Forest Grove City Council Meeting - October 13, 2025
Forest Grove City Council Meeting - October 13, 2025
The Forest Grove City Council convened on October 13, 2025, for a regular session that included proclamations, public comments, a contested consent agenda item on a tourism sponsorship, a presentation on the city's loop trail, and the adoption of several ordinances and resolutions covering topics from the transient lodging tax to street light fees and public works funding.
Proclamations
- The Council proclaimed October 2025 as Domestic Violence Prevention Month in Forest Grove, noting that 42% of women and 39% of men in Oregon experience domestic violence and that roughly 50% of child abuse victims in Washington County live in homes with domestic violence.
- The Council also proclaimed October 13, 2025, as the 250th Anniversary of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, recognizing the service and sacrifices of veterans and active-duty members.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Abigail Slama Katron and Leilani, from Pacific University, spoke in support of the Grove Link shuttle. They notified the council that TriMet is projecting budget cuts for the service by 2028, urged council action, and highlighted that the service is vital for people of all abilities and provides connections to schools, parks, and shopping centers. The related survey closes on October 31st.
- Mr. Peek criticized recent political rhetoric labeling a "No Kings" rally as a hate rally and encouraged the council and public to attend upcoming rallies in Hillsboro and Beaverton.
- Carol Allen addressed domestic violence in the community, quoting scripture and asking for divine guidance for the council.
Discussion Items
- Consent Agenda Item 2 – Dia de los Muertos Sponsorship: Councillor Martinez pulled a tourism grant sponsorship application for a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration from the consent agenda, asserting it was a religious celebration with pagan origins that conflicted with previous council policy. She moved to deny the sponsorship. Councillor Govson seconded to facilitate discussion. Council President Valenzuela and Councillor Falconer distinguished the event as a cultural celebration of life rather than a religious worship service. Councillor Schimmel strongly argued it was a "false attribution error" to call it a pagan tradition and warned that denying the grant would set a dangerous precedent affecting other tourism grants. Mayor Wentzel stated his view that any event bringing tourism and fitting constitutional guidelines should be eligible. The motion to deny the sponsorship failed (3-3-1). A subsequent motion to approve the sponsorship passed unanimously (7-0).
- Forest Grove Loop Trail Master Plan: The Parks & Recreation Director and consultants from ALTA Planning presented the completed master plan for the proposed loop trail. The plan includes existing sidewalks, proposed separated multi-use paths, and neighborhood greenways. Phasing and cost estimates were reviewed. Councillors discussed design standards, needing to address hazardous existing conditions on Highway 47 and concerns about stop signs on multi-use paths. The next steps include securing construction funding and detailed design.
- Ordinance 2025-03 – Transient Lodging Tax Increase: The council adopted the second reading of the ordinance increasing the local transient lodging tax rate from 2.5% to 3.5%, effective January 1, 2026. Unanimously approved (7-0).
- Resolution 2025-55 – Street Light Fee Clarification: The resolution establishes a dedicated replacement account for street light poles and fixtures and allows for the use of street light fee revenue for holiday decorative lighting downtown. Unanimously approved (7-0).
- Resolution 2025-56 – Secretary of State Records IGA: Authorizes an intergovernmental agreement with the Oregon Secretary of State for continued access to the electronic records management system at no cost. Unanimously approved (7-0).
- Resolution 2025-57 – TLT Program Funding Model: Changes the funding model for Transient Lodging Tax funded programs from percentage-based to a line-item budget model and creates a new program category for 2040 Vision Action Items. Approved (6-1), with one member expressing interest in more direct funding for the Main Street program.
- Resolution 2025-58 – Public Works Budget Amendments: Approves appropriations for several public works projects and equipment, including a line striper, radar speed trailers, radio repeater replacement, a water line replacement on U Court, retention of an existing street sweeper, and the purchase of a new swap loader. Unanimously approved (7-0).
- Resolution 2025-59 – BPA Power Purchase Agreement: Authorizes the City Manager to sign the next long-term power purchase agreement with the Bonneville Power Administration, covering the period from October 1, 2028, to September 30, 2044. Unanimously approved (7-0).
Key Outcomes
- The council unanimously approved the majority of the consent agenda (Items 1 and 3) and ultimately unanimously approved the contested Item C2 (Dia de los Muertos sponsorship) (7-0).
- The transient lodging tax was officially adopted to increase to 3.5% starting January 1, 2026.
- A dedicated replacement account for street light infrastructure was established.
- Public works received approval to purchase new equipment and fund infrastructure replacement projects.
- The city will enter into a long-term power purchasing agreement with BPA.
Council Communications
- Council President Valenzuela reported on Library Commission activities, including the upcoming Gathering of Groups on November 9 and the continued renovations of the children's library area. He also highlighted the Policy Advisory Board's annual accomplishments report.
- Councillor Martinez reported on the Gales Creek Rural Fire Department's volunteer schedule and the Sister City delegation's upcoming visit to Forest Grove starting October 22.
- Councillor Schimmel praised staff efforts to modernize community engagement through the Civic Academy and the upcoming October 28 open house, as well as economic development progress on the tourism RFP.
- City Manager Jesse Vazquez reported that the council's letter to BPA regarding a power pole on Highway 47 had a positive impact, resulting in the assignment of a congressional liaison and project manager. He also shared that the city received an intent to award for a housing planning assistance grant. Traffic warrants analyses were completed, recommending a four-way stop at Main Street and 21st Avenue, and signage changes at B Street and 19th Avenue.
- Mayor Wentzel updated the council on the Metropolitan Mayors Consortium's joint statement regarding local control of policing. He reported on a regional microtransit pilot program called "Spot" launching in January 2026, and warned that TriMet faces a $300 million budget gap, leading to service cuts starting November 30. He also noted upcoming events including the Beaverton Recovery Center ribbon cutting on October 24.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, I'd like to call to order this meeting of the Forest Grove City Council. The time is 7 25. Sorry for the late starts. Will our city recorder please call roll? Councillor Gesterson. Here, Council President Von Zuela. Here. Councillor Shimon? Here. Councillor Falconer. Here. Councillor Martinez. Here. Councillor Marshall. Here. Here, Force Grove City Council meetings are located on the land of the Chualton Calapuas, who call themselves the At Falati. They are now part of the Confederate tribes of Grand Ron. Will the audience in Council please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States America. Thank you. You may be seated. I did get some readers over the weekend, but I forgot them at home because I'm not used to having them. Yeah, I was like one thing at a time, right? Okay, our first proclamation this evening, hopefully I'm going in the right order, is domestic violence violence awareness month. Whereas domestic violence is a serious crime that affects people of all races, ages, gender identities, socioeconomic levels, religions, and abilities, but has a disproportionate effect on marginalized communities. And whereas domestic violence includes physical, emotional, social, sexual, spiritual, financial, and digital abuse, and can occur between family members, intimate partners, and within dating relationships. And whereas domestic violence impacts vulnerable victims, including children, as approximately 50% of child abuse victims in Washington County also live in homes with domestic violence. And these experiences in childhood increase the likelihood of struggles with addiction, mental health, school and other challenges. And whereas Oregon sees higher rates of violence and abuse than the national average, with 42% of women and 39% of men experiencing domestic violence. And whereas Washington County has united to address the impacts of all forms of family violence, including domestic violence, sexual assaults, and child abuse, through our family justice collaborative. And whereas Domestic Violence Awareness Month provides a platform to show support for the domestic violence advocates, crisis hotline staff, and victim service organizations. Now, therefore, the City Council of the City of Forest Grove does hereby proclaim the month of October 2025 as domestic violence prevention month in Forest Grove, Oregon, and calls upon the people to learn more about preventing domestic violence and to show support for the organizations and individuals who provide critical advocacy, resources, hope, and assistance to the victims. Go ahead. Okay. And when the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution creating the Continental Navy, and whereas the United States Marine Corps was established by the Second Continental Congress on November 10th, 1775. And whereas the first unit of the Marine Corps was formed shortly thereafter, when Captain Samuel Nicholas recruited members and carried out the Marine Corps' first amphibious operation seizing much needed gunpowder from the British for the Continental Army. And whereas the US Marine Corps has served in nearly every conflict in the United States history, and by 1943, the United States Navy had become the largest Navy in the world. And whereas Navy and Marine Corps veterans and their family are an integral part of our community. And whereas it is most fitting for the community to pause and reflect on the rich history, unwavering dedication, and innumerable sacrifices of members of the Navy and Marine Corps in their undaunted and immeasurable service to our nation. Considering that the Court of Marines of the States United have participated in all the conflicts of the history of the pace, and that 1943, the Marina of the States United have converted in the most grand of the world. Considering that it is summing appropriate that the community detects reflection over the rich history, the inquebrantable dedication and the innumerable sacrificials of the members of the Marina and the Court of Marines invaluable service to our community. Ahora por tanto, el Ayuntamiento de la Ciudad de Forest Grove proclama por la presente el 13 October 2025 como el 250 anniversario de la Marina y del Cuerpo de Marines de los Estados Unidos. In Forest Grove Oregon has un jamado a la población para unirse as sus concierganos in those Estados Unidos in the reconocimiento y la participación in esta conmemoración special. Thank you for your service. You can take it to them too. Great. Thank you. Thank you. We are now gonna move on to item B on our agenda, which is public comment. Time provided for anyone wishing to speak to the city council on an item not on the agenda or on the agenda but not scheduled for a public hearing.
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