Cornelius City Council Regular Session and Work Session - June 1, 2026
Cornelius City Council Meeting and Work Session - June 1, 2026\n\nThe City of Cornelius held a combined work session, Urban Renewal Agency meeting, and regular city council session on June 1, 2026. The meeting covered a strategic communications plan update, an intergovernmental agreement with Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS), adoption of the FY 2026-2027 budget and related resolutions, approval of utility rate increases, a police service contract amendment, and a land donation. Multiple proclamations were also issued. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.\n\n### Consent Calendar\n- Urban Renewal Agency Board: Unanimously approved consent agenda (minutes from May) and adopted Resolution 2026-03 for FY 2026-2027 urban renewal budget, appropriations, and tax increment.\n- City Council: Unanimously approved council meeting minutes via consent agenda.\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\n- Jennifer Semperman (Cornelius resident): Presented a petition signed by over 200 advocates regarding unmitigated lead paint hazard from the North Barlow Street Water Park Reservoir. She requested three immediate interim protections: (1) install temporary containment shrouds on peeling walls, (2) conduct independent soil testing along daycare, playground, and dog park perimeters, (3) provide a transparent public timeline for professional mitigation. She cited the city's water master plan and photographic evidence. City staff committed to return on June 15 with a preliminary response.\n\n### Presentations & Proclamations\n- Oath of Office: Edgar Baker was sworn in as the new city councilor.\n- Juneteenth Proclamation: Proclaimed June 19, 2026 as Juneteenth in Cornelius, recognizing the end of slavery and the city's commitment to equity.\n- Pride Month Proclamation: Proclaimed June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, honoring diversity and inclusion.\n- Public Safety and Responsible Use of Fireworks Proclamation: Encouraged safe and lawful fireworks use, especially during dry summer months.\n- Public Infrastructure Advisory Board Appointment: Appointed Amit Bat Nagar to position four, term expiring December 2028 (unanimous).\n\n### Discussion Items\nWork Session: Strategic Communications Plan and Rebranding\n- Staff and Funk Levis Associates (selected consultant) introduced the city's first strategic communications plan and rebranding effort, funded by ARPA. The goal is to strengthen community engagement and develop a refreshed brand reflecting Cornelius' identity.\n- Consultant Ann Marie Levis presented the approach: audit, stakeholder engagement, brand foundation (words that describe the city), logo design, and marketing toolkit. Timeline aims for completion by end of 2026.\n- Council members shared what makes Cornelius special: small-town feel, high Latino population (54%), strong homeownership, cultural hubs (library, Virginia Garcia Medical Center), farm community links, and potential for growth. Mayor noted themes of permanence, entrepreneurial spirit, and feeling like home.\n- Council asked about community engagement for logo concepts. Consultant advised against public contest, recommending review with internal team and elected leaders.\n\nIntergovernmental Agreement with Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS)\n- Library Director Maria Aguilar presented updates: WCCLS funding model revised to achieve better equity; all libraries received at least a 5% increase. Cornelius receives about 30% of its library funding from WCCLS; city contributions expected to rise 13%.\n- Funding will support a new full-time bilingual outreach specialist, increased aide hours, programming, and supplies for the Drake Learning Center.\n- Revised IGAs (governance and operations) update definitions, base service levels (minimum 45 hours/week, one evening, one weekend day - Cornelius far exceeds these), and technology/data language.\n- Discussion focused on two concerns: (1) removal of 3% annual general fund increase guarantee in the contract - Mayor noted this was a contentious issue with the county; (2) centralization of collection development (purchasing) by FY 2027-28, which may reduce individual library responsiveness. City may retain ability to purchase special materials with city funds. Library will continue advocating for participation in the Guadalajara International Book Fair for Spanish-language originals.\n- Council asked for clarification; next steps: approval at June 15 meeting; funds distributed July 15.\n\nCity Council Regular Session - Public Hearings and Resolutions\nThe following public hearings were held; all items were passed unanimously unless noted.\n\n- Resolution 2026-31: Adoption of FY 2026-2027 city budget, appropriations, and tax levy. The budget committee voted unanimously on April 22, 2026.\n- Resolution 2026-32: State revenue sharing participation.\n- Resolution 2026-33: Certification of municipal services (police, fire, streets, sewer, etc.) to receive cigarette, gas, and liquor taxes.\n- Resolution 2026-34: Utility rate changes for water, sanitary sewer, stormwater (surface water), and general service fees. Includes pass-through increases from Clean Water Services (4% for sewer base/usage and surface water, 2.7% for sewer SDC) and city fee increases (4% for sewer, $0.50/EDU residential and $1.50/EDU commercial for surface water, water rate not increased to match wholesale). Example monthly increases: $4.02 for 3,000 gal customer, $4.89 for 6,000 gal, $9.11 for 20,000 gal. Staff plans to conduct full utility rate study for potential July 1, 2027 changes.\n- Resolution 2026-35: Planning and development fee adjustments based on CPI-U Western Region; fees rounded down to nearest dollar.\n- Resolution 2026-36: Cost of living adjustment of 3.1% for non-represented and management employees, matching AFSCME union increase.\n- Resolution 2026-37: City manager contract amendment: 3.1% salary increase (same as staff), 4% employer 457 plan contribution, vacation hours increased from 18 to 20 per month. Performance evaluation exceeded expectations.\n- Resolution 2026-38: Bid award for 13th and 14th Avenue improvements to Pacific North Construction LLC.\n- Resolution 2026-39: Amendment to IGA with Washington County for police services, reflecting a 3.5% cost increase (up from 5% in 2024 and 6.2% in 2025). New contract value ~$3.4 million. No additional officers added. Council discussed potential future of police service model; staff will explore comparables and options.\n- Resolution 2026-40: Land donation from Heather Park Development Company of three parcels (totaling about 7.6 acres) within 100-year floodplain adjacent to Harleman Park and Echo Shaw Elementary. Properties limited to public use (wetland restoration, trails, birdwatching). Agreement includes due diligence (Phase I environmental assessment). Last-minute additions by grantor (10B, 12C) not yet reviewed by city attorney. Council authorized city manager to sign if attorney approves; otherwise return June 15. Motion unanimous.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Strategic Communications Plan: Work session held; consultant to proceed with brand foundation and logo design; further community engagement to be determined.\n- WCCLS IGA: Presentation received; approval scheduled for June 15, 2026. Centralized collection development to be negotiated over the next year.\n- All FY 2026-2027 Budget and Related Resolutions: Adopted unanimously (Resolutions 2026-31 through 2026-36).\n- City Manager Contract Amendment: Approved unanimously.\n- Bid Award: 13th/14th Avenue improvements awarded to Pacific North Construction.\n- Police Services IGA: Approved unanimously. Staff to research future service model options.\n- Land Donation: City manager authorized to finalize agreement if attorney approves; otherwise revisit June 15.\n- Water Park Reservoir Issue: Staff to return with preliminary response on June 15.\n\n### Reports\n- Councilor Godinez reminded community of summer safety: watch for children, speed zones, water conservation, sun safety.\n- Councilor Vaughn noted low snowpack and early fire season, urged caution with fireworks.\n- Councilor Baker thanked family, teachers, and IEP team for support.\n- Mayor mentioned fire department awards banquet, safety at Hagg Lake (use loaner life vests), and noted mixed feedback on temporary speed reduction on TV Highway (35 mph).\n- City Manager Peter Brandom reported: (1) Successful grant of ~$2.5 million for seismic retrofit of public safety building, combined with fire levy funds for renovation; (2) Increased patrol on TV Highway; (3) Attended International Council of Shopping Centers conference in Las Vegas; (4) Enterprise Zone with Forest Grove expires June 30; future discussions on zone structure; (5) Adopted a stray cat named Cornelius who now resides with him.}}
Meeting Transcript
On to the city council meeting for Monday, June 1st, 2026. We're available through Zoom webinar, TVC TV live stream, and we also have Wardly Live Translation. Information for that is available on the agenda on the website and also in the back of the room. The city is committed to providing equal access to public meetings. Requests for accommodations can be submitted to the city recorder at least 48 hours before the meeting at City Recorder at CorneliusOR.gov or call 503 357 9112. First thing this evening is our work session. Communications plan introduction and interview. Staff It's all good evening. Good evening, Mayor and City Council. As you may know, the city has begun the process of developing its first strategic communications plan and rebranding of the city of Cornelius. The work is guided by our goals identified in both our 2045 Vision and Action Plan as well as our city's organizational strategic plan to support these initiatives. The city has allocated ARPA funds for this project. Earlier this year, we did um release a request for proposal seeking uh consultants to assist with both the strategic communications plan and the rebranding process. We received 17 qualified firms proposals uh following a thorough evaluation. We interviewed four of the highest proposals and ultimately selected Funk and Levi's and associates. They were chosen for its their extensive experience in the public sector in communications, branding, and community engagement with more than 40 years of experience serving Oregon communities. They have partnered with numerous local governments, including the City of Hillsboro and City's Beaverton rebranding effort as well, which resulted in a logo and brand identity that the city continues to use today. Their understanding of local government, community identity, and effective public engagement made them a strong fit for Cornelius. And as we move forward, our goal is to create a strategic communications plan that strengthens how we engage our community with our residents, businesses, and stakeholders while still developing a refresh brand that reflects who we are as a community today and what we are going to look like in the future. With that, I will like to turn it over to Anne Marie to provide an overview of the work that has been completed today and the next steps of the process. Good evening, Mayor and City Council members. Thank you so much for dedicating some time of your valuable meeting this evening to go through this update to you and also to get your input with the process that we are doing. My name is Ann Marie Levis. I'm the president and creative director for Funk Levis. And so we've spent quite a bit of time and we'll continue to do that to make sure that the logo and branding feels from here by here, not by somebody else coming in telling you who you should be. So it's a big honor. Make sure I so funk Levison Associates was founded in 1980. Um I was not with the firm at that time. I I came in after receiving my MBA at the University of Oregon and joined as a partner at that time, and I have taken over the firm and run it since the early 2000s. So how do people create trust through good design, through good communications, uh, through good public involvement? Um that is our um guiding principle is is how to work with people in a very authentic and trustworthy way. It is not just me, it is not just Maya. There is a team of folks. Um Karen Gaffney is my partner in crime on this. She is not here this evening. She's taking care of her her grandchild, Santiago, you said that is our lead designer, but Jason Anderson, Maya. John Percopio, Dylan, Missy, and Spencer and Grace are also part of the team. Our firm is relatively small. We believe that everybody on the team is part of the organization. I wanted to just start with grinding grounding us in why is this important to do branding. This is not just putting a mark on a city. It very much is looking at the community, who we are, the pride that we have being here. And so I like to think it is reducing communication expenses when you are consistent in how you communicate when people recognize you. It takes less to get those communication efforts across, and it inspires economic development. And that has been a large theme in all of the stakeholder work that we've done. So that's why it is important. We did an audit and assessment of all the current communication efforts. So we've been doing outreach to key stakeholders in the community. From that, we develop what we call as our foundation. Everything comes from words.
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