The Forest Grove City Council met on October 27, 2025, at 7:06 PM. The meeting included public comments, presentations on the city's watershed and Clean Water Services partnership, council member communications, and a city manager's report. No formal votes or resolutions were taken during the meeting.
The council recognized the first graduating class of the Forest Grove Civics Academy. Mayor Wenzel thanked Stephanie and Joyce (communications team) and department directors for creating the program. Graduates received certificates and cards of appreciation.
Barry Sims, the city’s contract forester, presented the annual update on the watershed (4,225 acres). Key highlights:
Joe Gall (Chief Utility Relations Officer) and Rick Shanley (Interim CEO) provided the state‑of‑the‑partnership presentation. Key points:
Council members gave reports on board and committee activities. A significant discussion arose from Councilor Schimmel’s comments about an email correspondence that he believed contradicted the council’s August 25 work session consensus on downtown redevelopment and partnerships. He argued the email misrepresented the council’s direction and undermined the city manager’s authority. He requested that the council reaffirm (1) council and city manager authority under the charter and council rules, and (2) the August 25 consensus on goal 1.8 (relating to financial partnerships). Councilor Martinez and others noted that the council had already sworn to uphold the charter and that the consensus had not been formally challenged. Councilor Gutison clarified that her email to the city manager was only to request a correction to a staff member’s misstatement about having signed a confidentiality agreement, not to undermine consensus. Councilor Schimmel expressed concern about a “bad culture” and “perpetual harm.” No formal motion or vote was taken; the matter was left for future consideration.
City Manager Jesse reported:
Good evening. Oh, wait for a minute. Good good evening. I'd like to call to order this meeting of the Forest Grove City Council at 7.06 p.m. on October 27th. Will our city recorder please call roll? Councillor Gesterson. Yes, here. Council President Valzone. Here. Councillor Shimon. Here. Councillor Falconer. Here. Counselor Martinez. Here. Counselor Marshall. Here. Mayor Wenzel. Here. Forest Grove City Council meetings are located on the land of the Tualeton Calipuas who call themselves the Atphalati. They are now part of the Confederate tribes of Grand Ron. Will the audience and the council please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic religious stands, one nation, under God, individual liberty, and justice world. Thank you. Okay, item B on the agenda is public comment. Time provided for anyone wishing to speak to city council on an item not on the agenda or on the agenda, but not scheduled for a public hearing. Comments are limited to two minutes unless additional time is granted by the presiding officer. The public comment period shall not exceed 30 minutes unless the majority of counselors present vote to extend the time. Zoom attendees may use the raise hand feature to be called on. Our first person signed up for public comment is Dale Fake. Good evening. Timothy Snyder, who you know, read the book on Tyranity, 20 Lessons 20th Century, also wrote the book on freedom. And he I attended the Forest Grove, Hillsborough, and Beaverton No Kings Rallies. They were great. But Timothy Snyder attended the rally in Cincinnati, Ohio. And he introduced that rally and gave a seven-minute and thirty minute speech. What I've given you in your packet is the link to that speech. Seven minutes and thirty seconds. It's a good summary of all those rallies and what's happened in the United States. I really encourage you to open that and listen just for seven minutes and thirty seconds. So I made a document of that that's also in your pack. I'd encourage you to like take a look at that. He is speaking. And we're looking forward to having sign one of my books, but also to learn how he's going to inform us of how we can be better citizens. Thank you. Thank you very much. Our next public comment is Silas. Is it Ruleis?