permit, we've got the rights, got the design.

We just need the go-ahead and the amendment with federal highway to proceed on the trail.

So right here we've got typical sections.

What isn't depicted on here is our treatment trench.

It is on sometimes on the north, sometimes on the south, but it's a trench with a pipe to collect rainwater.

It will also treat any runoff from the trail.

So we everything in green will be a 12-foot trail with two foot shoulders on either side, the red sections where we had to narrow the trail to eight feet still with two foot shoulders.

Reason for that is the embankment where the rail is constructed.

If we were too widen that to the 12 foot, we were encumbering onto private property.

And that just opened the can of worms for additional permitting, ride reacquisition, and everything else.

So we maintained a narrow trail through those sections to stay within the right-of-way corridor of the trail of the railroad.

And there is one little section in Forest Grove again where we narrowed to a 10 foot section.

And so the two big structures we'll be doing on this project.

The one is a new bridge over Dairy Creek, and this is just an underview of that.

This work for the bridge does have to occur in the in-water work period between July and September.

That's when we've got a permit to actually get into areas of Dairy Creek to construct the work because of the wetlands and because of the floodway going through that area.

Then also is cattle crossing.

So the embankment has got a property owner on either side, and there's an old rail trussle that the cattle used to cross underneath.

We'll remove that old structure and replace it with the box culvert, so we'll maintain that connectivity for those properties.

And then jump into the crossings right now.

So they did a preliminary design and concept design back in 2024 that was completed because that was under the previous grant.

We had to go and seek a consultant for the final design.

That got completed.

We actually kicked off the kickoff meeting last month in January.

And so we anticipate the crossings because of how much work they did in the concept level.

There's a lot to jump off from.

So we anticipate design completing in December this year.

This, the trail or the crossings in particular, are going to be very close coordination with the cities.

Only three or maybe four crossings are under Washington County's jurisdiction of the roadways.

Everything else is a city road or Oregon 47 in Forest Grove, which is the state.

So we're working closely with this with city staff in Hillsborough, Cornelius, and Forest Grove.

I know in Cornelius here, Terry's already told us you've got several projects at 19th.

That's also with the county, and then a few others.

So working closely with Terry on those efforts to make sure, and so a lot of coordination.

We hope to have an open house in April of this year.

It will be online because we've got 23 crossings to design and finalize.

So we figured the easiest way to get that information out to the public would be to put it online and residents of Cornelius can go straight to their city and see what is proposed here.

And then we'll see.

Hopefully, construction in January of 2027.

And so this is just a concept of what was planned for 10th Avenue here in Cornelius.

And the next one, there's a bit more plan detail.

Note which one is it?

It's number 16 delineates the uh rectangular rapid flash beacons, the RRFB.

So depending on the traffic volume, the size of the road, all that, that is dictate what treatment we'll be getting at those crossings.

At 10th Avenue will be an RRFB.

19th Avenue, I believe, is also getting an RFB, but all this will be reanalyzed and confirmed over the next few months with the city.

So near-term communications and reporting right now, everything's going to be flowing through capital projects.

So the email here, LUT Praj, if there's anything is being we asking that it becomes to us, because we are the capital projects, we'll have jurisdiction, so to speak, of the corridor until construction is complete.

From us, we've been working with the cities on a near-term plan, talking to them how to address concerns if there's dumping, if there's debris, send it to the email, we'll disseminate to the party, the first port of call might be Washington County Solid Waste.

Backup could be a city public works to try and address those needs.

Houselessness, those issues, we reaching out to homeless services there to help those coordinations, or maybe outreach teams with the sheriff's office or local police.

And safety is going to be under the jurisdiction of the local law enforcement.

So with the near term, that's how we're addressing it.

And it's going to take a few years to get the trail constructed.

So we'll have this in place for the next foreseeable future until we get the trail constructed.

And in that time, Daomi's online, he's working with other members of the cities to help with the long-term goal and long-term plan for the maintenance of the trail.

Our next steps, as I said, construction, we're waiting for the go-ahead from federal highway.

We need two summers to construct the bridge.

We were hoping to be in construction of the trail this year.

And the idea was to have the trail segments constructed this year, the bridge started and in 27, have all the crossings come in and get all the crossings constructed, finish the bridge, open at the NF27, early 28.

We don't know when we're going to get the go-ahead from Federal Highway.

So everything is still up in the air on how we approach because of the bridge being an in-water work window.

We've got to we need the two summers to construct that.

The other grant requirements, we have to finish the bridge by the end of 2028.

So we've got three seasons.

We might lose the one.

Don't know.

But we'll continue on, and as soon as we can get it out, we will and get that constructed, then we'll follow up with the crossings right after that.

The crossings, we will send out open house notifications at least two weeks ahead of that, and then we publish it on all the social medias.

We send out mailers to everyone along the alignment.

And while this is all ongoing, the county is convening meetings with the cities to discuss the long-term maintenance once this trail is open.

And yeah, any questions and my contact information if there are any questions or further comments?

Um couple.

Is there anything the city can do to help break loose your uh decision?

I mean, should can we should we be uh leaning into our congressional reps leaning so they can lean into the uh federal highway to s get off the dime on this approval?

Is that of any help or should we stay out of the mix?

I can definitely bring that up to this is I mean, I've elevated this through the county's channels in that so everyone there is aware if I'll definitely follow up with our director with Stephen Robertson see listen, the Cornelius is willing to help if they if there's any willingness, we definitely take it.

I know Forest Grove has helped me immensely on another project there, not federally funded, but another agency that wouldn't get moving.

But the city reached out and they were a real a real partner there.

So but I'll definitely follow up internally on that.

Okay.

And the other one is did you say it's April 10th for the uh open ours?

April.

We haven't solidified which date will go live yet.

Okay.

Um the thing I would ask is uh we have a pretty tremendous digital divide in our community.

I would really think that maybe we should be able to open up a room at the library or the the here in the you know city council chambers and be able to do a simulcast of that so that we have a place for folks that either you know if uh our library director would be willing to host, maybe it's the library.

But one of those places, it'd be really great to be able to uh think include our community that's on the other side of that digital divide so that we can have them participate also and maybe you can pass that word on to the other cities and the county and see if they want to open up a room where people can come in and participate that aren't going to be successful on Zoom or Teams or whatever format you guys are using.

So we uh we put our open as a web page and then the web page stays live for about two weeks and they can submit the comments.

But understanding that the technical divide, the technological divide, I don't see an issue why we can't work something out and do something in person as well to reach the community.

Yeah, and I I think it would be probably an in our librarian would lean in on this.

Um you guys probably could even zoom in if we had a night where it was open for an hour or two where folks could come in and comment and and provide that, and maybe a staff member could just be on Zoom in the room.

We've got that digital capability in the library or here.

You wouldn't even have to come down if you didn't want to or need to on that evening.

Um I'm in Hillsborough, so it's a quick it's not a long community.

No, it's a short visit.

So that would be my ask.

Council, any other questions, comments?

No, I just really appreciate you um saying that.

I think especially because we have a lot of community that doesn't speak English, it would be great to be able to provide some sort of translation.

So as soon as we I mean, the sooner you can give us the date, I think the easier that could be because we definitely want to make sure obviously if you all are giving it in English, we totally understand.

So that will be translated.

Oh, it will be.

Oh, I love that.

Thank you for thinking about it.

Okay, perfect.

Then that's great.

Um, just because like you mentioned, there is a lot of divide, and I know for some of us it may seem simple to just pull up a web page, but for some community members that don't have access to that.

I think having the library open and also just thinking about when we do it right, because sometimes we want to do it on a weekday, like at five o'clock.

But if someone gets off work at 4 30 and they've got to feed their kids, they've got to do a lot of things.

It might not be as feasible.

So I know that for our community members, like six or later tends to work best.

Um I've even heard from some parents say because we do our programming for kiddos at seven because sometimes that's just when parents can can do it.

Um so just thinking about those things as you come up with the time frame.

Okay.

And to give some in added info, initially, the goal was to actually have a joint meet the contractor for the trail and an open house for the crossings here in Cornelius, because you guys are the central location.

And then with the the fact we won't have you ready to have an meet the contract with the trail by April, it's like, well, let's do something else.

But it's in the con the consultant scope for an in-person.

So it's definitely something we can it's we scope to do it, so it can still be done.

Other counselors, comments, questions?

Aidan?

Just a comment.

Thank you for the update.

Uh I've been excited about this project since we heard about it, so we can't wait for it to be open, I think.

I mean it's gonna be appreciated.

So thank you.

Thank you.

Yes.

I'm just gonna echo what counselor Lopez said.

Super excited about this.

I know I've been asking city staff about it for a while.

Like, you know, where where are we at?

What's what's next?

Are we done yet?

Are we done yet?

To be able to see the dates that are that are out there, the milestones we've already hit and what's next is super helpful.

So thank you for coming down.

Thank you.

Nothing.

That's okay.

Awesome.

Well, thank you very much.

Appreciate the update.

And uh you can tell we're all excited to see it come to fruition.

Thank you so much.

Uh next up is the Cornelius Police report.

Uh Brian uh Appel, Deputy.

See if I got the right name now.

You introduce yourself.

You got a green light there?

Yep.

Green go.

My name is Deputy Brian Appell.

Um here with uh Cornelis Police.

Been we're here for about four years now, and don't plan on leaving.

So uh we have a report for the uh intersection at uh 19 North 19th Avenue and North Davis Street, uh the new roundabout that was put in a couple years ago.

Now you can see it.

This uh we have a we pulled a report for the the incidents that occurred within 200 feet of a radius of the intersection, uh specifically traffic crashes.

Um if you can scroll down.

So you can see when Plaza Los Amigos went in.

I think that was about the same time as the roundabout went in.

Um the crashes from our data goes back from to January 2022 to November of 25 last year.

Um we don't haven't noticed a large increase.

Um or really any increase.

I can't even remember the last time I actually responded to a crash in the intersection, but um so yeah.

It seems like it seems like it's helped, I think, with the flow of traffic in the area, especially with the high amount of traffic that we get now, especially with Plaza Migos right there.

Um I think there's bound to be an increase of incidents wherever there's an increase of residents.

No, that I think this is one of the things we were asking about is had it gone up, it had it gone down.

Looks like it's not dramatically changed.

Um this was considered one of our most dangerous intersections in the community previously we had a lot of crashes and they were bad because people were going fast on 19th, and then somebody to pull out and miscalculate and there then the intersection we closed down.

So um suppose it looks like it hasn't been the whirlwind of uh no traffic accidents, but at least uh it's not uh too super frequent.

So council, you have any other questions or comments on the data for 19th.

I'm sure there's been a lot more crashes before 2022 because I remember that being a hot spot because I know looking at the data right now with that trend, it actually makes it look like it's gone up since the roundabout has gone about, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's a thing because I I appreciate that we sent a memo on how to go around that random boat because the other day somebody went the opposite way, and I was like, what is going on?

TS.

Yeah, so um which is surprising because we have so many roundabouts around Cornelius.

So I it was but you know, that's a story for another day.

Um but thank you for bringing this data.

I think it's very interesting to look at.

Council, any other counsel questions, comments?

Great.

What else you got for us?

Anything else tonight?

Nothing else tonight.

Thank you.

Awesome.

Quick concise update.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for your uh years of service.

And I know that's a a choice you have to make.

You keep bidding in.

So thanks for doing that.

Uh next up, uh elected official resources and training.

Uh Rochelle, City Record.

Good evening, Mayor and Counselors.

I just want to do a quick reminder of some of the trainings and resources that are available to you, particularly through the Oregon Government Ethics Commission and the League of Oregon Cities.

Um for starters, the Oregon Government Ethics Commission offers regular trainings on the laws that directly apply to your role in local government.

Um, for instance, public meeting law, gifts and government ethics, lobby law, executive sessions, conflicts of interest, and prohibited use of office.

Those are all regularly posted on a calendar they have on their website that you can sign up for and register for free.

Um they also have a guide for public officials that is a good reference resource, also available on their website.

There's direct links to all of these things on the SharePoint I shared with you last year that you can access with your Cornelius credentials.

Um of the trainings I especially wanted to highlight is on statements of economic interest.

Uh the training's being offered multiple times in March, uh, including one evening option on March 19th at 5 30 p.m.

Uh statements of economic interest are due on April 15th.

So this could be a good refresher for anyone that wants to register with that one evening one, you might want to register early.

Um the League of Oregon Cities also has the calendar of trainings.

Uh these do cost money, but if you're interested, you can let Peter I know the city's very supportive of providing training opportunities for you as elected officials.

Um if you're interested in free trainings on your own time, their website also does have uh YouTube recordings of all of the trainings they provided during COVID.

Um same topics, public meeting law, ethics.

They have a myriad of them that adds up to about three hours a time.

Um they also have compiled some information.

They have a newly elected officials guide and the Oregon Municipal Handbook, both with great resources for people in your position.

Um for overachievers, they have a YouTube channel where they uh post legislative updates weekly.

Um again, there's direct links to all of this on that SharePoint.

Uh lastly, I want to share a few updates.

I visited the county elections office, and this is an election year.

I know it's a little early, but it's fresh in my brain.

So I'm gonna share with you that they made a change.

Incumbents will now have an earlier filing deadline.

Um, just one week um before everyone else applies.

Um the filing period will open on June 3rd.

Incumbents will need to file by August 18th if they wish to be re-elected, and the deadline for other candidates will be August 25th.

And only elected positions are considered incumbents uh appointed positions can use the later deadline.

Uh they're also launching an online uh system to submit your voter pamphlet information.

They're um testing the waters for that for the primary, so it should have some of the problems ironed out before you need to use it in June.

So look for that.

Um, all of this ties into a conversation Peter and I had when we were debating whether or not to have a legal training this year.

Um we had one last year after the election.

And so I wanted to bring it up and offer to do the legal training annually or ask if you think we could do it on odd years after elections and use that other year for other trainings.

Get your some feedback if there's things you want to be trained on outside of what OGEC and LOC are offering.

Um if you do prefer to do legal training annually, uh we can get that set up.

But we do have technology on our side.

Uh we were able to um for our appointed official just play that recording for her.

So, yeah, I want to take it back to you, see um what you think about legal training annually versus every other year, and what should we do with that other year if we don't do it annually?

Council feedback?

Yes, Council Lopez.

I think you answered my question, but I was wondering if there's any required trainings that we do on a yearly basis.

I think that's the one I was thinking about.

Um it'd be nice if we could narrow it down to if we don't do this training on a yearly basis.

Is there five or six recommended trainings that we can consider and maybe select from there?

Okay.

Um to answer your question about required, the only required one that I know of is public meeting law, which needs to be done once during your term.

Um other than that, they're just best practices, legal training, especially others?

Councilor Godinas.

I just want to thank you for bringing these resources up because uh you've made it very easy for us to access it.

Um I think sometimes it can be a little daunting because there's so much out there.

So thank you for doing that work.

Uh in terms of having the meeting, I I think it's beneficial if there are new laws or things that have come up for us to really understand those.

Otherwise, I think going over the recording.

I will say it was nice to have our city lawyer here because we could um ask specific questions.

So I think maybe on the every other year we could do it, and in between, maybe we just watch the recording or but I would love to fill that in with a different training.

I think it would be nice for us all to do training.

I think it's different when you do a training alone versus when you do it with the entire council because mayor, for example, you have a lot of experience.

You've been in this, and so it's nice when you have a different perspective and you're able to give us some of that history versus you know, when you don't have any of that information.

And so I think for me it's been very beneficial when we're all in the same room.

Um but I know that everybody has a different learning style.

So if we could make that happen, that would be great.

I'd even be open to multiple trainings a year, but that's just me always wanting to learn.

So thank you.

Yes.

I'm a nerd, so you can give me anything and I'll watch it.

That's all.

Yes.

Uh yeah, I would echo uh what others have said.

I think uh having trainings available and easy to access has been wonderful.

You answered one of my other questions there was one I was supposed to do, and it was public meeting law, so thank you.

Um but you know, about the the legal training, I think doing planning it every other year and leaving it open on the off year to do something different or the same.

So to your point, if there's been changes, right, that we need to be brought up to speed on sooner than waiting for the other every other year.

I think having that option, but then having an you know, maybe a default um alternative to that for the off years would be would be great that maybe rotates to different topics or I did write down a couple ideas.

Um if you guys didn't have any that because I want to start scheduling and planning on something now if we're gonna do a training.

Um you can let me know if any of them sound good, or if you have something in mind if it triggers something and you want to suggest.

Um you have a very public-facing jobs working with the public and hearing their stories.

So one was um just a training on responding to public comments.

Um is like mental health and empathy and working with the public.

And lastly, media training.

All of them, please, all of them.

Just okay, spin the wheel, see what we can find.

And those all sound very okay.

No vetoes.

No, no, if the council wants to do that, and I don't know if that can fit into a work session or what or what do you guys see that fitting, but then uh that might be something we could do in a half an hour in the work session or something, nibble off some of those.

And that didn't trigger anything for anyone that they want to add to that list.

Okay.

Um so lastly, I'll just say that if you have trouble accessing any of these, or if you'd like me to send you links again or remind you of anything, I'm here to help you access those resources.

Um public meeting law, there's a lot available in this month.

So I can send you I can send you link.

And I it I did also ask that you send me the date that you completed that.

I think I only heard from two people.

So uh if you have that written down somewhere, please shoot me an email and let me know.

Yeah, because I know I took mine through well, like the last one that I thought we were supposed to have it done by the end of last year.

And I think I took the last one that was available on on an evening I had opened.

So it's once during your term, so if you were to be re-elected, you would you'd have to do it again in that two-year period.

Okay.

Cool.

All right.

So folks, do your training.

Let Rochelle know that you've done it.

And uh I think the only other one I would put on there is just yeah, for those of us that are gonna be up for election for choosing to continue this uh fall, just uh calendar of those dates, you know how it falls into us individually, so you can share with the council so we can lock that away so we don't forget to do that if we're running again this year for half of us.

Cool.

Anything else, council?

Seeing none.

Okay, that got us through our elected resources and training.

Um budget committee appointment.

We have a recommendation by uh the for Samuel Del Rimple.

I know I'm just murdering that.

Dal Rimple.

Okay.

I didn't murder it.

Terrible, terrible.

I've I've murdered much worse on this dias with names.

Um so is there anyone wishing to make a recommendation for this appointment?

I'll make the motion.

Motion by Councillor Godiness.

Do I have a second?

Oh, do you want me to read the we can just get a second, then we'll get all crazy with it.

I'll seg it.

We got a second.

Go ahead and read that off for us, please, Councillor Gordinas.

I make a motion to approve the appointment of Samuel Del Rimple to position five with a term expiring December 2028 to the budget committee, and this action takes effect immediately.

Red seconded.

All those in favor, please say aye.

Aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

Abstentions.

Congratulations.

Get you on the get you your budget folder or giant PDF.

Yeah, thank you for joining.

We appreciate it.

Yeah, that's great.

Uh, we have a proclamation for Black History Month.

Oh, I didn't have my proclamation up and ready.

Give me a second here.

Oh, look at you all smart.

I always forget those bookmarks are there.

Okay, City of Cornelis, Oregon proclamation.

February is National Black History Month, 2026.

Whereas each February, National Black History Month serves as both a celebration and a powerful reminder that black history is American history.

Black culture is American culture, and black stories are essential to the ongoing story of America, our faults, our struggles, our progress, and our aspirations.

And whereas our nation was founded on the idea that all of us are created equal and deserve to be treated with equal dignity throughout our lives.

And whereas across the generations, countless black Americans have demonstrated profound moral courage and resilience to help shape our nation for the better.

And whereas as a city, we deeply commit are deeply committed to advancing equity, racial justice, inclusion, and opportunity for black Americans and all Americans, as we continue to strive to realize America's founding promise.

And whereas black history also reflects ongoing struggles for fairness within systems of law, migration, and public safety, reminding us that the pursuit of justice and equal protection under the law remains a present-day responsibility.

And whereas we call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of Cornelius community to observe this month with the appropriate programs, ceremonies, activities, and remembrances to honor black Americans.

Now, therefore, we the city of Cornelius, Oregon, do hereby proclaim the month of February 2026 as National Black History Month.

We encourage all residents to learn more about Black history and support equity, racial justice, inclusion, and an opportunity for all members of our community.

Dated this second day of February 2026, Jeffrey C.

Delane, Mayor.

Okay.

Public hearings, we have none.

Unvenish business, new business, both of those none.

Takes us to reports.

City Council.

Any counselors with reports this evening?

Yes, Councilor Goodinas.

Yeah, I just think I just wanted to acknowledge everything that has continued to happen in our community.

For about ICE this weekend, and teachers, children, um a lot of union members were um and protesters that were there were gassed out by ice when it was a peaceful protest.

And we've seen what what's been happening in Minnesota with the um murders that have occurred, and I just want to remind our community that please stay safe, please protect yourself.

It's a very scary time right now.

I know that we want to be there to support one another, but I never want to see anybody put themselves in danger.

That could potentially lead to another situation like this.

I know that it feels like things are quiet right now, but I can tell you for a fact that things are still happening.

There's arrest happening.

There was one a couple days ago here in Cornelia.

So I just want our community to be aware that this is an ongoing problem.

And if you need resources, please look at our website.

As well as there's a lot of nonprofits offering support however they can.

And I would just encourage you that whenever to not be afraid to call the non-emergency line or call 911 if you feel like you're in danger.

But I also urge you to be as specific as possible because that really helps them.

And um especially with how to respond.

If you need to or you feel like you could at some point be arrested by ICE, I suggest that you all please sign up for Echo, which is the equity corpse of Oregon, because they can help connect you with lawyers in the case that something happens to you.

And if you're in their system before it happens, then it'll be a faster process than if you were already detained.

Um so thank you.

Any other counselors?

Yes.

Counselor Sat Lali.

Ooh, I want to be very vulnerable and very real for a second.

Um I have been through a lot these past couple months.

Um in terms of mental health and in terms of my physical health.

And it was a really nasty reality check for me over winter break because at one point in my life, and not trigger warning for anybody, but at one point in my life I was very suicidal at the age of 17 here in the city of Cornelius.

And every day I wake up, I am just grateful that I did not make that choice.

But I have seen I have seen so much of my town and so much of my state, and so many people in the world that look like me just being picked up off the street, and it is disgusting, and it should not be normalized.

And during my inauguration, my heart broke because there was somebody who had mentioned that I was a TE appointment, and I would just want to say that as a matter of fact, I think I may even be overqualified.

My parents raised me so right, and I am so grateful to my parents and my grandparents.

And I am I am so proud of the fact that I did not take my life at the age of 17.

What did trigger these emotions and what did trigger a lot of things was the fact that my birthday is coming up?

Gross.

Don't mention it to me right now because it's yucky.

Um, but I am aging and my body feels it.

So uh when I did take a sleeping medication that was medicated to me, it it really messed me up in a way that I experienced facial paralysis for the first time.

Selective mutism against my will, and it is so gross because I am a very empathetic, very patient human being, but that medication I did not like it in my brain did not like it.

All that to say is that my blood work is fine and my CT scan is fine.

I do not have a tumor in my brain.

And I am very happy that I am physically healthy and I am on the path to be mentally healthy.

So if you ever feel in a similar situation, just know that I am here to listen to you because I have been in that unfortunate situation as well.

And um call 988.

Call 988 if you are ever in distress because I called them, but uh they they they were real with me and they were like girl, you gotta go somewhere else.

So I'm on the right path, guys.

All I wanted to do was throw a New Year's party.

That was my intention.

And I don't understand social cues.

So all that to say, um, I'm an extrovert, guys.

Um if you guys are having an event, please invite me so I don't feel left out.

Um peace, love, don't step on the bike.

Okay.

Any other counselors with updates?

Okay.

Take it to uh the mayor's update.

Um I had the opportunity to attend um attorney general uh Dan Rayfield's town hall on Friday.

Um very interesting experience.

Um the first I think was 90 minutes went pretty much normal.

It was very um, you know.

The electeds made their statements.

Uh, Senator Solman, Representative McClain, Rebecca represented Soul uh Sosa were there.

It was going pretty normal uh about the last half hour.

Um the room turned.

Um there was some probably insensitive statements made by the maybe the representatives at the desk.

Folks did not feel like they were being heard or seen.

And uh the room got pretty tense for like the last half an hour.

And um I had the chance to stop and talk with some of the folks after the meeting.

Um encourage them to um seek and ask questions of the Salem City Council where uh because one of the members that would had presented that night had been um felt like they've been assaulted by the Salem PD.

So I encouraged them to go to the Salem City Council, hold those folks accountable.

Uh state police were involved in that.

And I encouraged them if they ever felt like something was going wrong in our community, that the council was open to them, that our city staff was open to them.

Um nobody had any questions or concerns about the Cornelis PD.

Um they they felt like they could approach us and that they were being treated well by the Corn A S PD.

So I just left it there.

I said, you know, the same thing for Hillsborough or Forest Grove, make sure that their city council is made aware if you ever have questions or concerns about the PD res reports to is those councils.

And I think they were trying to kind of hold the state representatives accountable for the behaviors of the state police and Salem PD.

And it just it wasn't the right person to be holding those folks accountable.

Um then I I would second what she sounded said, Counselor Goodiness is uh safety first for our public, right?

I've I've you and I did the videos, we talked about this.

Uh we don't want to discourage anybody from recording events if they see them, do it at a safe distance.

Um I'll just say it how I feel it too, is Counselor Sitlali said.

Um I'm deeply concerned for my community.

Um if somebody was taking my kid or my wife, I I don't know how I would react.

I I don't know if I could contain my composure the way folks have done so far.

Um, but I really ask everyone to consider to stay on the path, the peaceful path that we've had so far.

Um take it up with the courts.

That's the right place to have this discussion in this argument.

Not in the streets, not with ICE.

Um I've continued to ask for support from our governor, from our state and federal electeds.

Um, that we we're in a we're in a state of emergency.

We we opened it up and we've continued it, and our community is um suffering in it.

And um to the city manager's grin, I took an interview today with the newspaper, and uh I let them know that I do think there's a long-term ramifications for this.

I really worry as I talk with our um school staff and our children about the lasting memories this will have on them.

We even talked um before council amongst ourselves a little bit that we we as adults really don't have a reference for something like this happening before.

You know, historically we can go back and could think it's might be something like what happened after Pearl Harbor for World War II, but none of us were there, right?

And um so it's it we're trying to figure out how to respond, how to support our community, and um just be safe, I think is my my closing message.

You know, observe, look out for each other, but do it at a safe distance.

Please, please, please do not engage um ice.

Um we do not need I'm afraid for what that might trigger if we engage them.

Um so that that's my words for tonight, and I'll park it right there.

City Manager Brendan.

Thanks, Mayor.

Just want to again ask folks to consider applying for the 2026 Civic Leadership Academy, our inaugural uh cohort last year, which included Councilor Nunez Barragon was was great, um, very meaningful for both the city, I think, and the participants, and so we look forward to having uh a lot of a lot of community members participate this this spring when we uh when we do our second cohort.

That's it.

Thank you.

Do we have a deadline for application yet?

Or we we still a little open on that?

We're we're we're just gonna let that roll.

We plan to uh conduct the cohort during the month of April, and then that leads up to the their ultimate presentation to city council will be in June, like it was uh last year.

Okay.

So folks, uh I know you had that in the um newsletter that went out to the how homes.

I know it's listed on the city website.

So I think those are both good places folks can find that information.

And um do you have to be an adult?

I don't think it's open to high school students, is it?

In the cohort, or are we limiting that?

Good question.

I don't think we put an age restriction on that, and we always encouraging youth to participate.

18?

Yeah.

So maybe junior senior would be junior senior would be the starting point.

Yeah, and then adults, and then our seniors obviously are available for that too.

But uh just need to be a resident of Cornelius, right?

That's correct.

And I and I think maybe Councilor Nunes Barragon wanted to comment again.

If I may add, uh I highly recommend this program.

I deeply enjoyed it as one of the first graduating classes.

Um it was such a transformative experience for me because I am a very curious individual, and then I got to see how the city actually functions from the city manager himself and from other people who are invited.

Highly recommend it if you are interested in public service or serving on the council.

So, yeah, that's all.

Please apply.

What else you got for us?

Anything else this evening?

What?

That's great.

Look at that.

We're gonna get it home on a decent time.

Uh do I have a motion to adjourn?

I motion to adjourn.

Motion by Councillor Godinas.

Do I have a second?

I second.

Second, Counselor.

So well, I'm gonna get your last name eventually.

Uh Nunez Bar.

Yeah, see, I I bumbled it.

I'll have to work.

Yeah, I don't have the down.

Okay.

I can only do that part of it.

I can't insert it in the name yet.

Um, okay, motion, second.

All those in favor for adjournment say aye.

Aye.

Opposed?

Abstention?

We are adjourned.