Cornelius City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026
Cornelius City Council Meeting - June 15, 2026
The Cornelius City Council held a regular meeting on June 15, 2026, at 7:02 PM. The meeting included a public hearing, approval of multiple resolutions, and reports from council members and staff. Key actions included modifications to stormwater fees, intergovernmental agreements for forestry, library services, and community development block grants. Councilor Vaughn announced his departure due to moving out of city limits.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously by voice vote with no abstentions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made.
Public Hearing
- Resolution 2026-42 (Stormwater Fee in Lieu Adjustments): Staff presented a proposal to increase the stormwater fee in lieu, originally implemented in 2021, and to add a new fee schedule for properties above 2,640 square feet. The adjustment aligns the city's fee with Clean Water Services. No public testimony was offered in favor or opposition. The hearing was closed, and the council later approved the resolution unanimously.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 2026-43 (IGA with Oregon Department of Forestry for Wildland Fire Deployment): Fire Chief Morris explained that the agreement replaces an existing one, covers a three-year period, and reimburses the city 100% for payroll and vehicle costs for personnel deployed on Type 1 incident management teams (wildfires, hazmat, etc.). The council approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-44 (IGA with Washington County Cooperative Library Services): Maria Aguilar and City Manager Peter outlined the updated governance and operational agreement. The most significant change is a 78% increase in county funding for fiscal year 2027, shifting the cost share from 70% city/30% county to 60% city/40% county. Future county contributions will be determined annually through the county budget process. The council approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-45 (IGA with Washington County for CDBG Consortium): City Manager Brandon reported that the agreement allows Cornelius to participate in the Community Development Block Grant program for 2027-2029. The city has received nearly $5 million over 47 years for infrastructure projects such as sidewalks and curb ramps. Councilor Lopez serves on the advisory board. Approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-46 (IGA with Washington County for CDBG Recreation and Community Center Project): This IGA enables the city to receive reimbursements for costs related to the CDBG grant for the community center, starting with an environmental site assessment. Approved unanimously.
- Note: Item 9F (Resolution 2026-47, contract award for the Apa Sing Chung market) was pulled from the agenda.
Reports
- Councilor Vaughn's Departure: Councilor Vaughn announced that this would likely be his last meeting because he is moving outside city limits. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and noted he will seek other ways to serve in Yamhill County. Council members and staff expressed appreciation and sadness.
- Councilor Baker's Report: He attended the Cornelius Emergency Preparedness Fair, met fire and police chiefs, and observed demonstrations including a mobile command unit and dummy rescues. He encouraged future attendance.
- City Manager's Report:
- Water reservoir paint issue: An environmental consultant is being contracted to sample paint and soil; results are expected in a couple of months.
- Enterprise zone: The current shared zone with Forest Grove expires at the end of June. The council will discuss whether to renew or go it alone in late summer/fall.
- Maria Aguilar was nominated for Business Advocate of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce.
- Great Northwest Ice Cream created a "B City" flavor (honey chamomile and honeycomb) for the Bee City USA initiative.
- The "Take Care of Cornelius" event on June 13 was successful, with 23-26 roll carts of paper shredding and e-waste collection. Free Geek nonprofit expressed interest in more events.
- The new side-by-side vehicle was used operationally for the first time to clear the old rail grade for cleanup volunteers; both police and fire found it useful.
- Public works crew (Will Hartman, Ryan Howell, and others) was praised by a resident for fixing a water leak quickly and courteously.
- City Manager Brandon will be on vacation June 18-July 4; Ellie Jones will serve as acting city manager.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 2026-42 (Stormwater fee in lieu adjustments) approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-43 (IGA with Oregon Dept. of Forestry) approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-44 (IGA with Washington County Cooperative Library Services) approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-45 (IGA with Washington County for CDBG consortium) approved unanimously.
- Resolution 2026-46 (IGA with Washington County for CDBG Recreation and Community Center project) approved unanimously.
- The meeting was adjourned unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
All right, everybody officially calling this meeting to order at 7 02 p.m. So the city is committed to providing equal access to public meeting. Requests for accommodations can be submitted to the city recorder at least 44 48 hours before the meeting at CityRecorder at Cornelius or dot gov or call 503-357112. Si usted necesita información in Espanyol, por favor llama el teléfono 503-357-911. Um we're gonna start with our first item, which is our pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which is in one nation under Godisible with liberty and just with all. Next on our agenda is roll call. Councillor Lopez. Present. Councilor Baker. Present. Councilor Bonn. Present. City Council President Godinas. Present. Roll call has been taken. So for announcement, Fridays, Fridays, June through August, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Cornelius Community Market, formerly known as the Cornelius Farmers Market, will take place at the old elementary school parking lot. So please go ahead and take uh join us there. And then Friday, June 19th, 2026, city facilities will be closed in observance for Juneteenth. On Friday, July 3rd, the city facilities, excluding the library, is closed in observance of Independence Day. And then Saturday, July 4th, the Cornelius Public Library will be closed in observance of Independence Day. And then Monday, July 6th, we'll have our City Council work session at 6 p.m. And then that same Monday, July 6th, we'll have our City Council regular session at 7 p.m. Do we have any public comment today? No, we do not. All right. Thank you. For our consent agenda, do I have anyone willing to make a motion to approve our consent agenda? I'll make that motion. Do I have a second? Second. All right. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any abstentions? Pass this unanimously. All right, we have no recognitions today. Present or presentations and appointments. So that leads us to public hearings. So I will now open up the public hearing. Do any members of the city council have any potential complex or ex parte communication with regards to the proposed action, which is resolution number 2026 42, stormwater fee in lieu of adjustments? All right. Would any member of the audience like to challenge the right of any city councilor to hear the matter before them for reasons of conflict of interest, bias, or ex parte contact? I'm seeing none. All right, staff will now present the staff report and application. Thank you, Council President. So this is a public hearing requesting a increase to the snowmother fee and lieu um fee.
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